Manila Bay Dinner Cruise – Is it Worth Your Time and Money?

Many of us get to enjoy Manila Bay from the esplanades along Roxas Boulevard although, another great way to soak in the ocean scenery is on a cruise. I had a chance to try this on one of the Sun Cruises tours.

My ocean adventure began at the seaside esplanade behind Mall of Asia (MOA). As advised, I arrived 30 minutes prior to the 6pm sailing. After checking in, I immediately surveyed the esplanade for photo opportunities while waiting.

The Jetty Terminal on the west side of Mall Of Asia

The view of the ocean here is amazing but be warned that pollution has been a long-term problem in Manila Bay and sometimes the breeze carries a lingering smell of sewage.

On the ferry a staff took my seat number. I flashed my ticket and she led me to the upper deck. I was pleased to be seated up there rather than at the lower deck which was enclosed. Considering it was a weekday, I didn’t expect a full boat, but, on that day, a company booked a group tour and it was quite busy.

As we waited for the rest of the passengers caught in traffic it began to rain so, plastic curtains were pulled down on each side of the deck.

A couple more minutes went by, then a waiter asked me to move to a corner table to give way to other passengers. It was rude and I began to have a sinking feeling the evening wasn’t going to be quite what I had hoped for.

Finally the rest of that group arrived and as soon as everyone had settled in, the ferry gently floated away from the wharf. We set out in time for sunset viewing. Out in the open sea, the air smelled better.

Manila Bay is well-known for its beautiful sunsets and despite the rain that day the sky was coated in warm palettes of orange, pink and blue.

I gazed at the horizon and saw the bright orange sun slowly sinking behind some thick dark clouds. On the other side, haze loomed above the city creating a dramatic skyline. It was what photographers call “the golden hour.”

Our ferry sailed north following Roxas Boulevard. We sailed on for about a kilometer or two and paused at a spot where the view of the city was astounding. You could see the stars by then and from the sea, the city lights were brilliant against the twilight sky. Inside the crew began to serve each table.

The cruises are an all week activity with 2 to 3 scheduled trips depending on weather conditions. A set meal is served for the Monday to Thursday cruise and a buffet dinner from Friday to Sunday.

I settled back at my table and there before me was dinner composed of a bowl of soup and a plate with a slice of pork with some kind of barbeque sauce, breaded fish with mayonnaise, a cup of rice, and some corn and carrots on the side.

It was served all at the same time. Nothing extraordinary, just like a simple everyday meal you can order at the office pantry. Drinks are offered ala  carte.
Soon we began sailing south toward Mall of Asia. It was pitch dark by then, and from the ocean you could view the bright lane of restaurants that have through the years popped up like mushrooms along Seaside Boulevard. At the center was the glowing MOA Eye, Manila’s version of the London Eye, which I must say was a quite a spectacle at night.

Although it was a weekday, the boulevard was very much alive with music and chatter from mall goers and yuppies enjoying a few drinks before heading home. The light and carefree ambiance was contagious so, I decided I’d take a stroll along the coast after the cruise.

Our ferry slowly navigated back to the wharf where we shortly disembarked, and so that concluded our 90-minute cruise.

Cruising is a rare activity for most Manila natives, but anything rare has something unique to offer, so even if you’ve seen Manila Bay countless times, a leisurely boat ride can still be a rewarding experience.

The main take away for me was the opportunity to enjoy a glorious sunset and savor the brilliant evening lights as our ferry swayed on the gentle waters of Manila Bay.

Take a historical tour of Corregidor Island, learn more here: 

Traveler’s Guide: Corregidor Island

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Photographs by Iza Sanchez