Moalboal to Siquijor: A Step-By-Step Guide (2025)

Heading to Siquijor after Moalboal?

You’ll be pleased to know that there’s no need to return to Cebu City!

In this guide, I’ll walk you through the exact steps to get from Moalboal to Siquijor, including maps, the updated schedule, and fares.

Siquijor Island has been gaining popularity as a must-visit destination in the Philippines, and for good reason.

The easiest way to get to Siquijor Island is by direct ferry from Cebu City.

However, for many people, Siquijor is the next stop after Moalboal or Oslob, so returning to Cebu City isn’t always convenient.

Fortunately, if you’re in Moalboal, you can reach Siquijor by heading south via Dumaguete.

I did this journey myself and while it may seem complicated at first, it is pretty straightforward and inexpensive if you follow the steps below.

Keep reading to discover exactly how to get from Moalboal to Siquijor.

*This post may contain affiliate links. If you purchase through a link on my site, I earn a small commission. Don’t worry, this is at no extra cost to you – check my full Privacy Policy here.

Moalboal to Siquijor: Overview

If you don’t have time to read the full guide, below is an overview of everything you need to know – screenshot it for later!

How to get to Siquijor via Dumaguete: Step-By-Step

Getting from Moalboal to Siquijor via Dumaguete is the cheapest and most straightforward option, and I’m going to walk you through it below.

Although it involves many steps, the ferry schedules are super regular and no pre-booking is required.

It is much simpler than it seems, I promise.

Coming from somewhere else? Check out my How To Get To Siquijor Guide for step-by-step instructions from all popular Philippines destinations

STEP 1: Moalboal to Liloan Port

If you are staying in the main tourist hub of Moalboal, near Panagsama Beach, you will need to get to the main road to take the bus south to Liloan Port.

Note: This is Liloan Port in Santander and is not to be confused with the Liloan Port in Cebu City.

If you came from Cebu City, then this will be where you got off the bus arriving in Moalboal. You can walk to the main road in 45 minutes or take a tricycle.

• Tricycle to Moalboal Bus Terminal: 8 minutes, 150 PHP ($2.60, split between 2)

It’s called Bus Journey to Oslob via Bato on Google Maps, but there is no clear bus stop.

You will see people gathered on the side of the road outside Jollibee. Just ask some locals to check you’re in the right place.

There is no definite timetable but the bus passes roughly every 30 minutes. You want to take the Ceres Aircon Bus heading south to Bato.

• Bus from Moalboal to Bato: 1.5 – 2 hours, 136 PHP ($2.40)

You will stop at the Samboan-Bato Bus Terminal, where the bus terminates. Once you arrive at the Bato Bus Terminal, you will have to take a tricycle to Liloan Port.

• Tricycle from Bato Bus Terminal to Liloan Port: 7 minutes, 150 PHP ($2.60, split between 3)

If you can find someone going in the same direction to split the rickshaw price with, this is a great way to bring the cost down. We split with another girl so only paid 50 PHP each.

STEP 2: Liloan Port to Dumaguete OR Liloan Port to Siquijor Direct

Once you’ve arrived at Liloan Port, you have a couple of options.

I would recommend the first option via Dumaguete – the ferry times are much more convenient and regular. Not so much pre-planning or waiting around is required.

Option 1: Liloan Port to Dumaguete (recommended)

Traveling to Siquijor via Dumaguete involves an extra step, but the ferry schedule is much more regular and convenient.

There is no direct ferry between Liloan Port and Dumaguete Port.

At Liloan Port, purchase a ticket to Sibulan Port also located on Negros, about 15 minutes from Dumaguete Port.

There is a ferry more or less every 30 minutes from 4:30 AM to 9:00 PM, as the route is covered by two companies.

• Cuadro Alas Fastcraft – 20 minutes, 120 PHP
• Maayo Shipping – 30 minutes, 70 PHP

• Ferry from Liloan Port to Sibulan Port: 20 minutes, 120 PHP ($2.10)

Tip: If you have a student card, show this for discounts

Once you arrive at Sibulan Port, you will need to take a tricycle to Dumaguete Port. The tricycle drivers wait right outside.

