Cebu to Bohol Ferry: Schedules, Tickets, Prices & Travel Tips

Cebu to Bohol ferry at a glance

The table below summarizes the trip most visitors take. Keep in mind that the ferry is only one part of the day: there is a road transfer before it in Cebu and another after it in Bohol.

How to get from Cebu to Bohol by ferry

There are three kinds of boat on the Cebu–Bohol crossing, and they suit different travelers.

Fast passenger ferries are high-speed craft for foot passengers only. OceanJet is the main fast-craft operator, and its Cebu–Tagbilaran crossing usually takes around two hours. If your time in the Philippines is limited, this is the boat you want.

Conventional ferries, often called RORO (roll-on, roll-off) vessels, carry cars and trucks as well as passengers. They are slower and sail less often, but tickets are usually cheaper and some departures run late in the evening. Lite Shipping Corporation, which operates under the Lite Ferries name, is the best-known conventional operator on Cebu–Bohol routes.

Different Bohol ports add a final choice. Tagbilaran, the provincial capital, is the main arrival point for visitors. Tubigon, on Bohol's northwest coast, is closer to Cebu by sea but farther from the beaches. A few smaller ports, such as Getafe, have their own connections, but they are of little use to a first-time visitor.

For most first-time visitors, the recommendation is simple: take a fast ferry from Cebu City to Tagbilaran. Panglao Island, where most beach hotels and dive shops are found, is a short drive from Tagbilaran Port. Other routes make sense if you are going somewhere specific in northern Bohol, or if you are on a tight budget and have time to spare.

Cebu to Bohol ferry operators compared

The operators below are the ones whose Cebu–Bohol services could be confirmed for late 2026. Durations are typical, not guaranteed, and fares change with fuel surcharges.

Some booking sites also list SuperCat fast craft and occasional 2GO sailings between Cebu and Tagbilaran. These could not be confirmed from operator sources for November 2026, so they are not listed in the table. If a booking site offers one, check the operator's own website before relying on it.

The fare research behind this guide also mentioned Lapu-Lapu Shipping and older routes into Getafe and Talibon. These could not be confirmed as current Cebu–Bohol options, so they are left out. Timetables on these smaller routes tend to change without much notice.

Cebu to Bohol ferry schedules

Short answer: OceanJet runs many fast-ferry departures each day between Cebu City and Tagbilaran, from early morning to early evening, in both directions. The exact timetable changes, so check it on the day you plan to travel.

OceanJet's own website lets you search departures by date but does not publish a fixed timetable page. The times below come from independent timetable sites that were updated in 2026. They show the usual pattern, but they are not an official November 2026 schedule.

Lite Ferries publishes a date-by-date schedule on its official website and takes bookings through its online booking partner. In 2026, timetable sites listed conventional Cebu–Tagbilaran sailings in the early afternoon and late evening, around 10 pm, plus several daily Cebu–Tubigon departures spread across the day and night. That late-evening sailing is a conventional ferry. No fast ferry runs at that hour, so if your flight lands in Cebu after dark, a slow night ferry or a hotel in Cebu are the realistic choices.

The return schedule is not always the same as the outward one. Check the Tagbilaran–Cebu timetable on its own rather than assuming the times match.

Cebu to Bohol ferry ticket prices

Short answer: an OceanJet Cebu–Tagbilaran ticket was reported at about ₱960 in Tourist/Open Air and ₱1,440 in Business Class from late September 2026. Conventional Lite Ferries tickets cost less, but the crossing is slower.

Fares moved several times in 2026. OceanJet added a temporary 10% fuel surcharge in April, when Cebu–Tagbilaran was reported at ₱1,000 Tourist/Open Air and ₱1,560 Business. In June it reduced the surcharge on some routes, and in September a new advisory set the fares above. The research for this guide also found older figures of around ₱800 Tourist and ₱1,200 Business. Those are historical fares, not current ones. Treat every number in this section as a guide and check the price on the booking screen.

OceanJet's booking page offers Student, PWD (person with disability) and Senior Citizen fares, but it says these are for Filipino nationals only and require a photo of an ID before payment. It also has separate Minor (2–11) and Infant (under 2) passenger types. The site does not show what those fares cost until you search, so do not assume children travel free.

