Last updated: September 2026 — practical information about access, transport, boat trips, prices, accommodation, dolphin watching, and local tourism services has been revised and updated.
Have you ever imagine walking on the sea, in water not deeper than your knees, in a landscape, consisting only of an endless pale blue water surface, endless deep blue sky and pure shining sun? There was a similar landscape, created in the movie “Interstellar”, where a whole planet was covered by tiny water, and the astronauts just walked on the bottom of the sea. But since the landscape in “Interstellar” was too cold and depressive, there are places on our planet Earth, where you can feel like a water paradise, bathed in sunshine. One of these places is located in the Philippines. This is Manjuyod Sandbar, and it is called “The Maldives of the Philippines” (due to its similarity with such places in the Maldives).
Table of Contents
What is a sandbar and how is it created
A sandbar is a ridge or elongated accumulation of sand formed by waves and currents in shallow coastal or river environments. Usually, the sea depth in such shoals is so small that the bottom is often exposed above the water surface during the low tide, creating temporary islands.
There are various natural factors in the sandbar forming. The shape and position of a sandbar are controlled mainly by the movement and deposition of sediment through waves, currents and tides, together with the local underwater topography. And sometimes the combination of all these factors can create wonderful forms like these sandbars.
Where is Manjuyod Sandbar
Manjuyod Sandbar is a roughly 7-kilometer-long tidal sandbar in Negros Oriental, Philippines. It is located in Negros Oriental province, beside the southeast coast of Negros Island. It lies in North Bais Bay, between Bais City and the municipality of Manjuyod, within the Tañon Strait. There is Manjuyod Sandbar- a long and wide strip of sand stretched into the open side of the bay. Although the sandbar belongs geographically to the municipality of Manjuyod, Bais City remains one of the main and most commonly used jump-off points for boat trips.
Bais
Bais is a small coastal city on the eastern side of Negros Island. There is no some special destinations in Bais itself, it is just a nice and calm town, with its central square, its streets and houses, and its shops and restaurants (and of course, its Jollibee fast food, as almost everywhere in the Philippines). But the treasures of Bais, especially Manjuyod Sandbar, are located out of the town, which is only a starting point to visit them.
Our Manjuyod experience
As a part of our Philippines itinerary, we arrived in Bais from the north- from Bacolod. We took one of the morning buses from Bacolod South Bus station to Dumaguete and traveled around 5 hours until we reached Bais in the afternoon.
Our accommodation in Bais
When we planned our Philippines trip, we booked most of the accommodations (mainly hotels and hostels) in advance. But for Bais, since it is a small town and there is not too much choice in Agoda and Booking, we decided to look for an Airbnb room. And we found an excellent place there- the property of Ricky Soler, located in a picturesque and tranquil area in the northern part of Bais.
When we arrived in Bais and got off the bus, it was a bit difficult to find Ricky’s place, so he came and took us by his car. Actually, it was only about 200-300 m away from the road, but we felt like we entered a virgin countryside, an excellent place to relax. We had planned our Manjuyod Sandbar cruise for the next day, so that day we only researched our options, how to arrange everything in the best way.
Our house in Ricky Soler’s property
Ricky’s property was actually a yard with a few houses. Two of them, the largest, were his family private home. And the other two were prepared for his guests (actually one of the small houses was in repair just then). Our house was well decorated outside, with a nice open-air vestibule. And there was a hammock in the vestibule.
Our house inside was very comfortable and clean, arranged like a hotel room. But there was something different (which I really enjoyed)- there were a lot of books, especially encyclopedias. Ricky’s wife left a can with water, so we had enough to drink. And there was another joy, especially for the children: a few friendly pets- two big dogs, one small puppy dog, and a cute cat.
