Island Hopping from Bohol: Routes, Ferries & Multi-Stop Trips
TL;DR
Bohol sits at the heart of the Visayas and connects to Siquijor (direct OceanJet ~2 hrs, or via Dumaguete ~4–5 hrs), Camiguin (direct Super Shuttle ~4.5 hrs Mon/Wed/Fri, or via CDO ~14–16 hrs), and Cebu (2 hrs). Combine them into the classic Visayas Triangle (Bohol → Siquijor → Cebu → Bohol, 10–14 days) or extend to a 2–3 week loop including Camiguin. Book main legs online 5–7 days ahead; smaller connections at the port on arrival.
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Browse Philippines Plans →Why Bohol is Your Perfect Island-Hopping Hub
Bohol sits in the geographic heart of the central Visayas. This means ferries radiate outward in all directions. Unlike Cebu (which is mostly a starting point) or Dumaguete (which serves Siquijor), Bohol can be your base or your hub — your choice.
Why this matters: You can arrive from anywhere, spend time in Bohol, then move onward to multiple islands on single ferries. You're not backtracking. Tagbilaran, Bohol's main port, has direct OceanJet ferries to Siquijor, Dumaguete, and Cebu — plus connections to Camiguin via CDO or the direct Super Shuttle RORO from Jagna. Panglao Airport (45 minutes from Tagbilaran) also connects you by air to Manila, Cebu, and beyond.
This guide covers ferries only. If you want to fly between islands, contact your airline or ask us for pricing.
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Get a Quote →Bohol → Siquijor (The Easy Loop)
The most popular side journey from Bohol is the hop to Siquijor, the Philippines' mystical island. You have two options: a direct OceanJet ferry, or a two-leg route via Dumaguete.
Option 1: Direct OceanJet (Fastest)
Tagbilaran → Siquijor Pier (direct)
OceanJet runs direct fast ferries with departures at 7:20 AM, 8:20 AM, and 2:30 PM (schedules vary — check OceanJet.net). Cost: ₱800 tourist class / ₱1,200 business class. This is the easiest option — one boat, one ticket, no transfers.
Option 2: Via Dumaguete (More Flexible)
Leg 1: Tagbilaran → Dumaguete
OceanJet fast ferry, ~2 hours. Cost: ₱900–1,400 depending on class.
Leg 2: Dumaguete → Siquijor
Multiple operators (OceanJet, Montenegro Lines, Aleson Shipping, HS Star Marine). Fast ferries 20–45 min (₱250–455), slower ferries ~1.5 hrs (₱130–180). High frequency — you rarely wait more than an hour.
Why choose this? More departure times, and you can overnight in Dumaguete if you want to explore (great food scene, Silliman University campus).
Suggested stay: 2–3 nights on Siquijor. Enough time for snorkeling, the Cambugahay Falls, and a sunset dinner in Siquijor Town.
Full details: Bohol to Siquijor via Dumaguete
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Open a Wise Account →Bohol → Camiguin (The Epic Journey)
Camiguin is worth the effort — a volcanic island with hot springs, waterfalls, and near-empty beaches. You have two options: a direct RORO ferry, or a longer multi-leg route via CDO.
Option 1: Direct Super Shuttle RORO (Fastest)
Jagna Port (Bohol) → Balbagon Port (Camiguin)
Super Shuttle Ferry RORO departs 9:30 AM on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Cost: ~₱766. Jagna is about 1.5 hours east of Tagbilaran by road — arrange a van or tricycle. This is by far the easiest route if your dates line up.
Option 2: Via Cagayan de Oro (Daily, Longer)
Leg 1: Tagbilaran → Cagayan de Oro
Trans-Asia Shipping overnight RORO. Departs Tue/Thu/Sat evenings (~6 PM), arrives CDO early morning (~5:30 AM). Duration: ~10.5–11.5 hours. Cost: ₱1,230 (economy) to ₱2,250 (cabin). You sleep on the ferry — saves a hotel night.