The cheapest ticket is not always the cheapest trip. A slow ferry that arrives late at night can mean a costly taxi or an extra hotel night. A ferry to Tubigon can save a little on the ticket, then cost more in time and transport to reach Panglao. Compare the cost from door to door, not just the ticket price. Our Philippines travel costs guide can help you set a wider daily budget.

Which Cebu ferry terminal do you need?

Short answer: Bohol ferries leave from Cebu Port in Cebu City, on the main island of Cebu. Most OceanJet sailings use Pier 1. Mactan-Cebu International Airport is on a separate island, and no ferry to Bohol leaves from it.

This is where many first-time visitors go wrong. Mactan-Cebu International Airport (CEB) is on Mactan Island, in Lapu-Lapu City. Cebu City is on the main island of Cebu, across the Mactan Channel, and the two are linked by bridges. Cebu Port lies along the Cebu City waterfront and is run by the Cebu Port Authority. It has several numbered piers, and different operators use different ones.

OceanJet's Cebu–Tagbilaran fast ferries operate from Pier 1. A Cebu Port Authority photo of an OceanJet vessel at Pier 1 appeared in local coverage in 2026, and travel guides agree. For Lite Ferries, sources disagree about which pier and passenger terminal are used, and some say a shuttle bus may take passengers from the terminal to the boat. This guide does not name a single Lite Ferries pier. Check the port and terminal printed on your ticket or booking confirmation.

When you get a ride, give the driver the pier number as well as "Cebu Port". Most ride-hailing apps and taxi drivers know the piers by number. If your confirmation names a passenger terminal, use that.

Cebu Airport to the Bohol ferry: step by step

Short answer: allow at least three hours between landing at Mactan-Cebu International Airport and a fast-ferry departure from Cebu City, and more after an international flight. In normal traffic, the whole trip from the airport to a Panglao hotel usually takes about five to seven hours.

• Land at Mactan-Cebu International Airport (CEB). Domestic arrivals are usually quick. International arrivals add immigration, the eTravel check and customs, which can take a while at busy times.
• Collect your bags and get a ride. Use the airport's official taxi lines or a ride-hailing app such as Grab. Fares are metered or quoted by the app, not fixed, and they rise with traffic and demand.
• Drive to Cebu Port. The trip crosses from Mactan Island into Cebu City. It can take under an hour in light traffic and much longer at rush hour or when it rains. Ask for your exact pier.
• Check in at the pier. Pay any terminal fee, go through security and check in. OceanJet requires passengers to check in at least 30 minutes before departure, and the name on your ticket must match your ID.
• Board and cross. The OceanJet crossing usually takes about two hours. Conventional ferries take longer.
• Arrive at Tagbilaran Port. You land in Tagbilaran City on the Bohol mainland, not on Panglao.
• Continue by road. A taxi, hotel transfer or van takes you to Panglao or Alona Beach, typically in about 30–45 minutes in normal traffic.

A domestic arrival in the late morning can usually make an afternoon fast ferry. An international arrival is less predictable, and booking a tight ferry connection is risky. If you are already staying in Cebu City, the ferry becomes an easy half-day trip: take a short ride to the pier and aim for a mid-morning departure.

Families with several suitcases should allow extra time at every step: loading the taxi, checking bags at the pier and boarding. A pre-booked transfer at the Bohol end saves you from negotiating with luggage in the heat.

If your flight lands in the late afternoon or evening, spend the night in Cebu. The last fast ferries leave in the early evening, rush-hour traffic is at its worst then, and arriving in Panglao near midnight after a long-haul flight is rarely worth it. A night near the port or the airport, then a morning ferry, is calmer and often no more expensive overall.

Tagbilaran vs. Tubigon: which Bohol port is better?

Short answer: Tagbilaran is better for Panglao and Alona Beach. Tubigon only makes sense if your stay is in northern or western Bohol.

On paper, Tubigon can look like a shortcut because it is closer to Cebu by sea. For a hotel on Panglao it is not, because the drive south across Bohol usually takes longer than you save on the water.

Tagbilaran Port to Panglao and Alona Beach

Short answer: for a first-time visitor with luggage, a taxi or a transfer booked through your hotel is the easiest option. Expect the drive to take about 30–45 minutes in normal traffic.

Panglao Island is linked to the Bohol mainland by bridges, so no second boat is needed. Alona Beach is on Panglao's southwest coast. Tagbilaran Port is not the same place as Bohol-Panglao International Airport (TAG). The airport is on Panglao Island, while the port is in Tagbilaran City. Many hotel transfers serve both, so tell the driver which one you are arriving at.

