Philippines
From CruisersWiki
PHILIPPINES CRUISING GUIDE
| Philippines | |
 Philippines | |
 Flag | |
| Capital: | Manila |
|---|---|
| Language: | English, Filipino |
| Currency: | Philippine Peso |
| Time Zone | UTC +8 |
| More notes about the country | |
Background
The Philippines comprises over 7,000 islands. A volcanic mountain range runs north - south, 50% forested; largest islands Luzon and Mindanao. Coastal scenery is stunning, most people know some English, one of the cheapest places to cruise in the World. Bonbonon,(see chart below) South Negros is where the largest number of cruisers(about 40)hang out. Other cruiser haunts are Subic Bay, Puerto Galera and Cebu. Generally the Philippines is safe from piracy except for Mindanao which should be avoided.
The Philippines has been a very popular cruising region, for many reasons, for many years.
Cruising Information
On the Puerto Galera Yacht Club website you will find up-to-date information on Cruising and Sailing in the Philippines - produced by the members of the Puerto Galera Yacht Club. No doubt that this is one of the very best sources of information on Cruising the Philippines.
Climate & Weather
The Philippines experiences two "seasons".
1) The North East monsoon, from November to April
2) The South West monsoon from May to October.
Tropical storms and Typhoons can strike the Philippines at any time of the year but are most frequently experienced between April to November.
Charts
- National Mapping Resource Information Agency
- Click here for List of Available Nautical Charts - Philippine Charts
- ENC for Southern China Sea (SCS)
- East Asia Hydrographic Commission (EAHC) - Free charts
Submit details of special navigational hazards
Immigration & Customs
Yachts arriving in the Philippines must report to the Coast Guard initially.
See their website for locations of Coast Guard Stations
This site takes you to The Bureau of Immigration - constantly updated
Health & Security
Malaria and schistosomiasis are two water-related parasitic diseases affecting millions of people worldwide particularly tropical and subtropical countries. In the Philippines, malaria is found in 72 out of 78 provinces while schistosomiasis is endemic in 24 provinces. The Anopheles mosquito and the Oncomelania snail involved in the transmission of these diseases depend on certain environmental determinants that support mosquito and snail populations, ie. water and nearby human activity and population.
Virus Dengue is an additional water related disease also carried by mosquitoes, represented by 4 different strains.
Malaria Area of Risk:
Rural only, except no risk in provinces of Bohol, Catanduanes, Cebu, and metropolitan Manila; however, Subic Bay is a risk area.
Malaria Chloroquine Resistance: Confirmed CDC Yellow Book Region Overview:
Southeast Asia:- From the tropical rain and monsoon forests of the northwest, the area extends through the savannah and the dry tropical forests of the Indochina peninsula, returning to the tropical rain and monsoon forests of the islands bordering the South China Sea.
Arthropod-borne diseases are an important cause of morbidity throughout the area. Malaria and filariasis are endemic in many parts of the rural areas of all the countries Japanese encephalitis, dengue, and dengue hemorrhagic fever can occur in epidemics in both urban and rural areas. Mite-borne typhus has been reported in deforested areas in most countries.
Foodborne and waterborne diseases are common. Cholera and other watery diarrheas, amebic and bacillary dysentery, typhoid fever, and hepatitis A and E can occur in all countries in the area. Schistosomiasis is endemic in the southern Philippines. Among helminthic infections, fasciolopsiasis (giant intestinal fluke) can be acquired in most countries in the areas; opisthorchiasis (cat liver fluke) in the Philippines, and paragonimiasis in most countries. Melioidosis can occur sporadically throughout the area.
Other hazards include snake bites and leeches.
Islands, Ports and Popular Stops
The islands can be divided among three main groups and those islands/ports of particular interest to cruisers are listed under each group heading:
- Luzon – the northernmost island group, center of government, history and economy and home to the capital
- Aparri (Port of entry), Bataan Marina, Batangas (Port of entry), Legaspi (Port of entry), Manila (Port of entry), Maya Maya, Puerto Galera (Mindoro), San Fernando La Union (Port of entry), Subic Bay (Port of entry), Tabaco (Port of entry),
- Visayas – the central island group, heart of the country’s antiquity, nature and biodiversity
- Carmen, Cebu City (Port of entry), Coron, Dumaguete (Negros), Leyte Island, Romblon Island,
- Mindanao – the southernmost island group, which showcases the Philippines’ indigenous and rich cultures
- Cagayan de Oro (Port of entry), Davao, Zamboanga (Port of entry),
And:
- Palawan
- Puerto Princesa (Port of entry),
Yacht Clubs & Marinas
YACHT CLUBS
Thanks to the Puerto Galera Yacht Club for the following Information regarding Yacht Clubs in the Philippines (with minor modifications):-
Click for larger view
Maya'Maya Yacht Club, Nasugbu, Batangas
Launching ramp, marina, moorings, travel hoist, accommodation, restaurant, fuel and Internet
Loc: 14°6'55.8"N E120°36.76'
Marine VHF: 68
Tel: +63 918 929 3972
Email
Website
Click for larger view
Punta Fuego Yacht Club, Nasugbu, Batangas
Launching ramp, marina, showers, restaurant and fuel
Loc:- N14°7.79' E120°35.39'
Marine VHF: 72
Tel: +63 43 729-0182
Email
Website
Taal Lake Yacht Club, Batangas (Note: not accessible from the sea)
Launching ramp, showers, restaurant, accommodation, Internet (coming soon)
Marine VHF: ?
Tel: +63 917 838 3726
Email
Website
Maricaban Bay Cruising Club, Busuanga
Beach launching, moorings, showers, accommodation and restaurant, fuel. (BIG discounts offered at parent resort for crew of visiting yachts; free transfer to Coron town & Busuanga airport)
Loc:- 12°11'27.6" N 120°5' 55.2" E
Marine VHF: 68 (not 24 hours)
Tel: +63 920 951 5009
Email
Website
File:Maricam Bay Cruising Club.jpg
Manila Yacht Club, Metro Manila
Launching ramp, marina, moorings, travel hoist, showers, restaurant, fuel and Internet
Loc:- 14°33' 39.6 N, 120°58' 57" E
Marine VHF: ?
Tel: +63 2 523 6926
Email
Website
Subic Bay Yacht Club, Zambales
Marina, travel hoist, showers, accommodation, restaurant and fuel
Loc:- 14°49'16.8" N 120° 17' 24" E
Marine VHF: ?
Tel: +63 47 252-5211
Email
Website
Cebu Yacht Club, Cebu
Marina, moorings, anchorage, restaurant, accommodation, fuel and Internet
Loc:- 10°19' 43.78" N 123°58' 34.06" E
Marine VHF: ?
Tel: +63 32 340 2939
Email
www: ?
Abanico Yacht Club, Puerto Princesa, Palawan
Moorings, restaurant, dinghy hire, water
Loc:- 09°45.91 N 118°43.81 E
Marine VHF: ?
Tel: +63 918 650 6879
Offshore Islands
- Romblon
One of the prettiest islands located in the centre of the Philippines. Two visitor moorings available . One is located in deep water at 12°34.946N 122°16.227E, a short walk or tender into the town pier. Find the two eating places run by English owners!
Cruiser's Friends
Submit details/contacts of cruiser's "friends" that can be contacted in advance or on arrival - who can offer information and assistance to our cruising "family".
References & Publications
Books, Guides, etc.
Links to CruiserLog Forum discussions
Links to discussions on the CruiserLog Forum
External Links
Submit useful website links for the region
Personal Notes
Personal experiences?
.
