SOFITEL HOTEL MANILA

Location: CCP Complex, Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines

The state-of-the-art landscaped pool of Sofitel Hotel

MANILA BAY

Location: Luzon Island, Philippines Coordinates: 14031’N 120046’E Area: 1,994 square kilometers (769.9 square miles) Coastline: 190 kilometers (118.1 miles) Maximum Length: 19 kilometers (12 miles) Maximum Width: 48 kilometers (30 miles) Surface Area: 2,000 square kilometers (770 square miles) Manila Bay is a natural harbour which serves the Port of Manila, in the Philippines. The bay is considered to be one of the best natural harbours in Southeast Asia and one of the finest in the world. Luneta Park is the best part of Manila Bay where its magnificent sunset can be enjoyed.

View Manila Bay in a larger map

Note: This was updated on October 9, 2019.

Manila Bay Skylinescape

Manila Bay never fails to give one of the best sunsets in the world. Any person will undoubtedly be mesmerized by the beauty of its sunset. Lovers would love to exchange their vows at the Manila Bay while the sun dramatically sets to its rest. Families and groups of friends just love to spend an afternoon to witness the magnificent sunset of the bay. More importantly, Manila Bay as per record, is known to be one of the best natural harbors in Southeast Asia and one the finest in the world. It is a natural harbour which serves the Port of Manila (see the images of North Harbor and South Harbor) in Luzon of the Philippines where its coastline surrounds the western shores of Metropolitan Manila, - the country’s capital city. It has a historical significance dating back the pre-Spanish occupation.

Specifically, it is situated in the western part of Luzon and is bounded by Cavite and Metro Manila on the east, Bulacan and Pampanga on the north, and Bataan on the west and northwest. Entrance to the bay is 19 km (11.8 mi) wide and expands to a width of 48 km (29.8 mi). However, the width of the bay varies from 22 km (13.7 mi) as its mouth and expanding to 60 km (37.3 mi) at its widest point. Manila Bay also hosts four islands on it, namely: Corregidor Island, Caballo , El Fraile and Carabao Island of Cavite or Fort Frank.

The majestic Manila Bay sunset

The presence of a number of skyscrapers along Manila Bay adds up sophistication and majestic scenery where its showcase how Manila thrives into a metropolitan city with very impressive economic growth. Manila Hotel and Sofitel Hotel Manila are two of the closest with proximity to Manila coastline where the breathtaking sunset scenery can be captured.



The North and South Harbours both facilitate maritime activities in the bay where North Harbor is used for the inter-island shipping while the South Harbor is used for large ocean-going vessels.



Roxas Boulevard is almost a frontliner next to Manila Bay. Part of this is the CCP Park Complex where a lot of important cultural facilities were erected like the Cultural Center of the Philippines or known as Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo. This is a reclaimed area which was developed into full scale and now a very important alternative for families to spend bonding activities during afternoon walking and jogging as well as during weekends.

The stretch of Roxas Boulevard along Manila Bay as copied from Wikipedia

The seawall fronting part of the Manila Bay which starts from the edge of the CCP Complex and beyond the Philippine Navy Headquarters can serve as a flat form for fishing enthusiasts. They may not have a good catch but it satisfy them as part of their hobby. The seawall primarily serves as an obstacle structure to stop ships and small boats to be drained to Roxas Boulevard due to destructive typhoons which carries strong and giant waves.

The imposing seawall fronting Manila Bay

The Grand Boulevard Hotel along Roxas Boulevard

The inner part of Roxas Boulevard is dotted by a number of hotels and one of them is the Grand Boulevard Hotel which has its accessibility to bay walk where afternoon and morning walk and jogging can be done.

Cruise ships available for Corregidor Island Trip and other destinations

An old picture of mine at the Manila Bay's sea wall near the CCP Complex

Taken from one of the bay view rooms from the Sofitel Hotel

An October 9, 2019 photo at the poolside of the Sofitel Hotel

An October 9, 2019 photo with a historical statue at the Baywalk along Roxas Boulevard

Manila Bay skyline as viewed from SM Mall of Asia

Going mid south of the bay is the booming Mall of Asia which directly captures an imposing bayscape of Manila coastline.

NOTE: Most of the information contained in this post was taken from the Wikipedia – The Online Dictionary.