Leg 2: CDO → Balingoan → Camiguin
From CDO, take a bus or van to Balingoan (2–2.5 hrs, ₱150–250). From Balingoan, frequent local ferries cross to Benoni Port, Camiguin (~1.5 hrs, ₱252–359). Ferries run roughly every hour from dawn to mid-afternoon.
Note: There is no direct ferry from CDO port to Camiguin — you must go overland to Balingoan first. This catches people out.
Suggested stay: 2–3 nights on Camiguin. Island-hop the smaller outcrops (White Island, Mantigue Island), hike Mount Hibok-Hibok, soak in the hot springs at Ardent Hotel.
Full details: Bohol to Camiguin via CDO
Book your ferry — compare schedules and prices
Ferries, buses, and combined routes across the Visayas. Book online to guarantee your seat — popular routes sell out in peak season.
Check Schedules & Prices →Bohol ↔ Cebu (The Reverse Ferry)
This is the reverse of the popular Cebu → Bohol crossing. Many travellers do the loop the other way: land in Bohol, visit islands, then ferry back to Cebu for departure. Same ferries, same times, opposite direction.
Duration: ~2 hours. Cost: ₱750–850. Operators: OceanJet (most frequent), SuperCat, Lite Ferries (slower, cheaper).
Day-trip possibility: You can do Bohol → Cebu → Bohol in a single day if you time it right. Depart Bohol 5am, arrive Cebu ~7am, ferry back at 4–5pm, arrive Bohol ~7pm. Not relaxing, but possible.
Full details: Cebu to Bohol Ferry
Day-by-day skeleton (10 days):
| Days | Island | Activities | Ferry Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–4 | Bohol | Chocolate Hills, snorkeling, Panglao, island-hopping day trips | Arrive by ferry or flight |
| 5–7 | Siquijor | Cambugahay Falls, magic shops, sunset dive, local beaches | Direct OceanJet (~2 hrs) or via Dumaguete (~4–5 hrs) |
| 8–10 | Cebu | Fort San Pedro, Magellan's Cross, Mactan dive sites, Colon Street | Siquijor → Dumaguete (~45 min) → Cebu (~5.5 hrs fast ferry) |
| Return | Bohol | Relax, revisit a favorite spot, prepare for departure | Cebu → Bohol (2 hrs OceanJet) |
Total ferry cost (all legs): ₱3,500–6,500 per person depending on operators and class. Budget more if you take business class on OceanJet legs.
Why this order? You front-load Bohol (longer, more to do), then hop to Siquijor (short, mystical), then jump to Cebu (logistics hub), then return to Bohol for a final 1–2 nights before leaving. Reversing the loop works too, but this feels more natural.
Key logistics note: The Camiguin → Siquijor leg is tricky. There's no direct ferry. You'll either go Camiguin → CDO → Dumaguete → Siquijor (very long, ~12–14 hours), or backtrack to Bohol first. Most travellers skip direct Camiguin–Siquijor and return to Bohol as a hub, then head to Siquijor from there. Pro tip: Don't book this leg in advance. Once on the ground in Camiguin, you'll see which ferries are running and which make sense.
Sample 18-day breakdown:
- Days 1–3: Bohol (arrive, settle in)
- Days 4–6: Camiguin (long first day, then two full island days)
- Days 7–9: Bohol again (rest day, logistics hub, revisit favourite dive site)
- Days 10–12: Siquijor (via Dumaguete)
- Days 13–16: Cebu (longer stay, more to explore)
- Days 17–18: Bohol (final nights before departure)
This route gives you flexibility: if a ferry cancels, you're never more than a day away from a hub that has alternative options.
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Browse Bohol Hotels →Practical Ferry Booking Tips
Where to Book
Online (12Go Asia / Travelbyboat): Best for advance planning (book 7–14 days ahead). Prices are slightly higher, but you lock in schedules and get confirmation emails. Good for peak season (Dec–May).
Port counter (Tagbilaran, Dumaguete, CDO): Cheaper (no booking fee), instant tickets, but only available same-day or 1–2 days ahead. Works well in shoulder season (April–June, Oct–Nov) and off-season (Jul–Sep).
