Panay is endowed with beautiful coasts and islets teeming with beautiful seascapes and diverse marine life just like any other island in the Pacific. Iloilo Province in Panay is definitely no exception and even has several exceptional beaches that can potentially be the Philippine’s next top tourist destination. From Iloilo’s southern to northern tips, here’s a lineup of beaches where you could go and be hot or get wet anytime of the year.
Beaches in Iloilo
- Tobog, Basang Basa, and Bogtong Bato Beaches (San Joaquin) – San Joaquin is Iloilo’s southernmost town and is known for its pebbled shore, which gives its waters its crystalline appearance and is unlike the usual grey or white sand beaches in Panay. Visitors also go to San Joaquin for its excellent diving and snorkeling sites such as Cata-an Cove, where they could swim among many kinds of sea creatures amidst a beautiful coral garden. Tobog Beach Resort is a good place to stay in San Joaquin they may be contacted through this number: (+63)(912)887-2099.
- Grey sand beaches nearby Iloilo City(Oton, Tigbauan, and Guimbal) – The beaches of Oton, Tigbauan, and Guimbal are popular beach destinations because they are just within 30 minutes from Iloilo City. These grey sand beaches are a great place where families and groups of friends can hang around under the shade of coconut trees, enjoy eating seafood in restaurants, or swim in the cool inviting waters. Here’s a list of nice resorts in Iloilo’s southern coast and their contact details:
- Anhawan Beach Resort, Oton – (+63)(33)3358949, (+63)9209544138, (+63)9224866475, anhawanbeach@anhawan.com
- Nes’ and Tat’s Restaurant and Resort, Oton – (+63)(33)3378353
- Sol y Mar Family Beach Resort, Tigbauan – (+63)(033) 511-8288
- Coco Grove Beach Resort, Tigbauan – (+63)(033)511-7909
- Le Maer Mar Beach Resort, Tigbauan
- Lou Franz Beach Resort Tigbauan
- Shamrock Beach Resort, Guimbal – (+63)(33)5120199
- Bantayan Beach Resort, Guimbal – (63)(33)3155009/5120014
Floating bamboo rafts at Anhawan Beach Resort
- Villa Beach (Iloilo City) – The whole stretch of Villa Beach is lined with restaurants that serve fresh seafoods, sumptuous lechon, and flavorful native chicken. Tatoy’s and Breakthough are the most popular restaurants in Villa, both are favorite destinations of tourists looking forwards to filling their stomach with delicious Ilonggo style cooking while enjoying the refreshing sea breeze. There are also several resorts and inns that provide tourists a relaxing place to stay in the city like Punta Villa Resort and Villa Rosa by the Sea.
Foodtrip at Villa Beach
- Balaring Beach (Barotac Viejo) – Balaring Beach in Barotac Viejo is similar to San Joaquin’s beaches but its shore is laid out with interesting multi-colored stones. RJ Beach Resort is an option for an overnight stay in Balaring.
- White Sand Beaches in Northern Iloilo- Now we come to the best beaches in Iloilo! Most people don’t even know that Iloilo has off shore islets let alone white sand beaches and breathtaking tropical seascapes. The coastal towns in the northernmost part of Iloilo include Ajuy, Concepcion, and Carles. All of these towns have several spots akin to a tropical paradise you see in magazines. There are no 5 star resorts in these parts, just quaint accommodations where you could really commune with nature at its finest.
