Sagay City

Northern Negros coastal city known for Sagay Marine Reserve's coral reefs, mangroves, and Visayan Sea islands.

Sagay City occupies the northern tip of Negros Island, facing the Visayan Sea. The city is best known for the Sagay Marine Reserve, a protected area covering about 32,000 hectares that encompasses coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangroves — one of the better-managed marine protected areas in the Philippines.

The Siete Pecados (Seven Sins) Marine Park, a cluster of small islands within the reserve, is the most popular snorkelling spot and accessible by bangka from the city. The reserve's coral gardens are in good shape and the fish populations are recovering. The mangrove eco-park along the coast is worth visiting for birds and the boardwalk trails.

The Sinigayan Festival, held in August, is the city's main annual celebration. Regular buses run south to Bacolod, the provincial capital, about 84 km away.

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Getting There

Sagay City is on the northern tip of Negros Island, about 84km north of Bacolod. Jeepneys and buses run regularly between Bacolod and Sagay City throughout the day, taking around two hours depending on the number of stops. Sagay is also connected by road south to Escalante and north around the coast.

The nearest airport is Bacolod-Silay International Airport, which has daily connections to Manila and occasional services to Cebu. From the airport, take a taxi or van to the North Bus Terminal in Bacolod and then catch a Sagay-bound bus or jeepney.

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Things to Do

Sagay's main draw is underwater. The marine reserve and the Siete Pecados island cluster offer excellent snorkelling and diving, and the mangrove forests on the coast are among the best-preserved in the Visayas. On land, the city is a straightforward Philippine provincial town with few tourist sights beyond its natural assets.