Summer cruising on Manila Bay

There’s no doubt about it. The government’s renewed efforts to clean up the Manila Bay will revitalize the industries that thrive along its waters. Among these, of course, is tourism—and Manila Bay has so much to offer, from restaurants scattered nearby to iconic hotels that carry a piece of Philippine history in them.

With a coastline that stretches for a total of 190 kilometers, from Bataan to Cavite, seven kilometer of which is along Roxas Boulevard, Manila Bay itself has been a witness to many a historical event in the country. It was here, supposedly in an area across what is now Malate Church (also known as Our Lady of Remedies), that the third wave of Dutch ships tried to conquer Manila in 1646. It was here when the British landed in 1762. It was in Manila Bay, at the height of the mock battle between US and Spanish forces in Intramuros in August 1898, that German, French, and even Chinese ships waited for an opportunity to take over Manila—in case the Americans chose not to stay.

Manila Bay was, and continues to be, a focal point of trade. It was through it that goods from all over the world came to the islands, from preHispanic trade with nearby cultures to the Galleon Trade that lasted for almost three centuries.

Aside from a tour of historic spots or a food tour, there is another kind of tourism both foreign and local visitors alike can do along Manila Bay—after all, the bay covers a huge swath of land, an area that is home to 30 percent of the country’s population. One can choose to go on a cruise to catch a unique view of the Manila Bay, popular for its beautiful sunsets, and the islands that are accessible from it.

“Cruising on Manila Bay is a booming business,” said Justin Po, manager of Realship Corporation, a local company that rents out yachts and speedboats. “It’s a steadily ‘upping’ business, for obvious reasons, but primarily because we live in a country with over 7,100 islands, and because we are now accepting more foreign tourists that look for ecotourism, adventure travel tourism.”

Justin classifies cruising tourists into two: “Foreign guests use the yachts to explore the Philippines, which starts with a simple viewing of the Manila Bay sunset, followed by a cruise to one of the country’s many pristine beaches, all the way to an exploration of some of the mysterious island formations of Palawan. Local tourists, on the other hand, take a Manila Bay cruise for special events.”

Usually, Justin explains, locals who board one of the many yachts Realship Corp. rents out, which include the stylish Hakuna Matata (a 56-feet Aicon luxury yacht made in Italy in 2006), use the boats for birthday parties, debuts, reunions, and even wedding proposals. “It’s the intricacy and the intimacy of the events that they plan,” he adds. “And having these on a yacht makes a huge difference.”