Plizio Visual Lab

Carles

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

City

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Practical info — Carles

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🌤 Weather — 5 days

📍 Nearby

Sights nearby

💡 Tips

As Carles is the 'scallop capital', make sure to eat them daily; they are incredibly fresh and cheap here.
Start your Gigantes island hopping tour as early as 7 AM to beat the crowds at Cabugao Gamay.
Bancal Port is the main jump-off point; arrive early to complete the mandatory registration.
Bring enough cash; there are very few ATMs in town and none on the islands.
Visit during the dry season (March to May) for the calmest seas and best travel conditions.

🍽 Food

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Baked Scallops

Try this local specialty directly on the Gigantes Islands or at the restaurants near Bancal Port.

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Wasay-wasay

A uniquely shaped axe-shellfish often served steamed; look for it in local seafood eateries.

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Steamed Crabs

Freshly caught and often served with a simple vinegar and garlic dip in seaside stalls.

🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots

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Dried Scallops

A popular local product that you can find around the Bancal Port area.

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Daing

Various types of dried fish available at the Carles public market.

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Shell Crafts

Look for handmade souvenirs made from local shells in the small shops at the port entrance.

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Sicogon Island

A much quieter and more exclusive alternative to the busy Gigantes Islands.

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Antonia Beach

Find a spot between the unique rock formations for more privacy and quiet.

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Bakwitan Cave

A cool retreat on Gigantes North that is often less crowded than the beaches.

Carles, located at the northeastern tip of Panay, is a paradise for seafood lovers and pristine nature seekers. The town serves as the primary gateway for tours to the Islas de Gigantes, a group of islands featuring spectacular rock formations and white sandbars. Mainland Carles also features attractive coastal stretches, including the New Beach Head Resort, which provides a comfortable base for visitors. Carles is nationwide known as the 'scallop capital', and a visit would be incomplete without sampling this affordable and fresh delicacy. Maritime culture is omnipresent here. Bancal Wharf is the bustling hub where boats depart for the remote islands. Besides the Gigantes Islands, visitors can explore the Bakwitan Cave or relax on the Sicogon Island beach. Local cuisine focuses on everything the sea provides, from grilled fish to exotic shell dishes. The beaches in Carles, like the one at New Beach Head Resort, are characterized by their vastness and views of the offshore islands. It is a place where tourism remains very authentic. Reaching it requires a several-hour drive from Iloilo City or Roxas City, but the reward is some of the most beautiful island panoramas in the Philippines.