Overview Compare Ferry via Liloan via Dumaguete Flight
Siquijor looks like an island straight out of a fairytale. Its golden beaches, crystal clear waters, 3-tiered waterfalls, mangrove forest, and age-old “enchanted” balete tree are well-scattered around the island.
You will need a 360-degree tour to see them all, but the island is small enough that you can do this leisurely for a day or two.
How to get from Cebu to Siquijor
Siquijor is an island located approximately 170 kilometres south of Cebu City. The quickest route to travel from Cebu to Siquijor is via Tagbilaran, but you can also reach Siquijor by bus and ferry from Liloan or Dumaguete. Journey time ranges from 5.5-8 hours and fares start at685 PHP ($12).
The combined ferry ride via Tagbilaran City with OceanJet is the fastest option with just a 5.5-hour travel time. However, with fares starting from 2,000 PHP ($36) it is also the most expensive option. If you want to save money, you can also book your ferry tickets separately for a cheaper price.
The cheapest option is the bus and ferry via Liloan Port. Although it’s cheaper than taking a combined ferry, it’s far less convenient. There is only one ferry to Siquijor, which departs after midnight. Given the schedules, you would arrive at night at the port and still have to wait a few hours. Combined rates start from 685 PHP ($12), and travel time is around 6.5 hours.
Travelling by bus and ferry via Dumaguete is another option, with combined fares starting from 765 PHP ($13.50). Although this route takes longer than the route above, you won’t need to wait for several hours on the ferry, making this actually a faster route than the route via Liloan to Siquijor.
Air Juan also used to offer one daily flight to Siquijor. However, they suspended all of their flights in March 2020 because of the pandemic and haven’t resumed since then.
Looking for more info? We got you covered!
- Ferry from Cebu to Siquijor via Tagbilaran
- Bus from Cebu to Siquijor via Liloan
- Bus from Cebu to Siquijor via Dumaguete
- Flight from Cebu to Siqjuijor
Itinerary from Cebu to Siquijor
Ferry via Liloan
- Cebu
- 4.5 hours
- Liloan Port
- 2 hours
- Siquijor
Cebu to Siquijor via Tagbilaran by Ferry
From Cebu, the fastest way to reach Siquijor is by taking two OceanJet ferries. This combined ferry trip can be booked as one ticket, which means you won’t have to worry about transfers.
A tourist class ticket costs 2,000 PHP ($36), while a business class ticket is more expensive at 3,000 PHP ($54). The total travel time from Cebu to Siquijor via Tagbilaran with OceanJet takes almost 5.5 hours.
There is also a direct roro ferry by Lite Shipping from Cebu to Siquijor, but this option takes 10 hours.
Departure and arrival ports
The ferry departs depart from Cebu Pier 1 at 13:00 and docks at Tagbilaran City Port.
From here, you can self-transfer to your connecting ferry. You will arrive at Siquijor Pier at around 18:20. This pier is near the island’s main tourist area.
OceanJet ferry schedule from Cebu to Siquijor via Tagbilaran
Ferry tickets with Lite Shipping
Lite Shipping is another ferry operator offering direct trips from Cebu to Siquijor.
However, this is a roll-on roll-off ship, so the journey takes longer at around 10 hours.
The ferry departs every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday from Cebu Pier at 13:00 and docks at 23:00 at Larena Pier on the northern side of the island.
Tickets are available on 12GoAsia for 715 PHP ($13).
Separate Booking: Cebu to Siquijor via Tagbilaran
The journey we discussed above is by far the most convenient when travelling by ferry. However, if this ferry is fully booked, there is also an option to book the two ferry trips separately.
This is also a great option if you’re planning to make a short stopover in Bohol before continuing to Siquijor.
Step 1: Cebu to Tagbilaran by Ferry
For this first part of the journey from Cebu to Bohol, there are three ferry companies available.
Lite Shipping ferries are the cheapest option with standard ferry tickets selling at 465 PHP ($8). However, this 4-hour journey to Tagbilaran is also the slowest option. The ferry has a daily departure at 22:00, plus an additional 13:00 trip every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
If you prefer to get there quicker, you can book the OceanJet or the Chealsea SuperCat ferry that takes only 2 hours. Rates for a standard class ticket start from 915 PHP ($16.50), and you can also book business class tickets for a few dollars more.
Ferry schedule from Cebu to Tagbilaran
Make sure to book a ferry heading to Tagbilaran Port since there are two other ports in Bohol — Tubigon and Getafe Port — that are 1.5-2 hours away.
