Destination: Manila, Philippines
Introduction
Manila Bay is one of the great natural harbours of the Pacific — a 60-kilometre wide enclosed bay providing exceptional shelter from all sea states, fronted by the most chaotic, fascinating, and historically dense capital city in Southeast Asia. The Spanish-built walled city of Intramuros, the American-era Manila Hotel on the waterfront, the neon-lit sprawl of Ermita, and the shopping malls of Makati combine with some of the region's most aggressive traffic and street food culture to create an overwhelming but unforgettable urban experience. Manila Yacht Club, one of the oldest yacht clubs in Asia, operates on the southern shore of Manila Bay near the Coastal Road, and is the primary point of contact for visiting cruising yachts.
GPS Coordinates
14° 35' 58.200"N 120° 59' 3.120"E
14 35 58.200N 120 59 3.120E
Protected Anchorages
Manila Yacht Club (MYC) in Baseco/CCP Complex area has marina berths on floating pontoons in a dredged basin — sheltered but the approach through the bay can be lumpy in strong northeast winds. Call VHF Ch 72 or contact the office for berth availability. Manila South Harbour (commercial port) is the main international terminal — yachts must obtain clearance and are not generally permitted to anchor among commercial ships without prior Port Authority approval. Anchorage is technically available in the outer bay in 10–20 metres over mud, but rolling swell and ship traffic make overnight stays uncomfortable. The best strategy is to proceed directly to MYC, which also assists with customs clearance formalities.
Customs Protocols for Visiting Yachts
Manila (South Harbour / Manila International Port) is a major designated port of entry. Bureau of Customs, Bureau of Immigration, Philippine Coast Guard, and Bureau of Quarantine all conduct formalities. Contact the Coast Guard on VHF Ch 16 on approach. Manila Yacht Club staff can provide guidance and often assist members and visitors with customs logistics. The Philippine Bureau of Immigration main office in Manila is the most expedient location for visa extensions and cruising permit renewals.
Yacht Clubs and Marinas in the Vicinity
- Manila Yacht Club (MYC), CCP Complex
- Harbour Square Marina, Seaside Boulevard
Renowned Attractions
- Intramuros — the original 16th-century Spanish walled city; Fort Santiago, San Agustin Church (UNESCO), Rizal Shrine, and cobblestone streets largely intact after WWII
- Rizal Park (Luneta) — Manila's vast public green space on the bay waterfront; Rizal Monument, the spot of José Rizal's execution in 1896; free evening concerts on weekends
- Binondo Chinatown — oldest Chinatown in the world (1594); food walking tours through dense lanes of dimsum restaurants, dried goods merchants, and gold jewellery shops
- National Museum of the Philippines — outstanding collection of Philippine art, natural history, and the restored Legislative Building on Padre Burgos Avenue
- Makati CBD — the financial district with international dining, rooftop bars, and high-end shopping at Greenbelt and Rockwell; contrast with the colonial core
- Manila Bay sunset — the famous sunset over the bay from Roxas Boulevard is a Philippine cultural institution; the reclamation area provides an unobstructed western horizon
- Corregidor Island — fortified island at the mouth of Manila Bay; WWII Battery Way and Pacific War Memorial; accessible by fast ferry from CCP Complex
Currency and Exchange Rate
Currency: Philippine Peso
Exchange Rate to USD
Nearby Yachting Destinations
Summary
Manila Bay is one of Asia's great natural harbours — Manila Yacht Club provides a well-run base in the heart of a chaotic, fascinating capital with extraordinary Spanish colonial heritage, world-class food culture, and history on every corner. The essential Philippines port for completing formalities and crew changes.