Cebu to Siquijor: Routes, Ferries & How to Get There

Your Two Options: Which Route?

There's no direct ferry connecting Cebu and Siquijor. All routes involve at least one intermediate stop. Here are the two realistic paths:

Route 1: Via Bohol (Cebu → Tagbilaran → Dumaguete → Siquijor)

Cebu to Tagbilaran (OceanJet or SuperCat)

Operator: OceanJet is the most reliable. Duration: ~2 hours. Cost: ~₱800 (OceanJet), ~₱750 (SuperCat). Frequency: 6–8 sailings daily. Departs: Cebu Pier 1. Arrives: Tagbilaran, Bohol.

Arrive at Pier 1 at least 60 minutes before departure. Peak season (Dec–May) boards get congested, especially morning sailings. On-board snack bar has limited options — bring water and a snack.

Tagbilaran to Dumaguete (Ceres Liner or Sunrays)

Operators: Ceres Liner (main) or Sunrays Shipping. Duration: ~2 hours. Cost: ~₱600. Frequency: 4–6 daily. Departs: Tagbilaran port (south side). Arrives: Dumaguete port.

This leg is straightforward and less congested than the Cebu crossing. Allow 30 minutes buffer between ferry arrival and departure.

Dumaguete to Siquijor (Sunrays or Bohol Strait Shipping)

Duration: ~1 hour. Cost: ~₱250. Frequency: Hourly to semi-hourly departures, roughly 6am–6pm. Departs: Dumaguete port, Rizal Boulevard. Arrives: Siquijor port (San Juan, Larena, or Malapascua depending on operator).

This is the most frequent and least formal leg. Tickets are usually bought at the port minutes before departure. No assigned seats — board when called. Peak times (8am–2pm) see the most traffic.

Route 2: Cebu → Dumaguete Direct (Ceres Liner Bus)

Cebu to Dumaguete (Overland + Ferry)

Operator: Ceres Liner (main carrier). Duration: ~6 hours (includes ferry at Liloan-Sibulan). Cost: ₱500–700 depending on bus class. Departs: Cebu South Bus Terminal (roughly 8am, 11am, 1pm, 3pm, 5pm — ). Arrives: Dumaguete City.

The bus route takes you south through Cebu, then crosses the Liloan-Sibulan ferry (an 8-minute straits crossing). Most travellers find this faster than the ferry + ferry + ferry combination of Route 1. Cost is also lower if you're not interested in Bohol.

Travel tip: If you're sensitive to motion, sit over the wheels on the bus and avoid the back rows. The ferry itself is calm because the straits are narrow.

Dumaguete to Siquijor (Sunrays or Bohol Strait Shipping)

Same as Route 1 — ferries depart Dumaguete port hourly from early morning to evening. ~₱250 per ticket.

Dumaguete Port: Two Terminals, Easy to Confuse

Rizal Boulevard Port (City Port)

This is where all Siquijor ferries depart. It's central, walkable from Rizal Boulevard. Small, straightforward. If you arrive by bus from Cebu, you'll come in north of the city and may need a tricycle (₱50–100) to reach Rizal Boulevard port. Ask your bus conductor where you're being dropped — some routes go closer to the port than others.

Sibulan Port (South Port)

This is where the Liloan-Sibulan ferry from Cebu terminates — it's south of Dumaguete proper. Some bus routes to Cebu depart from here for the return journey. For Siquijor ferries, you must move from Sibulan to Rizal Boulevard port (tricycle, ~10 mins, ₱80–120). This adds time — factor it in if arriving by bus from the south.

Pro tip: When booking a Cebu-Dumaguete bus, ask the ticket agent whether the route terminates at Rizal Boulevard or Sibulan port. If Sibulan, budget an extra 30 minutes for the transfer.

Which Route Is Right for You?

Choose Route 1 (via Bohol) if:

• You want to visit or stop in Bohol
• You prefer purely maritime travel (ferries all the way)
• You like scenic crossings and don't mind taking more time
• You're nervous about overland bus travel

Choose Route 2 (Cebu–Dumaguete bus) if:

• You want to reach Siquijor faster overall
• You're budget-conscious
• You're happy with a mix of bus and ferry
• You're not interested in exploring Bohol

Booking Logistics & Peak Season Notes

How Far Ahead Should You Book?

Peak season (Dec–May): Cebu–Tagbilaran ferries fill up. Book 3–7 days in advance if you're inflexible on timing. Ceres Liner buses less pressure unless it's Christmas week or Easter. Dumaguete–Siquijor ferries almost never fill (high frequency, small capacity per boat).

Off-peak (Jun–Nov): Same-day booking usually fine. Typhoon season (Sep–Nov) can trigger weather cancellations on the Cebu–Tagbilaran leg — watch forecasts.

Transfers & Logistics

If you've booked a door-to-door transfer package, your Cebu hotel pickup covers the first leg (Cebu pier or bus terminal). For intermediate transfers (e.g., between boats in Tagbilaran), tricycles are abundant and cheap. At Dumaguete, if your Siquijor ferry is 1–2 hours away, a quick lunch at Rizal Boulevard is common practice — the port area has food stalls and small restaurants.