Cebu to Siquijor — Direct Ferries, New Flights & the Dumaguete Option

You've got three options from Cebu: the OceanJet direct ferry, brand-new Sunlight Air flights (launched December 2025), or the classic route via Dumaguete. Here's how to pick.

Option 1: Direct Ferry via OceanJet

This is the most straightforward route for most travelers. OceanJet operates modern high-speed ferries directly from Cebu's South Bus Terminal (Ceres) to Larena Port, Siquijor. The journey takes approximately 2.5–3 hours with a direct crossing.

Route Details

Departure: Ceres South Bus Terminal, Cebu City (also called South Bus Terminal Ferry Pier). Arrival: Larena Port, Siquijor. Distance: ~70 km. Duration: 2.5–3 hours depending on sea conditions. Frequency: 2 departures daily (typically 7:00am and 12:30pm, but confirm current schedule).

OceanJet Details

Vessel Type: Modern fast ferries (400–600 capacity) with air-conditioned cabins, comfortable seating, onboard snack bar. Quality: Mid-range comfort; reliable, professional crew. Amenities: WiFi (unreliable), air conditioning, toilets, snack service. Luggage: Generous allowance; oversized bags fit fine.

Pricing

Regular fare: ₱600–₱700 (open/deck seating). Economy cabin: ₱800–₱900. Premium cabin: ₱1,000–₱1,100. Prices vary by season; peak season (Dec–March) sees higher fares. Online booking sometimes offers small discounts (₱50–₱100). Children under 12: typically 50% of adult fare.

Booking OceanJet

Online: oceanjetferry.com or 2go.com.ph. At pier: Walk-up tickets at Ceres South Bus Terminal ferry counter. Through hotel: Most Cebu hotels can book OceanJet with concierge service. Recommend booking 1–2 days in advance, especially during peak season.

Schedule (March 2026 Representative)

7:00am departure: Departs Cebu 7:00am, arrives Larena ~9:30am–10:00am. Best choice: early start, arrive mid-morning with full day on island. 12:30pm departure: Departs Cebu 12:30pm, arrives Larena ~3:00pm–3:30pm. Alternative if morning departure doesn't fit schedule.

Option 2: Sunlight Air Flights (New Service)

Launched December 2025, this is the newest and fastest route. Sunlight Air operates turboprop flights directly from Mactan Cebu International Airport (CIT) to Siquijor Airport (TDO). The airtime is just 20 minutes; total journey (airport to airport) is ~1.5 hours including ground time.

Route & Schedule

Departure airport: Mactan Cebu International Airport (CIT), Lapu-Lapu City. Arrival airport: Siquijor Airport (TDO), Larena. Airtime: 20 minutes. Total journey: 1.5–2 hours (includes airport check-in, boarding, landing, baggage claim). Frequency: 4 flights per week, currently Dec–March (peak season only). Schedule: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday departures at 8:00am, arriving Siquijor 8:20am.

Pricing

Economy: ₱2,500–₱3,200 depending on booking timing. Premium: ₱3,500–₱4,000. Early booking (7+ days ahead) offers discounts. Last-minute bookings may cost up to 50% more. Luggage: 15 kg included; excess ₱100–₱300 per kg.

Booking Sunlight Air

Website: sunlight-air.ph (primary booking). Phone: Contact airlines directly for phone booking. Hotels: Cebu hotels can book; small concierge fee may apply. Recommend booking 3–7 days in advance. Note: Schedule may expand beyond Dec–March depending on demand; check website for current availability.

Pros & Cons of Flying

Pros: Fastest option (20-min flight). Arrives early morning, maximizes island time. Smooth ride (less seasickness risk). Comfortable. Cons: Most expensive option. Limited seasonal availability (Dec–March only currently). Requires airport check-in process. Less flexible than ferries; strict cancellation policies.

Airport to Hotel Transfer

Siquijor Airport (TDO) is ~10 km from Siquijor town. Tricycles wait at airport; negotiate ₱200–₱400 depending on destination. Hotels usually arrange pickup if requested in advance. No shuttle buses; private transport essential.

Option 3: Via Dumaguete (Two-Leg Journey)

The traditional route; still popular despite taking longer. Fly or ferry from Cebu to Dumaguete (~1 hour), then ferry from Dumaguete to Siquijor (~1 hour). Total journey: 3–4 hours depending on connection timing.

Cebu → Dumaguete Leg

Ferry option: Ceres South Bus Terminal to Dumaguete City Port. Multiple operators (Bohol Strait, Ceres Shipping). ~45 minutes. Fare: ₱200–₱300. Departs every 30–60 minutes throughout the day.

Flight option: Mactan Cebu International Airport to Dumaguete Airport. Multiple airlines (Cebu Pacific, AirAsia, Philippine Airlines). 25 minutes airtime. Fare: ₱800–₱1,500 depending on airline and booking timing. Less frequent; typically 2–4 flights daily.

Dumaguete → Siquijor Leg

Ferry crossing: 1 hour. Fare: ₱328–₱550. See full Dumaguete–Siquijor ferry guide for complete schedules and operators. ~18 daily departures (5:30am–9:00pm) ensure connection flexibility.

Pros & Cons

Pros: Most flexible; frequent departures at every leg. Good if timing is uncertain. Allows for a Dumaguete stop (lunch, shopping). Lowest overall cost if ferry + ferry. Cons: Longest total journey. Multiple transitions increase stress. Risk of missing ferry connections if first leg is delayed.

Route Comparison Table

Cebu Ferry Port Info (Ceres South Bus Terminal)

Location

Ceres South Bus Terminal Ferry Pier is located in South Cebu City, ~20 km south of downtown Cebu (Mactan Island). Address: N. Bacalso Avenue, Cebu City. GPS: 10.2950°N, 123.8883°E. Accessible by taxi/Grab from hotels (~₱300–₱500, 30–45 min depending on traffic).

Arriving at the Pier

Arrive 45 minutes before departure for OceanJet. Check in, buy ticket if not booked online, proceed to vessel. Process is straightforward; staff are accustomed to tourists.

Facilities

Bathrooms: Yes, at terminal. Food: Vendors and small restaurant at terminal (decent options). Luggage storage: No long-term storage; bring everything aboard. WiFi: Spotty; not reliable.

Which Route Should You Pick?

Pick OceanJet direct ferry if: You want the best balance of cost, speed, and reliability. 2.5–3 hours is reasonable; fares are affordable (₱600–₱900). Available year-round, 2 daily departures ensure flexibility.

Pick Sunlight Air flight if: Speed is your priority and budget allows. 20-minute flight is thrilling; arrives early morning to maximize island time. Only viable Dec–March; plan around availability.

Pick via Dumaguete if: You want maximum flexibility (most frequent departures) and are budget-conscious. Extra hour is worth the lower cost and ability to adjust timing easily. Also good if you want to visit Dumaguete briefly.

Return Journey

All three routes have return options. See Siquijor to Cebu guide for complete return ferry and flight schedules.

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