About the ride from Bohol to Siquijor
With its rolling green hills and stunning jungle waterfalls, Bohol island is a nature lover’s delight. While most of the place is sparsely urbanized, it compensates for it with jaw-dropping wilderness, and that makes it hugely popular with backpackers. After some time one the island, it’s time to explore the Philippines even further. There’s no better way to do that than to take a trip from Bohol to Siquijor.
Located just under 40 miles south of Bohol, Siquijor Island is another haven for thrill seekers. From the gin-clear turquoise waters of the coast, to the terraced waterfalls inland, you’re never too far away from a refreshing dip. The island’s mountains are known for its mystic healers, and the coastline is dotted with cozy beach resorts. Honestly, this place has it all. The real question is, how do you get from Bohol to Siquijor?
There’s one way of getting from bohol to Siquijor, and that’s hopping on a ferry. There’s a single ferry line operating between two islands, with two options to choose from. These are the Tourist and the Business ferry. The two are pretty similar when it comes to travel time, which is around 1 hour and 20 minutes.
The main difference between the two are in the amenities they offer (more on that in a bit).
What to see when traveling from Bohol to Siquijor
The ferry leaving from Bohol Island goes out from Tagbilaran City. As the capital of Bohol, and a home to more than 100,000 people, Tagbilaran is the largest settlement on the island. It’s not particularly known for its attractions, but it serves as a hugely important stop for explorers coming and going from Bohol.
The first portion of your trip will take you past Panglao Island, a scenic gem perfect for snorkelling and scuba diving. Its coast is sprinkled with beaches of all shapes and sizes, with several hidden diving caves to boot. If you’re planning on returning to the area, mark this place on your map!
Swinging past Panglao, you’ll find yourself out in the open sea. Time to enjoy the views! After about an hour or so, the island of Siquijor will come into view. Siquijor is noticeably smaller than its northerly neighbor. But don’t worry, when it comes to attractions, it definitely punches above its weight!
Ferries coming to the island dock at the town of Larena. Here, you’ll be able to set base for further explorations, or rent a bike and hit the road straight away. Speaking of, you can rent a bike for around 300 pesos (US$ 6.50).
After that, it’s off to explore the island! With traffic almost nowhere to be seen, getting around is a breeze. From swing jumping in its cascading waterfalls to exploring the laid back nature trails, Siquijor will have your head spinning within minutes.
If you’re looking for snorkelling and some relaxing time on the beach, pay a visit to the coast of San Juan. Dotted with comfy resorts and lively beach bars, this part of the island is a hedonist’s dream. If there’s one place you need to check out, it’s Paliton Beach – the sunsets are to die for!
And if you’re in need of healing, pay a visit to one of the local mystics. Rumor has it that these healers will concoct an elixir just for you. They’ve even got love potions!
How to get from Bohol to Siquijor
Taking a ferry
Getting a ferry from Bohol to Siquijor is as easy as can be. The ferries run by Oceanjet are well established in the area, and they operate on a daily basis. Your departure time is 10:20 am, regardless of whether you’re going on a Tourist or a Businessline.
That’s pretty convenient, since it allows you to get a good-night’s sleep even if you’re not spending the night in Tagbilaran City. More importantly, the ride takes just 80 minutes, meaning that you’ll have plenty of time to wander about on your first day on Siquijor!
In terms of amenities, both ferries boast air-conditioned cabins and toilets. They also share the same luggage policy, which says that you can bring up to 15 kg of hand luggage on board. The only real difference between the Tourist and the Business ferry is the comfort.
While the $ 20.31 Tourist ferry features a pretty bare bones seating area, the seats in the $ 27.80 Business ferry are reclining and a lot more comfortable. There is a bit of a price difference, but it pays off if you want to start your day on Siquijor all nice and rested.
Considering that there’s also a 10% discount if you’re buying return tickets, the difference isn’t that big, after all. One thing you should keep in mind is that booking cancellations and changes are not possible after the tickets have been issued.