Manjuyod Sandbar is probably one of the most beautiful natural wonders that every traveler must include in their list of sights to see in the Philippines.
Manjuyod Sandbar is probably one
of the most beautiful natural wonders that every traveler must include in their
list of sights to see in the Philippines.
Manjuyod Sandbar: Travel Guide And Itinerary
Khris and I have been to Manjuyod
Sandbar once about two years ago and we were completely enthralled by the whole
experience of being in this wondrous white sandbar. Actually, we were not lucky
to have had the chance to see Manjuyod Sandbar in its full glory because the
tide did not fully recede to reveal the entire seven kilometer stretch of the
white sand.
Still, there were portions of Manjuyod Sandbar that was exposed and that was enough for us to appreciate its beauty even if it was hidden from us. Because of that, not an hour after leaving Manjuyod Sandbar, we promised that we would be back to this seemingly magical. 2019 is the year that we hoped to be back to Manjuyod Sandbar. However, with Miguel arriving in 2018 and turning one year old just last January, we had to postpone our plans.
Still, there were portions of Manjuyod Sandbar that was exposed and that was enough for us to appreciate its beauty even if it was hidden from us. Because of that, not an hour after leaving Manjuyod Sandbar, we promised that we would be back to this seemingly magical. 2019 is the year that we hoped to be back to Manjuyod Sandbar. However, with Miguel arriving in 2018 and turning one year old just last January, we had to postpone our plans.
Reaching Manjuyod Sandbar
Manjuyod Sandbar is located off
the coast of North Bais Bay, as such, the most popular take off point is from
Bais City. This led many people to believe that Manjuyod Sandbar is under the
territory of Bais City. However, don’t be confused because the sandbar is under
the jurisdiction of the town of Manjuyod.
Reaching Manjuyod Sandbar is
easy. From Dumaguete City, get on a Ceres bus going to Manjuyod town. Most tour
operators recommend catching the first trip of Ceres bus which is at 5:00 AM so
that you can catch the morning low tide at Manjuyod Sandbar which is around
7:00 AM to 9:00 AM. If you miss the morning low tide, the next best time to go
here would be at around 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Note, however as what we have
experienced, there is no guarantee that you will be able to see Manjuyod Sandbar
even during low tide.
You may ask the bus driver to
alert you once you are at Bais City. The bus ride from Dumaguete City to Bais
City is around one and a half hours.
In Bais City, the bus would make
a stop at a loading and unloading shed where you may get off. There is a police
outpost near this shed so this may serve as your landmark. Additionally, most
locals are used to tourists alighting here so they would be happy to assist you
should you have any questions regarding directions and hotels, or if you need a
tricycle ride.
From Bais City, ride a tricycle
to Capiñahan Wharf. At Capiñahan Wharf, you may hire a boat to take you to
Manjuyod Sandbar. To save on cost, you may opt to join a group going to the
sandbar.
Once you are at Manjuyod Sandbar, you may swim and snorkel along the beach. In case you go hungry, there are boatsmen offering fresh seafood that they can grill for you. If you are looking for more activities to try, the most popular ones are island-hopping and/or dolphin and whale watching.
Do you know that you can spend
the night at Manjuyod Sandbar? The cottages on the island are for rent. If you
are interested, you may arrange for it at the tourism office.
Sample Manjuyod Sandbar Travel Itinerary
To round up, here is a sample itinerary
which you may use as reference for your travel to Manjuyod Sandbar:
| Time | Details |
|---|---|
| 5:00 AM | Take a bus bound for Manjuyod then get down at Bais City |
| 6:30 AM | From Bais City, ride a tricycle going to Capiñahan Wharf |
| 6:45 AM | From Capiñahan Wharf, hire a boat going to Manjuyod Sandbar |
| 7:00 AM to 11:00 AM | Frolic in Manjuyod Sandbar |
| 11:15 AM to 11:30 AM | Take a boat going back to Capiñahan Wharf |
| 11:30 AM to 11:45 AM | Rent a shower and put on dry clothes |
| 12:00 PM to 12:15 PM | Ride a tricycle back to Bais City |
Staying in Bais City
If you would like to explore Bais
City, you may opt to stay here for a night or two. There are hotels in the city
La Planta Hotel
La Planta Hotel is one of the historic landmarks in Bais city in that it used to be a power plant. Now, it is a 17-room hotel offering amenities such as 24-hour room service, free Wi-Fi in all rooms, 24-hour front desk, express check-in/check-out, and luggage storage, just to name a few.
Casa Sandoval Pension House and Restaurant
If you are looking for an accommodation with a homey vibe, then Casa Sandoval Pension House and Restaurant might be for you. It’s a residential house that has been converted to a pension house. Casa Sandoval Pension House and Restaurant’s location in the city center also makes it ideal for travelers who would like to explore Bais City.
Velez Pensionne House
If you are looking for an affordable accommodation in Bais City, you might want to consider Velez Pensionne House. It is also conveniently located near the bus stop, public market, and main plaza. When you are here, do take the opportunity to check out the night market in Bais City.
Other important tips to keep in mind
- You may already want to arrange for your Manjuyod Sandbar trip in advance. You may get in touch with a reliable tour operator for details. The tour package usually includes transfer to and from Bais City and a boat ride. When we went to Manjuyod Sandbar in 2017, we availed of our tour from Kuya Hadji (09774208051 and 09995226152, starts at Php1,700 for 2pax).
- Bring food with you as there are no stores in Manjuyod Sandbar.
- If you opt to spend the night in a cottage in Manjuyod Sandbar, bring a big supply of food and water and power banks for your phones.
- Bring extra cash.
- Bring extra clothes.
- Use reef-safe sunscreen.
- Be a responsible traveler: do not leave trash anywhere.
Important Contact Information
If you need more information regarding
your trip, on how to book for an overnight accommodation (including rates) at Manjuyod Sandbar,
or to check for accredited tour operators, you may get in touch with the
Manjuyod Tourism office via +639194882950 (mobile phone), (035)4041136 (landline), or manjuyodtourismoffice@yahoo.com.ph
(email).
You may also contact the Bais Tourism Office for
similar concerns at +639173005945, +639182650474, +63907 258 5751 (mobile
phone), (035) 402
8338 (landline), or baistourism@gmail.com (email).
Similar Travel Guides
*Photos included in this guide were from our trip to Manjuyod Sandbar in 2017
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What an amazing place to experience - your photos make it look like paradise! On my bucket list!!
ReplyDeleteThis places is less known by tourists, isn't it`? Form the photos there are hardly any person around.
ReplyDeleteThis looks like a great place to go travelling and you have put lots of detail in the description. I also love your beautiful pictures.
ReplyDeleteThis is a lovely sandbar and glad there are accessible accommodation nearby! Saving this place :)
ReplyDeleteWow ang ganda namn jan sir, really enjoying 💕
ReplyDelete