Some people call it a “unique hidden gem,” while some call it the “Maldives of the Philippines.” Yes, we’re talking about the Manjuyod Sandbar. Though there are several breathtaking tourist destinations in the Philippines, there’s no place that can beat Manjuyod Sandbar.
It’s neither over-commercialized nor over-populated; it’s simply nature’s beauty at its best. In this detailed guide, we’ll cover everything about Manjuyod Sandbar – best time to visit, location, budget, and a lot more. Get ready to enter the world of stunning white shores and sparkling blue waters.
Manjuyod Sandbar – An overview
Manjuyod is a small town in Negros Oriental. Travelers from all over the world come to visit the Manjuyod Sandbar to see the massive stretch of white sand because of which the place has been given the name – “the Maldives of the Philippines.” The town is sparsely populated and is not too commercialized.
The sheer exquisiteness of the place makes it a heaven for those looking for some respite from their mundane lives. Imagine sitting on a rock and simply staring at the 7 km long stretch of glimmering white sand. Doesn’t it sound incredible? Surprisingly, the island has no palm trees to welcome you.
If you’re trying to find a desolate beach in the Philippines to escape from the hustle-bustle of the city, you must pack your bags immediately and leave for Manjuyod Sandbar. But wait, before you leave, don’t forget to check the tide level as the best time to visit Manjuyod Sandbar is during low tide.
The exact location of Manjuyod Sandbar
The best time to visit Manjuyod Sandbar
As already mentioned above, the best time to visit Manjuyod Sandbar is during the low tide. During high tide, you can barely see the sandbar as the sea covers the white sands in hardly a few minutes.
If you want a picture-perfect view of the Sandbar, make sure you visit the place when the tide is low. During low tide, the water recedes enough leaving the white sands naked. You can check the weather forecast before you plan your journey.
The best months to visit Manjuyod Sandbar and nearby places are the end of February to the end of May. This is the dry or summer season in the Philippines. Starting from the end of September to the end of January, the white sandbar completely covered with water, even during the low tide.
Even during the low tide, the best time to visit Manjuyod Sandbar is between 6 A.M – 7 A.M, especially if you want to see the Dolphins. Click here to check the tide forecast.
How to reach Manjuyod Sandbar?
The first thing you need to do is book a flight to Dumaguete. If you plan to travel in the Philippine Airlines, it will take you around 1 hour 20 minutes to arrive at Dumaguete airport. Once you reach the Dumaguete Airport, you can ride on a tricycle to the Ceres Bus Terminal. From there, you can ride in the Ceres Bus to reach the city of Bais and get down at Brgy.
Bus fare from Ceres Bus Terminal to Bais City – Approximately $1.10 or PHP 55
Once you are In Bais city, ride a tricycle to reach Capinahan Wharf or Canibol Wharf – the point from where you can rent a boat to reach Manjuyod Sandbar. The duration of the boat ride from the drop-off point to Manjuyod Sandbar is around 15 minutes.
Boat rental from the drop-off point to Manjuyod Island – $70 or PHP 3500 (for 5-7 people)
Boat rental from the drop-off point to Manjuyod Island – $100 or PHP 5000 (for 10-15 people)
The boat rent is for the entire day, so you can make the most of the boat to tour other places such as Mangrove Forest, Bais City Bird Sanctuary, etc.
As already mentioned in the earlier section, check the weather forecast before traveling. Low tides are suitable for the boat ride and the visibility of the white sandbar.
To rent a boat in advance, you can get in touch with Bais Tourism Office. The tourism officers are helpful, and the booking is quick.
| Bais Tourism Office Contact details Contact number – (035) 402 8338 Contact email – [email protected] |
Government boat rentals for Manjuyod Sandbar
The rental prices of the government boats are different. Here’s a quick table with the details of government boat rentals:
| Boat name | Number of people allowed | Rental rate |
| M/BCA Dolphin 1 | 20 people | PHP 4000/boat PHP 20 – Terminal fee/boat |
| M/BCA Dolphin 2 | 15 people | PHP 3000/boat PHP 12 – Terminal fee/boat |
A usual Manjuyod Sandbar itinerary
Here’s a quick list to provide you with a glimpse of how a Manjuyod Sandbar itinerary looks like. Please note, the itinerary may vary across travel agencies and travel planners.
