Escape with Waves: Why Ferries are the Perfect Fit for Philippine Waters
With over 7, 640 islands, the Philippines is an archipelagic country that has many ways to travel its popular attractions and wonders through air, land, and sea. For tourists traveling the Philippines, it is likely that they would use multiple modes of transportation to reach their destination. However, if you ask me what is the best way to get around the country, my answer would be traveling by sea. Traversing through waters than booking an air ticket has its inherent charms and could turn out to be a lot more fun than looking at a window above the sky.
But what is the best sea transport to travel around and fit for the Philippines? Since the country is separated by different islands and is connected by the major islands of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, it is necessary to have inter-island connectivity to facilitate tourism movement as well as domestic trade within the country. Consequently, it has been achieved with the development of the Philippine Nautical Highway System by utilizing the ferries.
Passenger Ferry of Oceanjet
Growing up, I experienced riding a ferry from the Visayas to Luzon to spend my vacation, and with this experience, I have seen how ferries became an integral part, not only bringing goods but also allowing tourists to travel from one island to another. Different types of vehicles, such as cars and cargo vehicles, are able to save much time and money as they can be transported across bodies of water that would take hours to reach their destination. Moreover, if a tourist has more time and wants to enjoy his/her travel journey, the best option to get around is to buy a ticket and ride a ferry to cherish the majestic natural wonders of the country.
According to Ports & Ferries, there are two types of ferries available in the country which a passenger can choose depending on the value that he/she is looking for and whether he/she is traveling with a vehicle. The first one is the fast craft or passenger-only ferry, a small and travels a lot faster than a RORO but do not allow vehicle transport. The second type, on the other hand, is the roll-on-roll-off (RORO), a large ferry that can transport both passengers and vehicles that can run short to medium routes. In addition, another question that a passenger may ask is how long does a ferry ride take? Depending on the route and the type of ferry a tourist rides, it may take from an hour to almost 45 hours long to reach his/her destination port and so passengers can eat and sleep inside the ferry.
Economy Seat Ferry of Oceanjet
Aside from that, for sure, many would also ask where they can book or buy a ticket for ferries. Worry not because ferries operate on a regular schedule. Tickets are available through ticketing and travel agents or at the pier. Passengers may also book online and check the routes and available schedule by browsing the website of the major players in the Philippine Ferry transport, namely 2GO Travel, Montenegro Lines, Cokaliong Shipping Lines, Trans-Asia Shipping Lines, and Oceanjet.
Ferries, through passenger-only ferries and RoRo, allow the population to have greater mobility and create more trading and work opportunities. However, sea accidents or mishaps happen every year due to overcrowded, overloaded, old, poorly designed, and ill-maintained shipping vessels, according to Southwest Maritime Group of Companies president and CEO Arben Santos. With this in mind, shipping companies must embark to modernize their fleet because the safety of their passengers is non-negotiable and it is imperative for the government to continuously improve the sea transportation system to encourage tourism movement and stimulate economic growth in the various provinces of the Philippines.
Therefore, ferries are instrumental to link the thousands of islands as they significantly help the country’s economy by transporting goods and enhancing tourists and passengers alike to access and enjoy the prime tourist destinations all over the Philippines. But for anyone who wants to have a unique escape with waves in the Philippines, always bear in mind that when traveling, always choose the option that is more convenient, safe, and gives you the best value for your money!