- Ajuy – Marbuena Island Resort. This privately owned island resort offers adequate accommodation facilities. Marbuena is perfect for taking a relaxing day and indulging yourself in the island’s white sand beach and azure waters. Nearby are a few attractions such as an 18th century Spanish era lighthouse in Calabasa Island. Contact details: Phone no. – (+63)(33)8552875; email – marbuenaisland@yahoo.com
- Concepcion - Sandbar Beach Resort in Bulubadiangan Island. It is Ideal for swimming, snorkeling, fishing, and just about any water recreation activity. Bulubadiangan is one of 16 islands in Concepcion, this part of Iloilo is definitely a must visit. A unique feature of the island is the shifting white sandbar, which would shift from left to right depending on the direction of the wind. There are only a few nipa huts where visitors could stay in Sandbar Island Beach Resort. and the electricity only lasts until 8pm. Contact details: Mobile – (+63)9068197516
- SBS Iyang Resort and Junbee Hotel in mainland Concepcion – If you’re interested in visiting Concepcion and would prefer to spend the night in a resort with better facilities. You could have your pick between SBS Iyang Resort or Junbee Hotel and arrange for a boat trip to the islands.
The towering Pan de Azucar surrounded by white sand beaches and islands in Concepcion
- Carles – Shangri-la Family Resort. Located in Carles town are several islands and islets boasting of white sand beaches, blue tropical waters, breathtaking seascapes, and rich marine life. Although this is probably the least developed in terms of tourism but it undoubtedly has the most potential to be a major tourist drawer. There are only a few resorts in the islands (they are mostly homes open for rent), there is however a resort called Shangri-la Family Resort in mainland Carles. You could probably make it your base and just hire a boat to take you around the islands of Carles like Sicogon and Islas de Gigantes. Contact details: Phone no. – (+63)(33)3291360/3962081, (+63)9196219676; email – honeylette@gmail.com
Transportation: For southern towns (San Joaquin, Guimbal, Tigbauan, and Oton),ride a jeepney stationed at the Terminal Market (commonly called as “Super”) or catch one passing by near Iloilo supermart – Molo Branch. For northern towns (Barotac Viejo, Ajuy, Concepcion, and Carles), ride a bus at Tagbak Terminal.
I’m a firm believer that Iloilo is teemingly endowed with beautiful beaches and lush marine life! It’s just a matter of promoting them, just like what you’re doing now, Marcos. They’ve got to watch it though that it won’t be overly exploited.
Tnx for posting, Mas maganda yata ung beaches dyan sa iloilo compare muh dito sa pangasinan .maraming dumadayo dito sa pangasinan,mga artista, local and foriegn tourist, ehh kahit dam lng poh ginagastohan tlaga ng government just to promote it as tourist destination…ohh tingnan nu ngaun jan s bolinao,Pangasinan, daming tourist.. di naman kagandahan ehh, mas maganda yata ung pande azucar ng concepcion at sicogon,o kaya sa tobog beach sa san Joquin , kulang tlaga sa exposure…
last month my nagbisita ang mga co-employee ko dito sa pangasinan, hanga sa iloilo. mula airport hanggang city,super enjoy talaga cla, mula pagkain(tatoys, breakthrough, Nes nd tats) ,old houses, calle real tapos ung porma ng mga jeepney dyan, even taxi malinis compara sa manila… I visited iloilo last year and sa web ninyo. nadiskubre ko ang kagandahan ng Iloilo… I am an Ilonggo based in Pangasinan… pinapromote ko tlaga ang iloilo dito….Daming ilonggo dito sa Pangasinan! …Philpangasinan…he.he.he.
thanks ilocana, heheh talagang magaganda lalo na ang mga babae dito, malalambing malayo sa taga pangasinan, hay naku, bal-an mo nana guro ahh, if anu di bala?
Yes, Tama un. hehe pero kulang lng tlaga sa hieght ang mga babae jan…. Basta pag alam ng Mga ilokana na illonggo kah, na inlove tlaga sila….bakit? sabi nila , mga ilonggo daw..malambing Kuno?….hehe …. so sa totoo lng, ang mga ilolonggo kahit saang parti ng mundo di tlaga mag pahuli.. maka Infotech, politics,sports etc… wlang masabi ung ibang lahi dto…ohh c Jed Madela, Miriam, Josette biyo, ehh photography, ronny poblacion..libredo ng lambunao. video, ah anjan mayad studio at iba pah..world class ang dating… anjan pinakamasarap na lotuin s pilipinas..dibah my libro na ginawa ang abs-cbn na circulated n ngaun sa National Bookstore..” Iloilo, A Rich and noble Land” Tama b yan? Maganda ung contents pero mahal ehh..hehe anjan nman ang website nu na parang libro di and updated… hehe tnx
yes, i think luzon beaches are over-rated. indeed we lack promotion so that tourists may know that western visayas has so much to offer aside from boracay.
