Quick Answer: The Visayas Island Hop
The most complete multi-island route in the Philippines is Cebu → Bohol → Siquijor → Camiguin → back to Cebu. Most guides stop at three islands. I don't. Over 7 years and 1,400+ bookings coordinating this exact region, I've learned Camiguin is the piece people regret skipping. The entire loop can be planned as one itinerary through Travel in Bohol, with every ferry and transfer coordinated.
Why Most Guides Stop at Three Islands
I’ve lived in the Visayas my whole life and I’ve been coordinating ferry routes across this region for 7 years — over 1,400 travelers helped through this exact loop. Most online guides send you Cebu → Bohol → Siquijor and call it done. It’s a fine trip. But skipping Camiguin is the part people write to me about later: “We wish we’d added it.”
Three islands gives you the city, the countryside, and the mystic island. Four islands adds the volcanic island — black sand, sunken cemetery, hot springs, a completely different landscape. And the logistics are solvable if you know the schedule. That’s what this guide is for.
The Route at a Glance
| Leg | Route | Operator | Duration | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cebu (Pier 1) → Bohol (Tagbilaran) | OceanJet | ~2 hours | 6–8 daily |
| 2 | Bohol (Tagbilaran) ↔ Siquijor | OceanJet | ~1hr 40min | 2 daily each way |
| 3 | Bohol (Jagna) → Camiguin | Super Shuttle Ferry | ~4 hours | Daily, 2:30pm ex Jagna |
| 4 | Camiguin → Bohol (Jagna) | Super Shuttle Ferry | ~4 hours | Daily, 9:30am ex Camiguin |
Skip the Planning. Let a Local Build the Loop.
Four islands, multiple ferries, tight connections. I plan the whole thing around your dates and handle the bookings, transfers, and contingencies. Email me and I'll reply with a proposed itinerary.
What Each Island Gives You
Cebu — The Gateway
Most international flights land at Mactan-Cebu International Airport. One night is usually enough unless you want to dive at Moalboal or visit the historic district. Straight to Bohol is also fine.
Bohol — The Heart of the Loop
My home island. Panglao for beaches and diving, interior for Chocolate Hills, tarsiers, and the Loboc River. Don’t skip Bohol Bee Farm — their special halo-halo is my favourite stop on the whole island. Bohol is also your ferry hub: every onward leg leaves from Tagbilaran or Jagna.
Siquijor — The Mystic Island
Small, quiet, and has a reputation for folk healing that gives it a feel unlike anywhere else in the Philippines. You can circle it in 2 hours on a scooter. Cambugahay Falls, the 400-year Balete Tree, Paliton Beach at sunset.
Camiguin — The Island People Regret Skipping
Volcanic island with black and white sand beaches, Sunken Cemetery, hot and cold springs, and Katibawasan Falls. Hardly any crowds. This is the piece that turns a good Visayas trip into an unforgettable one.
2026 Ferry Schedule (What Actually Runs)
| Route | Operator | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cebu ↔ Tagbilaran | OceanJet | ~2 hours | 6–8 daily each way plus secondary trips |
| Tagbilaran ↔ Siquijor | OceanJet | ~1hr 40min | 2 departures per day each way — book ahead |
| Jagna → Camiguin | Super Shuttle Ferry | ~4 hours | Daily, departs Jagna 2:30pm |
| Camiguin → Jagna | Super Shuttle Ferry | ~4 hours | Daily, departs Camiguin 9:30am |
Ann's Local Tip
The bottleneck is always the Bohol–Siquijor ferry. Only 2 sailings per day each way, and they sell out. Book that leg first and work the rest around it. For Camiguin, an 11am pickup from Panglao gets you to the 2:30pm Super Shuttle from Jagna with time to spare — no need to sleep in Jagna.
Sample Itineraries
5-Day Mini Loop (Cebu → Bohol → Siquijor → Cebu)
- Day 1: Arrive Cebu. Afternoon ferry to Tagbilaran. Check into Panglao.
- Day 2: Countryside tour — Chocolate Hills, tarsiers, Loboc River, Bee Farm halo-halo.
- Day 3: Morning ferry to Siquijor. Afternoon at Paliton Beach for sunset.
- Day 4: Full island circuit on scooter — Cambugahay, Balete, Salagdoong.
- Day 5: Return ferry Siquijor → Tagbilaran → Cebu. Fly out.
7-Day Full Loop (adds Camiguin)
- Day 1: Arrive Cebu → afternoon ferry to Tagbilaran → Panglao.
- Day 2: Bohol countryside day.
- Day 3: 11am pickup from Panglao → 2:30pm Super Shuttle Jagna → Camiguin. Sleep in Camiguin same night.
- Day 4: Camiguin full day — White Island sandbar, Sunken Cemetery, Katibawasan Falls, Ardent Springs.
