Agho Island Resort in Concepcion, Iloilo is a perfect alternative for Boracay, at least it was our plan B because Boracay is just impossible with an ultimatum of P1,000 per person budget. We looked for contacts online but we didn’t find a specific contact for Agho, only in Bulubadiangan Sandbar so we just decided to go to the tourism office upon arrival at the town proper.
From Ceres Terminal at Tagbak, Iloilo, we took the airconditioned bus for P150, only a P25 difference from the non-aircon (P125). Travel time is 2.5 hours. When we arrived at the terminal at Concepcion, we just asked around and walked to the tourism office. We were greeted warmly and these rates were presented to us:
We didn’t quite expect the total boat price to be P3,000 because what we saw on a blog is it’s P2,000 and we didn’t expect the additional P500 overnight additional. But then, that might be an outdated info. The tourism officer helped us arrange the boat ride (and the price) with the boatman. We agreed with P2,500 fee, yey for us!
We paid the environmental fee of P30 per head, bought food from the market (aside from what we brought), and went ahead to the port. The boat ride was supposed to be 30 minutes but the boatman explained and apologized that due to a problem with the boat’s machine, we slowed down a bit to 45 minutes which we didn’t really mind.
Seeing the island from afar, we got excited like kids. We were informed that there’s a group of three persons who spent a night there but leaving that day too so we might have the island for ourselves.
One of the caretakers, Manong Budo, greeted us and told us of the fees. There’s an entrance fee of P30 per person. There were two overnight cottages (P1,500) and around 10 open cottages more or less (P500). Since my tent can only occupy 3 persons max, we rented an open cottage. There’s just an additional P200 additional for the cottage for overnight stay. They don’t charge for putting up a tent although they have a tent for rent upon request.
We were also oriented that they sell the water for washing for P25 per water container. That’s because the island itself has no water supply and they have to get it from neighboring islands (which are residential areas). Aside from sea water, their other source of water is the water they collect when it rains. Electricity, which means just lights and no sockets, is from 6PM to 10PM only. For comfort room needs this is it:
Joke. There were 6 common bathrooms which I hadn’t taken a picture of. I promise, there are such. After the orientation, we placed our stuff, did some pictorials and ate our brunch. We then went for a swim.
The tourism office informed us that the back of the island can be explored. We were actually advised to ask the boatman to pass by there before dropping us. What we did, in the afternoon since it’s low tide, we just walked and explored. The back is all about rocks and corals so be prepared with a sturdy footwear.
Booking.com
We had our dinner then played our “Bart Simpson” game and went ahead to drink our “attendance.” Then we all slept curled up in the cottage because even though I put up my tent, the rain was so hard with strong winds and my tent is just a cheap one and it couldn’t stand the weather. The caretaker was kind enough to let us borrow a tarpaulin to cover one side of our cottage and a blanket I brought to cover another side.
To be honest it was a tough night for us, we didn’t sleep well because of the very cold night. We woke up early and decided to go around the island for the second time while it’s still low tide. This time, we were able to go around completely with some free climbing sessions here and there. The back part of the island is a complete contrast of the sandbar part. There was a cliff of rock and looking at the waters, we thought it was good for cliff diving, though we were not sure so…
Being the 90s kids that we are, we played jumping rope using a vine we saw somewhere as suggested by our “badjao” friend, lol, who had a “seaside” childhood.
Then we swam some more and played the Bart Simpson game again ‘cause we couldn’t get the hang of it from the night before. We then ate our lunch and we were picked up at 12 noon, a bit earlier than planned because the boatman worried that it might rain hard. We paid our dues to the other caretaker, packed up and went to ride to the mainland.
Since the airconditioned bus just took off, we decided to take the non-aircon. It was a long ride, about 3 hours, 15 minutes.
Here are some reminders and facts:
- You can choose between three islands where you want to stay. Bulubadiangan Sandbar is the nearest one from the mainland and has the cheapest boat ride fee. It was also the most popular among visitors because among the three, it has the longest sandbar. Agho Island is the second farthest. It has a short sandbar but the sand is finer here. This is your choice if your want a secluded place. We had the island for ourselves when we went there, apart from the day before when there’s a group of people on a day tour and the group who also spent a night. If I’m not mistaken, Pan de Azucar is the farthest island where Mt. Manaphag is. I’m not sure if Lumpatan beach is located in this island too.
- BRING: your own food and water, powerbank or fully charge your phone, flashlight, blankets/jacket.
- The signal is very good especially Globe. We can even surf the net. Smart, not so much.
- No electric sockets. Light goes on 6 PM to 10 PM only.
- Bonfire is not allowed although if you really want to, the caretakers can make the fire for you.
- There’s a volleyball net but bring your own ball.
