Here’s the lowdown on everything you need to know about
Cebu’s thriving boating industry. With this info on your
radar, take to the high seas and turn that island-hopping
cruise you’ve been dreaming about to reality.
by ARDIE RIVERA

photography STEFFEN BILLHARDT

IN AN ISLAND DESTINATION, BEACH escapades are never far from a Cebuano’s idea of a weekend. It is an established Sunday or holiday pastime for families and friends, be it an elaborate get-together by a seaside resort or hiring a boat for the ultimate island-hopping experience.

CENTER OF SEA TRADE With 7,000 or so islands in the country, sea voyages have always been essential to us. Trade was the main driver among South East Asians, mainly by Chinese sampans and, later, big galleons from Europe. With the arrival of the Spanish colonizers, boats continued to hold cultural, religious, and historical significance.

Magellan came to our shores with a fleet of five ships, bringing Christianity with him. The Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade was an all-important ribbon of commerce during the height of the Spanish occupation, ferrying exotic silks and spices from the Orient. These days, every third Sunday of January, when Cebu City celebrates Magellan’s arrival and subsequent founding of Christianity in the Philippines in a festival called Sinulog, part of the celebration is an impressive fluvial parade attended by as much as a hundred boats in all shapes and sizes.

ROCKIN’ THE BOAT It is no wonder then that boating remains core to the aquatic lifestyle in Cebu. Each wharf or marina features different kinds of

THIS PAGE FROM TOP A bevy of boats safe in harbor
by Cebu Yacht Club in Mactan; yachts in their
element, cruising the surf and parting ocean waves.
Photos courtesy of Cebu Cruises.

BOATING IS A FAVOURITE
past time in Cebu.
There are several sites in Mactan
to hire outriggers and
catamarans, while luxury boats
and yachts are available for
charter at Porters in Liloan or at
Cebu Yacht Club in Mactan.

small bangkas to ocean-worthy outriggers. Every coastal recreation site will have activities that feature boats. People from all walks of life make a beeline for nimble speedboats and jet skis, glass-bottomed boats, even fun banana boats. The entire industry of island- hopping was formed around this love for boating. Excursions can be simple affairs using a small pumpboat that travels from the mainland to an island destination, secluded cove or virgin beach. Or there can be several anchor points from which you then plunge into the waters for a swim. Some experiences highlight the wildlife with meet-and-greet encounters with whale sharks, sea turtles or a shoal of sardines. Others can last for days and feature extensive itineraries around the Philippine archipelago.

Most yachts for rent include a full crew with food and beverage, although savvy clients can arrange for their own
catering. Favourite orders include the ubiquitous lechon and champagne and small plates of pastries or
tapas. The popular routes are six-hour trips to sand bars or a four-hour cruise around Mactan island.

THIS PAGE Be at the helm of your own boat and chart a course for the destinations you like.

UPSCALE CRUSING Recently added to Cebu’s boating scene are the luxury boats, including some high end yachts that are available for charter. Most of them come with a complete crew with a ship captain and several staff to help with docking or serving its passengers. While the pandemic may have been a downer for Cebu’s yachting and boating industry, it could never quite topple it. After a two-year hiatus, the industry continues to thrive. Cruising on a yacht is very exclusive niche, and goes beyond the regular island hopping. The added amenity of several bedrooms below deck means that you can access a wider range of destination. To Palawan or Siargao, even as far away as Vietnam and Hong Kong.

CRUISING AROUND
Mactan Island follows
the route passing
through Cebu’s three
bridges, and usually
takes a leisurely
three to four hours.

While in Cebu, you have to take to the seas. The white sand beaches, aquamarine belts of ocean, and flourishing underwater ecosystems demand your attention. It aches to look at all that tantalizing beauty without ever reaching out. So, hop on a boat, point the prow to the horizon, and take a trip through that unending blue wonder.

CRAFT THE PERFECT CRUISING
EXPERIENCE WITH CEBU CRUISES

At Cebu Cruises, it is never just a boat ride: they offer the best
when it comes to upscaled cruising. Adventures such as these are
the crème dela crème when it comes to aquatic recreation.

Setting up your cruise starts with selecting the perfect yacht option. Their vessels are UK-made Princess yachts, the Mercedes-Benz of yachts, to ensure only the best experience. You can have an ocular survey of the vessel itself, which Cebu Cruises will be glad to facilitate. Another added feature is the exclusivity, which pays off when you want an experience that is private or intimate. There is also a great deal of customization options available that allows you to really personalize your cruise. Whether you are setting up a tranquil retreat with the family, a celebration with friends, or an intimate proposition or honeymoon, you’ll likely find the perfect option. If you’re fretting about the expense, just think of the unequaled convenience and accessibility, and the five-star hotel treatment that moves with you and follows you wherever you go. It’s a premium experience, one that is surely unforgettable.

ITINERARY Customize the experience further by selecting the destinations for your cruise. Will you be sightseeing at Mactan, Pandanon, Kalanggaman, or Cuatros Islas? Travel to the harbors and quays that line Cebu’s coast. Pick the sites, beaches, sandbars, and reefs you want to drop anchor in and visit. You can charter the yacht for day or night use, as well as a shorter sunset cruise, which is the cheapest option and a surefire hit with newcomers.

ACTIVITIES Turn your trip into a nature travelogue or aqua sports adventure with activities like free diving, snorkeling, jet skiing, or fishing. Have a fine-dining experience or a catch-of-the-day cookout. Spend time in virgin beaches, wade through shallows, or dive to your heart’s content – the boat waits on you! SERVICES Get to more isolated destinations with the convenience of bedrooms and comfort rooms in tow. Cebu Cruises also offers a variety of auxiliary services to make sure you have a hassle-free time on the high seas. They run the gamut from jet ski rentals, photography, video and video editing, personal chef and catering services, bar services, musical performances, island and beach set-ups, to massages, and even land transportation to help bring you into the action in a heartbeat. Learn more at www.cebucruises.com and go cruising in style!