Sipalay City is Negros Occidental’s best kept tourist destination. But it is a secret no more as no less than President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo bared to the world the city’s attractions when she went diving in Sipalay City.
Touted as the “Jewel of the Sugar Island”, Sipalay City is fast becoming a destination of choice among tourists. Located in southern Negros Occidental
Sipalay offers various natural attractions and different adventures to experience which make it a favored getaway destination. The laid-back lifestyle and the charm of the people is favored by tourists that there are already several who made Sipalay their home.
Several activities await visitors in Sipalay City, one can go swimming, diving, spelunking and trekking. Those who experienced visiting Sipalay keep coming back for more adventure and relaxing vacation.
Sipalay Beaches
Punta Ballo Beach. The beach has more than a kilometer long of fine white sand beach ideal for swimming and snorkeling. World class resorts can be found in Punta Ballo including two PADI accredited dive resorts.
Sugar Beach. This beach is so called because of its powdery brown sand that resembles brown sugar. Five resorts line this sugary beach, perfect for swimming and other water activities.
Image Credit: Kalle Kalitta
Campomanes Bay. The enclosed shape of the bay and the islets in its opening provide a natural protection to the beach, providing calm waters even in harsh weather condition. Most of the wrecks for diving can be found in the vicinity of Campomanes bay.
Sipalay Lakes and Lagoons
Tinagong Dagat. Literaly meaning “hidden sea” in Hiligaynon, there are several tourist attractions in Sipalay called Tinagong Dagat. One is a hidden sea dotted with dozen islets covered with lush vegetation and another is a salt water lake located in Matlag.
Malinab Lagoon. Malinab lagoon is located at Brgy. Mambaroto. It is a freshwater lagoon which is about a hectare wide and the deepest part is about 3 meters. It has water throughout the year which supports nearby farms. Malinab lagoon is ideal for picnics and fishing.
Sipalay Dive Sites
Sipalay City has 42 dive sited including three wrecks – SS Panay, MS Jojo and Julien’s Wreck located in the southern coast. There are three PADI accredited resorts to cater to tourists’ diving needs mostly located at Punta Ballo Beach.
Sipalay Caves
Matlag Cave. It’s one of the numerous caves in Sipalay which only about 5% were explored. Matlag Cave’s entrance is a gaping hole right beside the road going to Punta Ballo. The cave was discovered in 1972 and when the road going to Punta Ballo was constructed in 1992, that’s the time when more people visited the cave.
Mamara Cave. It is located in Brgy. Mambaroto about 25 minutes drive from city proper and another 10-15 minutes hike from the main road. Mamara Cave is about 10m high but it has a river that comes out of the cave, it’s not passable during rainy season.
Sipalay Festivals
Pasaway sa Sipalay. The celebrates its Charter Anniversary every last week of March with street dancing, merry making by performers clad in exotic costumes resembling copper minerals. Sipalay is one of the richest in copper in the country and its development was largely influenced by the mining industry that was once a major income source for the city.
Handurawan Festival. Held every December 18-20, this annual fiesta celebration is to commemorate the official declaration of Sipalay as a town in 1948. There are live performances by bands every weekend of December following the Festival.
Mayflower Festival. also called Santa Cruzan this religious festival is celebrated every end of May.
How to get to Sipalay City
The cities of Bacolod and Dumaguete are gateways to Sipalay City. It is 4 to 5 hours by bus and a 3-hour drive by car from Bacolod City.
Watch this video to know why Sipalay City is the “Jewel of the Sugar Island”
Sipalay City: Jewel of the Sugar Island Part 1
Sipalay City: Jewel of the Sugar Island Part 2
For more information please contact:
Sipalay City Tourism Information Center
Tel. No.: (034) 473-2101
website: www.sipalaycity.gov.ph
e-mail: sipalaycity@yahoo.com
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
sipalay city is a beautiful city i visit your site when i feel down and its cheer me up when i see that city.. i hope one day i can visit sipalay…..:)
Thanks for visiting Gina! I hope you can visit Sipalay and see for yourself the beauty of their beaches and scenic spots.
Sipalay City is a gorgeous place for a summer vacation. It is an absolute hidden treasure of beautiful white beaches with over 40 diving sites and the most beautiful views. It’s not commercialized….just beautiful nature, beaches, and the villagers are very friendly and hospitable. Our family enjoyed our vacation in Sipalay City and plan to return. We’ll definatly be back.
Greg, Irma, and our girls
Los Angeles, California
Thanks for visiting Greg! I’m glad your family had a great time in Sipalay and I hope your return will be as great.
Beside swimming, my sons are interested in nature, especially birds. Are there any good sites near to Sipalay?
Donald – Please visit Sipalay’s Travel and Tourism Website for more info on the different tourism clusters including the Omas Managed Forest and Bird Watching Cluster . Or you can contact Sipalay’s Tourism Office at cell no. 09189301882.
You may also want to consider Danjugan Island in your itinerary. Although I haven’t been there personally, those who have say it’s a beautiful Island. It’s a marine reserve and wildlife sanctuary. It’s located in Brgy. Bulata, Cauayan, just a town away from Sipalay. Please visit Danjugan Island website for more info.
Glady,
Sipalay with it’s whitesanded beaches is breath taking. From Sipalay downtown we hopped on a short boat trip of 15 minutes to Langub, Driftwood and several other resorts all in a beautiful row of beaches. We then took a drive (road) from downtown Sipalay of only 25 minutes or so to the other side of the island with beautifu white sand beaches. The stays, the beautiful pools, we took diving lessons in one of the local pools and went to several dive sites. The entire trip was so very inexpensive. As printed above in a comment…this is definatly a hidden treasure. We had the best time and would love to retire in Sipalay. We found the townspeople to be extremely friendly and so very nice.
QUESTION: GLADY, are you the Director of Sipalays Tourism Office and where in Sipalay are you located in Sipalay?
QUESTION 2: GLADY, I have been looking for websites with pictures of Sipalay town proper and pictures around the streets of Sipalay, the homes, the people in the streets, I have found lots of beaches and beautiful nature, but would like to get a sense of the streets, the stores, and local folks. Can you guide me to any websites where I might find such photos? thank you and we will drop by and see you on our next vacation visit. God Bless
Jimbo & Family,
I’m glad you enjoyed your stay in Sipalay. On your questions, no I’m not the director nor in any way connected to Sipalay Tourism. I just like to promote beautiful places in the province of Negros Occidental and I’m based in Bacolod City. But I do know the Tourism Officer of Sipalay so if you have any question regarding Sipalay Tourism I think I can refer you to her.
I can’t also find websites featuring Sipalay CIty other than the beaches. I’ll try to post the pictures you requested soon. If you are considering to retire in Sipalay, I think you will feel at home there since there are already several expats living there.
Feel free to get in touch with me on your next vacation. I’d be willing to assist you in any way. God bless yo and your family.
hi we are planning to visit sipalay next year. may i know which is better to go punta ballo or sugar beach? I hope you expand your website…what are other water sports available.?
thank you…
Hi rossana! punta ballo is best if you want to go diving. As of now I’m not aware of any other water sport available except diving.