Just a week ago, I found myself stoked at the sight of Pantropical Spotted Dolphins during our Dolphin Watching Tour at Bais City, Negros Oriental. But wait, there’s more: The serene mangrove area at the Bais boulevard is a sight to behold too. And to complete the trio- Manjuyod White Sandbar before we finally say its a day.
After watching The Cove (you should watch it too) a year ago, my fascination with dolphins have increased. I wanted to interact with them in a gentle way, not in ocean parks but in the wild. I want to learn from them, experience bliss and share in their liquid paradise. Can I be a dolphin just for a day?
So I cancelled my trip to Siquijor to join Jacq, Jane and Harold at Bais City hoping to see some dolphins in action at Tañon Strait. Tañon Strait is the a narrow navigable channel of water that lies in between Negros Oriental and Cebu, a breeding ground for at least 11 marine mammals (dolphins and whales) in the Philippines.
DOLPHINS AND WHALES
I kept my expectations low as I don’t want to get home frustrated with zero dolphin visibility. But after about 30 minutes of searching for these friendly sea creatures, we found them in their element. Pods play around our small outrigger boat as if signaling their welcome to us. It was A-W-E-S-O-M-E! To see them freely playing in the ocean, unscared of us. They were graceful, playing in groups, lovely, heavenly and peaceful.

Upper Left: First sighting of dolphin; Upper right: The highest dolphin jump I saw during the tour; Lower left and right: A Pantropical Spotted Dolphin Family
The Pantropical spotted dolphin (Stenella attenuata) can be found as the name suggest in tropical areas like the Philippines. They are also the most abundant dolphins in the world. These dolphins are “without spots when born, accumulating them as they age until they are almost completely covered with overlapping patterns. They are also distinguished by a dark “cape” or coloration on their backs stretching from their head to almost mid-way between the dorsal fin and the tail flukes and by a white-tipped beak.” (see source)
They have this sound– eeeewkk eeeewk, like a hum or a sea song and when I heard it, I felt like I was transported to a different world. For a moment I closed my eyes and tried to record that single moment in my mind.
At one time I saw a tail from a far. I’m very much sure that it is a whale- maybe a Pygmy Sperm Whale. And another whale that shoots up water to the air while breathing but I can’t identify them properly (a blue whale maybe?).
I was trigger happy too and found myself mostly standing up at the edge of the boat to take some shots of these adorable creatures. I wanted to get down and join them, swim with them to tick off an item form my bucket list but the guide said I can’t because they will be fined. Anyway, I will tick this off some other time in a different place.
After more than an hour of exhilaration and more camera ticks we said good-bye to the dolphins. And they said good-bye too:
Ohh yes, these marine mammals are better experienced in the wild, freely swimming not in an Ocean Park or in a big man-made pool. Watch “The Cove” please.
BAIS CITY BOULEVARD & MANGROVE AREA
After seeing lots and lots of the Pantropical Spotted Dolphins we went to Bais Boulevard and Mangrove Area where bliss is different- the sight of green was relaxing and serene. Those healthy and green mangroves abound in the area. I also see some seedlings that are ready to be transplanted. The place is a perfect spot for pre-nup photo sesh. So heads up to those who are planning to get married soon.

Mangrove area at Bais City. The romance of green mangrove trees and the blue skies. One word: SERENE
MANJUYOD SANDBAR
Then to complete the tour, we stopped for a while at the Manjuyod Sandbar. This 7-kilometer stretch of white sand is a perfect place to beach bum, swim, snorkle and have lunch. Here you can see houses on stilts that can be rented overnight (Php3,500/night). The sandbar is scenic when its low-tide, when high-tide the houses looks like they are floating on the sea. Ask your boatman to dock on the sandbar, its free.
TRIVIA
- Do you know that out of the 40 species of dolphins, at least 9 can be found in the Philippines? These includes Irrawaddy dolphin (the pink cute ones), Fraser’s, Rough-toothed, Indo-Pacific Bottlenose, Common Bottlenose, Pantropical Spotted Dolphin, Striped, Spinners (the most common we see in the movies because they are the most playful), and Risso’s Dolphin.
- Do you know that a group of dolphins are called “school” or “pod.” Male dolphins are called “bulls”, female “cows” and the young “calves.”
- There are at least 30 Marine Mammals that can be found in the Philippines seas. At least 11 can be found in Tañon Strait (I said this earlier already). You can check (or correct) my list: 30 Philippine Marine Mammals
How to get to Bais City Wharf?
Bais City is less than 45minutes drive from Dumaguete City, less than an hour if by public transpo. You can take the public buses or vans from Dumaguete City to Bais (less than Php25) or hire a private van (Php 1,500). The Capiñahan Wharf in South Bais Bay is the most convenient point of take off to Tañon Strait. The wharf can be reached by renting a tricycle or habal-habal (less than Php50) from Bais City center. The rental boat that will take you out to the Strait costs between P2,500 to P3,000 (4-8pax), much higher for bigger groups.
Contact Persons: Jesus Pancho Jr. 0920-253-8099 (Dolphin guide, boatman) or the Bais City Tourism Office: (035)541-5161 / (035) 402-8174
Tour Package.
I might start to offer a Negros Oriental tour packages in the future so keep posted.
____ ____ ____
This trip is courtesy of GoHotels Dumaguete and Cebu Pacific Air. You can read the rest of the series by visiting the links below:
- Zipline at Tierra Alta, Valencia, Negros Oriental
- Dolphin Watching at Bais City + Mangoves and Manjuyod Sandbar
- Southern Negros Oriental Tour
- 10 Food Destinations in Dumaguete City
Where to Sleep in Dumaguete City?
Go Hotels Dumaguete. Its new, clean and affordable. Located near Robinsons Mall and Bus terminal for your convenience. Just a 20-minute drive from the airport.
Cebu Pacific Air flies to Dumaguete from Manila thrice daily and from Cebu daily for as low as P488. For bookings and inquiries, go to www.cebupacificair.com or call (02)7020-888. The latest seat sales and promos can be found on Cebu Pacific Air’s official Twitter and Facebook pages.