Iloilo has always been quiet about its riches and has always had the ire of most people from other places claiming that they worth more than the little attention that Iloilo gets every single time.
Basically underrated, I have always loved how people just come to know how the beauty and the general atmosphere has been maintained all throughout history… and as a true blue Ilonggo, despite you wanting to be recognized properly, you would always want to preserve your heritage. Commercialization, though helpful sometimes, could ruin the natural beauty of the place.
Thanks for putting this blog together.
I’m working under the tourism office here in pangasinan, I’d been following the updated write ups of your website because I’m a true blooded ilonggo. Iloilo has the potential to be the tourism capital of the Philippines, as what we have seen in your web, the hidden secrets of this province is gradually revealed.
Iloilo has a series of wonders to offer, from treasures to its pasts to rich heritage, culture and events, lifestyle and people, landmarks, eco-tourism and nature, this god given place is terribly one of the ilonggos to be proud of. Some of which is unrecognized! Could you imagine, if our local officials and private sectors will come together to develop and promotes this hidden beauty of our place, it will boost
Progress and the realization of our battle cry to be “The next big Thing!â€
Dinagyang is only known for Iloilo, January and February is the best month for tourism in iloilo so, what about those remaining months? Nothing! In North Luzon, tourism is their main concern because it catalyst for change and development. Pangasinan is no. 1 in tourism in region 1.. Almost of their town is first class and 4 town became cities in just 4 years, now they have 8!… what about Iloilo? Passi city and Iloilo City, What a shame! Kasi sa Iloilo my 6th class town paeh..6 lng yata ang 1st class..bka nxt 30 yrs pah magkaroon ulit ng panibagong city… dito s pangasinan, may 2 pa mag cicity ehh.. isa n don ung Rosales, pangasinan.
I totally agree.. i will be visiting my grandparents this first week of May, fiesta man didto sa San Dionisio.. And days before that upon seeing this site, i will not make a rest to visit and explore those places. I’m very excited na. When I was young, nagkadto na kami sa Pan de Azucar but took no pictures yet.. di pa uso sa amon ina that time (lol). We just rode a boat from our place, San Dionisio, Iloilo going there since my Lolo before had a they called “Sinsoro”. Well, not now.. I will help promoting those islands by making some blogs and I will also be bringing some Manila friends with me this coming May…
Thanks for this site. My gratitude for reminding me how prided we are as Ilongos to have those beautiful nature.
Cheers!
actually there are a lot of beaches on the northern coasts of iloilo, since you mentioned concepcion, there is an island that is called pan de asucar it is also located in conception, it used to house the tampisaw festival of concepcion, and there are couples of beautiful island (white sand beaches) which neighbor the pan de asucar, if you go further north you will discover sikugon island which is part of carles, white sand island that can be compared to boracay. in estancia (between carles and concepcion) there are 7 diving sites, i think it was sited as one of the best diving sites of the philippines, you should go to this places and update it to your website so that philippines and the world will have an overview of how beautiful iloilo is,,,,,
and also if you could feature forgotten places of iloilo, i think that would be best for your website, that would give (remind) ilonggos of the true iloilo… hope will see more interesting info here on your website
I’m a fan of Iloilo and Panay island. I have read all the passion other people has for Iloilo and surroundings.
Yesterday I wanted to find a nice place to stay at the beach close to Iloilo city.
