Traveling to Gigantes? This nature resort is your new basecamp

Those who have gone island hopping around the Gigantes Islands in Iloilo know how long it takes to get there and how much longer it takes to get back. Here’s what it’s like: Fly to Roxas City, Capiz as early as you can, rent a van that will take you to Carles Port, about an hour and a half away, and finally ride a boat to the first island, which is usually the famous Pulupandan — the island with one coconut tree. Then you’ll have two choices: stay overnight a.k.a. rough it out at Cabugao Gamay island, or take the long road home to a hotel in Roxas, wet bathing suits, salty hair, sticky, sunblock-coated body and all.

The resort is the most accessible jump-off point to the Gigantes group of islands, popular for this particular scenic stop, Cabugao Gamay.

I’ve tried both. Should you choose the latter, you’ll have to leave by 3 p.m. to avoid any chances of getting stranded at sea after dark. If you choose the former, be prepared to strip down to the bare necessities, as well as “shower” with sea water. Expect honest to goodness island life, not the kind you see on Instagram, but the kind lived by real people — no bidet, no aircon, no signal. Some people like it; I did. But to do that again, I would have to be with a group that’s equally enthusiastic about adventure, which isn’t always the case. And, to be honest, I missed taking a normal shower after just a day.

Solina also has eight duplex villas and eight pods for two persons each.

My latest trip to Iloilo introduced me to a much-needed development in the area, Solina Beach and Nature Resort Gigantes. Located just 10 minutes away from Carles port, it’s the perfect basecamp for Gigantes island hopping. It doesn’t hurt that it is designed with a “glamping” area, for those who want to experience nature without having to give up the perks of modern life. The resort has 25 Kamalig cabins, for couples and small groups of four to six people, built around trees that came with the 7.8-hectare property. Solina co-owner Joseph Solis, who hails from Carles Town is a nature-lover, and the resort is his bid for sustainable tourism in Iloilo. “I grew up in Carles and went to Manila for work, but my heart always belonged to Carles. Building this resort is my way of giving back to my hometown. This is the legacy I want to leave behind,” he says.

Solina's Angga restaurant serves the best kinilaw.

Sleeping in the tent is like being in a hotel room, but surrounded by trees and nature sounds. Don’t be alarmed if you hear odd bird calls — those would be coming from Solis’ personal aviary, which is also on the property. The cabin are fully air-conditioned and connected to WiFi, have a nice, spacious shower, a TV, a sofa, and storage — accommodations for the next-level glamper. One phone call and you’ll have scallops pasta and green mango shake delivered to your doorstep.

For more traditional travellers and bigger groups, Solina has eight duplex villas or a total of 16 rooms. For couples, the resort has eight pods for two persons each. At present, amenities include a swimming pool, Jacuzzi, kiddie pool, and eight day-tour cabanas. My favorite part of the resort is Angga, their in-house restaurant that serves the freshest that the seafood capital of the Philippines has to offer.

Tangke Saltwater Lagoon is another famous stop for Gigantes island-hopping.

From Solina, take a short ride to Carles port, the gateway to Gigantes group of islands. From there, you may customize your itinerary. Visit Pulupandan, Tangke Lagoon, Bantigue Sandbar, Antonia’s Resort (their snorkeling area also makes for a good swimming spot), and Cabugao Gamay island (where you can have your seafood lunch; try the wasay-wasay, a curious looking boomerang-shaped shellfish).

Relatively unknown to many tourists, Cabugao Gamay and the rest of Gigantes was “discovered” for European Red Cross volunteers who brought went on a relief mission to the island after Typhoon Ondoy. At that time, Cabugao Gamay, a privately owned island, was completely destroyed. Its inhabitants had to hike up the forested hills to get shelter. Its now-famous photo-op spot was in ruins. There was a time when tourists had to crawl through rock formations and endure a short but steep climb to get to the view deck; now, they’ve built a bamboo staircase, although it’s still best to proceed with caution.

Iloilo is the unofficial seafood capital of the Philippines, so expect a lot of fresh clams, fish and crab.

Tangke Saltwater Lagoon is another famous spot. The lagoon is naturally cleaned and replenished by seawater during typhoon season when the tide rises. In the summer, it’s a natural swimming pool with limestone for walls and magical lighting.

After island-hopping, a 10-minute drive gets you to Solina where you can chill in your cabin, hang out at the pool, or take a stroll along the beach. It’s the ideal itinerary for travelers who want the best of both worlds. Nature and comfort can coexist, and this resort makes sure of that.

Alex Española, Las Islas Travel & Tours Panay Island area sales manager, Aphrodite Cruz, Las Islas Travel & Tours president and co-founder, Shana Solis, Joseph Solis and Gigi Solis, Solina Beach & Nature Resort co-owners, with the author

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Solina Beach & Nature Resort is located in Carles, Iloilo. For inquiries and reservations, call 0917-1108344. To book your Gigantes experience, call Las Islas Travel & Tours at (0917) 709-3856.