Top Things to do in Antique Province
What to do and see in Antique Province, Philippines: The Best Places and Tips
Discover the best top things to do in Antique Province, Philippines including Malalison Island, Malumpati Cold Spring, Bugtong Bato Falls, Tibiao River, Nogas Island, Bugang River, Seco Island, Igpasungaw Falls, Duyong Beach, Nablag Islet.
Restaurants in Antique Province
1. Malalison Island
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 74 reviews
Reviewed By CzarEmmanuel - Manila, Philippines
Malalison (or Mararison) Island is a primary tourist destination in Culasi, Antique. We visited the place on our way back from Pandan to Iloilo, keeping our fingers crossed and praying for a fine weather (since it was raining until the night before). Our prayer was heard! Thus, off we went to visit this small hidden paradise distant around 193 kms away from Iloilo City ... that's approximately a 4 hour and a half drive. But since we were coming from nearby Pandan (42 kms away), it took us only 45 minutes to reach the place.
Upon reaching the town proper, guests must proceed to the port area and register at the local Tourism Office, which is also where you arrange the boat ride and pay the terminal and the environmental fees. We rented two boats for our group. The boat ride lasted only for about 15-20 minutes. We docked directly at one of the resorts on the island, paid for two cottages, bought some fresh fish to have them cooked by the time we finished swimming, snorkeling and roaming around the island.
Malalison Island is considered as the "Batanes of Antique" ... well, this seems quite presumptuous and ambitious, but the place certainly has great potentials to be developed into one of the best Beaches on Panay Island. It has beautiful Beaches with fine white sand, crystal clear waters, colorful corals and fish, a hill for climbing for a spectacular view of the whole island, etc. Right now there are only limited accommodations on the island (mostly home stays), but I foresee that in a few years' time, investors will be coming in to develop the place. I just hope that it won't become overly exploited and sullied as many of our resort Islands in the country.
2. Malumpati Cold Spring
Overall Ratings
4 based on 64 reviews
Reviewed By marian16rox - Bacolod, Philippines
Pretty cold, but the water is so inviting. It was so clear you could see the bottom even from afar. At first, I didn't want to jump in because I thought it was freezing, but then I was pushed in by my nephew and found that water was in fact refreshing. Tubes are around Php 20.
3. Bugtong Bato Falls
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 31 reviews
Reviewed By Charlotte N - Essex, United Kingdom
We came here on a very wet day. The trek was difficult in the wet but I imagine it being a lot easier in dry weather. The waterfall was lovely to see and we were glad we did it. We had organic coffee at the house just above where the waterfall is and on the trail. We also got cooked alive in the kawa which was a wonderful experience that we all really enjoyed.
4. Tibiao River
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 13 reviews
Reviewed By CzarEmmanuel - Manila, Philippines
Tibiao is a municipality in the Province of Antique, one of the provinces on Panay Island in Western Visayas, Philippines. There are a few tourists destinations in the area, such as the Tibiao Eco-Adventure Park (where you can ride a two-cable 500-meter zipline), the hanging Bridges of Malakagat and Tigbaboy, the Bugtong-Bato Falls, and so forth. Two of the tourist destinations in the area are particularly interesting -- the white river rafting along Tibiao River (with varying degrees of difficulty) and the "kawa" hot bath experience.
"Kawa" is a big cauldron which the people in the area use in preparing muscovado sugar and molasses. I don't know when it started or who had the brilliant idea of using them as some sort of a bath tub! Practically, the container will be filled with water, "seasoned" with some aromatic leaves and flowers, left to boil, and when everything is ready, people can get into it for a nice warm hot bath. It's the indigenous counterpart of a modern jacuzzi! The experience is very relaxing!
