HomeIloiloIloilo ProvinceNorthern IloiloCarlesGigantesHow To Get To & Around Gigantes Islands 270 sharesHow to get to and around Gigantes from Carles, Estancia, Iloilo, Roxas, & Boracay. Read travel tips on schedules, passenger ferries, flights & fare prices. By Marcos Detourista. Updated on February 11, 2017.Due to its remote location, the Gigantes Group of Islands in Iloilo is harder to get to than most mainstream tourist destinations in the Philippines. Still, thousands of travelers still flock to Gigantes every year to experience its exotic seascapes. The towns of Carles and Estancia are the main jump-off points, which can be reached by land from all major transport hubs in Panay Island including Iloilo, Roxas City, and Boracay.The Gigantes Islands are situated approximately 19 kilometers off the coast of mainland Carles on the northeastern tip of Iloilo in Panay Island, Philippines. Aboard land and ferry connections, travel time to Gigantes (via Carles) takes around 5-6 hours from Iloilo City, 3-4 hours from Roxas City, and 6-7 hours from Boracay/Caticlan. The nearest airport to Gigantes is Roxas Airport but the Iloilo International Airport, Kalibo International Airport, and Caticlan-Boracay Airport are also popular transport gateways.Further readings: Gigantes Travel Guide, Iloilo Travel Guide.Jump-off SeaportsBancal Port in the town of Carles is the most convenient jump off point and fastest way to get to Gigantes Islands. It takes around 1.5 hours by pumpboat (local outrigger) ferry from Bancal Port to Gigantes Norte. With daily commuter ferry trips and a Municipal Tourism Office to assist visitors, transiting through Bancal Port is highly recommended instead of the more popular route via Estancia Port. Alternatively, tourists can also charter a boat to get to and around Gigantes from either seaport.Carles to GigantesBancal Port in Carles is the preferred jump off point to Gigantes after the municipal government had set up a tourism office to assist travelers visiting the islands. Travel time from Bancal Port to Gigantes Norte takes around 1.5 hours. Carles is approximately 1.5 hours from Roxas City, 3-4 hours from Iloilo City, and 3 hours from Kalibo.There is a regularly scheduled local passenger ferry that runs once daily from Bancal Port to Gigantes Norte Island. The commuter pumpboat departs from Bancal Port at 10AM and arrives in Langob Beach, Gigantes Norte at 11:30AM. The same boat departs from Langob Beach the next day at 2PM and arrives at Bancal Port at 3:30PM.Estancia to GigantesEstancia Port is the main sea transportation hub and fishing port in Northern Iloilo. Traveling by pumpboat from Estancia Port to Gigantes takes approximately two hours. Estancia is approximately 3 hours from Iloilo City and 2 hours from Roxas City.There are multiple commuter pumpboat routes that ferry passengers to various barangays in the islands. All commuter pumpboats are regularly scheduled once daily only. They arrive and depart at Estancia Port at around the same time too. The pumpboats usually arrive at Estancia around noontime and depart at 2PM. The same boat departs from Gigantes (to Estancia) at 7-9AM. Gigantes Norte Island is the main arrival destination for most tourists since it is where most of the resorts are clustered. The ferry fare from Estancia Port to Brgy. Asluman, Gigantes Norte Island costs P80 per person. Meanwhile, if you are traveling to Brgy. Lantangan, Gigantes Sur, the route is operated by “M/V Three Sisters” or “M/V Romel.”Travel time from Estancia Bus Terminal to Estancia Port takes around 5 minutes. Tricycle fare from the terminal to the port should cost P10 per passenger.Getting Around GigantesTo travel between islands in Gigantes, you need to charter a boat since there are no options for commuting. The bigger islands, Gigantes Norte and Gigantes Sur, have narrow inland roads connecting different villages on the island. The fare for motorcycle taxis, locally known as “single,” costs P10 per person. Roundtrip transfers to the lighthouse in Gigantes Norte costs P60 per person including waiting time.Transport GatewaysIloilo City to GigantesMost tourists travel to Gigantes via Iloilo since the Iloilo International Airport serves more frequent flights and