Summer 2019: This tour offers a different view of Taal Lake

MALVAR, Batangas -- When you think about taking a boat in Taal Lake, it’s usually to go to Taal Volcano to hike up the crater. The take-off point for these tours is usually in Talisay right below the Tagaytay ridge.

Now there’s another boat cruise that gives tourists a view of Taal Lake from another perspective. Instead of taking the Tagaytay route, guests go through the STAR tollway to get to Balete in Batangas.

Cruises can be arranged through the Lima Park Hotel. The recommended sunset itinerary starts at the hotel where a special tour bus brings guests to the take-off point at Amore Point in Balete, 40 minutes from Lipa.

Visitors pass through the picturesque destinations of Balete including a honeybee farm, and a short visit to the Marian Orchard, a garden that was built to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Several minutes down is the jetty where the Batangas Lakelands Tours and Cruises moors its boats. After boarding the boat, putting on lifejackets, and a safety briefing, you’re on your way to the MaNaKah picnic grounds, 15 minutes away in Mataas Na Kahoy.

The MaNaKah picnic grounds are a bit of climb up from the jetty. But the effort is rewarded with a stunning view of Taal Lake. Snacks and refreshments are available for guests as they wait to view the sunset over the lake.

Guests are ushered back to the boat as the light wanes at dusk. The boat gets back to Amore Point at around 6:30 p.m. where the bus is waiting to bring guests back to Lima Park Hotel.

It’s interesting to view Taal Lake from the other side of Batangas. Besides churches, beaches, Batangas lomi and bulalo, and Barako coffee, this cruise adds another reason to visit this southern province.

Batangas Lakelands Tours and Cruises can be booked through the Lima Park Hotel for P1,980 per person inclusive of transfers, snacks and fresh buco. Lima Park Hotel guests can avail of the package at a discounted rate of P1,080.