Island Hopping from Bohol: Routes, Ferries & Multi-Stop Trips
TL;DR
Bohol sits at the heart of the Visayas and connects to Siquijor (via Dumaguete, 4–5 hrs), Camiguin (via CDO, 9–12 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. Ferry operators: 12Go Asia, port counters. Insider tip: don't pre-book the Siquijor–Camiguin leg — schedules change and the direct ferry only runs peak season.
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 ferries to Siquijor (via Dumaguete), Camiguin (via Cagayan de Oro), and Cebu. 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.
Bohol → Siquijor (The Easy Loop)
The most popular side journey from Bohol is the hop to Siquijor, the Philippines' mystical island. This isn't a direct ferry — you'll go Bohol → Dumaguete → Siquijor.
Route Overview
Leg 1: Tagbilaran (Bohol) → Dumaguete
Fast ferry, ~1.5–2 hours. Operators: OceanJet, SuperCat, Lite Ferries. Cost: ₱350–600.
Leg 2: Dumaguete → Siquijor Town
Banca ferry, ~1.5 hours. Runs multiple daily. Cost: ₱80–120. Terminal walk ~15 minutes.
Luggage strategy: Pack a day bag. Main luggage stays locked in your Dumaguete hotel (if you're staying one night) or goes straight to Siquijor. Some hotels hold luggage free for guests arriving late.
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
Bohol → Camiguin (The Epic Journey)
Camiguin is worth the effort — a volcanic island with hot springs, waterfalls, and near-empty beaches. The catch: it's further from Bohol than Siquijor, and the journey requires patience.
Route Overview
Leg 1: Tagbilaran → Cagayan de Oro (CDO)
FastCat or Lite Ferries. ~6 hours. Cost: ₱600–900. Departs early morning (5–6am) to arrive by noon.
Leg 2: CDO → Camiguin (Benoni/Balingoan Port)
Ferry from CDO Divisoria or Cagayan de Oro Port. ~1.5–2 hours. Cost: ₱120–180. Multiple daily departures.
Luggage & timing: This is a long day. Many travellers overnight in CDO, then ferry to Camiguin next morning. It breaks the journey and gives you time to eat and rest.
Suggested stay: 2–3 nights on Camiguin. Island-hop the smaller outcrops (White Island, Vulcan Island), hike Mount Hibok-Hibok, soak in the hot springs at Ardent Hotel.
Full details: Bohol to Camiguin via CDO
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
The Visayas Triangle: Bohol → Siquijor → Cebu → Bohol
This is the classic 10–14 day multi-island loop. You hit three islands, each distinct in character: Bohol (beaches, diving, chocolate hills), Siquijor (mysticism, waterfalls), and Cebu (urban energy, forts, diving).
The Loop Sequence
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 | Tagbilaran → Dumaguete (1.5–2 hrs) → Siquijor (1.5 hrs) |
| 8–10 | Cebu | Fort San Pedro, Magellan's Cross, Mactan dive sites, Colon Street | Siquijor → Dumaguete (1.5 hrs) → Cebu (1 hr fast ferry) |
| Return | Bohol | Relax, revisit a favorite spot, prepare for departure | Cebu → Bohol (2 hrs OceanJet) |
Total ferry cost (all legs): ₱2,500–4,000 per person (varies by operator and season).
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.
The Extended Loop: Add Camiguin (2–3 Weeks)
If you have 18–21 days, insert Camiguin between Bohol and Siquijor (or between Bohol and Cebu). This creates a northern arc.
The Extended Loop Sequence
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.
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.
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.
Search Your RouteFrequently 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 long ferry days are offset by 2–3 magical island days. Expect 9–12 hours of travel for a 2–3 night stay. Budget another 2–3 days if you're not an experienced ferry traveller.
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.