Our recommendation: Book main legs (Bohol → Cebu, Bohol → Siquijor) online 5–7 days ahead. Book smaller connections (Dumaguete → Siquijor, Camiguin local ferries) at the port on arrival.
Weather Windows
Dry season (Dec–May): Most reliable. Ferries run on schedule 95%+ of the time. Book further ahead; seats fill up fast.
Transition months (April–June, Oct–Nov): Still generally safe, but occasional cancellations due to afternoon squalls. Build 1–2 buffer days into your itinerary.
Habagat season (Jul–Sep): Roughest seas. Expect 1–2 cancellations per week. Only island-hop during this season if you're flexible — don't arrive with tight departure dates.
Travel insurance: Multi-island trips mean more exposure to cancellations, delays, and the occasional missed connection. SafetyWing covers trip interruption, medical emergencies, and lost luggage — worth it for any loop longer than a week.
Luggage Strategy
For 10–14 day loops: One large backpack + one small day pack. You'll check the large pack through, and it meets you in your next hotel. Use the day pack for ferry boarding, snorkeling gear, valuables.
Ferry luggage tip: Label everything with your name and phone number. Luggage goes in a cargo hold — it won't be lost, but in peak season, thousands of packs are stacked. Clear labels save 30 minutes at arrival.
Scuba gear: If you're diving, either rent locally at each island (easier, ~₱1,000–1,500/day per site) or bring a lightweight BC and regulator only. Full kit is heavy and awkward on ferries.
Island-Hopping without Pre-Booking
Is it possible? Yes, in shoulder/off-season. In peak season, it's risky.
Reality check: If you arrive in Bohol in March or April (peak season) without ferry bookings, you might wait 2–3 days for the next available seat, especially if weather has caused cancellations. Not worth the stress.
Off-season (Jul–Sep): Arrive in Tagbilaran, head to the port, buy a ticket for the next day. Ferries are less busy, prices are lower, and you have flexibility if weather changes.
Plan Your Island-Hopping Journey
Ferry bookings for all legs of your Visayas loop. One booking, multi-island access.
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Frequently Asked
Can I island-hop without pre-booking ferries?
Yes, but not recommended in peak season (Dec–May). You might wait 1–3 days for seats. Book main legs online 5–7 days ahead. Smaller connections (local ferries, short hops) can be booked at the port same-day.
What's the best loop for 2 weeks?
The Visayas Triangle: Bohol → Siquijor → Cebu → Bohol (10–14 days total). It hits all three major islands, each with distinct character, and ferries are frequent and affordable. If you have 18+ days, add Camiguin for an extended loop.
Is Camiguin worth the longer journey?
Absolutely, if you have the time. It's remote, volcanic, and feels less touristy than the triangle. The direct Super Shuttle from Jagna takes just 4.5 hours (Mon/Wed/Fri). Via CDO it's an overnight ferry plus overland — longer but runs more days. Budget 2–3 nights on the island once you arrive.
What if my ferry gets cancelled due to weather?
You get a full refund. Ferries suspend sailings during typhoons and heavy swells (safety first). Rebooking is free, but slots may be limited. Build 1–2 buffer days into your itinerary if you're travelling during transition months (Apr–Jun, Oct–Nov). If you have a tight departure flight, book it 1–2 days after your planned ferry arrival, not same-day.
Can I bring a motorbike or car on these ferries?
No. Fast ferries (OceanJet, SuperCat, FastCat) are passenger-only. If you're bringing a vehicle, contact RORO (Roll-On/Roll-Off) ferry services like Trans-Asia or Lite Ferries shipping divisions. These are slow (8–12 hours) and much more expensive, but they carry vehicles.
Should I book the Siquijor → Camiguin leg in advance?
No. There's no direct ferry between them. Your options change depending on the season and which local ferries are running. Once you're in Siquijor, check with your hotel or the port for the next available connection (usually Siquijor → Dumaguete → CDO → Camiguin, or backtrack to Bohol and ferry from there). Booking in advance locks you into a complex, untested route. Wait and decide on the ground.
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