What to expect when visiting Siquijor
Siquijor is one of the Philippines’ most magical islands, literally. It’s home to natural healers who perform the practice of Bulo Bulo to cure you of your pains and ailments. Go with an open mind and see what happens!
The island looks like a fairytale land, with all its golden beaches, turquoise waters, three-tiered waterfalls, and the 400-year-old “enchanted” balete tree. And because it enjoys fewer tourists than other nearby islands, you can enjoy Siquijors pristine nature in peace.
1 way to get from Dumaguete to Siquijor
The ferry is the only suitable way for travellers to cross the distance of 35 kilometers (22 miles) from Dumaguete to Siquijor. The journey takes around 45 minutes - 2 hours and costs start from €3.70.Where to stay in Siquijor?
Still looking for accommodation? Don't forget to check out our favourite places to stay in Siquijor at the bottom of this page.
Dumaguete to Siquijor by Ferry
There are three ferry companies operating from Dumaguete to Siquijor: Oceanjet, Montenegro and Aleson.
Ferries are available daily from 07:00 to 18:00. Travel time is 45 minutes - 2 hours, depending on the ferry you take and which port you choose to arrive at.
Ferry fares start at €3.70. Note that you will have to pay an additional 15 PHP (€0.20) for the terminal fee.
Departure station
Ferries operating from Dumaguete to Siquijor depart from Dumaguete Port. If you’re coming from Dumaguete-Sibulan Airport, you will still need to take a 10-minute tricycle ride to the pier. Fares start at 100 PHP (€1.60) because this will be a “special” ride.
When coming from the town centre, it should be just 12 PHP (€0.20) per person to the port, although they might charge more if you’re carrying luggage.
Ferry schedule from Dumaguete to Siquijor (via Siquijor Pier)
Ferry schedule from Dumaguete to Siquijor (via Larena Pier)
We recommend booking your tickets online
Dumaguete Pier is infamous for its long ticket queues and fixers selling overpriced tickets. There is also no official ticketing booth — each ferry company has its own unorganized ticket booth outside the port.
And from personal experience, we can tell you that more often than not, you’ll have to queue for tickets under the blazing sun. If you’re travelling on a weekend or in summer when tickets sell out really fast, there’s a chance you’ll have to wait a few hours at the port for the next available ferry.
For these reasons, we recommend that you pre-book your ferry tickets from Dumaguete to Siquijor online.
Oceanjet is a great ferry option for this route. It’s a bit more expensive than the other companies with fares from 460 PHP (€7.30), but it offers a faster journey, taking just 1 hour. This saves you time not just on the ferry journey, but also on the waiting and queueing time at the port.
Tickets for Aleson Shipping and Montenegro Shipping are also available at the pier. For inquiries, you can try contacting them beforehand through their Facebook pages, although it’s worth noting that they are not very responsive.
Arrival station
There are two arrival points in Siquijor: Siquijor Pier and Larena Pier. Either way, you’ll need a transfer to your hotel.
Some accommodations offer free pick-up so make sure you inquire beforehand. Otherwise, tricycles are easily available from both ports. A ride to the tourist centre in San Juan starts at 250 PHP (€4) from Siquijor Pier and 500 PHP (€8) from Larena Pier.
Best places to stay in Siquijor
Siquijor is a stunning island, so your accommodation needs to match that vibe, right? Even on a budget you can enjoy sea views! Siquijor is a place for snorkelling, but also relaxation, so there are plenty of accommodations trying to maximise this — think luxury beach resorts where your bed is only seconds from the sea.
San Juan is the main hub of the island, offering plenty of accommodations, beautiful beaches and access to most of Siquijor’s tourist attractions.
Here are our favourite stays in Siquijor:
Nakabalo Guesthouse and Restaurant - Treating Yourself
Area: Cang Obao, San Juan — approx. 5-minute drive to the town centre
It will be hard to find a better view than the one at Nakabalo Guesthouse. The sunset from the infinity pool overlooking the jungle is magical. And after sunset, you can enjoy a fabulous meal in the on-site restaurant.
The rooms are special and incorporate nature into their design. Some of them also have private balconies with incredible sea views.
- Infinity pool
- Incredible views
- Spacious and unique rooms
- Delicious breakfast included
Double rooms start from $50 per night
Coco Grove Beach Resort - Treating Yourself
Area: Tubod, San Juan beachfront — approx. 5-minute drive to town proper and restaurants
This 5-star resort offers the ultimate level of luxury. You couldn’t get much closer to the beach than here — 10 steps and you’re in the water.
There are also three swimming pools including a kids’ pool, a relaxing pool with a jacuzzi and an Olympic-sized pool overlooking the beach. And there’s even a swim-up bar to sort you out with drinks and snacks without leaving that glorious water!
