2019 • 07 • 23

Seco Island is one isolated beauty. The shape of the island is that of an elbow (siko), hence the name. This 1.5km stretch of fine white sand is almost bare save for a few vegetation, which sprouted on one side of the island. The uninhabited island is surrounded by various shades of clear blue water, offering swimmers with different types of beach choices. Reaching the island is not for the faint-hearted, but the island will reward you abundantly with its unbelievable raw beauty.

How to Get There

Nearest Airport: Antique Airport (Evelio Javier Airport)
Other Gateways: Caticlan Airport (Godofredo P. Ramos Airport); Kalibo International Airport; Iloilo International Airport (Cabatuan Airport)

By Air

Whichever gateway you choose — Caticlan, Kalibo, Iloilo or Antique, you will need to go to Tibiao or Culasi for the boats to Seco Island. But for this guide, Antique Airport will be the starting point.

1. The newly relaunched airport is located in the capital town of San Jose de Buenavista. Philippine Airlines flies to Antique thrice a week — Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday. From there, you may ride a tricycle to the town center. The fare is P10/person, but you can also do a special trip for P50-100.
2. From the town center, ride a bus to Tibiao or Culasi, the two jump-off points to Seco Island. The fare is around P200. Travel time is 1-2 hours.
3. Whether you arrive in Culasi or Tibiao, the boat ride costs around P1000+ per person. The trip takes about 2.5-3 hours.

Notes:

• At present, there are no regular or commercial trips to Seco Island. If you are going to the island, it is already considered a special trip; therefore, the fare is a bit expensive.
• Most of the time, if not always, the boats leave in the wee hours, like 2:00 AM or 3:00 AM. If possible, arrange your boat in advance.
• The boats in Tibiao are smaller compared to that of Culasi; therefore, Tibiao is good for small groups. You need to go to Tibiao Municipal Hall where boat rentals to Seco Island are arranged.
• The boats in Culasi are bigger, so this jump-off point is perfect for big groups. Go to the local tourism office at the port to arrange the boat rental.
• More often than not, especially if you are a big group, you will be riding a fishing vessel which can accommodate more people.
• The best time to go there is during summer. The waves can get stronger, especially during the monsoon season, so it’s better to board a bigger boat during this time.
• Since there’s no regular trip yet to Seco Island, the more convenient option is to book a package tour with accredited tour operators or agencies like Katahum Tours. If you are interested in booking an arranged tour instead of pulling a D-I-Y, here are the contact details of Katahum:

  Mobile: +63 947 531 6518 (Smart) / +63 917 450 3121 (Globe)
  Email: fate@katahum.com or katahumtoursantique@gmail.com
  Website: www.katahum.com
  Facebook: Katahum Tours

 

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Entrance Fee and Other Charges

• Entrance Fee: P150
• Camping Fee: FREE, bring your camping gear. Note: This is a Marine Protected Area, so camping activities are regulated.
• Cottage Rental Fee: FREE. There are only two shades on the island: a floating cottage and a shed with a long table and long wooden/bamboo seats. There’s another structure on the island, but it’s usually empty — caretaker’s station.

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Don’t Miss

• The winds are strong all year round, so this is a good place for those who love kitesurfing.
• Swimming, snorkeling, and camping are some of the activities you can do while on the island.
• You can explore the whole island in an hour, depending on your pace.
• Photo opportunities!

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Don’t Forget

• Bring enough cash.
• Arranged tours by accredited operators or tour agencies inlclude meals and water. If you are pulling a D-I-Y bring your own food and LOTS of water.
• Bring sun protection like hats, scarves, umbrellas, sunglasses, etc. Make sure that the sunscreen/sunblock you are using is free of harmful chemicals that can damage marine life.
• If you plan to go camping, bring a tent, sleeping bag, enough food and snacks, swimwear, extra clothes, hygiene kit, mosquito repellent, and snorkeling gear.
• There’s no electricity/power source on the island; bring flashlight or lamp and battery packs or power banks.
• Leave only footprints and memories, not trash. Let us help preserve and protect the island.

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If You Have More Time and Budget

• Add Mararison Island in Culasi to your itinerary and explore Tibiao where you can experience the kawa hot bath, water tubing, river kayaking, and trekking to Bugtong Bato Falls.
• You can also extend your exploration further to Pandan. Some of the popular attractions are the Malumpati Cold Spring, Naranjo Water Park, and Dioso Farm.

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Where to Stay

If you plan to stay longer and explore the province of Antique, here are some of the recommended resorts in Antique according to Agoda users, in no particular order.

• Phaidon Beach Resort. ✅ CHECK RATES & AVAILABILITY
• La Parola Orchids Beach Resort. ✅ CHECK RATES & AVAILABILITY
• Pandan Beach Resort. ✅ CHECK RATES & AVAILABILITY
• Rose Point Beach Resort. ✅ CHECK RATES & AVAILABILITY

For more options, search here: Antique Hotels