If you drive from Iloilo City to Tibiao it would take you around 4 hrs to cover the distance of 174 kms. You may also take a bus going to Antique. In either case, go to Brgy. Importante (look out for a steel arch that reads "Welcome to Brgy. Importante, Tibiao, Antique"), then follow the road (or take a motorcycle called "habal-habal" from the main road) and it will lead you to the area where the "kawa" spa is. They say that coming from Catican or Roxas City is closer to Tibiao. I haven't tried to route yet, so I really cannot recommend it.
They usually charge 250 pesos per head for the "kawa" hot bath experience lasting for about 30 minutes. Sometimes they would allow you to stay longer if there are no other guests waiting in line. Many visitors prefer to go to Bugtong-Bato Falls first before trying the "kawa" experience. The two areas are not really far from each other, and so it is easy for you to try both.
5. Nogas Island
Overall Ratings
4 based on 16 reviews
Reviewed By Josita M
If you want to see one of the richest underwater biodiversity in Western Visayas, don't hesitate to visit the Nogas Island of Antique, Iloilo.
The beautiful island is also a home to the healthy mangroves and rare birds species.
The lighthouse in which the island is also famous for, is a great way to see Antique's view from the top. Also, don't forget to have some photos taken in the "trail way" surrounded by trees.
If you want to stay overnight, you can ask permission to the care taker of the island. There are no hotels or overnight houses to stay, so bring tents or a sleeping bag. Food is allowed but please be responsible of your trash. Take them with you when you leave the island.
Also, before reaching the island, you can stop by for warm dip at the hot spring in Sira-an Resort. The resort is where you will take the pump boat ride going into the island.
6. Bugang River
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7 reviews
Reviewed By Universaltraveler09 - Philippines
The river is nice and clean and very swimmable. We really enjoyed the tour and even the short swim stop and the ice cream stop t the water park. My 5 year old said she had so much fun.
7. Seco Island
Overall Ratings
4 based on 7 reviews
Reviewed By Lloyd_Galo - Salt Lake City, Utah
"It's normal." the boat crew said, referring to the sea waves that battered our limping vessel... We braced ourselves on the gas powered fishing boat that vesseled us, occassionally checking our life vests if they're fastened and worn correctly as the boat climbed and dipped the towering waves. 2 of the crew men continued to repair the dislodged beam mounting it to the side of the vessel. According to some fishermen I know, that fishing boat would have capsized. Shivering in the cold as the water continuously sprayed us with cold water blown by an afternoon wind, one of my friends whispered to me, "I can't swim."
"Nothing's gonna happen to us" was all I could mutter through purpled lips of mine, i rubbed to drenched back of another one who was already weeping in panic. We traveled from the island around 12:30 pm and reached Mainland Antique at 7:00 pm.
8. Igpasungaw Falls
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
Reviewed By TheMorenoTraveler - Philippines
Located in the Province of Antique. Whether from Caticlan or Kalibo, you can ride a bus leading to San Jose de Buenavista and drop in the town proper of Sebaste, the municipality where the Igpasungaw Falls is situated.
You will take a 15-minute tricycle or motorcycle ride from the highway up to the location where trekking will start. Hiking will take 40 minutes to 1 hour before reaching the Waterfalls. Fifty (50) Philippine Peso is being paid as the Environmental Fee per head. Moreover, Tour-guide fee is about 200 Pesos.
The place is worth a visit for nature lovers and thrill seekers. Igpasungaw Falls has a unique features. Be watchful for you might encounter a rare Amorphophallus Carnivorous Plant which is known as the Tallest Bloom Flower in the World.
9. Duyong Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
Reviewed By paulreimbert - Grebbestad, Sweden
Very nice beach and perfect for a picnic that have several options to be reached by car or motorcycle. Bring your own shelter if it is a sunny day.
10. Nablag Islet
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
Reviewed By RayGohetiaJatico - Quezon City, Philippines
Nablag Islet is easily reached by foot from Luyo Beach of Malalison Island during low tide. There's a rock formation on one side of the islet that is worth checking. If you want a very good view of the western side of Malalison Island facing to the east, then Nablag Islet offers a non-typical Philippine landscape that travelers should not miss.
