GUIMARAS: HIDE-AND-SEA
We love going to the beach, and what’s amazing about the Philippines is that there are literally thousands of islands and beaches to visit. Most of them are small provinces and islands.
Fresh from the vibrant energy of MassKara Festival, we craved a shift to serenity, and Guimaras became our chosen refuge. It’s an island in Western Visayas, nestled just south of Iloilo and west of Negros Island. In a region often associated with the famed Boracay, Guimaras emerges as a quiet contender. Beyond the allure of its world-class mangoes, Guimaras boasts hidden beaches and islands, patiently waiting to be uncovered. But fair warning: these secret spots demand a bit of effort, usually involving a scenic boat ride or two.
The place to be
Our intended three-day, two-night stay in Guimaras felt fleeting. The island, a compact cluster of wonders, revealed an abundance of activities that begged for more time. For those yearning to escape the urban buzz and linger longer in the embrace of tranquility, Guimaras is the place to be.
National Mango Research and Development Center
DAY 1: THE MANGO CHASE AND WINDMILL MAGIC
Tired from the travel going to Guimaras, our first day unfolded with a leisurely exploration. We visited the National Mango Research and Development Center first to know more about the mango industry here. May is when mangoes are in season. No problem. A good reason to return for the Mango Festival.
Come late afternoon, we shifted gears to the Guimaras Windmills, where the hours waltzed away into a breathtaking sunset. The windmills, a relatively recent addition to Guimaras’ skyline, painted the fading light with a touch of magic. As evening embraced us, we retreated to our accommodation, had dinner, and slept. Guimaras sleeps early—establishments closing as early as 6PM.
DAY 2: TAKLONG ISLAND’S OFF THE BEATEN MARVELS
We scheduled an island-hopping tour for this day. According to the locals here, you have two choices: the usual Alubihod Island Tour, or the Taklong Island Tour. Since we are fans of taking the road less traveled, or in this case, islands less visited, we picked the latter. Kuya Rodrigo, our tour guide and boatman, picked us up at Alman Port.
Our first pitstop, Yato Island, welcomed us with its untouched charm—campsite vibes and a quiet stretch of cream-colored sand.
Yato Island
Kuya Rodrigo Galvez Jr.
Taklong Sandbar
Cruising through a necklace of tiny islands, we hit the Taklong sandbar, a delicate strip connecting two isles. Snorkeling around, we spotted colorful corals and a few playful fish.
A short boat ride took us to the star of the day— the Taklong Island National Marine Reserve, or TINMAR, a marine sanctuary boasting a dreamy white sand beach. Covering 46 islands and islets, TINMAR dazzled with mangroves, coral reefs, and seagrass meadows.
Taklong Island National Marine Reserve (TINMAR
A Boat Ride Through TINMAR's Backwaters
Our boat then whisked us through TINMAR’s hidden backwaters—a boat ride through mangroves revealing endemic Philippine ducks and bats hanging out atop trees and hiding inside the mangroves. We were lucky. They usually hide when there are tourists.
Floating Cottage & Sandbar Oasis
The journey continued to a floating cottage, a sandbar oasis perfect for snacks and a swim. This is also where we ate our lunch prepared by the locals. One thing to note from our chat with Kuya Rodrigo, who happily noted that since the pandemic eased, more people started visiting Guimaras again, giving livelihood to Guimaras people.
Guisi Beach
Guisi Lighthouse, a Spanish-era ruin with a short trek leading to Guisi Beach. Here, we soaked up the last rays of daylight against a backdrop of cream-colored sand and emerald waters. As the sun dipped, we wrapped up day two in Guimaras, lost in the chill vibes of Guisi Beach, soaking in a sunset that felt like the perfect ending to our island escapa
DAY 3: ALUBIJOD TOUR
As our final day dawned in Guimaras, we craved more exploration, so we set our sights on Alubijod Beach for another round of island hopping. Alubijod welcomed us with its sandy embrace, a coastal gem offering simplicity and charm.
Navigating through a scattering of islands with rugged landscapes and thick foliage, our first stop was Natago Beach. This quaint resort perched on a cliff’s edge housed an old nipa hut with a panoramic viewpoint. A small, sandy stretch led to clear waters, adorned with corals but modest on the fish count. A minor sandbar flirted with visibility during low tide.
Natago Beach