destinations. Buses and vans from Iloilo City to Carles and Estancia are stationed at Tagbak Terminal in Jaro District. Travel time by bus takes 3-4 hours and the fare costs around P170-P180 per passenger. The bus route is operated by Ceres Liner. Commuter shuttle vans does the trip in only 2 and a half hours and the fare costs P150 per passenger.From the Iloilo Airport, a taxi ride takes around 20-30 minutes to Tagbak Terminal. Direct daily flights from Manila, Cebu, Davao, Cagayan de Oro, Puerto Princesa-Palawan, Hong Kong, and Singapore are operated by Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific.Further readings: Getting to & around Iloilo, Iloilo bus & land transport, Iloilo ferries & seaports.Roxas to GigantesIf coming from Manila, Roxas Airport in Roxas City, Capiz may be more convenient since it is nearest to Gigantes, which cut down travel time to around 2-3 hours. Ceres buses and shuttle vans ply the Roxas to Estancia route. Roxas Airport only serves direct daily flights from Manila. They are operated by Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific.Kalibo, Boracay, Caticlan to GigantesThere are no direct passenger bus or van routes from Kalibo Caticlan, or Boracay in Aklan to Estancia or Gigantes. You would need to transit through Roxas City. From Kalibo, there are commuter vans that go directly to Roxas. The land travel takes one hour. From Boracay or Caticlan, you can take a bus or van to Kalibo first. Travel time takes 1 hour.Kalibo Airport serves regularly scheduled direct domestic flights from Manila and Cebu, and international flights from Hong Kong, Singapore, Beijing-Capital, Busan, Seoul-Incheon, Shanghai-Pudong, and Taipei. Flights are operated by AirAsia, Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific.Bacolod to GigantesThere are no direct commuter routes between Bacolod and Estancia or Gigantes. From Bacolod, you can ride a fastcraft ferry to Iloilo City and then travel by land to Estancia. You may also take the RORO (slow ferry) to Dumangas Port, and then travel to Barotac Nuevo, where you can catch a bus to Estancia.Manila to GigantesFrom Manila, the fastest way to get to Gigantes is arriving at Roxas Airport. It is also worth to consider transiting through Iloilo Airport, Kalibo Airport, or Boracay-Caticlan Airport since they serve more frequent direct flights to these destinations. Travel time to all mentioned airports takes around 1 hours from Manila-NAIA Airport. Traveling by ferry and RORO to Panay Island is also possible via Caticlan Port.Cebu to GigantesFrom Cebu, the fastest option is to take a direct flight to Iloilo Airport. Cebu Airport also serves direct flights to Kalibo and Caticlan if ever they are more suited for your itinerary.Don’t leave yet. There’s more!Leave a Reply Cancel replyYour email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *Comment *Name * Email * Website ΔThis site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.Comments Christine saysSeptember 17, 2017 at 8:52 pmOur ETA at Iloilo International Airpot is 12 to 12:30AM so we’re planning to head directly to Carles/Estancia once we landed. So is it safe to travel at night or would you recommend for us to wait until the sun is up? Thanks!Reply Nora saysAugust 2, 2017 at 3:00 pmHi! We have a flight to iloilo this august at 3 pm. Which would be more convenient (given the toa), to go to boracay first or to gigantes? Please help. Thank you!Reply Cy saysJuly 22, 2017 at 4:40 pmgood day. im planning to cross from bacolod to dumangas via RORO. are there also buses/vans going directly to carles from barotac nuevo? as i read, there are buses/vans going to estancia only. i need to be in bancal port as it is my preferred jump off point. your response will be highly appreciated. thanks.Reply Darryl saysJune 8, 2017 at 10:19 amWhat about getting from Roxas to Carles. Then from Carles back to Roxas.Reply mathel saysMay 4, 2017 at 2:58 amthere is also ocean jet daily from tabuelan cebu to estancia..Reply Metch saysApril 7, 2017 at 1:45 pmDaily ferry trips now from tabuelan cebu to estancia…pls check ocean jet and there are also other ferries operating there…Reply Candace saysJuly 3, 2017 at 11:39 amWe’re coming from cebu…from tabuelan to estancia…from estancia