Here are some hints for anchorages in the Cebu/Negros region of the Visayas.

Either side of the Cebu Yacht Club is good holding. There are many warnings about theft on the south side, we took reasonable precautions and had no trouble, likewise the other boats that were there. The north side has moorings, but they are very light and a bit of reverse thrust has you dragging them around. When I commented on this at the office the girl, who had recommended I go there, said: ” Oh yes, they’re very small”. The heavily encrusted half-inch rope should have been a warning to me. The north side is under the watch of shore-based security, you’re told.

The outer anchorage at the south arm of Port Carmen (near Zeke’s) has good holding and reasonable depth, but the entrance is tricky. Open CPN/Google earth is very accurate in this area though and can be used with confidence.

I anchored off the south end of Malapascua Island, adjacent to the resorts. The bottom here is thin sand over rock and not good holding, the sand has more depth in the seagrass beds, in some spots at least, but isn’t great for the seagrass of course.

At Bantayan Island ( west of the northern tip of Cebu ) I found very good holding in sand in around 7 mts off the south end of Jilantangan Island at 11*11.3 N  / 123*48.8 E. To avoid the longish dinghy ride to Santa Fe, go ashore on Jilantangan and get a bangka across. They go back and forth regularly.

Heading down Tañon Strait, on the Cebu coast, I anchored next on the north side of Tuburan Bay about 50m off the reef at approximately 10*44.7 N / 123*49.7 E. Good holding, clean mud in around 6 mts.  There was another boat here and conditions seem the same right along this side of the bay.

Next up was south of Tajao Point in behind the reef of the same name. The water in this area is deep but I was guided by a local to a spot near 10*18.1 N / 123*34.8 E. This is on a line between 2 large bamboo fish traps and slightly towards the northern one. It shoals fast towards the shore but I found good holding in mud in about 8m. I was told by the fisherman that it is a rocky bottom to the south of where I was.

North of Moalboal, Copton Bay near the town of Rhonda has possibilities in southerly weather. The charts show a curving line of reef at the head of the bay, but there are large sandbanks visible outside this line, deposited by floods in recent years I was told by locals. I was alone, on a falling tide with a malfunctioning sounder, so didn’t dare motor onto one to check it’s depth. However, at the time a quick check from the dinghy would reveal all.

Badian Bay south of Moalboal is too deep in most places for most small boats, but there is a small area of 13m off the barangay of Tomonoy at 9*54.8 N / 123*23.61. Again it is just off the reef and between 2 floating fish farms. Holding is good mud. As an aid to finding it, look for 2 large western style houses adjacent to it. One is circular with a brown roof, the other has a green roof. The lagoon in behind Badian Island looks tempting, but the access channel is blocked by reef.

Crossing the Strait to the Negros side, I went to Calagcalag Bay. There is a curving channel to a small inlet with good holding in mud. It is marked with Filippino beacons (a plastic bag on a stick) and Open CPN is also very accurate here. Indeed, everywhere I’ve been in the Philippines so far this has been the case – so I will stop mentioning it!  I’m not sure of the security here as I only overnighted, but the locals do that odd thing you encounter at times in the Philippines of staring at you but not waving back. I don’t have enough experience of the culture to know whether this is unfriendly or not, I will have to ask. I had a friendly, shouted chat with some men ashore from the deck after anchoring though, and had no trouble.

Next was South Bais Bay. Entry is fairly straight forward. The reef that comes off Arboles Pt. to starboard and the shoal just off the point both have bamboo fish traps on them and I just motored up the eastern side of the bay until I found a depth I liked. Good holding mud again. Having a deck wash hose is great in these places.

I anchored off the city of Dumaguete and contrary to one cruising guide the bottom here is actually gently sloping, very good holding sand. I found 5 to 7 mts in a stretch between south of the wharf and the next point, which has many fishing bangkas both moored off and ashore. There are both steps in the seawall and a small beach for dinghy access and in settled weather, this would be a great provisioning stop, with fuel and groceries close by. When I anchored the wind was force 3 to 4  from the south (which dropped away shortly afterward) and the plunging was acceptable. There were 3 other yachts there at the time, which is what persuaded me to try anchoring.

Port Bonbonon is everything that’s said about it. Bit of a tricky entrance, long anchor lines from the bangkas in Tombobo Bay, quite lovely and very secure. There is plenty written about the area so I won’t bother, except to say that both Spike from Tongo Island Resort on the western point at the entrance and Nigel from the boat works nearby run into Dumaguete on at least Monday and Friday and will take passengers, space permitting, for 200 peso return. For some reason, the Habel Habel from Tombobo to the highway turnoff is at least twice the price of the ride to Siaton (30 or 40 pesos) which is much further. So rather than catch the bus to Dumaguete at the turnoff, it’s cheaper to go to Siaton and catch it there. Also, the Sunday market in Siaton is well worth going to.

Simon Adam

SY Free Bird (Australian)