If you’ve spent any time scrolling through Siquijor photos, the ones with that impossibly turquoise water and the old balete tree with fish nibbling your feet, you’ve probably already decided you’re going. The only question left is how you actually get from Cebu to this small island that somehow avoided getting overrun despite being one of the most photogenic spots in the Visayas. The good news is you’ve got more options than you’d think, from a genuinely fast direct flight to old school slow boats. Here’s what each one actually involves, what it costs, and which one I’d pick depending on your trip.
Flying direct with Sunlight Air
This is the newest option and honestly the one that surprised me most. Sunlight Air runs direct flights between Mactan Cebu International Airport and Siquijor Airport using ATR 72 turboprops, and the flight itself takes only around 55 minutes. As of mid 2026 they’re operating four times a week, Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, with departures typically in the mid morning window between roughly 8:50 AM and 10:10 AM.
Base one way fares start around 488 pesos before taxes and fees, which sounds almost too good to be true for a flight, though by the time you add the usual charges you’re looking at more like 2,000 to 3,500 pesos depending on when you book. Round trip fares hover around 88 US dollars if you book early. The catch is the limited schedule, so this only works if your travel dates line up with one of the four weekly flights. If they do, this is by far the least tiring way to get there.
Taking the direct fastcraft via Tagbilaran (OceanJet)
This has long been the default route and it’s still a solid one. OceanJet runs a Cebu to Siquijor service that actually routes through Tagbilaran in Bohol, with two daily departures out of Cebu, typically around 5:10 AM and 1:00 PM. Total travel time runs about 4 hours and 20 minutes including the stop, which sounds long but the boats are comfortable, air conditioned, and you get to watch Bohol slide by along the way.
Fares depend on which leg you’re pricing since it’s really two segments stitched together, but expect somewhere around 900 to 2,400 pesos one way depending on whether you go tourist class or business class, and note that fuel surcharges have pushed prices up a bit since early 2026. If you want a same day, no fuss direct booking without flying, this is it.
Going the long way via Dumaguete
If the Tagbilaran boat doesn’t fit your schedule, there’s a workaround that a lot of backpackers use without really planning it that way: take OceanJet from Cebu to Dumaguete first (also around 4 hours 20 minutes, with departures starting as early as 5:10 AM), then hop on one of the frequent Dumaguete to Siquijor ferries. Those run practically all day, with departures around 7:20 AM, 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM and 7:10 PM, and the crossing itself only takes about 40 minutes.
All in, you’re looking at 5 to 7 hours of travel depending on your connection times, and a combined cost that lands somewhere around 1,300 to 2,000 pesos. It’s not faster than the direct fastcraft, but it gives you more departure windows to choose from, and Dumaguete itself is a nice enough city to grab lunch in if you get a long layover. If you want to read up on it while you’re there, our guide to things to do in Siquijor has a few Dumaguete side notes too.
Flying to Dumaguete then hopping the ferry
A hybrid option that some people overlook: fly directly into Dumaguete’s Sibulan Airport from Cebu (Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines both run this route fairly frequently, with flight time under an hour), then jump on one of the same Dumaguete to Siquijor ferries mentioned above. This can actually beat the boat only route on total time if the flight schedule cooperates, since you skip the long sea crossing between Cebu and Dumaguete entirely.
Combined cost usually runs somewhere around 2,500 to 4,000 pesos once you add the short domestic flight to the ferry fare, so it’s pricier than going all by boat, but if you’re short on time and flexible on Sunlight Air’s limited days, this is a solid backup.
Which option should you choose
If your dates match Sunlight Air’s four weekly flights, take it. Fifty five minutes versus half a day of boats is not a close call, and the price difference isn’t as dramatic as you’d expect. If you’re traveling on other days, the direct OceanJet fastcraft via Tagbilaran is the next best thing, especially if you want to avoid connections and just get there. The Dumaguete route makes the most sense if you’re already headed that way, want more departure time options, or the direct boat is sold out (it does happen around Holy Week and the Siquijor fiesta season in September). And the fly to Dumaguete combo is really for people who value their time over their budget and can’t wait for a Sunlight Air slot.
Cost comparison at a glance
| Route | Travel time | Rough one way cost |
|---|---|---|
| Direct flight (Sunlight Air) | About 55 minutes | Around 2,000 to 3,500 pesos |
| Direct fastcraft via Tagbilaran (OceanJet) | About 4 hours 20 minutes | Around 900 to 2,400 pesos |
| Boat via Dumaguete | 5 to 7 hours with connection | Around 1,300 to 2,000 pesos |
| Fly to Dumaguete plus ferry | Roughly 2 to 3 hours total | Around 2,500 to 4,000 pesos |
What to expect at the ports
Cebu’s Pier 1 gets busy early, so if you’re on that 5:10 AM departure, plan to check in at least an hour ahead since the terminal fee and baggage screening lines move slower than you’d hope at that hour. Tagbilaran’s port is fairly efficient since OceanJet has a dedicated counter there. Siquijor’s own port is small and low key, more of a covered dock than a proper terminal, and tricycles line up right outside to take you into Siquijor town or onward to Larena or San Juan depending on where you’re staying.
Booking tips and things to know before you go
Book OceanJet tickets online or through their app a few days ahead during peak season (Holy Week, the Christmas break, and the Siquijor fiesta in September), since seats do sell out on the popular morning departures. Sunlight Air’s limited weekly schedule means you should lock in your flight dates as soon as you commit to travel, ideally a few weeks out. Bring a printed or downloaded copy of your ticket since signal at the smaller ports can be spotty, and keep a photo ID handy, since it gets checked at boarding for both flights and ferries.
Best time to make the crossing
Morning departures tend to have calmer seas, which matters more than people expect on the open water stretch between Cebu and Bohol. If you’re prone to seasickness, take the earliest ferry you can and avoid the exposed deck sections on the open air tourist class if the weather looks choppy. Dry season, roughly December through May, is generally the smoother and more reliable time to sail, while the ferries can occasionally suspend a departure during typhoon season if conditions turn rough, so build in a buffer day if you’re traveling between June and November.
Quick FAQ
Is there a direct ferry from Cebu straight to Siquijor without stopping? The main OceanJet direct service actually routes through Tagbilaran, so there isn’t a truly nonstop boat, but it’s sold and booked as a single direct ticket and you don’t need to disembark.
Can I bring a lot of luggage on the Sunlight Air flight? The base fare includes a 7 kilogram carry on allowance, and checked baggage is limited given the ATR 72 aircraft, so pack light or budget extra for excess baggage fees.
Do I need to book ferry tickets in advance? During weekends and peak season it’s worth booking a day or two ahead, but on weekdays in low season you can often just walk up and buy a ticket at the pier.
What’s the cheapest way to get from Cebu to Siquijor? The direct OceanJet fastcraft via Tagbilaran usually works out cheapest per hour of comfort, though the Dumaguete route can be marginally cheaper if you catch a promo fare on either leg.
