Siquijor to Dumaguete Ferry Schedule (2026): Times, Fares, and Which One to Book
📍 Distance: 28 km (Siquijor Port ↔ Dumaguete Port) ⏱️ Fastest option: 1 hour 15 minutes (OceanJet) 💰 Cheapest option: 270 PHP ✅ Last verified on-the-ground: 2026-07-17 Planning the wider region? Our Southeast Asia backpacking hub covers the full multi-country route.
Siquijor Ferry to Dumaguete Schedule (2026): Times, Fares
The Siquijor ferry to Dumaguete schedule runs year-round with two operators (OceanJet fastcraft and Montenegro/Sikat RoRo), but neither publishes a reliable online timetable, so the live sailing times confuse almost every traveller. This guide is your copy-paste summary of the current 2026 Siquijor ferry to Dumaguete schedule, fares, and which boat to book. I cross-checked the current 2026 sailings against the OceanJet official Facebook page and Montenegro Lines’ published fares as of mid-July 2026, plus traveller reports from the past two months. Here is the version you can copy to your notes app.
Quick Answers
| What | Answer | Price (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Which ferry is fastest between Siquijor and Dumaguete? | OceanJet fastcraft, 1 hour 15 minutes | ₹590 (~350 PHP or ~$6.23) |
| Which ferry is cheapest between Siquijor and Dumaguete? | Montenegro/Sikat RoRo, 2 to 2.5 hours | ₹455 (~270 PHP or ~$4.80) |
| How many sailings per day in 2026? | 4 to 5 sailings each way on OceanJet, 1 to 2 sailings on Montenegro | ₹590 (~350 PHP or ~$6.23) |
| Do I need to book in advance? | Yes for OceanJet in March-May and weekends; Montenegro walk-up is fine | ₹590 (~350 PHP or ~$6.23) |
| Can I buy tickets at the pier the same morning? | Yes, both operators sell at the counter, but OceanJet does sell out in peak season | ₹455 (~270 PHP or ~$4.80) |
Verified against OceanJet Philippines’ Facebook sailing updates and Montenegro Lines’ published fares on 2026-07-17. Schedule below reflects the standard dry-season pattern; habagat (June-November) trips get cancelled on short notice when seas run above 1.5 m. See the full Siquijor to Dumaguete ferry schedule reference for ongoing 2026 sailing updates.
Option 1: Cheapest (Montenegro Lines / Sikat)
Montenegro runs a slower RoRo ferry from Siquijor Port to Dumaguete Port that takes around 2 to 2.5 hours and costs 270 PHP. The boat is a large multi-deck car ferry with open-air seating on the upper deck and an enclosed cabin below. It is the choice for budget travellers, anyone with oversized luggage, and motorcyclists (yes, you can roll a bike on for an extra fee).
What it costs. A tourist ticket runs 270 PHP. Locals pay a discounted rate of around 170 PHP, and foreigners are charged the tourist fare. If you have a big backpack or surfboard, declare it at the counter and they will tell you whether you owe an extra cargo fee (typically 50 to 150 PHP for oversized luggage, paid in cash).
The experience. Seating is unassigned. Show up 45 to 60 minutes before departure and pick a plastic chair on the upper deck. The crossing is generally calm between May and September, but rough from October through January when the amihan (northeast monsoon) kicks up. There is a small kiosk selling snacks and bottled water, but no restaurant, so bring your own food if you are hungry. Air conditioning is minimal. The boat is reliable but slow.
How to book. Walk up to the Siquijor Port ticket window on the morning of departure. Cash only. No online booking. Tickets do not sell out the way OceanJet does unless a holiday weekend collides with good weather. For the return trip from Dumaguete, the Montenegro counter is at the same pier, around 50 metres to the right of the OceanJet entrance.
Option 2: Best Overall (OceanJet Fastcraft)
For most travellers, OceanJet is the right call. The fastcraft does the Siquijor-Dumaguete crossing in 1 hour and 15 minutes, runs 4 to 5 times a day in each direction during the dry season, and has air conditioning. It is more expensive (350 PHP for tourist class) but it is faster, more comfortable, and the schedule is published in advance.