Taxis wait outside the port, though drivers don't always use the meter, so agree the fare before you get in. A hotel transfer costs more but removes the guesswork, which is worth it after dark or with children. Some operators also run shared vans. Local tricycles and jeepneys are cheap, but they are not practical with large suitcases, and their routes and prices are hard to check in advance, so this guide does not give fares for them.

How to book OceanJet and other ferry tickets

Short answer: book OceanJet on oceanjet.net or at an OceanJet ticket office. Book Lite Ferries through Lite Shipping's official online booking page or at the port. Book ahead for weekends, school holidays, Holy Week and Christmas.

• Choose the route and date. On OceanJet's site, select one-way or round trip, the route and the number of passengers in each type. A single booking can include up to 10 passengers; infants are not counted.
• Enter passenger details exactly as on each ID. OceanJet tickets cannot be transferred to another person, and the name on the ticket must match the ID shown at check-in. Foreign visitors should use their passport details.
• Pay and save the confirmation. Keep it on your phone and take a screenshot in case you lose signal at the port. Payment options are shown at checkout and may change.
• Note the departure pier. Check it against your confirmation before you order a ride.
• Check in on time. OceanJet asks passengers to check in at least 30 minutes before departure. Arriving 45–60 minutes early gives you time for the terminal fee and security.

Third-party booking sites also sell Cebu–Bohol tickets, and some are convenient for comparing operators. Their timetables can be out of date, though, and any problem with the ticket has to go through them. If a third-party site shows a sailing the operator does not list, trust the operator. Booking pages and rules change, so treat these steps as a guide rather than a script.

Ferry classes, comfort and baggage rules

Short answer: OceanJet sells Tourist/Open Air and Business Class. Tourist passengers may carry one piece of hand baggage of up to 10 kg on board. Larger bags have to be checked in as cargo.

OceanJet names the cheaper class "Tourist / Open Air", and the layout varies between vessels. On some boats this seating is indoors with air-conditioning, while on others it is a partly open deck. Do not assume either. Business Class is a separate, more comfortable cabin. If air-conditioning or shade matters to you, Business is the safer choice.

The baggage rules are set out in OceanJet's FAQ. Each passenger may bring only one piece of hand baggage. In Tourist Class it must weigh no more than 10 kg and measure no more than 25 × 35 × 40 cm. In Business Class, you can bring one trolley bag or backpack of up to 130 cm in total (length + height + width). Larger suitcases go into checked baggage. Check the current excess-baggage charges at the counter, as this guide could not find an official tariff. Keep valuables and medicines in your hand baggage.

Lite Ferries' conventional vessels usually offer several accommodation levels, such as open-air economy and air-conditioned sections. Names and prices depend on the vessel and the booking page. Lite Ferries has baggage rules too, so do not assume it allows unlimited luggage.

On choppy days, people prone to seasickness do better near the middle of the boat and should take any motion-sickness medicine before boarding. Onboard facilities are basic: restrooms and, on some vessels, snacks or a small kiosk. Bring water and a power bank.

Travelers with reduced mobility should contact the operator before booking. OceanJet offers PWD fares for Filipino nationals, but this guide could not confirm step-free boarding or wheelchair help at Cebu or Tagbilaran ports, and conditions vary by pier and vessel. Pregnant travelers should note that OceanJet asks for a waiver up to 24 weeks and a medical certificate beyond six months.

What happens if your ferry is canceled?

Short answer: ferries stop running when the Philippine Coast Guard suspends sailings in bad weather. If OceanJet cancels a voyage, its policy is to refund the ticket in full or get you to your destination another way. Other operators set their own rules.

Weather is the most common reason. When PAGASA, the national weather agency, raises tropical cyclone wind signals or issues gale warnings, the Coast Guard can suspend sailings for small and large vessels alike. Rough seas can also delay boats, or make the crossing uncomfortable, without a full suspension.

OceanJet's FAQ explains what happens if it cancels a voyage. It reserves the right to take passengers to the destination on their ticket by any reasonable means. If it cannot arrange that, it gives a full refund. A trip you cancel yourself is different. A ticket that has not been checked in gets 80% back if the vessel has not yet left, or 60% after it has left. A checked-in ticket gets 50% back before departure. Promotional and discounted tickets cannot be refunded. These rules apply to OceanJet only. Check Lite Ferries' policy and any third-party seller's terms separately.

