One of the business meetings I have attended was held in a resort in Sipalay, Negros Occidental. The virgin (well, almost) beaches, dive sites, coral reefs and the sights in general make up a good alternative vacation spot. Unfortunately, when I got there, I don’t have any decent, tourist-standard camera with me so I forced myself to be satisfied with my good old camera phone. Here are some photos I personally took and some information regarding the place I got from the official website of the local government of Sipalay.
Sipalay has various natural fascinations that one can see & experience. The 3-hour land trip to the city is truly rewarding as you start exploring the bounties that abound the place.
15-minute boat ride from the city proper is the Sugar Beach - German, Swiss and Filipino-owned resorts line this sugary beach, which offers an excellent place for swimming, and various water sports activities.
Not far from the Sugar Beach is the Tinagong Dagat - a hidden sea sprinkled with a dozen islets covered with lush vegetation. The sea bottom is covered with patches of sea grass beds, with the shoreline lined by old-growth mangroves.
Punta Ballo Beach is located in close proximity to Tinagong Dagat- This fine white sandy beach is more than a kilometer stretch. It’s the nearest jump off point towards the sea ideal for snorkeling & diving due to the rich marine life.
Going more or less 10 minutes from the Punta Ballo Beach is Campomanes Bay – The bay is excellent not only for diving but for jet skiing, kayaking, and all sorts of water sports. It has an existing port that caters to medium-sized sea craft. The enclosed shape of the bay and islets in its opening provide calm waters even in harsh weather conditions. Entrance to the bay is a wide expanse of coral garden with various species of corals and fish.
Personally, I like the place since I appreciate nature more when it’s untouched or when it just experienced First Base of human intervention. The Party Boy in me (a minuscule personality of mine, I promise), however is not satisfied. If you want a real romantic getaway and nature tripping in its truest sense, then Sipalay can make you fall in love and experience nature in its virtuous form respectively.
Source and Additional Information: http://www.sipalaycity.gov.ph/
