Image © Islands Banca Cruises, used with permission. Photographer: Arthur Yap.
In the Philippines, fishermen and ferry boatmen ply their trade on the outrigger boats called banca. As boats go, banca tend to be jury-rigged and not very safe for the average traveler, but it's the most common charter choice for visitors to the Philippine islands, as they've practically got the market cornered.
Here comes Islands Banca Cruises (www.islandsbanca.com) with a simple concept: a banca for island-hoppers need not be a haphazard affair. In fact, what if they put together a banca with bean bags, coolers for cold drinks, and iPod docks? What if they make the banca experience more like yachting than anything else?
Image © Islands Banca Cruises, used with permission. Photographer: Arthur Yap.
Enter Islands Banca Cruises' upgraded banca: customized with large sun decks, orange towels on hand, WiFi, and music docks, each Banca Cruises watercraft seats up to 20, offering comfy bean bag chairs for optimum sunning on the deck.
"The service that we provide is a step up from the ordinary cottage-industry, island-hopping services offered by the boatmen in the community," explains Islands Banca Cruises' marketing head Andrea Lugue. "We definitely make our guests feel safe, and feel like they're attended to when they're in the boat."
To cover all the safety bases, the boats' captains, tour guides, and crew members are all trained as lifeguards. So they're not just capable hands at offering cold drinks, helping guests on and off the boat, or handing out towels - they can save your life when push comes to shove.
Image © Islands Banca Cruises, used with permission. Photographer: Arthur Yap.
Islands Banca Cruises Davao offers specially designed tours beginning at PHP 4,999, ranging in scope from a half-day island hopping tour to an entire day of cruising around the Davao Gulf. According to Ms. Lugue, the cost "would depend on the number of persons and the inclusions like, if you want a massage therapist, if you want a barbecue lunch or a seafood lunch."
Islands Banca Cruises started their first-class banca ferry service in the Philippine city of Cebu. With their Davao launch, they've now got the best ride in all of Davao Gulf, allowing travelers to visit Talicud Island, Samal Island, the Malipano islet, and the sandbar known as "Vanishing Island", as well as the snorkel spots around these isles.
In Davao, Islands Banca Cruises' boats launch from the Pearl Farm Marina Jetty at Lizada Drive, Lanang. To score your own cushy banca ride around the shores near Davao, get in touch with Islands Banca Cruises Davao at +63 82 284 2066 or +63 906 375 7933; email at islandsbancadavao@ymail.com, or visit their site at www.islandsbanca.com/davao.html.
Read up on more adventure and nature travel options in Davao City and its surrounding areas, in this article: Nature & Adventure Travel Activities in Davao City, Philippines. For accommodations in this Southern Philippine city, consult this list of Davao City Hotels.