Overview Compare via Cebu City via Argao
How to get from Bohol to Moalboal
Moalboal is a small yet vibrant resort town on the west coast of Cebu Island. It is a popular diving destination for its sardine run, where you can swim with millions of sardines, just a few meters off the coast.
Planning to travel the 120 km distance from Bohol to Moalboal? You have 2 options: you can take a ferry and bus via Cebu City for 590 PHP ($10.00) or you can travel via a combined ferry and bus via Argao for 430 PHP ($7.50). The journey takes between 5 to 6 hours.
2 ways to get from Bohol to Moalboal
We recommend travelling from Bohol to Moalboal via Cebu City. With this option, you’ll only need to take 1 ferry and 1 bus. Combined travel time is around 5 hours and rates start from 590 PHP ($10.00).
It is cheaper to get from Bohol to Moalboal via Argao, but there are just too many transfers. You’ll have to take at least three buses and a ferry to complete the 5-hour journey. Combined ticket prices start from 430 PHP ($7.50).
Note that you will have to pay a 25 PHP ($0.40) terminal fee at ferry ports.
Bohol to Moalboal by Ferry + Bus via Cebu City
We recommend travelling from Bohol to Moalboal via Cebu City if you want more flexible ferry schedules. This route is a few dollars more expensive, but there are also fewer transfers. You’ll only have to take a ferry and a bus.
See the step-by-step guide from Bohol to Moalboal via Cebu City below.
Step 1: Bohol to Cebu City by Ferry
There are three ferry companies operating trips from Bohol to Cebu. These are Oceanjet, FastCat, and Lite Shipping.
OceanJet operates smaller but more expensive fast crafts with fares from 950 PHP ($16.50). FastCat and Lite Ferries, on the other hand, offer bigger car ferries with rates from 420 PHP ($7.00).
The ferry journey from Bohol to Cebu City takes around 2 hours.
Departure ports
There are two departure ports in Bohol: Tagbilaran and Tubigon. If you’re coming from the tourist centre in Panglao, we recommend departing from Tagbilaran City Port as it is nearer. You can get here via a 40-minute jeepney, bus, or taxi from Panglao.
If you’re coming from northern Bohol or if you’re travelling with a car, you can take one of the car ferries departing from Tubigon Pier.
Ferry schedule from Tagbilaran, Bohol to Cebu
Ferry schedule from Tubigon, Bohol to Cebu
Arrival port
Most ferries dock at Cebu Pier 1, the main passenger ferry terminal in Cebu City. But check beforehand as some ferries also dock at the nearby Cebu Pier 3.
From either of these ports, you’ll have to take a tricycle or a taxi to cross the 2 km to South Bus Terminal.
Check out our page from Bohol to Cebu for more details.
Step 2: Cebu City to Moalboal by Bus
Ceres Bus is the main operator for the Cebu to Moalboal route. Their buses are available daily from 06:00 to 23:00, with a 30-minute interval.
A ticket costs 170 PHP ($2.90) for ordinary buses and 200 PHP ($3.50) for airconditioned trips. The bus journey takes about 3 hours but can take longer during peak hours.
Visit our page on Cebu to Moalboal for more info.
Bohol to Moalboal by Ferry + Bus via Argao
Travelling from Bohol to Moalboal via Argao is the cheaper option, but involves more than a few transfers. You’ll have to take at least three buses and one ferry.
This route via Argao takes a little over 5 hours. Combined fares start from 430 PHP ($7.50).
Step 1: Tagbilaran to Loon, Bohol by Bus
Ferries bound for Argao depart from the town of Loon, located some 35 km north of Bohol’s capital, Tagbilaran City.
To get to Loon, you’ll have to take a 1-hour bus from Tagbilaran’s Dao Bus Terminal. A ticket costs around 50 PHP ($0.80).
Ask the driver or conductor to drop you off near Catagbacan Port in Loon.
Getting from Panglao to Tagbilaran City
Are you coming from the tourist centre on Panglao Island? If yes, then you’ll first have to take a jeepney, bus, or taxi to get to Tagbilaran City. Travel time is around 40 minutes and fares start from 50 PHP ($0.80).
Step 2: Loon to Argao by Ferry
Lite Ferries operate 2 daily trips from Loon to Argao. The ferry journey takes around 2 hours and ticket prices start from 210 PHP ($3.60).
Keep in mind that these ferries are mainly used to transfer goods, not humans. Only open-air economy seats are available, so don’t expect too much.
Ferries depart from Catagbacan Port in Loon, Bohol. They dock at Taloot Wharf in Argao, located some 40 km east of Moalboal.
Ferry schedule from Loon, Bohol to Argao
Step 3: Argao to Carcar by Bus
Unfortunately, there is no direct public transport available from Argao to Carcar. So even though the distance between the two towns is only 40 km, you’ll have to take a long way around with a side trip to the northern town of Carcar.
To take the bus, you will first have to walk out of Taloot Wharf to the main road, about 200 m away. Once on the main road, hail a bus bound for Cebu City.
Ask your driver or conductor to drop you off at the rotunda in Carcar, from where you can transfer to another bus going to Moalboal.
The bus journey from Argao to Carcar takes about 40 minutes and you can buy a ticket for 70 PHP ($1.20) onboard.
Alternatively, you can rent a tricycle from Argao to Carcar for 200 PHP ($3.50). Note that tricycles are much slower than the bus and can get quite cramped if you have a lot of luggage.
Step 4: Carcar to Moalboal by Bus
At Carcar rotunda, ask around to know where exactly you can hail a bus bound for Moalboal. The two well-known companies operating this route are Ceres Liner and Librando.
Buses from Carcar to Moalboal are available 24 hours, but note that there may be fewer buses operating at night.
Expect to pay around 100 PHP ($1.70) for the bus ticket, which you can buy onboard. You will reach Moalboal in around 1.5 hours.
Getting from Moalboal town centre to Panagsama Beach
There is no official bus station in Moalboal, so you will only be dropped off along the main road. If you’re staying at the tourist area along Panagsama Beach, you’ll have to take an additional tricycle or motorbike taxi to your hotel.
It’s better to take a tricycle if you’re carrying a lot of luggage. Rates start from 150 PHP ($2.60) for a tricycle ride. Otherwise, you can get a motorbike for 50 PHP ($0.80).
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.
