How to get from Cebu to Bohol

Why visit Bohol?

Bohol is a beautiful combination of lush jungles and turquoise waters in the Philippines’ Central Visayas region. It is one of the country’s more classic destinations, so don’t be surprised to find many locals looking for adventures here any time of the year.

The island first became popular for its Chocolate Hills, but there’s so much more you can do and explore in Bohol. Cruise along the Loboc River, snorkel or dive near Balicasag Island, and explore Bohol’s centuries-old churches. If you’re lucky or persistent, you can also spot the Philippine tarsier, which is endemic to the region!

The ferry is the only suitable way for travellers to cross the distance of 75 kilometres (47 miles) from Cebu to Bohol. The journey takes around 1 hour 30 minutes to 4 hours, and ticket prices start from 425 PHP ($7.30).

The ferry is the most popular mode of transport for travellers going from Cebu to Bohol. It’s an easy way to reach the island, and the ferry ride only takes about 1 hour 30 minutes to 4 hours, depending on the weather conditions.

Several ferry companies sail from Cebu to Bohol, but Oceanjet is a favourite among tourists. They operate fast ferries that are a bit more expensive, but these arrive at a more convenient port closer to many tourist spots in Bohol.

PRO TIP: If you’d rather not travel by sea, flying from Cebu to Bohol is also an option, but it’s not a practical choice. Flights usually have a layover in either Manila or Davao, making the journey longer than a ferry. Still curious? You can check flight options on Skyscanner.

Departure and arrival stations

Ferries depart from either Cebu Pier 1 or Pier 3, both located around 2 to 3 km from Cebu City centre.

In Bohol, the ferries from Cebu mainly arrive at two ports: Tubigon Port and Tagbilaran Port. You can find more information on these ports below.

Tagbilaran Port

Most passenger ferries from Cebu arrive at Tagbilaran Port, including those operated by Oceanjet and Lite Shipping. From here, you can take a taxi or jeepney to your hotel.

Tagbilaran Port is an important hub in the southern Visayas. The port is located in the southern part of Bohol, right next to Panglao Island, which is famous for its white sand beaches.

Tubigon Port

FastCat and Lite Shipping ferries dock at Tubigon Port on the west side of Bohol. This port is a great option if you want to stay closer to the island’s most iconic landmark — the Chocolate Hills.

Other arrival ports in Bohol

• Getafe Port. Getafe is the closest port to Cebu, and it sits on the northern coast of Bohol. It is a convenient entry point for visiting northern towns, but it is quite far from tourist hotspots like Panglao and the Chocolate Hills.
• Jagna Port. Jagna is the main entry point for ferries coming from Camiguin Island. The port is on the southern part of Bohol and is closer to Anda’s beautiful beaches.

Below you’ll find the ferry schedules from Cebu to the different ports in Bohol.

Kate's insider tip

Make sure to arrive at Cebu Pier around 1 hour before your departure time as you need to pay the terminal fee and check in for your trip. This can take some time depending on queues. Plus, some ferry companies have a strict cut-off time for checking in.

OceanJet uses fast ferries, and you can reach Bohol from Cebu in just 2 hours.

Meanwhile, Lite Shipping operates slower car ferries, so the trip takes twice as long, at around 4 hours. They are cheaper, though, with fares starting from 510 PHP ($8.80).

Lite Shipping and FastCat operate ferries that dock at Tubigon Port. Ticket prices start from 425 PHP ($7.30), and the journey takes around 2h.