Before leaving your hotel, check the operator's travel advisories and social media pages and PAGASA's current bulletins. If a storm is forecast, keep your hotel booking flexible and expect that you may need an extra night. Our guide to the best time to visit the Philippines explains the typhoon and monsoon seasons, though no season guarantees calm or rough crossings.

Above all, do not place a ferry between you and an international flight on the same day. Bohol-Panglao International Airport has domestic flights that can get you to Manila or Cebu if the sea stays closed, but it is better to plan with spare time than to need that backup.

Can you visit Bohol as a day trip from Cebu?

Short answer: yes, it is possible from Cebu City, but it makes for a very long, rushed day. Spending at least one night in Bohol is far more enjoyable.

Here is a realistic plan. Take an early fast ferry from Cebu City, arrive in Tagbilaran around mid-morning, hire a car and driver for the day, and catch an early-evening ferry back. That leaves about six or seven hours on Bohol. Roughly four of them are spent on the ferry crossings and more on the roads. A day like this can cover a countryside loop of Loboc, a tarsier sanctuary and a few sights near Tagbilaran.

The Chocolate Hills are the problem. They are in Carmen, inland, and the round trip by road from Tagbilaran takes several hours, which leaves very little time for anything else before the last ferry. If the return sailing is canceled or the roads are slow, you will be spending the night in Bohol anyway.

Starting from Mactan, the day becomes even longer because of the airport-area traffic at each end. The 14-day Philippines itinerary gives Bohol five nights for this reason. Even two nights let you see the countryside without rushing and still have a beach day.

Bohol to Cebu ferry: the return journey

Short answer: OceanJet fast ferries also run from Tagbilaran to Cebu City through the day, and the trip takes about two hours. Allow plenty of time after you arrive at Cebu Port if you have a flight from Mactan.

Check in at Tagbilaran Port with the same margin as in Cebu: at least 30 minutes for OceanJet, and more if you are checking a large bag. From Panglao, add the road transfer to the port, and leave early in case traffic in Tagbilaran is heavy.

When you land at Cebu Port, you still have to drive back across to Mactan-Cebu International Airport, which can take an hour or more in traffic. For a domestic flight, aim to be at the airport at least two hours before departure. For an international flight, the safest plan is to come back to Cebu the day before. A canceled ferry, a delayed boat and Cebu rush hour together could easily make you miss a long-haul flight.

If you are flying out of Bohol rather than Cebu, Bohol-Panglao International Airport is on Panglao itself. Flying from there avoids the ferry entirely, which can make it the better choice for your final leg.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Going to the wrong pier. Cebu Port has several piers. Use the pier number on your ticket.
• Confusing the airport with the port. Ferries leave from Cebu City, not from Mactan-Cebu Airport.
• Expecting to land on Panglao. You arrive in Tagbilaran and need a road transfer.
• Choosing Tubigon for an Alona Beach hotel. The cheaper crossing is outweighed by the long drive.
• Trusting an old timetable screenshot. Departure times and fares changed several times in 2026.
• Arriving with minutes to spare. Check-in closes before departure, and queues at the terminal fee and security take time.
• Packing a big suitcase as hand baggage. It will need to be checked in.
• Assuming every seat has air-conditioning. Tourist/Open Air seating varies by vessel.
• Underestimating Cebu traffic. Rush hour can double the airport-to-port trip.
• Booking a same-day international connection. Leave a full day's buffer.
• Ignoring the forecast. Check PAGASA and the operator's advisories before setting off.
• Counting only the ticket price. Road transfers at both ends can cost as much as the ferry.

Practical final checklist

• Confirm your route and operator: Tagbilaran for Panglao, Tubigon only for the north.
• Note the exact departure pier and terminal from your confirmation.
• Check the sailing status and weather on the morning you travel.
• Pack within the hand-baggage limit, or be ready to check your bag.
• Carry ID that matches the name on your ticket (a passport for foreign visitors).
• Arrive 45–60 minutes before departure and keep small cash for the terminal fee.
• Arrange your onward transfer to Panglao before you arrive.
• Keep a backup: a flexible hotel night and, if needed, a domestic flight. The Plan Your Trip hub has more planning guides, and our Philippines safety guide covers general travel precautions.