how do we get there to gigantes..any recommendations?Reply Rose saysJanuary 31, 2017 at 9:23 amHow would I go from Bacolod City to Gigantes Island? ThanksReply Richard saysJuly 13, 2016 at 3:09 pmWill be in Iloilo this August 3-5, 2016 and will arrive in the airport around 12pm. We’re only 2. Who wants to join?Pls message me. 0947 1824 296Reply Jb Matunding saysJuly 6, 2016 at 4:49 pmhello poh :-) anong oras poh departure ng last trip from tagbak terminal to estancia?? thank you.Reply khem saysJune 5, 2016 at 2:01 pmyes po 14 po flight naminReply Charureu saysJune 5, 2016 at 12:40 pmHi! Do you know the number of Carles Tourism Office? Thank you.Reply Cora saysApril 13, 2016 at 11:32 pmHi Marcos.I would like to ask if how can I get to the Island from Sequijor or Dumaguete whichever is much more convenient to depart from. I’m on a road trip taking my car with me. I would really appreciate if you can enlighten my misery planning this trip…Regards! CoraReply Kenneth saysApril 26, 2016 at 2:40 pmHi Cora,You can drive all the way to Carles from Dumaguete by going to Bacolod then ride the roro from Breddco port to dumanggas port and then take Iloilo east coast Capiz road. You will pass by the towns of barotac nuevo, barotac viejo, sara and balasan before reaching Carles. Proceed to municipal tourism office near bancal port to seek assistanceReply Khem saysMarch 22, 2016 at 1:48 amJune 14 po! Who wants to joing us in islas De gigantes. Dalawa lang kami. :)Reply Abie saysMay 23, 2016 at 5:22 pmHi. Naka pag pa book na kayo? Gusto sana namin maki join. 2 lang din kami. ThanksReply Khem saysJune 7, 2016 at 1:42 pmYes po pls contact me 0925-594-6594 grace saysMarch 16, 2016 at 2:13 amHI. Thank you for the detailed information.I was wondering which one would be the cheaper and faster route form Bacolod to Gigantes. You mentioned that Dumangas to Barotac Nuevo is the best route, but is the bus/van fare from Barotac-Estancia similar to the Tagbac-Estancia fare which is 150-180? And do the buses have the same schedule going to Estancia? I believe we have to arrive in Estancia before 2 pm for the ferry and I want to know which route is faster and more affordable..Reply Cyril saysMarch 10, 2016 at 11:27 pmThank you Marcos for the awesome guide. Anyway, does the transportation in Iloilo City Airport to Carles or Estancia is 24 hours? Because we have a flight from Manila to Iloilo City and the expected arrival time is around 11:35 pm. Btw the date is on July 20, and our return flight would be on July 23 departure time is around 12am. And we’re planning to go to Gigantes Island. Can i ask what are the things we should do to maximize our trip and to fully enjoyed the short vacation.P.S. sorry for choosing the not so good time in both flight, i just took it because of the promo fare.Reply Mhaira saysJune 22, 2016 at 10:41 pmHi Cyril I’m also planing to go to Gigantes Island on Jul 22/sat.for a day trip only. Side trip lang after my work, will be back in manila on the 24th. are you planning to stay in the island the whole 3 days? Maybe we can join you to save on boat rent?! :)Reply Raze saysFebruary 12, 2016 at 1:54 pmHello Marcos!Anong oras last trip from tagbak to caticlan? Ill be coming from cdo and arrive in Iloilo 5:50pm. Gusto ko na dumiritso sa tagbak terminal and travel to caticlan diritso.Any response will be greatly appreciated ;) thanksReply Tris saysFebruary 10, 2016 at 9:34 amHey, Marcos!Great article! But we do wonder about shuttle vans headed to Bancal Port. We are going there soon and would like to ask where we can ride a shuttle going to Bancal Port. Hope you can help us!Reply Arnel saysNovember 25, 2015 at 5:38 pmHi Marcos! Thanks for this very helpful article of you and I appreciate it very much when you emphasized the travel from Bancal port of Carles to Gigantes since it is closer (when I viewed it from the map) than most commonly published via Estancia port. Anyway, me and some few close friends are planning to explore Gigantes within 24 hours. :). Do yo have any idea how much would we spend if we opt to charter a boat from Carles to Gigantes v/v and an island hopping? And last thing, do you know a place in Carles where I can leave my car safely while we are in the island? Thank you