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

Manila Bay CruiseMany 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.
manila bay cruise
manila bay cruise
manila bay cruise

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. manila bay cruise

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.
manila bay cruise
manila bay cruise 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.”

manila bay cruise
Manila Bay Cruise

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.
manila bay cruise (31)
manila bay cruise

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.
manila bay cruise

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.
manila bay cruise 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.
manila bay cruise
manila bay cruiseAlthough 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.
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Manila Bay Cruise
manila bay 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

If you enjoyed reading this article, please pass it on.

Manila Bay Cruise

Photographs by Iza Sanchez

manila bay cruise (105)

Iza Sanchez

Iza Sanchez is a freelance ESL Teacher, adventurer, and moderator of Take The Travel. She writes about solo-backpacking, travel saving tips and other awesome travel resources.

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16 Responses

  1. Zee says:

    hi mam iza! I was browsing the net and I found your blog and fell in love with your adventures. I wish I have much time and have purchasing power as I go into a journey like this. Keep traveling and sharing your awesome adventures! 🙂

    • Iza says:

      Hi Zee, thank you so much. I’m glad you enjoyed browsing my site. It’s always a pleasure to share a travel experience. I wish you many adventures too. Cheers!!

  2. Nadia says:

    Hi ms. Iza. I enjoyed your article. I’m planning to go with some friends. I would like to ask if the lower deck is better or upper deck? Is there an irritating smell if we want to sit outside? Thank you.

    • Iza Sanchez says:

      Hi Nadia, the upper deck is better for sightseeing. The stench I mentioned was quite strong at the port but once you’re out in the open sea the air is okay. You might want to bring a shawl or a light jacket since it gets much cooler after sunset. Enjoy!!

    • Iza Sanchez says:

      Hi Nadia,

      Yes, I recommend seating at the upper deck. You’ll enjoy the views better. You won’t have to endure the foul smell at the wharf once you are out in the open sea. Have fun!!

  3. nf says:

    happy new year
    ms. iza

    i was looking for a date venue for our wedding anniversary, when i come across your blog. its really interesting to try this one out. do you think it will be worth to bring my wife here and experience this?

    thank you.

    • Iza Sanchez says:

      Hello,

      Thank you for visiting and I’m glad you like the article. I guess it depends on your wife’s preferences. If she likes being outdoors and enjoys sightseeing I think she’ll appreciate the experience. I must warn you, the food isn’t great but what I enjoyed the most was watching the sunset and the view of Manila’s skyline during twilight. After the tour you can walk to MOA and enjoy a hot cup of coffee and some dessert at some cafe near the bay. Hope that helps! Wishing you a happy anniversary. 🙂

  4. Blossom says:

    How did you get the ticket? How much does it costs? Please let me know blossomserrano@hotmail.com

  5. Nicole says:

    Are pets allowed

  6. Manuel Bay says:

    Hi Iza, I came across your page as I am looking for reviews about manila bay dinner cruise since my girlfriend and I will be celebrating our anniversary in October. As compared to Prestige Cruises, do you think Sun Cruises is good enough? Food tasting wise? Experience wise? Our chosen sailing time would be 6:15pm with Sun Cruises. Do you think we’d be able to see the sunset while sailing in the open sea? I’d really like to get an opinion cuz I don’t want my gf to be dismayed. Thanks for your response.

    • Iza Sanchez says:

      Hi Manuel, so sorry for the delayed reply. The cruise was fine, I enjoyed it. Although, at the port the breeze can smell really bad. But, like I mentioned in the article above, once you are out in the open sea, the air smells fine. The sightseeing was fun, take the 5:30 p.m. trip if you’d like to enjoy the sunset. The food was not impressive, so I suggest do the cruise then take your girlfriend to a fancy restaurant in MOA afterwards. There are a lot options at the mall. Hope that helps. Thanks and have fun! 🙂

  7. Gemma D. Mateo says:

    How did you get the ticket? How much does it costs? Please let me know gemmayb30@gmail.com

  8. Carmencita Reyes says:

    Do i need mke réservation for tomorrow dec 28 4 adult 1 kid 12 yr old

  9. John Sau Boli says:

    I want to book a Sunset cruise for 3 people this Sunday 18th September 2022.

  10. Grace Espiritu says:

    We need info please. We are planning a reunion cruise by Manila Bay. Please give us details Thanks.

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