- 6:30 AM to 7:00 AM – Reach Capinahan Wharf, sign the passenger declaration
- 7:00 AM to 8:00 AM – Scheduled departure from Capinahan Wharf to the Tanon Strait
- 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM – Dolphin trip – Whale and Dolphin Watching
- 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM – Leave for Manjuyod Sandbar
- 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM – Lunch (planned lunch at the island or home-cooked food) and swimming assisted by the tourism officers
- 2:00 PM to 2:30 PM – Visit the Mangrove Forest
- 2:30 PM to 3:00 PM – Leave for Capinahan Wharf
The Dolphin trip – Manjuyod Sandbar
Once you leave the Bais drop-off point in a boat, you’ll reach the dolphin site in about 25-30 minutes. However, it’s not always easy to spot the Dolphins. Remember, the Dolphins are out there in the wild. There can be a chance that you may not see them at all.
So, be patient. When you see them, you’ll not just see one Dolphin; you’ll see a bunch of them jumping around.
Early morning time is the best time to spot the Dolphins. Sometimes, it takes up to 2-3 hours to find the Dolphins.
Other places to visit near Manjuyod Sandbar
Here’s a list of some other interesting place you can visit near Manjuyod Sandbar:
Post 2 Marine Sanctuary
Post 2 Marine Sanctuary is an area between the Bais Airport and Manjuyod Sandbar. It is approximately 500m away from the sandbar. It is a place where you can indulge in snorkeling among sea creatures and corals. If you have any plans to do snorkelling, make sure you carry a snorkelling kit, as the boatmen won’t be able to help you with a snorkelling kit.
Olympia Island
You can reach Olympia Island from Manjuyod Sandbar in just 15 minutes. Many travelers and tourist agencies suggest that you should visit the Olympia Island during high tide. If you visit the place during low tide, you’ll have to walk a lot from the drop-off point to reach the island. Wondering if the island’s even worth visiting? Hear us out!
Even though you’ll have to trek on a steep slope to reach the top of the island, the efforts will pay off once you reach the top. You’ll be stunned to see the spectacular views of the pristine blue waters, white sandbar, and the Tanon Strait.
Twin crater lakes of Danao and Balinsasayo
The twin crater lakes are situated at 1000 ft above sea level. Once you reach the place, all you’ll see are lush-green trees and crystal-clear lakes. If you love a serene and relaxing environment, you must visit the twin crater lakes of Danao and Balinsasayo.
How much would a trip to Manjuyod Sandbar cost?
Before you plan a trip to Manjuyod Sandbar, you should know the expenses that you may incur. Here’s a quick table with a summary of the Manjuyod Sandbar trip budget excluding the flight fare:
| Activity | Expenses |
| Bus ride from Dumaguete to Bais City | $1.10 or PHP 55 |
| Boat ride from drop-off point to Manjuyod Sandbar | $70 or PHP 3500 |
| Bus ride from Bais City to Dumaguete | $1.10 or PHP 55 |
| Total | ~ $72.2 or PHP 3600 |
If you wish to spend a night at Manjuyod Sandbar, the budget may increase depending on the rent of the accommodation you use. Also, we’ve not included the extra expenses that you may have during the day.
Average cottage rent in Manjuyod Sandbar is PHP 3000 for use during daytime, PHP 4000 if you wish to spend a night in the cottage, and PHP 6000 for 24-hour use.
Manjuyod Sandbar – Where to stay?