very much and best regards.Reply Marcos Detourist saysNovember 26, 2015 at 2:15 pmYou’re welcome Arnel. Bancal Port should be the jump-off-point of all tourists. Not only is it closer, but they also have a good tourist center that could assist visitors. It should cost you around P5,000 per boat, for RT transfers, including a whole day rental for island hopping. Re: safe parking area: the tourist assistance center at the port should be able to help you.Reply Shyla saysNovember 23, 2015 at 12:30 pmHi Marcus,Thank you very much for your very helpful website, just wanted to ask, we are planning a trip in January, Gigantes, Iloilo, Guimaras, would you recommend to go to Gigantes first? We are coming from Manila, you mentioned here that its best to take Roxas City to Gigantes, the flight from Manila to Roxas arrives at 11:10am, will we have enough time to travel to Estancia port to make it to the 2pm boat schedule?Reply Marcos Detourist saysNovember 25, 2015 at 5:14 pmI think it’s cutting it too close. You also have to factor in the chance of your flight getting delayed and other delays you might encounter on your arrival and transport to the seaport. Purely based on the timing of flights between Roxas-Manila, you can maximize your itinerary better by visiting Gigantes lastYou might also want to prefer visiting Gigantes first, which is the more “active” part of your itinerary, then take your trip on a more leisurely pace in Iloilo City-Guimaras. This may include staying overnight at either Roxas City and Carles Town Proper… or you could just charter a boat to get to Gigantes once you reach Carles Port on your arrival date.Reply
Christine saysSeptember 17, 2017 at 8:52 pmOur ETA at Iloilo International Airpot is 12 to 12:30AM so we’re planning to head directly to Carles/Estancia once we landed. So is it safe to travel at night or would you recommend for us to wait until the sun is up? Thanks!Reply
Nora saysAugust 2, 2017 at 3:00 pmHi! We have a flight to iloilo this august at 3 pm. Which would be more convenient (given the toa), to go to boracay first or to gigantes? Please help. Thank you!Reply
Cy saysJuly 22, 2017 at 4:40 pmgood day. im planning to cross from bacolod to dumangas via RORO. are there also buses/vans going directly to carles from barotac nuevo? as i read, there are buses/vans going to estancia only. i need to be in bancal port as it is my preferred jump off point. your response will be highly appreciated. thanks.Reply
Darryl saysJune 8, 2017 at 10:19 amWhat about getting from Roxas to Carles. Then from Carles back to Roxas.Reply
Metch saysApril 7, 2017 at 1:45 pmDaily ferry trips now from tabuelan cebu to estancia…pls check ocean jet and there are also other ferries operating there…Reply
Candace saysJuly 3, 2017 at 11:39 amWe’re coming from cebu…from tabuelan to estancia…from estancia how do we get there to gigantes..any recommendations?Reply
Richard saysJuly 13, 2016 at 3:09 pmWill be in Iloilo this August 3-5, 2016 and will arrive in the airport around 12pm. We’re only 2. Who wants to join?Pls message me. 0947 1824 296Reply
Jb Matunding saysJuly 6, 2016 at 4:49 pmhello poh :-) anong oras poh departure ng last trip from tagbak terminal to estancia?? thank you.Reply
Charureu saysJune 5, 2016 at 12:40 pmHi! Do you know the number of Carles Tourism Office? Thank you.Reply
Cora saysApril 13, 2016 at 11:32 pmHi Marcos.I would like to ask if how can I get to the Island from Sequijor or Dumaguete whichever is much more convenient to depart from. I’m on a road trip taking my car with me. I would really appreciate if you can enlighten my misery planning this trip…Regards! CoraReply
Kenneth saysApril 26, 2016 at 2:40 pmHi Cora,You can drive all the way to Carles from Dumaguete by going to Bacolod then ride the roro from Breddco port to dumanggas port and then take Iloilo east coast Capiz road. You will pass by the towns of barotac nuevo, barotac viejo, sara and balasan before reaching Carles. Proceed to municipal tourism office near bancal port to seek assistanceReply
Khem saysMarch 22, 2016 at 1:48 amJune 14 po! Who wants to joing us in islas De gigantes. Dalawa lang kami. :)Reply
Abie saysMay 23, 2016 at 5:22 pmHi. Naka pag pa book na kayo? Gusto sana namin maki join. 2 lang din kami. ThanksReply