• Tricycle from Sibulan Port to Dumaguete Port: 15 minutes, 180 PHP ($3.15, split between 2)

Option 2: Liloan Port to Siquijor Direct (not recommended)

There is a direct ferry from Liloan Port to Siquijor (Larena Port) run by Maayo Shipping Lines.

However, the inconvenient departure times mean this is not an option I would recommend.

On Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays this ferry departs at 2 AM. On Sundays, this ferry departs at 7 AM.

• Fare: 200 PHP ($3.50)
• Time: 2 hours

Note: the buses from Moalboal to Bato do not start running until 3 AM. This means you would have to travel to the port the night before

STEP 3: Dumaguete to Siquijor (with ferry schedule)

The final part of the journey from Dumaguete to Siquijor Port is very straightforward. You’re on the home stretch.

Note: Siquijor Port is not the same as Larena Port. Larena Port is the port you would dock in if you came from Cebu City or Bohol.

There are a few different ferry options to get from Dumaguete to Siquijor, ranging in price and journey time. You can compare the companies and schedules below.

Currently, only Oceanjet can be booked online in advance here.

All of the others can be booked at the port directly. I’d just go with the next available option when you arrive.

• Dumaguete to Siquijor ferry: 2 hours, 200 PHP ($3.50)

Ferry, Fare & Time	Dumaguete to Siquijor	Siquijor to Dumaguete
OceanJet Fast Craft (book online here) Fare: 450 PHP Time: 50 minutes	7:20 AM 7:10 PM	6:00 AM 6:00 PM
Aleson Shipping Fare: 200 PHP Time: 1.5 hours	6 AM 1:30 PM Mon-Sat	8 AM 6 PM 10 AM Mon-Sat
Montenegro Shipping Fare: 455 PHP Fast Craft 234 PHP RoRo Time: 1 hour Fast Craft 2 hours RoRo	6:50 AM – Fast Craft 7:00 AM – RoRo 10:00 AM – RoRo 11:00 AM – Fast Craft 2:00 PM – RoRo 3:30 PM – Fast Craft 6:00 PM – RoRo	7:30 AM – RoRo 9:00 AM – Fast Craft 10:00 AM – RoRo 1:00 PM – Fast Craft 2:00 PM – RoRo 4:30 PM – RoRo 5:00 PM – Fast Craft
Atlantis Yohan Fare: 200 PHP Time: 1 hour	6:00 AM 9:00 AM 1:45 PM 5:30 PM 8:45 PM	5:40 AM 9:45 AM 2:00 PM 5:45 PM 8:45 PM

When you arrive at Siquijor Port, you will then have to take a tricycle to your accommodation, which will most likely be in San Juan.

• Tricycle from Siquijor Port to accommodation in San Juan: 15 minutes, 200 PHP ($3.50, split between 2)

Must Read: ULTIMATE SIQUIJOR TRAVEL GUIDE: Budget & Itinerary

Total cost & time

In total, the journey time is about 6 – 9 hours, when you account for ferry wait times and food stops.

I would recommend leaving yourself the whole day. We left Moalboal at about 10 a.m. and arrived at our accommodation in San Juan at about 7 p.m.

This cost roughly 820 PHP ($14) each.

Here, we split the tricycle costs between two people, but the more of you there are, the cheaper it will be.

Note: when traveling around the Philippines, you can always expect to pay a terminal fee (and sometimes an environmental fee) at the ferry ports. This is usually about 20 PHP.

Is there a direct ferry going from Cebu to Siquijor?

There is a direct ferry from Cebu City to Siquijor run by Lite Shipping three times a week.

This departs on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays at 1:00 PM and can be booked here. 

• Fare: 605 PHP Standard Class, 770 PHP Tourist Class
• Time: 10 hours

As with most destinations in the Philippines, the WiFi in Siquijor can be a little patchy and unreliable. For a stress-free trip, I would suggest getting a data plan with an Airalo eSIM.

Can you do a day trip from Cebu to Siquijor?

Due to the long ferry time from Cebu to Siquijor, a day trip would not be possible.

However, if you are short on time, there is a fantastic day trip from Dumaguete.

This could be a great addition to your Philippines itinerary after visiting nearby Moalboal or Oslob.

Where to stay in Siquijor

The best area to stay in Siquijor is San Juan.

This is the main tourist hub and where you will find all the main bars, restaurants, hostels, and guesthouses.

