Dolphin watching in Bais Bay and Manjuyod sand bar

I love dolphins and I guess there’s nothing more like seeing them in their natural habitat, so I made sure my first encounter with them will not be looking through a large glass box filled with water. You know what I mean.

Manjuyod Sand Bar

Spotted dolphins along Tanon strait

I love dolphins and I guess there’s nothing more like seeing them in their natural habitat, so I made sure my first encounter with them will not be looking through a large glass box filled with water. You know what I mean.

How we to get there:
From Dumaguete City, it took us about 1 hour and less to Bais City plying Ceres bus. The one-way fare per head is PHP 45, non-aircon. If you take the ordinary, non-Ceres bus (this one is slower and always filled), the fare is PHP 35.From the  bus stop, we took a trike to Capiñahan Wharf in South Bais bay.

Ceres Bus Terminal

Tañon strait is a protected marine sanctuary where the dolphins frolic in the water, and the whales emerge from the deep. We rented a boat for P3000. Capacity of 20 pax. Unfortunately we paid the whole rental for the 2 of us because there were no other bookings for that day. Oh well, we’re already there, choice but to grab it or went back to Dumaguete empty handed with memories.

Left view from Capiñahan Wharf

Our ride, and my personal life guard for life hahaha

The dolphin and whale watching seasons are during the months of March to October. The rest of the year is affected by the Northeast Monsoon or Amihan which makes cruising difficult, on our part, we were there January, and good thing the weather was fine. The wind and waves also inhibit the dolphins and whales from emerging. To be on the safe side schedule your trip March as there will be a lot of tourist who will book for dolphin watching because it will fall on summer vacation so definitely many will share for the boat rental and 90% the weather would be perfect.

Bais Tourism Office (035)541-5161 / 402-8174 Fax (035)402-8181

Dolphin watching at Tañon strait

Accordingly, among the kinds of dolphins you may encounter during the trip are, pantropical spotted dolphins, bottlenose dolphins and long snouted spinner dolphins. Melon headed whales, short finned pilot whales, pygmy sperm whales, pygmy killer whales and dwarf sperm whales are commonly found in the Tañon Strait as well. Our trip started at Bais bay then passes by Manjuyod sand bar then Tañon strait. Had a stopover at Manjuyod sand bar after our close encounter with the dolphins for about a 30 minutes but you can stay for a couple of hours if you like to. In our case, a little dip and swim will do since we were to catch our bus back to Dumaguete City.

Me!!! at Manjuyod Sand bar after Dolphin watching