See our guide for Cebu to Bohol if you wish to read more about this route.
Step 2: Tagbilaran to Siquijor by Ferry
The same ferries operate on the Tagbilaran to Siquijor route. OceanJet offers one daily trip to Siquijor Port with fares from 910 PHP ($16.50) on BookAway.
Meanwhile, Lite Shipping ferries are available only every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday at 20:00. Standard tickets for this ferry are cheaper at 475 PHP ($8.50) at the port. 12GoAsia also offers tourist tickets for 860 PHP ($15.50). With this ferry, you’ll arrive at 23:00 at night in Larena Pier.
Travel time to Siquijor is 2-3 hours.
Ferry schedule from Tagbilaran to Siquijor
For more details on this part of the route, you can visit our route page from Bohol to Siquijor.
Cebu to Siquijor via Liloan by Bus + Ferry
Instead of taking ferries from Cebu to Siquijor, you can also travel mostly overland. This journey takes about 6.5 hours when coming from Cebu City.
You will first travel to the south of Cebu by bus and then take a ferry to Siquijor. This used to be a popular option because it is the cheapest option available.
But since the pandemic, ferry companies started to operate less frequently. The only ferry now departs at 02:00 after midnight and arrives in Siquijor at 04:00, which we think is too early to start your journey on the island. You can think about it as saving a night on accommodation though!
We highly recommend taking this option if you’re already in southern towns like Moalboal and Oslob. Note that for the opposite route from Siquijor to Cebu, the ferry arrives at Bato Port instead, about 5 km from Liloan Port.
Step 1: Cebu City to Liloan Port by Bus + Ferry
From the South Bus Terminal in Cebu City, you can take a bus bound for Liloan Port. This port is located in Santander, a town at the southern tip of Cebu island. From here, you’ll take a ferry that goes straight to Siquijor.
You can board the bus with “Liloan Port” on its sign. If it’s not available, you can also take a bus with the sign “Bato via Oslob.” This bus will pass through Santander.
A ticket costs 410 PHP ($7) for an air-conditioned bus. The first trip is at 03:00, and there are bus departures every 2 hours until 21:00.
The ferry bound for Siquijor departs at 02:00, so even if you take the last bus, you still have to wait a few hours at the port.
Bus schedule from Cebu to Liloan
You can buy your tickets at the bus terminal in Cebu or aboard the bus.
If you’re coming from towns outside of Cebu City, ask your hotel where you can hail a bus bound for Liloan Port.
Step 2: Liloan Port to Siquijor by Ferry
The only company with trips from Liloan Port to Larena Pier in Siquijor is Maayo Shipping.
The ferry departs at 02:00 every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, so it’s best that you arrive at Liloan Port the night before. On Sundays, they also have a 07:00 trip.
A ferry ticket costs 275 PHP ($5) for a 2-3 hour ferry ride to Siquijor.
Ferry schedule from Liloan to Siquijor
You can buy the ticket at the port prior to your departure or you can contact them directly via the Maayo Shipping Facebook page beforehand. They are responsive, so feel free to contact them for any other concerns.
The ferry docks at Larena Pier. From here, you can take a tuk-tuk to your final destination in Siquijor.
Alternative Option: Combined Bus + Ferry with Sugbo Urban Transit
Sugbo Urban Transit offers a combined bus + ferry trip from Cebu to Siquijor via Liloan Port.
You’ll only have to wait a bit at the port, making the overall travel time 10 hours. But this is a great option if you don’t want to worry about transfers. It’s also a bit cheaper than taking the bus and ferry separately.
The company is partnered with Maayo Shipping for the ferry ride, so it’s available only on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday nights. Then on Sundays, the bus departs at 01:00. Here’s the schedule for this route:
- Cebu South Bus Terminal to Liloan Port – 20:00-24:00
- Waiting time at Liloan Port – 24:00-02:00
- Liloan Port to Larena Port – 02:00-06:00
Upon arrival at Larena Port, the bus will travel around Siquijor island until it goes back to Larena Port at 08:00.
You can buy your bus ticket at the terminal for 345 PHP ($6), and you’ll also have to buy your own ferry ticket at Liloan Port for 275 PHP ($5).
Cebu to Siquijor via Dumaguete by Bus + Ferry
For this option, you’ll take a bus + ferry from Cebu to Dumaguete, a town on the neighbouring island of Negros Oriental. From here, there are several ferry trips bound for Siquijor.