Stella’z Guesthouse

Best low-budget option with a choice of dorms or private rooms, centrally located in San Juan.

This is where we stayed and I would highly recommend it.

Each room comes with an aircon, a mini-fridge, a kettle, and a hot shower. Each room also has a private terrace area with a table and drying rack.

They also have reasonable scooter rental.

Prices start from $7.00 for a shared dorm room and $29.00 for a private room per night.

Mandala Tribe Treehouses

One of the most unique and one-of-a-kind accommodations in Siquijor. A great option for couples or small groups.

Embrace jungle living in these rustic treehouses surrounded by nature. Excellent location near Paliton Beach.

Treehouses come with an outdoor shower, aircon, and a little balcony. Breakfast is included and served to your room each morning.

Private cabins start from $60.00 per night.

Coco Grove Resort

The best luxury Siquijor resort. Centrally located in San Juan on 800 meters of private beach.

A choice of native-style cottages or villas set in lush gardens or on the beachfront. Amazing sunset views.

The resort has three swimming pools, a beachfront restaurant and bar, and a spa.

Coco Grove offers many amazing tours and recreational activities, such as a day trip to Apo Island on their very own private yacht!

Prices start from $100.00 per night.

What to do on Siquijor Island?

Siquijor is a relatively small island, however, there are heaps of natural attractions and cultural sites to enjoy.

It is one of the best destinations in the Philippines for those wanting to escape crowds of tourists and enjoy nature in its purest form.

Some of the best things to do in Siquijor are –

• Waterfall hopping – Cambugahay Falls, Kawasan Falls, Lugnason Falls
• Beach bumming – Paliton Beach, Salagdoong Beach
• Marine sanctuaries – Tubod Beach, Tulapos Marine Sanctuary
• Cultural sites – Lazi Church, Old Enchanted Balete Tree
• Day trip to Apo Island

Full Post: Top 13 BEST Things To Do In Siquijor

How many days do you need in Siquijor?

I would recommend at least 3 days in Siquijor.

Compared to other more touristy destinations in the Philippines, Siquijor does not attract hoards of tourists.

Must Read: How To Spend 3 Days in Siquijor: DIY Travel Itinerary

Therefore, be sure to leave yourself enough time to bask in the tranquility and serenity of the surroundings without rushing to tick things off.

We stayed for 5 nights which was the perfect amount of time for the main Siquijor tourist spots, hidden gems, and relaxation.

FAQs

Is there a direct ferry from Liloan to Siquijor?

Yes, there is a direct ferry from Liloan to Siquijor.

However, due to the departure times, this is not the most convenient option.

On Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays this ferry departs at 2 AM. On Sundays, this ferry departs at 7 AM.

The buses from Moalboal to Bato do not start running until 3 AM. If you do choose this option, you will have to travel to the port the evening before and wait at the ferry terminal.

How many hours from Liloan Port to Dumaguete?

There is no direct ferry between Liloan Port and Dumaguate.

Firstly, you have to take a ferry from Liloan Port to Sibulan Port (located on Negros) – this takes about 30 minutes.

You then take a tricycle from Sibulan Port to Dumaguete Port – this takes about 15 minutes.

To get from Liloan to Dumaguete therefore takes about 45 minutes – 1 hour in total.

How long is the ferry from Dumaguete to Siquijor?

Depending on the ferry you take, the journey can take anywhere between 50 minutes – 2 hours.

Check out the entire schedule here.

Need travel insurance? Small Girl Big Backpack readers get 5% off Heymondo Insurance when booking through this link. With 24/7 worldwide assistance, this is the best insurance for travelers.

How to get from Moalboal to Siquijor: Conclusion

Traveling from Moalboal to Siquijor may seem daunting, but with these instructions, I hope the journey will be a breeze and you’ll start your adventure off in Siquijor the right way.

If you’ve made this journey yourself or if you have a question, I would love to hear from you – leave a comment or reach out to me on Instagram or Pinterest.

Planning your Philippines trip?

With so many amazing islands to explore, how do you decide where to visit? For inspiration, itinerary ideas, and dream destinations, check out the following –

1-Month Philippines Itinerary – the ideal backpacking route exploring popular destinations & off-the-beaten-path spots

Top 10 Best Places To Visit in the Philippines – your ultimate guide to the best destinations to suit every type of traveler