What it costs. 350 PHP for tourist class (the standard cabin). Children below 3 feet ride free. There is a small terminal fee of 50 PHP on top, sometimes 75 PHP depending on the port. Bring cash; the counter does not always have card working. At current rates (1 PHP ≈ ₹1.78), 350 PHP is roughly ₹623.
Schedule pattern for 2026. OceanJet typically runs the following slots, weather permitting:
- Siquijor to Dumaguete: 06:00, 09:30, 11:30, 14:30, 16:30
- Dumaguete to Siquijor: 07:00, 10:30, 12:30, 15:30, 17:30
These are the published slots on the OceanJet Philippines Facebook page as of July 2026. They shift during habagat (June-November) when the company drops to 2 to 3 trips a day and cancels early-morning sailings in rough weather. Always check the Facebook page the night before. Travellers report that the 14:30 / 15:30 sailing is the most reliable slot in monsoon season because the afternoon sea is usually calmer.
How to book. Two ways:
- Walk up the same morning. Show up 60 to 90 minutes before departure at the OceanJet counter inside the terminal building. Tickets go on sale around 7:00 AM for same-day trips. This works fine in low season but sells out by 9:00 AM on Easter week, Holy Week, and long weekends.
- Book via Facebook Messenger. This is the Filipino way. Send a message to the official OceanJet Philippines page with your name, date, route, and preferred time. They reply within a few hours, confirm availability, and send a reference number. Pay at the counter on the day of travel. There is no extra fee for booking this way. (Note: Facebook removed blue verification badges from most business Pages years ago, so confirm you are messaging the official handle rather than relying on a badge.)
Subodh’s Pro Tip: If you are travelling during Holy Week, August long weekend, or Octoberfest in Dumaguete, message OceanJet at least 3 days ahead. Walk-ups get turned away on those weekends.
The experience. Tourist class has assigned reclining seats, air conditioning, and a small TV at the front that nobody watches. The boat is fast enough that sea sickness is rarely an issue, but if the swell is up, sit near the middle of the cabin, not the back. The ride from Dumaguete to Siquijor tends to be bumpier than the reverse because you are heading into the prevailing swell rather than running with it.
How to Get There: All Options Compared
| Mode | Duration | Price (PHP) | Operator | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ferry | 1h 15m | 350 PHP | OceanJet | Book at the OceanJet counter or via their official Facebook page |
| Ferry | 2h to 2h 30m | 270 PHP | Montenegro / Sikat | Walk-up only at the Siquijor / Dumaguete port counters |
For a route-by-route comparison across the Philippines, see the cheapest transport Philippines routes guide.
Indian Passport Specifics for This Route
Indians do not need a visa for the Philippines for stays under 30 days, and this corridor is purely domestic, so there is no border crossing, no immigration check, and no passport stamp beyond what you already have from Manila or Cebu. Carry your passport anyway, because port security does random ID checks.
Practical tips:
- The Indian embassy in Manila is at 2190 Pasong Tamo Extension, but for a lost passport you will need to file a police report at the local station first.
- Your Indian debit cards will work at most ATMs in Dumaguete city centre (BPI, Metrobank, BDO), but not at the ferry terminal. Withdraw before you go.
- If your ferry is cancelled due to weather and you overstay your visa-free 30 days, you can extend at any Bureau of Immigration office in Dumaguete (the main one is on Rizal Street, 5-minute tricycle ride from the port). Extension fee is 3,030 PHP per month.
For more on visa rules for Indians, see the Philippines visa and SIM guide for Indian passport holders.
When NOT to Take This Route
June to November (habagat southwest monsoon). Seas run higher, OceanJet cancels early-morning sailings on short notice, and the Montenegro RoRo gets bounced around. Ferries do still run, but expect delays of 1 to 3 hours, and pack a rain jacket because you will be standing on an open pier for a while. If you are on a tight schedule (a flight out of Manila, a connection to Bohol), do not take the 06:00 OceanJet during these months. Take the 11:30 or later and have a backup plan.
December to February (amihan northeast monsoon). Stronger winds, bigger swells, and the same cancellation risk. The route is technically open year-round, but check the Philippines typhoon season guide before you commit.
Holy Week (March or April, dates vary). Easter week sees every ferry fully booked, prices double, and tricycles around the port quadruple their rates. Book OceanJet 4 to 5 days ahead.