I was moved by your photos James! Kudos!
thanks Jade! hope you are having a fun time in samal
So many of them! Galing! And looks like the weather was really nice too! Didn’t know you could rent the stilthouses in Manjuyod, I should’ve asked when I went there. Kaso parang scary pala kung ako lang mag-isa. Haha. Awesome photos!
everything worked perfectly janeca! promise, we lose track of time.
thanks!
ang galing ng kuha mo bro, the first time I saw dolphins in the wild was during our long boat ride to Apo Reef.
thanks james1 really awesoem to see dolphins in the wild
Dolphins in the wild, gotta love them! Bais City is beautiful too, adding this to my list – thanks to this informative post!
thanks for dropping by sucy! nice photo you have in your blog 🙂
i really love el nido
Nice images of dolphins and nice post too.
thanks charles!
Sir James, may itinerary at budget ka para dito? Already have my flight booked for Feb 1 pero wala pang itinerary. hahaha, if you have one please share, much appreciate it!
Thanks, more power.
Avid fan,
Me!
wala din po akong itinerary at budget, all i know i already wrote sa blog po sir froilan.
btw, thanks for reading the blog.
Sir James, I’m planning to go to Dumaguete this Feb 1 and I need help deciding what to try or do there. My priority would be the dolphins and the sandbar. Kaso I also want to check out Apo island. How do you think should I do this in a 3-day itinerary?
I’d much appreciate any help!
kaya yan, 1 ay lang naman yung dophins and bais sandbar. one day din yung apo.
Thanks James! had a really good time! Apo island is beautiful din, sayang the marine sanctuary is under rehabilitation but the turtle sanctuary is still open and man they have really big pawikans!
why sayang if its under rehab? its needed nga po. anyway, glad you swam with the pawikans there
Dolphins! I want to go there as well. At dahil nandito naman ako today sa Dumaguete at naghahanap ako ng mga pupuntahan ay baka isama ko to bukas sa pamamasyal ko. Sana may makasabay ako na gusto ding pumunta dun para tipid lang.
so you went to bais?
Yours is one of the most informative entries I’ve read about Bais Dolphin Watching.:)
May I include you in my links?
baistourism.blogspot.com
From Bais proper, how to go to Bais Mangrove? I am planning to be there this weekend. Thanks
we went there by boat after the dolphin watching tour.
Hi! We also rented Jesus Pancho’s boat. His daughter, Jen, organized everything for us. Really great experience! Their family should be getting more referrals so I referred them in my site as well.
Thanks!
this is a nice update ms camilla. thanks for this
nice blog entry Sir! anyway, is the boat in picture the one used by Mr Pancho? thanks!
We’re planning to go there on Sept 23rd. The owner of the pension will help us get a banca for 3K, though its a little expensive hopefully we can get someone join us. Any suggestion about getting a cheaper banca?
Anybody knows how to go to Bais bird sanctuary and mangrove park?
Thank you
hi po. what month did you go there? Me and my friends will go in Bais City in January next year specifically for dolphin watching but sadly, I found out that the season for dolphin watching is from March to October and the rest is not time for it 🙁 Im really expecting to see dolphins in our trip in January, will the tourism office there still allow us to rent a boat and hopefully see dolphins? I am so worried. 🙁
I went there May po. Usually during summer ang dolphins and whales
Hello Po Sir James,this is Jenn Po ako Po yung anak ni Mr.Jesus pancho Jr.boatguide here in bais.Hingi Po sana ako ng favor Sir kung pwedi mapalitan ang old contact number 09202538099 to new contact number 09358623595?nawala Po kasi ang phone kasama doon ang number.I stand as a Tour Organizer both Bais city,Dumaguete City tour and Apo island as well.I been recommended to these following blogger also:underdogs.travelsaveworld.com,by Nicco Lampa and Camille Nacpil,And Aia Patag.you can check.thank you and Godbless
Aia Patag bagong blog nya april 2016 recently
Hi!
Do you now offer tours?
Specifically in the following areas:
Bais Bay,
Southern Tañon Strait Cruise,
Manjuyod White Sandbar & Coral,
Talabong Mangroves,
Bird Sanctuary
If yes, please email me
I’m currently looking for tour agencies who offers those areas
maria_katrina_tiong@yahoo.com
Thanks!!!
Jen Pancho is a fraud. She is such a sweet talker. She never showed on our siquijor and apo island tour which were included on the package she quoted to us. She just took the downpayment.
However, tatay jesus has genuine good heart. Tatay jesus group is different from jen’s.
Please update your contact number so no other guest will be MALOLOKO of jen. The number posted on your blog was taken forcefully from him by jen so she could get all the future guest of tatay. This is to inform other blogs about their new number.
Tatay jesus pancho: +63 955 887 9831
You can message me so I can send you conversations proofs that JEN is a fraud.