Among the many adventures that Oriental Negros has to offer is the dolphin and whale watching in the city of Bais. Known as the “Sugar City” of Oriental Negros, Bais City is located some 44.7 kilometers from the province’s capital, Dumaguete City. Bais City is bounded in the north by the municipality of Mabinay, in the south by the City of Tanjay, in the northeast by the town of Manjuyod and in the west by the City of Bayawan.
The dolphin and whale watching tours in Bais City have become popular among foreign and local tourists. The city’s proximity to the marine sanctuary in Tañon Strait, the natural habitat of several whale and dolphin species, makes it ideal gateway to experience the sea creatures up close.
The journey to this adventure starts at the Capiñahan Wharf where motorized boats and well trained tour guides are available. Visitors then take a 45 minute boat cruise toward Tañon Strait through the Bais Bay. The Tañon Strait is a narrow channel between the islands of Negros and Cebu. It is right across Bais Bay.
Upon reaching the strait, tourists have to wait for the sea animals to appear. One can clap his hands, whistle and call for dolphins from time to time until they appear. If one is patient enough, these fascinating sea creatures will appear in no time. Among the kinds of dolphins and whales that have been spotted in the area are Pantropical spotted dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, long-snouted spinner dolphins, Fraser’s dolphins, and Risso’s dolphins, melon-headed whales, short-finned pilot whales, pygmy sperm whales, pygmy killer whales and dwarf sperm whales. Out of the 23 marine mammals that have been seen in the Philippine waters, nine species have reportedly been spotted in Tañon Strait.
Tourists are, however, advised to observe proper behavior when going dolphin and whale watching. Tourists are prohibited to touch, feed and swim with the dolphins and whales to avoid accidents and to preserve the natural instincts of the animals. Touching these sea creatures may irritate them and feeding them can attract sharks, poison the dolphins and encourage them to take fishing bait.
Sea wardens regularly patrol the area to make sure that the dolphins and whales are protected. The best time to go whale and dolphin watching is from March to October when the seas are smooth and when there is an almost zero wind velocity. Cruising and spotting the sea animal is difficult throughout the rest of the year when it is windy and the seas are rough because of the Northeast monsoon.
GETTING THERE
Bais City is less than an hour away from Dumaguete City. When travelling in a group, it is best to rent a van to take you to the Capiñahan Wharf in South Bais bay, which is the most convenient take off point to Tañon Strait. One can also take a jeepney plying the Dumaguete-Bais route and once in Bais, take another jeepney ride to the wharf. Once in the wharf, there are boats for rent that costs between 2,500 to 3,000 depending on the number of people boarding.
Central Azucarera de Bais
Being known as the Sugar City of Oriental Negros, Bais City credits much of its progress to the Central Azucarera de Bais, the largest producer of raw sugar in the province. It was established by the Tabacalera of Spain in the early 1900s and is one of the pioneers of the sugar industry in the Philippines.
The Central Azucarera is a foreboding structure of metal and hard wood. The offices, although old, are still functional. The Casa Grande, an equally old residential compound surrounded by tall acacia trees is nearby. It was built for the use of the employees of the Azucarera. The two story wooden houses are greatly influence by old Spanish design and architecture. Most of the houses have undergone restoration but these continue to used as homes.
Some 73 percent of Bais City’s total land area is devoted primarily to agriculture and most lands are sugar plantations. Within these plantations are stately houses owned by sugar planters, mostly standing on one of the lots in the family hacienda. Inside the haciendas are chapels with altars and icons that date back to the early 1900s.
Tours in the area, especially those arranged at the Bais CIty Tourism Office are done via the old railroad trams used by the milling companies to hasten sugarcane transport.
GETTING THERE
Bais City is located 45
kilometers north of Dumaguete City. One may rent a car or van to go to the area
or take a aircon bus cerer liner plying the Dumaguete-Bais route. from
Manila to Dumaguete the capital of Negros Oriental plane thru Philippine Airlines
and Cebu Pacific .From Mactan Airport in Cebu take Cebu Pacific Airlines .
Contact No. Prof. Penn Larena larenatours@gmail.com a tour of the city