If the ferry is cancelled and you need to get across the same day, the only fallback is a private bangka boat (small outrigger) from Siquijor to either Dauin or Bacong, both on the Negros mainland within tricycle range of Dumaguete. Expect to pay 2,500 to 4,000 PHP for the whole boat, which makes sense if you are in a group of 4 or more.
Getting Connected
Globe and Smart both have 4G coverage on the Siquijor-Dumaguete crossing, but expect the signal to drop in the middle of the strait. Both companies sell tourist SIMs at Dumaguete airport and at the port. A 30-day Globe SIM with 8 GB data runs around 350 PHP. For most travellers, a Nomad eSIM you activate before you fly is simpler and avoids the airport kiosk queue. At the verified PHP-INR rate of 1 PHP ≈ ₹1.78 (against 1 USD ≈ ₹96.33), 350 PHP converts to roughly ₹623.
FX Rate: Verified 2026-07-17 at 1 PHP = ₹1.78 (1 USD = ₹96.33).
Where to Stay in Dumaguete (Once You Arrive)
If you are arriving on the late afternoon ferry and need a bed, both these hostels are within a 10-minute tricycle ride from Dumaguete Port:
| Hostel | Rating | Book |
|---|---|---|
| Mad Monkey Dumaguete | 9.4 | Check prices |
| The Flying Fish Hostel Dumaguete | 9.28 | Check prices |
What to Do Once You Are in Dumaguete
If you have half a day after landing, walk along the Dumaguete City Pantawan, the waterfront esplanade that locals use for sunset. For a quick photo, hit the I Love Dumaguete Sign on Rizal Street, then walk 10 minutes north to the National Museum of the Philippines - Dumaguete for a grounding in the region’s pre-colonial history. Entrance to all three is free or under 100 PHP.
For a meal in Dumaguete itself once you are off the ferry, the choices along Rizal Street and Hibbard Avenue run the full spectrum from grilled pork barbecue at 80 PHP a stick to sit-down meals for 250 PHP.
Subodh’s Take
OceanJet is the right choice 9 times out of 10. The 1 hour 15 minute crossing means you are not burning your afternoon on a slow boat, and the air conditioning is a gift after a humid morning exploring Siquijor’s waterfalls. Take Montenegro only if you are on a 100 PHP budget or you have luggage that does not fit on a fastcraft. Book the 14:30 or 15:30 slot in monsoon season, check the OceanJet Facebook page the night before, and bring small peso notes because the counter sometimes runs out of change.
FAQ
Do I need to print my OceanJet ticket or is a screenshot fine? A screenshot on your phone works. The counter staff will scan the booking reference or ask for your name. No need to print.
What happens if my ferry is cancelled due to bad weather? OceanJet will reschedule you on the next available sailing at no charge. Montenegro does the same but with longer waits because they only run 1 to 2 trips a day. Always keep a half-day buffer in your itinerary during June to November.
Can I bring a full-size suitcase or a backpack over 60 litres? OceanJet has a luggage hold and will take most bags, but large suitcases may attract a 100 to 200 PHP cargo fee. Montenegro is more forgiving and accepts oversized luggage for a smaller fee. Either way, declare it at the counter.
Is there a direct ferry from Siquijor to Cebu or Bohol without going through Dumaguete? Yes. OceanJet and other operators run Siquijor to Tagbilaran (Bohol) and Siquijor to Cebu, but the schedules are thin (1 to 2 sailings per week in some cases). Most travellers take the Dumaguete ferry as the main hop and connect onward from there. Check cheapest transport Philippines routes for the longer picture.
How much cash should I carry for the ferry and onward travel? Bring 1,500 to 2,000 PHP per person for the ferry, tricycle to the hostel, dinner, and a buffer. Most ATMs in Dumaguete accept Indian debit cards, but the ones near the port are more likely to be down. Withdraw in the city centre before heading to the pier. For a live PHP-to-INR check at the counter, use the currency converter PHP to Indian rupee tool.
Is the ferry safe? Both operators are DOT-licensed and have good safety records. The main risk is rough weather, which is why cancellations exist. Life jackets are mandatory and crew enforce them on the Montenegro RoRo. On OceanJet, life jackets are under your seat. Wear them.
