Punta Cruz Watch Tower

IJsselstein, Tuesday, 22 May 2001 (updated: Monday, 13 March 2006)

In Maribojoc, some 14 km west of Tagbilaran City, a curious triangular watch tower oversees the seas South of Bohol. From its windows at the top, you can see Cebu, Siquijor, and Mindanao. The Spanish had it build in 1796 as a look-out post against pirates and Muslim marauders, who at that time where a plague to the people of Bohol.

Punta Cruz Watchtower.

Remants of similar triangular towers can be found in a number of other places along the coast of Bohol, such as Panglao, Dauis, Loay, and on Pamilacan island, but this tower is the most intact. The tower of Loay, about 18 km east of Tagbilaran is much eroded by the waves of the sea. The tower on Pamilacan island was build to a slightly different plan.

Today the Punta Cruz watch tower still provides an excellent view. The site now offers a small stall for buying drinks and snacks and makes a good spot for a picnic and a swim -- although you'll have to watch out when you climb on the very sharp rocks.

Getting there. Catch a bus at the Tagbilaran Integrated Bus Terminal in Dao. Most buses going in to Tubigon will pass along Punta Cruz. Ask the driver to drop you off at Punta Cruz, and walk down for about 500 meters to the watch tower.

Jeroen Hellingman

What readers think...

Reinerio T. Amamio wrote:

Wednesday, 2 November 2011 10:06:54 PHT

600 years and still counting

FMG wrote:

Tuesday, 23 August 2011 21:01:46 PHT

As a youth residing from a neighboring barrio of Punta Cruz,I can proudly say that it is really magnificent, the seascape is also beautiful and so is the sun set. Epic theatres are also held there every night to let the people know and learn about the history and story of the historical place and the historical tower.

JOVIE REFORIAL REGORI wrote:

Tuesday, 9 February 2010 15:39:14 PHT

i love this place.... asking why? because this is the hometowne of my nanay juaning... this is the place she was born way back july 31,1943. hehehehe.... and my nanay wedding held at marbojoc church.... by april 17,2010 by Gods grace we will visit there for my auntie sister celibrates his 50th golden aniverssary of his vocation as nun of pious diciples of the divine master of the society of st.paul of the phil. good speed & God bless to all of us.... kitakits...

margina camarinta wrote:

Monday, 30 November 2009 20:34:17 PHT

yes im so happy and proud to be a puntacruzian..i was born and raised from this barrio punta cruz and way back from childhood this watch tower was our playground i even escaped from our house which is just maybe 15-20 steps away from this site..i really love and missed my place but this december will be coming back to celebrate christmas wd my family and share this lovely place to my british boyfriend who is just 1st time to visit philippines and im so positive that he will like and will keep on coming back to this place and hopefully will raised our family here...see u watchtower.....im coming

Pamela Buenafe wrote:

Monday, 28 September 2009 17:27:07 PHT

Would just like to know, does the tower have a closing time? Would want to visit the place when we get to Bohol but we might arrive past 5pm. Will it still be open? I hope someone can answer this. Thanks!

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