If you don’t wish to stay in the cottages, you can look for a suitable place near Manjuyod Sandbar. Here’s a list of recommended places to stay near Manjuyod Sandbar:
Bravo Resorts [Top Rated]
This is one of the best-rated resorts in Dumaguete. It is located just minutes away from the Dumaguete airport which makes it an ideal choice for many travelers. If you’re looking for a resort with world-class amenities and supreme services, this is the place to stay.
Other places where you can stay include:
- Dumaguete Royal Suite Inn
- La Plaza Hotel
- Atmosphere Resorts
Things to know before you visit Manjuyod Sandbar
Before you plan a day outing or a short-trip to Manjuyod Sandbar with your friends or family, here are a few things you must know:
Check the tide status
As we’ve mentioned again and again in this article, check the tide level before you set out on the journey to Manjuyod Sandbar. It’s okay to be excited, but it’s equally important to be wise. If the weather forecast predicts a high tide, postpone your plan and wait for the low tide. Afterall, the gorgeous 7 km stretch of white sand is only visible during the low tide. Also, if possible, plan the trip during the dry season or the summer season in the Philippines.
Book a boat in advance
If you’re traveling the trip well in advance, it would be a good idea to also book the boat in advance. Why wait till the last moment and get hassled? You would be required to pay PHP 1000 for advance boat bookings.
If you’re not sure about the itinerary or renting a boat, you can get in touch with the tourism officers or travel agencies for more information.
Carry your own food and water
Manjuyod Sandbar has no restaurants. Yes, you’ve read that right. Once you reach the sandbar, you’ll only spot a few locals selling wild oysters, sea urchins, and some local drinks. It’s best to carry home food. If, for some reason, you cannot prepare your own food, you can inform the tourism office in advance so that they can make the necessary arrangements.
Also, make sure you carry lots of drinking water, especially if you’re visiting Manjuyod Sandbar during the summer season. You’ll require lots of water throughout the day.
Don’t expect a luxurious treatment
Whether it’s the cottage or the rented boat, don’t expect any special or luxurious treatment when visiting Manjuyod Sandbar. You’ll be greeted and welcomed by the local who live a simple, yet fun-filled life. Manjuyod Sandbar is called the “Maldives of the Philippines” because of the pristine waters and the beautiful white sand, not because of the luxuries. Moreover, there are only 3 on-water cottages.
Travel in groups
If possible, visit Manjuyod Sandbar in groups of 4-5 people. That way, you’ll be able to save a lot on the total incurred expenses, especially the boat rental.
Wear enough sunscreen
There are no trees to provide you with shade at Manjuyod Sandbar. You’re on your own. So, make sure you wear enough sunscreen to save your skin from sunburns or skin issues caused by UV exposure. If possible, wear a rash guard, and don’t forget to carry your sunglasses.
No trash, please
One of the most important points to remember; don’t dispose of any trash at the sandbar. If you have trash, carry it back with you and dispose of once you find a dustbin.
Don’t miss the dolphin trip
Did you hear a friend mention that they were unable to spot Dolphins during the Manjuyod Sandbar dolphin trip? Well, just because they did not spot Dolphins doesn’t mean that you won’t spot them too. It’s sheer luck with the Dolphins.
You have no option but to be patient and observant. Sometimes, it takes up to 2-3 hours to spot the majestic Dolphins.
Are you ready to visit Manjuyod Sandbar?
Now that you know almost every aspect of the stunning white sandbar, are you all set to visit the place with your friends or family? Once you reach Manjuyod Sandbar, there’s no way you will want to not come back!
You will ask yourself again and again, “can I stay here forever?” No, we’re not exaggerating here. You can ask people around you who have visited this heavenly place and they’ll say the same thing.
So, what are you still thinking about? Pick up the calendar and plan your dates. The tour requires only a day. Make sure you check the tide before you leave. If you don’t want to get into any last-minute hassles, book a rental boat in advance.
Pack your meals and wear your sunscreen. And, lastly, expect the least and the enjoy the most. If you have any questions related to Manjuyod Sandbar, please feel free to write to us.
Each time we answer a query about Manjuyod Sandbar, we fall in love with the place all over again!