ILOILO CITY -- For those planning to see the famous “tangke” or saltwater lagoon in Gigantes Island located in the municipality of Charles town, northern Iloilo, you’d better cancel your vacation plans or make a detour.

Municipal Mayor of Carles Town in Iloilo Seigfredo Betita recently announced this week that the famous hidden lagoon will be temporarily closed from September 1 to September 30 as per Executive Order No. 45, series of 2018.

This is to protect and preserve the natural beauty, and to assist the natural recovery of tangke by temporarily closing the area from public visitation.

In addition, the temporary closure is a way of safeguarding the lives of tourists visiting the area during southwest monsoon months.

During first week of August, 178 tourists were stranded for a week in Gigantes Island after Coast Guard Iloilo announced a gale warning and suspended the operation of all motor bancas or motorized boats in the area.

“Tangke” is one of the several tourist attractions of the island in Carles town.

It is famous for its crystal clear waters, white sands, and mystical stories, and the hidden salt water lagoon visited by hundreds of tourists especially during summer.

Daily group tours are being offered by local travel agencies accredited by the tourism office of the local government at the Bangcal Port of Carles town.

Other offers include a fee for island hopping tours including the saltwater lagoon, an additional environmental fee for the places visited, and a sumptuous seafood lunch for P1,000 per head.

Carles town is a three-hour ride from Iloilo City, while traveling to Gigantes Group of Islands usually takes an hour of from the Bangcal Port. Group tours start at 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Leo Solinap/SunStar Philippines)