Concepcion’s Hidden Paradise

Agho Island

Beaches are the ultimate destination and Philippines have lots of them. Boracay, Panglao, El Nido, and Coron are just some of the local favorites in the country. However, due to their popularity these places are often crowded the whole year round. Your best option is to look for an ideal beach getaway that offers the same white sand beaches minus the busy crowd.

Located in Western Visayas is the island of Panay which is composed of the provinces of Iloilo, Capiz, Aklan (where Boracay is located), and Antique. These provinces boast of rich natural resources including breathtaking beaches abundant in marine life. However, the immense popularity of Boracay overshadowed other beaches in the area thus they remain untouched and naturally beautiful. Such is Agho Island in Concepcion, Iloilo.

The Facts

Crystal clear waters welcome visitors to the island

Who would’ve thought that behind the bigger islands that dot the waters of Concepcion lies an untamed beauty? Located northeast of the town proper, Agho Island is not visible to locals and tourists from the mainland. It is a small island, with an area of approximately eight hectares with a long stretch of powdery white sand perfect for swimming, snorkeling, boating, and even diving. The back part of the island faces the open sea with huge rock formations and a shoreline dotted with small rocks of various shapes and colors. Moreover, it is home to a rare Philippine bird known as Tabon or scrub bird. These birds are larger than chickens and they roam around the place and bury their eggs on the sandy patch at the back of the island. Agho is privately owned with only its caretakers as inhabitants so it’s no surprise that it still remains untouched by the claws of industrialization.

Sights and Sounds

Being in Agho Island is like having a little piece of heaven in the palm of your hand. Unlike with commercialized beach resorts, the place only has the sounds of birds singing and the gentle splash of the waves rolling towards shore to entertain you. Once in a while, a motorized boat passes by carrying passengers and merchandise to Agho’s nearest neighbors, islands of Malangabang and Igbon.

Even though there’s no electricity in the island, you can feast your eyes on the natural beauty that surrounds you. From the sandbar, there’s an unobstructive view of the town’s famous landmark as well as the second highest peak in the whole of Panay, the Pan de Azucar. You will also enjoy watching the picturesque display of colors on the sprawling hills and mountainsides of nearby islands.

Swimming is more fun in Agho Island

Things to Do

You will never run out of activities to do when you’re in the island, more so if you have it all to yourself. Its crystal clear waters glisten under the sun and since it’s surrounded by other islands, the water is usually calm the whole year making it a perfect place for swimming.

Your stay won’t be complete without even taking a sneak peek at the marvelous coral gardens in Agho. In fact, you can already see all kinds of fish and corals by snorkeling in waist-deep waters. In case you’re lucky, you can even catch a glimpse of friendly sea cows that explore the waters of Concepcion once in a while.

Fishing is another activity you don’t want to miss. You can ask the caretaker to take you to the deeper part of the beach where you can go hook and line fishing. In case you weren’t able to bring your fishing gears, no need to worry because you can still fish Concepcionanon style using only a thin nylon thread and hook which you can borrow from the caretakers.

Where to Stay

Native cottages and coconut trees provide shade 

Don’t expect any five-star hotels in the island because the caretakers only have small cottages for sleeping. Your best option is to bring with you a camping tent or sleeping bag. You can actually pitch one free of charge. There’s a common toilet and bath too. There are also no restaurants in Agho but you can bring your own food and cook them yourself or ask the caretakers to cook for you (you have to pay a small amount of money). It’s advantageous to bring your own drinking water as well because a gallon of water is very expensive in Agho. That’s because the caretakers have to cross to another island to fetch drinking water.

Getting There

It takes 30-40 minutes to reach Agho Island through a motorized boat you can hire in the mainland. In case you’re traveling alone, you can contact the caretakers beforehand and ask them to pick you up on their small motorized boat.

So the next time you have a few days of freedom from your hectic schedule, you know better than spend it inside the house and watch TV. Get out and smell the flowers. Better yet, grab your suntan lotion and head to Agho Island where the beauty of nature awaits you.

Photos courtesy of Department of Tourism Concepcion, Iloilo.