Picture this: Crystal blue waters, cloudless skies, sugary pristine white sand beaches, cool breeze, and friendly people. Isn’t it enough to make you feel like lounging around and just get some good R&R ? I thought so.

The perfect place for lovers of sea, sky, and white sands is definitely Bais City and one of the component cities located in Negros Oriental at Central Visayas or Region VII, and it lies approximately 44.7 kilometers from Dumaguete City, the province’s capital. It spans a land area of 316.90 square kilometers, and is one of the places that have a series of haciendas.

One of the things that lures tourists to Bais City, aside from its Filipino old world charm is close proximity to the Tañon Strait, which is one of the Philippines’ protected marine sanctuary. It is because of this that Bais City offers dolphin and whale watching activities for both foreign and local tourists alike. Who would want to pass up a chance to get as close to nature’s wonderful creatures, and at the same time enjoy the blue waters and pristine sugary white sand ?

If in Bais City, it is always best to go on the dolphin and whale watching adventure, which starts with an exciting cruise out to Tañon Strait. The trip then enters the natural habitat of dolphin and whale species such as, bottle nose dolphins, long snouted spinner dolphins, melon headed whales, pygmy killer whales, dwarf sperm whales, and pan tropical spotted dolphins.

After the wonderful display of nature’s amazing gifts, the group moves on to the Manjuyod White Sand Bar where the boat stops for a couple of hours and the guests can eat and enjoy the water, sky, breeze, and the whole glorious environment. Should guests be so inclined, they can enjoy snorkeling, sunbathing, swimming, as well as scuba diving in the reefs close by. The usual escapade takes a whole day, starting from seven o’clock in the morning up to four o’clock in the afternoon. While the white sand beaches can be enjoyed all year round, the dolphin and whale watching seasons span from March to October. The rest of the year, the dolphins and whales are sparsely seen.

Not only does Bais City offer tourists and locals with the dolphin and whale watching adventure, but it also provides guests with a authentic delicious cuisine to taste, the pride of Negros. But come December, Bais City also showcases the province’s best display of Christmas Lights and Shows. In fact, it has become a ritual of locals all over the province to visit Bais City during Christmas time to see the glowing neon flashing lights with nice sights they have in store for everyone.

Article is an entry to a contest at Paraiso Philippines Forum contributed by Lorselle Ann Tecson aka Neverdainty  a native of Negros Oriental and a graduate of Silliman University.