Went at “Nes’ and Tat’s Restaurant and Resort, Oton” and have been told that they have rates for short time stay, mid time stay (from 6pm to 7:30am) for 1500 pesos = 30 USD or 24 hour stay for 2500 pesos = 50 USD. I found expensive for what it is and definitely no suitable for a “normal” tourist.
Some other resort do only short time stay ( I let you guess what kind of business they are in (?) and most of them are dirty and their beaches have no chairs or facilitys to spend a day at the sea side counting with the fact that water is in most places dirty.
Its good to dream to a tourism industry, but some basic standards have to be respected if you want tourist to come and spread the good word for your area.
I feel sorry to write this, but its only to help to get a reality of the actual condition of some resorts. I hope not all of them are like the one I experienced and will try to go back again one of these days and try to do a selection with some description of the resort.
I’m sure in the near future the service mind set will be more tourist oriented and then we will be able to have this beautifull Iloilo and surroundings
At the moment I can just say sorry folks!!!
but I must share my personal experience with other, although
Nes’ and Tat’s Restaurant and Resort, Oton
I’m a fan of Iloilo and Panay island. I have read all the passion other people has for Iloilo and surroundings.
Yesterday I wanted to find a nice place to stay at the beach close to Iloilo city.
Went at “Nes’ and Tat’s Restaurant and Resort, Oton” and have been told that they have rates for short time stay, mid time stay (from 6pm to 7:30am) for 1500 pesos = 30 USD or 24 hour stay for 2500 pesos = 50 USD. I found expensive for what it is and definitely no suitable for a “normal” tourist.
Some other resort do only short time stay ( I let you guess what kind of business they are in (?) and most of them are dirty and their beaches have no chairs or facilitys to spend a day at the sea side counting with the fact that water is in most places dirty.
Its good to dream to a tourism industry, but some basic standards have to be respected if you want tourist to come and spread the good word for your area.
I feel sorry to write this, but its only to help to get a reality of the actual condition of some resorts. I hope not all of them are like the one I experienced. One day I will explore again this area between Iloilo and Guimbal and make a list of suitable resorts with reasonable confort conditions.
I’m sure in the near future the service mind set will be more tourist oriented and hope some tourist organisation will take care of this marvellous area.
hola!if you have time try to visit iloilo beaches..i assure you, you won’t regrets..you will really enjoy..keep safe & enjoy life coz it’s God’s given..God bless us more..
Hi
whatever happened to sicogon, it used to be so popular in the 70s and 80s when i was still a kid..but what happened?? totally lost in oblivion.. i just visited this site because edu is voting in polopina island, one of the islands in concepcion
Wow awesome, look great and informative details. I love your blog and your photos also especially the foods. Look delicious. I loved seafood.
More Picture
Thanks for sharing
Tanya Gemarin
Marcos,
I’m an avid follower of your blog and I have been meaning to leave a thank you and complimentary words for the great job in promoting Iloilo!
I was born there in the early fifties and finished HS and since then moved on to other places… but my heart still beats for the land I first opened my eyes on… and yearn to come home in my golden years!
Iloilo when I was growing up, was stagnant… halinan mo kag balikan, amo man gihapon!
But lately, it has taken some strides in catching up! Foremost, is the new modern and beautiful airport and developments along Diversion road. (Although, I lament some construction, like the overpasses that kind of destroy the only boulevard we have in Iloilo…) And also, thanks to young people like you, who blogs about the great places in Iloilo.
If I may, leave an observation with the resorts that sprouted in and around Iloilo, they are only good for a few years and then neglected afterwards. I guess, this goes to hotels and other establishments… a lack of good maintenance and sustainability. I notice, too, those which are foreign owned, tend to improve on and renovate their establishments. I hope, this attitude get adopted by the local businessmen…
So, I say my deep gratitude to you, Marcos and wish you more power… and perhaps, rejuvenate the fire that made in you to create this excellent web site… ( for I notice the updates are coming in few and far and in between). To us avid followers, you are # ONE! never mind about the immaterial awards…
Sincerely,
Pablo