Dolphin and Whale Watching in Bais City

 By: Unknown    2:30 PM  Visayas   No comments

 Bais City is well known for its proximity to the protected marine sanctuary, the Tañon Strait. From the Capiñahan Wharf in the South Bay, the boat heads out to the Bais Bay and into the Tañon Strait where the dolphins frolic in the water, and the whales emerge from the deep. It is a fascinating to experience and behold these sea creatures up close. Other activities include swimming, sunbathing, snorkeling and scuba diving in the nearby reefs.

Dolphin and Whale Watching is fast becoming a national attraction as well. It has gained popularity among travelers both local and foreign because of its appealing combination of activities.

The adventure starts with a cruise along Bais Bay then out to Tañon Strait, the natural habitat of several whale and dolphin specie. 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 too.

After the show of sea mammals, you head out to Manjuyod White Sand Bar where the boat temporarily docks. Here you can savor your lunch of grilled pork and fish while looking out into the blue sea and sky and the white sands of Manjuyod. This place is also ideal for swimming, sunbathing, snorkeling and scuba diving in the nearby reefs.

 The tour takes a full day beginning from seven in the morning and ending at four in the afternoon. 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. The wind and waves also inhibit the dolphins and whales from emerging.

Bais Hotels

If you plan to stay the night at Bais City and head to Tañon straight early the next day for a fresh head start, there are two hotels available. One is the Bahia Hotel, a small hilltop inn with a room rate of P700 for a basic double accommodation. The other is La Planta Hotel located within Bais City proper with room rates beginning from P1,000 to P1,700.

 How to get to Bais

Bais City is less than an hour away from the Dumaguete City airport. The Capiñahan Wharf in South Bais Bay is the most convenient point of take off to Tañon Strait. The best and most cost effective way is to organize a group and rent a van in Dumaguete to bring you to the Capiñahan Wharf. This will cost approximately P1,300. The rental boat that will take you out to the Strait costs between P2,500 to P3,000 depending on the number of people boarding. Being in a group allows you to split the transportation costs. If a van cannot be availed of, jeepneys plying the Dumaguete-Bais route cost only a cheap P15, and another P10 to take you to the Capiñahan Wharf.