- Right by the beach
- Three swimming pools
- Incredible staff
- On-site spa
Double rooms start from $50 per night
Aquamare Beach Camp Resort - Mid Range
Area: Sandugan Larena — approx. 10-minute drive to Poblacion Norte town centre
The best way to describe this place is unique. They offer dome-shaped tents with all the luxury that you would expect from a normal room. Once you’ve drawn back the curtains on your dome and enjoyed the view, you can go for a morning swim at the private beach right in front of the resort.
Or spend your time splashing around in the pool and devouring the delicious food that’s served in the restaurant. Here you’ll be situated in the northern part of the island, away from the main tourist hub of San Juan.
- Dome-style glamping
- Private beach
- Delicious restaurant
- Swimming pool
Double rooms cost $30-$50 per night
Cliff Garden - Budget Friendly
Area: Tag-ibo, San Juan — approx. 5-minute drive to Tubod Beach
How does a room with a sea view sound to you? Perfect, right? Not many budget-friendly accommodations offer that kind of luxury.
Cliff Garden is decorated in a bohemian style which matches perfectly with the beach vibe. Nearby, you’ll find some great beaches for snorkelling.
- Bohemian vibe
- Guaranteed sea views
- On-site restaurant and bar
- Great hosts
Double rooms costs $15-$30 per night
Chekesh Casa - Budget Friendly
Area: Tubod, San Juan — approx. 10-minute drive to town centre and approx. 5-minute walk to Tubod Beach
Chekesh Casa is the place to stay if you’re looking for budget accommodation in Siquijor. The homestay is beautiful, but what makes people really fall in love with this place are the hosts. They are so welcoming and friendly that you’ll feel part of one big family.
The comfortable beds are perfect to roll into after you’ve enjoyed a delicious meal at the restaurant run by the hosts.
- Beautiful gardens
- Lovely rooms
- Amazing hosts
- Great restaurant
Double rooms costs $15-$30 per night
Frequently Asked Questions about Dumaguete to Siquijor
What is the distance from Dumaguete to Siquijor?
The distance from Dumaguete to Siquijor is 35 kilometers (22 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Dumaguete to Siquijor?
The fastest way to get from Dumaguete to Siquijor is by ferry and takes 45 minutes.
What is the cheapest way to get from Dumaguete to Siquijor?
The cheapest way to get from Dumaguete to Siquijor is by ferry with ticket costs starting from €3.70.
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Dumaguete to Siquijor. If there's anything else you're wondering about, drop us a comment and we'll do our best to answer you within a few days.
PS: If you've recently travelled this route, share your experience with fellow travellers and help us improve this post. Thanks for helping out our travel community!
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Ela is a storyteller, content producer, solo traveller and a mermaid-in-training. When she’s not in front of her laptop, you will find her barefoot and living her best tan on some island in the Philippines… Or exploring the depths of its seas as a budding freediver. An island girl at heart, she’ll be happy anywhere there is sea, sand, sun and coffee.
Abby is a writer who finds joy in mountains, beaches, and road trips. She considers her solo backpacking trip to the rice terraces of Bontoc one of the most fulfilling moments in her life. She’s loyal to the islands of her home country, the Philippines, but Thailand’s beaches also have a special place in her heart.
Bonjour, A quelle jetée arriverons-nous à Siquijor en prenant le ferry Oceanjet à Dumaguete ? Est-ce à Siquijor Pier ou à Larena Pier ? Merci pour la réponse.
Hi Cathy, OceanJet ferries arrive at Siquijor Pier. From here, you can take a tricycle to your accommodation. Or you can ask your hotel to have you picked up by a private car. Enjoy Siquijor!
PS J’ai répondu à ce commentaire en anglais, donc d’autres nationalités peuvent également bénéficier de cette info. Je recommande d’utiliser Google Translate pour le lire en français.
La traversée avec monténégro lines est de 234 pesos +15 pesos pour l’accès au port.
Hi Letort! Thanks a lot for confirming these rates for Montenegro Lines and the port. We hope you had a great time in Siquijor. Safe travels!
PS J’ai répondu à ce commentaire en anglais, donc d’autres nationalités peuvent également bénéficier de cette info. Je recommande d’utiliser Google Translate pour le lire en français.
Hi! Do i have to book online or can i buy the ticket the same day?
Hi Shara! You can buy your tickets at the port on the same day. But tickets for the Dumaguete-Siquijor route usually sell out fast. So we advise you to be at the port early. If you’re travelling on a weekend though, or don’t want the hassle of going to the port early, then it’s best to book your tickets online through BookAway. Thanks and safe travels!
The ferry schedules updated as of June 2022?
Hi, Anne!
The Oceanjet schedules are updated as of June 2022. They’re also the easiest to book (albeit a bit pricy) as Oceanjet is the only one available for online booking. As for the 2 other ferry companies – Montenegro and Aleson – we have yet to get their replies for their latest schedules. Thanks and safe travels!