- Day 5: 9:30am Super Shuttle Camiguin → Jagna → back to Panglao for the night.
- Day 6: Morning ferry Tagbilaran → Siquijor. Sunset at Paliton.
- Day 7: Siquijor circuit morning, afternoon ferry back via Tagbilaran to Cebu.
10-Day Relaxed Loop
- Days 1–2: Cebu + arrival ferry to Bohol. Settle Panglao.
- Day 3: Bohol countryside tour.
- Day 4: Panglao beach/diving day. Balicasag or Virgin Island hopping.
- Day 5: 11am Panglao pickup → 2:30pm Super Shuttle Jagna → Camiguin.
- Days 6–7: Camiguin full slow days.
- Day 8: 9:30am ferry Camiguin → Jagna → Tagbilaran → Siquijor.
- Day 9: Siquijor full day.
- Day 10: Return Siquijor → Tagbilaran → Cebu. Fly out. Buffer built in.
What It Actually Costs in 2026
| Category | Budget | Mid-Range | Comfortable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ferries (full loop) | PHP 4,000–5,500 | PHP 5,500–7,000 | PHP 7,000–8,000 (business class) |
| Accommodation (7 nights) | PHP 4,000–7,000 | PHP 10,000–18,000 | PHP 25,000–45,000 |
| Food | PHP 3,000–5,000 | PHP 7,000–12,000 | PHP 15,000–25,000 |
| Activities | PHP 2,000–3,000 | PHP 5,000–8,000 | PHP 10,000–15,000 |
| Local transport | PHP 1,500–2,500 | PHP 3,000–5,000 | PHP 8,000–12,000 |
Port Tips From Someone Who Lives Here
Ann's Port Hack — Tagbilaran
The baggage collection area gets messy fast when ferries unload. Don't fight the crowd — just stand aside and let the ferry porter bring your bag out. You'll get out of the terminal faster and with less stress.
8 Pro Tips for the Visayas Loop
- Book the Bohol–Siquijor leg first. It’s the bottleneck. Everything else works around its 2 daily sailings.
- Buffer day for Camiguin. The Bohol–Camiguin sea can get rough and ferries can cancel without warning. Build in one flex day so a cancellation doesn’t break your flight home.
- Don’t take the last OceanJet of the day. If it’s delayed or cancelled, you’re stuck at the port with no backup.
- OceanJet accepts e-tickets. Super Shuttle does not. Print your Super Shuttle ticket before you get to Jagna — no printer at the port.
- 30-minute check-in is strict. Not 15, not “around that time.” 30 minutes before departure or they close the gate.
- Book with a reliable business, not random Facebook pages. Third-party sellers on social media have no accountability when schedules shift. Stick with established operators.
- Ask for Business Class on the Cebu–Tagbilaran run if you get seasick. It’s more comfortable and the price difference isn’t that big.
- Scooter in Siquijor, van transfers in Camiguin. Siquijor is small enough to scoot; Camiguin is better with a driver who knows the springs and the Sunken Cemetery route.
When to Go
The dry season runs November to May. The Philippines has a real typhoon season — it’s not just a line in guidebooks — and the Bohol–Camiguin crossing in particular can get cancelled when weather turns. The summer months (March–May) are the sweet spot: consistent sunshine, calm seas, and the ferries run like clockwork. If you’re coming in the wet months, just build in more buffer days and stay flexible.
What You Get When You Book Through Us
This is what I do better than anyone running this region. You tell me your dates and which islands you want. I book every ferry, pair departures so connections work, add private transfers where they make sense, and stay on-call if anything shifts.
- ✓ All ferry legs coordinated — Cebu → Bohol → Siquijor → Camiguin and back
- ✓ Connection times paired so you’re never stranded at a port
- ✓ Optional hotel-to-port and port-to-hotel private transfers
- ✓ Real-time support from me if weather or schedules shift
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do you need for Visayas island hopping?
5 days for the mini loop (Cebu–Bohol–Siquijor). 7 days for the full loop with Camiguin. 10 days if you want to slow down and not feel rushed.
What’s the cheapest way to do the loop?
Tourist class on the Cebu–Tagbilaran run is now around PHP 1,000, so three ferry legs in tourist class runs about PHP 3,000 for the mini loop. Add Camiguin and you’re at PHP 4,000–5,500 for all ferries. Stay in hostels and eat at local carinderias and you can do the whole trip for under PHP 20,000.
Can I book this loop myself?
You can. But you’ll be juggling 3–5 separate bookings across 2 operators, pairing departure times yourself, and handling every schedule change on your own. That’s the reason Travel in Bohol exists.
Ready to book this route?
Book Cebu → Cebu (loop) →Need help planning a multi-island trip?
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