grace saysMarch 16, 2016 at 2:13 amHI. Thank you for the detailed information.I was wondering which one would be the cheaper and faster route form Bacolod to Gigantes. You mentioned that Dumangas to Barotac Nuevo is the best route, but is the bus/van fare from Barotac-Estancia similar to the Tagbac-Estancia fare which is 150-180? And do the buses have the same schedule going to Estancia? I believe we have to arrive in Estancia before 2 pm for the ferry and I want to know which route is faster and more affordable..Reply
Cyril saysMarch 10, 2016 at 11:27 pmThank you Marcos for the awesome guide. Anyway, does the transportation in Iloilo City Airport to Carles or Estancia is 24 hours? Because we have a flight from Manila to Iloilo City and the expected arrival time is around 11:35 pm. Btw the date is on July 20, and our return flight would be on July 23 departure time is around 12am. And we’re planning to go to Gigantes Island. Can i ask what are the things we should do to maximize our trip and to fully enjoyed the short vacation.P.S. sorry for choosing the not so good time in both flight, i just took it because of the promo fare.Reply
Mhaira saysJune 22, 2016 at 10:41 pmHi Cyril I’m also planing to go to Gigantes Island on Jul 22/sat.for a day trip only. Side trip lang after my work, will be back in manila on the 24th. are you planning to stay in the island the whole 3 days? Maybe we can join you to save on boat rent?! :)Reply
Raze saysFebruary 12, 2016 at 1:54 pmHello Marcos!Anong oras last trip from tagbak to caticlan? Ill be coming from cdo and arrive in Iloilo 5:50pm. Gusto ko na dumiritso sa tagbak terminal and travel to caticlan diritso.Any response will be greatly appreciated ;) thanksReply
Tris saysFebruary 10, 2016 at 9:34 amHey, Marcos!Great article! But we do wonder about shuttle vans headed to Bancal Port. We are going there soon and would like to ask where we can ride a shuttle going to Bancal Port. Hope you can help us!Reply
Arnel saysNovember 25, 2015 at 5:38 pmHi Marcos! Thanks for this very helpful article of you and I appreciate it very much when you emphasized the travel from Bancal port of Carles to Gigantes since it is closer (when I viewed it from the map) than most commonly published via Estancia port. Anyway, me and some few close friends are planning to explore Gigantes within 24 hours. :). Do yo have any idea how much would we spend if we opt to charter a boat from Carles to Gigantes v/v and an island hopping? And last thing, do you know a place in Carles where I can leave my car safely while we are in the island? Thank you very much and best regards.Reply
Marcos Detourist saysNovember 26, 2015 at 2:15 pmYou’re welcome Arnel. Bancal Port should be the jump-off-point of all tourists. Not only is it closer, but they also have a good tourist center that could assist visitors. It should cost you around P5,000 per boat, for RT transfers, including a whole day rental for island hopping. Re: safe parking area: the tourist assistance center at the port should be able to help you.Reply
Shyla saysNovember 23, 2015 at 12:30 pmHi Marcus,Thank you very much for your very helpful website, just wanted to ask, we are planning a trip in January, Gigantes, Iloilo, Guimaras, would you recommend to go to Gigantes first? We are coming from Manila, you mentioned here that its best to take Roxas City to Gigantes, the flight from Manila to Roxas arrives at 11:10am, will we have enough time to travel to Estancia port to make it to the 2pm boat schedule?Reply
Marcos Detourist saysNovember 25, 2015 at 5:14 pmI think it’s cutting it too close. You also have to factor in the chance of your flight getting delayed and other delays you might encounter on your arrival and transport to the seaport. Purely based on the timing of flights between Roxas-Manila, you can maximize your itinerary better by visiting Gigantes lastYou might also want to prefer visiting Gigantes first, which is the more “active” part of your itinerary, then take your trip on a more leisurely pace in Iloilo City-Guimaras. This may include staying overnight at either Roxas City and Carles Town Proper… or you could just charter a boat to get to Gigantes once you reach Carles Port on your arrival date.Reply