The total travel time when travelling via Dumaguete is 7-8 hours. We would suggest taking this option only if you also plan to explore Dumaguete that offers a few attractions on its own.
Step 1: Cebu to Dumaguete by Bus + Ferry
At the South Bus Terminal in Cebu, there are regular buses to Dumaguete since this town is also a major destination in the south. For this first leg of the trip, the total travel time takes 6 hours, including a 30-minute ferry ride.
Ceres Bus offers hourly trips from 06:00 to 17:00 daily for 480 PHP ($8.50) per person. Note that you also have to pay for the ferry ticket to Dumaguete, which costs 120 PHP ($2.10).
In Bato Port in Santander, the bus will directly board the ferry bound for Negros Oriental. You will have to get off the bus, pay for your ferry ticket, and then sit in the ferry’s passenger seating area.
Once the ferry docks at Tampi Port, you’ll have to board the bus again. Dumaguete Port is still 40 minutes away. You can inform the bus driver or conductor that you wish to be dropped off near the port, which is just a few meters away from the bus terminal.
Bus schedule from Cebu to Dumaguete
Considering the travel time of the bus and the ferry schedule to Siquijor, it’s best to depart Cebu before noon to make it to the last ferry trip at 19:10.
You can buy your bus ticket at the terminal or on the bus.
Step 2: Dumaguete to Siquijor by Ferry
There are three main ferry companies operating between Dumaguete and Siquijor: OceanJet, Montenegro Lines, and Aleson Shipping.
Tickets start from 195 PHP ($3.50) for the bigger ferries. If you want to get to Siquijor a bit quicker, you can take the OceanJet ferry in just an hour, but fares are pricier at 510 PHP ($9).
There are two ports on Siquijor island, and all ferries from Dumaguete arrive at Siquijor Pier.
Ferry schedule from Dumaguete to Siquijor
Only OceanJet can be booked online via BookAway. Tickets for Montenegro Lines and Aleson Shipping can only be bought at the port.
It is easy enough to buy tickets at the port, especially on weekdays and during off-peak season. If you’re travelling on a weekend or in the summer (March to June) though, we highly recommend booking online to ensure a seat.
PRO TIP: The waves and the salty breeze might lull you to sleep, but make sure you are awake as you get close to the port in Siquijor. On good days, you will see jumping dolphins near the shore.
Cebu to Siquijor by Flight (Currently not operating)
*COVID-19 UPDATE: The last time we checked (December 2022), there are no flights from Cebu to Siquijor. All of AirJuan flights have been suspended since 2020 and haven’t resumed since then.
Pre-pandemic, the fastest means of travelling directly from Cebu to Siquijor was to book a chartered flight with Air Juan.
Air Juan offered 1 seaplane flight daily, departing from the Mactan-Cebu International Airport. The flight used to depart at 13:00 and would arrive at Siquijor Airport at 13:40.
The small airport is only about 15 minutes away from Siquijor’s town centre. A one-way trip used to cost 4,500 PHP ($81).
About the author(s)
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.
If i travel this coming friday when can i get my ticket
Hi Loselie, you can book your ticket with OceanJet in advance via BookAway. Just arrive at the port early on Friday. Safe travels!
Thanks for this information. I hope the Philippine government will lift the travel restrictions soon.
Hi Muriel, glad we were able to help! Hoping for the same thing too – for the Philippines and other Asian countries! Stay safe for now!
Hi can you fly now from cebu city to so quiet and how much please I want to fly end of February
Hi Jason, unfortunately, AirJuan still hasn’t resumed their flights from Cebu to Siquijor. As of 2023, your options are taking a ferry via Tagbilaran, Liloan, or Dumaguete. We’ll update the page if AirJuan starts operating again.
Thank so much for all of this information. This just exactly what i need for my soon travel going to siquiijor. More blogs for you and hoping to keep it up. God Bless!
Hi Odette, thank you so much for your warm words! Siquijor is such a beautiful island, I’m sure you’ll enjoy it. Have a safe trip!
Santander to Siquijor
Maayo Shipping Schedule
and Vice Versa
Port of Origin: Liloan, Santander (Cebu) to Larena, Siquijor
Departure Schedule: Daily 10:00 AM
Port of Origin: Larena, Siquijor to Liloan, Santander (Cebu) Daily 5:00 PM
Hi Bill! Thank you so much for this info, really appreciate it! Already updated the route to add your comment. Safe travels!