Siaton is a municipality at the southern tip of Negros Island, in Negros Oriental Province, Philippines. Population was about 83,000 in the 2020 census.
Tambobo Bay in Bonbonon, a barangay of Siaton, has a fine harbour and is the province's main port of call for cruising yachtsmen; it usually has at least a dozen anchored boats. It is one of the country's main "hurricane holes"; the terrain around it provides considerable protection from storms so vessels anchor there when a typhoon is expected.
Get in
[edit]
Most people reach Siaton via the coastal highway that runs through the town, often either by bus or jeepney. It is about 55 km from Dumaguete or 250 km from Bacolod. The highway in both directions is good; some roads leading off it, e.g. to Tambobo Bay, are not.
Other people arrive by boat; this is a major harbour for yachts.
There has been some discussion of building a small airport for Siaton, but as of mid-2023 no plan has been announced.
Get around
[edit]See
[edit]1 Lake Balanan. This is a scenic mountain lake in a protected wildlife area, in Siaton Municipality a few km inland from the town.
Do
[edit]Buy
[edit]There are usually some yachts for sale at Tambobo Bay.
Some of these vessels are more-or-less abandoned; their owners have settled in some Philippine city, or flown back to Australia, or whatever. Some of these boats can be had at quite attractive prices if you bargain well, though not all owners will accept a low price. Caution is advised since a boat that has not had regular maintenance for some time may develop all sorts of expensive problems. In the worst case, a boat might not be worth taking on even if the owner were giving it away.
Tillys Sail Tour, ☏ +639811916518. A sailing family residing in Tambobo Bay, offers sailing tours as well as boat repair for world cruisers.
The Western owner, Nigel, at Tonga Sail is a boat builder.
Eat
[edit]Drink
[edit]Sleep
[edit]- 1 Tonga Sail Inn Retreat, ☏ +63 916 759 2832, nigelroberts1947@hotmail.com. Extremely basic accommodation. Good Western restaurant. ₱300.
- 2 Cove Sands Beach Resort (Formerly Monarch Sands Beach Resort), Bonbonon (National Highway south), ☏ +63 917 416 2670. Check-in: 13:00, check-out: 12:00. A beach resort located on its own secluded bay. Personalized service. Fan cottages and air-con rooms. Private bathrooms, hot water showers, Free Wi-Fi and morning coffee and bottled water in all rooms. ₱1000.
- 3 Antulang Beach Resort (South of Tambobo Bay, across the peninsula), antulanginfo@gmail.com. High-end place with swimming pool and library, a/c in all rooms, breakfast included. ₱1700 and up.