Ricky immediately helped us to book a boat for our Manjuyod Sandbar cruise. Then we went out to walk around the town and to see the port, from which we had to depart on the next day. We also looked for the mangrove forest, which is another attraction of Bais, but we couldn’t find it at that time. Then we back to the center and have a nice dinner with Ricky and his family in Mang Inasal restaurant (another famous and cheap restaurant chain in the Philippines, specializing in some of the most delicious chicken I have ever eaten).
Check your Bais accommodation on Booking!
Check your Bais accommodation on Agoda!
On a cruise to Manjuyod Sandbar
On the next day, we woke up very early- around 6:30 am (actually, still not enough early), and prepared our luggage. Ricky has arranged a tricycle to take us to the port for Manjuyod Sandbar. They also invited us to their delicious breakfast with coffee and tea. We made some photos together and got on the tricycle.
When we arrived at the port, it was more than 7:00 am, and actually was already late. There we found our boat (it was a boat for 5 passengers- the smallest type of boats for this cruise) and left for the sandbar. We could see from the port the few cottages on the water, and the boat sailed straight to them. The whole trip by boat to the sandbar was around 10-15 mins.
On the sandbar
The boat anchored on the sand floor in front of the cottages, which was rising from the sea depths. We left our luggage in the boat, and our two boatmen remained there, keeping it and just relaxing, while we went to explore the sandbar and play in it.
The water was still shallow, lower than our knees. There were a few big red starfish, which could be seen clearly in the transparent water on the white sand. We also saw some sea urchins and our boatmen warned us to be careful. Anyway, the water was so clear that it was not a problem to notice the urchins from far.
Walking “in the middle of the sea”
I noticed a place, where the sand was still uncovered by the rising water. While Ying Ying and the kids were enjoying the starfish, I went to the disappearing isle and watched its shrinking until the sea waters joined over it. Then I started to walk “in the middle of the sea”, just like in “Interstellar”‘s water planet.
Manjuyod Sandbar is around 6-7 km long, so it could take hours to reach its end. I walked for almost one hour to the north. The sand was mixed with small stones and corals in some places. Then I back to the cottages again. The water was already above my knees. More tourists have arrived and the local vendors were selling some coconuts and other food on their boats.
In the cottages of Manjuyod Sandbar
I visited the cottages too. They were raised some 4-5 m above the seafloor. Two of them were actually still in construction, but I went upstairs to one of them, which was available now. It had a large balcony, a simple bedroom, a small toilet and another small room which was locked.
Some people stay the whole day in Manjuyod Sandbar, but we had to back to Bais at noon because the next points of our plan were Dumaguete and Siquijor Island. So we sailed again to Bais port, paid to the boatmen, and by tricycle went to Jollibee, where we could catch one of the buses to Dumaguete.
Useful tips of how to visit Manjuyod Sandbar
It was our experience in Manjuyod Sandbar. But how we arranged it, and what other, different options could you have? Before choosing the day and time of your trip, check the tide forecast: the white sand is exposed mainly around low tide and can be completely submerged at high tide.
How to reach Manjuyod Sandbar
The most popular way to reach Manjuyod Sandbar is from Dumaguete, the largest city in Negros Oriental province. Dumaguete has an airport and a seaport, so you can go there by domestic flight from Manila or Cebu. Or you can travel by fast boat from Cebu, Siquijor or other port nearby. From Dumaguete, take a northbound Ceres bus to Bais City; fares and schedules have changed since our 2019 trip, so check the current price locally before departure.”
Another option (and it was our way) is by bus from Bacolod, the main city in Negros Occidental province. During our 2019 trip, the Bacolod–Bais journey took about 5–6 hours and cost 280 PHP; Ceres services across Negros still operate, but current schedules and fares should be checked before travel.
Then, from Bais, you have to reach Canibol Wharf. You can reach Capiñahan or Canibol Wharf by tricycle from central Bais; agree on the fare before the ride.
Book your transportation to Dumaguete!
