Santiago Island

Philippines , Philippines

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Santiago Island is a small tropical island off the northeast coast of Bolinao in Pangasinan province, Philippines, in the Ilocos Region, covering about 23.2 square kilometers with roughly 27.4 kilometers of coastline and white-sand beaches.

The island comprises six barangays (Binabalian, Goyoden, Lucero, Pilar, Salud, and Victory) and is reached by banca or ferry from Bolinao, where it’s known for excellent fishing—especially for bangus (milkfish)—and scuba diving along its long coral reef stretch extending toward Lingayen Gulf. 

It has strong historical significance as the first area in Pangasinan discovered and occupied by the Spaniards and once served as a refuge for people escaping smugglers and pirates, while today it also functions as a sanctuary for migratory birds and hosts a Giant Clam Ocean Nursery and Marine Protected Areas.