by Joanna Cuenco

A serene journey through Aloguinsan’s award-winning river cruise.

It’s been more than a decade since my first visit to the Bojo River Cruise, when the local government and tourism contacts invited me to experience what was then a newly launched attraction. Nestled in the quiet town of Aloguinsan, about 60 kilometers from Cebu Business Park, the river has since become a celebrated gem. Thanks to the Bojo Aloguinsan Ecotourism Association (BAETAS) and sustained local efforts, the cruise has earned regional and international recognition—including a spotlight at Berlin’s ITB for its best practices in community-based ecotourism.

The Bojo River offers mangrove‐lined waters, coral views, and a community‐driven ecotourism experience worth revisiting.

On my first trip, I boarded a banca rowed by a local guide who expertly identified bird species as we glided along the river’s 1.5-kilometer stretch. This time around, my friends and I opted for a glass-bottom boat, eager to glimpse the corals as we exited the gorge and entered the Tañon Strait. As we moved down river, our guide spoke of the thick mangroves lining both banks. These silent guardians are critical for the ecology of our coastlines.

For fisherfolk, the mouth of the river and the gap in the gorge opening to the strait are a daily sight. For visitors, it is nothing short of breathtaking. Out in the open water, the corals appeared almost within reach beneath the boat’s glass bottom.

The tide was waning, making a swim over the corals risky, but that gave us more to linger at the river’s mouth. Floating on my back, gazing up at the rocky gorge, I felt held by the magic of the river. The water was so clean it left my skin softer after the thalassic soak.

Visits to the Bojo River always feel too brief and leave you wanting more. I plan to return, bringing more friends to share in its quiet wonder. We went without reservations and were lucky to have the place to ourselves, but bookings are highly recommended, as the site can get bustling.