Manjuyod Sandbar cruise
It is best to arrange the boat at least one or two days in advance, especially on weekends, holidays or during busy periods. As in our case, Ricky Soler helped us to arrange our cruise on the previous day. Boat prices have increased since our visit; recent published rates are commonly around 3,500–5,000 PHP per boat, depending on capacity, route and operator, so confirm the current rate before booking. And it is price without included lunch, and only to the sandbar.
You can try to join a larger group, but it is still not always possible. We tried to join such a group. Ricky Soler called at least 5 cruise organizers, and they all refused. As they said, it is due to the weather. Exactly on that day, the weather was not very normal- it was too cool for such a tropical location, and it was windy.
The cottages
Yes, looking for accommodation near Manjuyod Sandbar, and seeing the photos of this paradise place with the few cottages built on pillars, I was trying to find more information about them. I was searching for the cottages in Booking and Agoda but didn’t found them. During our 2019 cruise, the boatmen told me that an overnight stay cost around 5,000 PHP.
The conditions inside are very basic, but that’s the charm of the cottages- to feel like sleeping in a natural paradise. The stilt cottages are still available for day use and, depending on current local rules and availability, for overnight stays, but rates have changed and should be confirmed in advance with the local tourism office.
More activities from Bais
Manjuyod Sandbar cruise is not the only thing that you can do in this area. There are several other activities in the area, and dolphin watching in the Tañon Strait is now one of the main attractions commonly combined with a visit to Manjuyod Sandbar.
The first one is dolphin watching in the Tañon Strait, often combined with the sandbar in one boat trip; sightings are of wild animals and are never guaranteed, and current package prices vary by operator and boat size. The Tañon Strait has been a Protected Seascape since 1998, so feeding, touching or swimming with the dolphins should not be part of the experience.
And the second one is visiting the nearby Talabong Mangrove forest. We didn’t visit it, but Talabong Mangrove Park is a protected mangrove area near Capiñahan in South Bais Bay and can be included as an additional stop on some boat trips. Again, it has additional charging.
Another thing that you can do in Bais area is scuba diving. During our 2019 visit, Ricky Soler also helped organize scuba diving and other local activities. I could not verify whether Ricky is still actively arranging these services in 2026, so current trips should be checked through local tourism offices or active operators.
There are also some other local trips to nearby destinations. From them, I can mention Lag-It Beach, Niludhan Falls, Mabinay Caves, and river tubing, and Balinsasayao Park with its Twin Lakes.
Actually, the whole area of Negros Oriental is very beautiful, and it is really a pleasure to explore. But Manjuyod Sandbar is “the pearl in the crown” there and one of the most beautiful places in the Philippines. Today Manjuyod Sandbar is a well-known tourism destination in Negros Oriental, although the sandbar itself still has only basic facilities and no large luxury resort development.
We left this area and proceeded on our trip around the Philippines. And Manjuyod Sandbar remained as one of the Top best places to visit in this country.
Enjoy the Maldives of the Philippines!
Check out some travel books about the Philippines and scuba diving in this part of the world!
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Hi, we are Krasen and Ying Ying. Krasen is from Bulgaria, and Ying Ying is from China. We are passionate about geography and history, and we believe that the best way to experience it is by exploring the Earth in reality, not in a school, and not virtually.
So, we created this blog Journey Beyond the Horizon, where we share geographical knowledge, travel guides and tips how to experience it when you explore our planet, and a lot of inspiration.
And we wish you a happy journey, not just virtually, but most of all- in reality.
Enjoy!
Krasen and Ying Ying
Hi, we are Krasen and Ying Ying. Krasen is from Bulgaria, and Ying Ying is from China. We are passionate about geography and history, and we believe that the best way to experience it is by exploring the Earth in reality, not in a school, and not virtually. So, we created this blog Journey Beyond the Horizon, where we share geographical knowledge, travel guides and tips how to experience it when you explore our planet, and a lot of inspiration. And we wish you a happy journey, not just virtually, but most of all- in reality. Enjoy!
WOW just what I was searching for.