Siquijor Day Tour from Bohol- Shared Tour

Siquijor rewards curious day-trippers. This 17-hour shared tour takes you from Bohol by ferry for a packed day of beaches, waterfalls, island views, butterflies, and old healing traditions. I like the mix of outdoor stops and local culture, especially the fish spa beneath the 400-year-old Balete Tree and the cool pools at Cambugahay Falls. I also like that transport, ferry tickets, entrance fees, and an English-speaking guide are included.

The main catch is the return journey. Ferry schedules can change, and delays have turned an already long day into an overnight ordeal for some people. The tour is a good fit if you have only one day for Siquijor and want someone else to handle the route, but you need patience, stamina, and a willingness to accept a very late return.

Key points before you book

• This is a genuinely full-day trip: You leave Abraham Bohol at about 6:00 in the morning and may not reach the resort until late at night or even the following morning if the ferry is delayed.
• Cambugahay Falls is the main water stop: You get time for a swim in its cool pools, plus the chance to use the jungle swing.
• The Balete Tree comes with a natural foot spa: Tiny fish gather in the water at the base of this ancient tree.
• You get more than beach time: A traditional Bolo-Bolo healer and the Butterfly Sanctuary add a cultural side to the day.
• The group is limited to 12 people: That gives the guide a better chance to manage timing, weather, and group decisions.
• The $92 price covers the big transport costs: Meals, drinks, towels, snacks, and the healer’s service fee are extra.

Why Siquijor makes a worthwhile day trip from Bohol

Siquijor has a different feel from the busier parts of Bohol. The island is associated with folk healing, old trees, waterfalls, and stories of magic. This tour does not treat those traditions as a stage show. Instead, you visit a traditional healer, see a rural village setting, and get a short introduction to Bolo-Bolo healing.

The route also gives you a quick taste of the island’s coast and interior. You begin around San Juan, stop at Paliton Beach and Pitogo Cliff, then move inland to the Balete Tree, Cambugahay Falls, Mount Bandilaan, and the Butterfly Sanctuary.

That variety is the tour’s greatest strength. You are not spending the whole day in a van or looking at one attraction after another that feels identical. The pace is brisk, but the stops have different purposes.

The weakness is just as clear: Siquijor is not close enough to Bohol for a relaxed day trip. The ferry takes about two hours each way under normal conditions, and the road journey between stops adds more time. You are paying for access and convenience, not an easygoing island holiday.

The early start at Abraham Bohol

Your morning begins at Abraham Bohol Resort at about 6:00. The group then travels for roughly an hour to Tagbilaran Pier before boarding the ferry at around 7:00.

This early start is necessary if you want to fit Siquijor’s major sights into one day. It also means you should prepare the night before. Have your swimsuit, towel, hat, sunscreen, and any snacks ready. Meals and drinks are not included, so do not count on the tour price to cover breakfast or refreshments.

The ferry crossing is listed at about two hours. In good conditions, it gives you a useful break before the sightseeing begins. It also makes the trip feel like a real island hop rather than a simple road excursion.

Still, ferry travel is the part you cannot control. One outward journey was delayed by about an hour, while a return crossing was delayed by nearly six hours. Another scheduled boat was cancelled, forcing a later departure and cutting the island visit short. These are not small inconveniences when your day already runs from dawn to night.

San Juan, Paliton Beach, and Pitogo Cliff

The tour reaches Siquijor at about 9:30, followed by a stop at Shaka Cafe in San Juan around 10:00. This is a short pause rather than a long café visit, and the exact use of the stop may depend on the day’s timing.

Paliton Beach is the classic white sand portion of the route. It gives you a chance to slow down after the ferry and see the island’s coastal side before heading inland. Do not expect a long beach afternoon. The tour has several more stops to fit in, so this is best treated as a scenic introduction.

Pitogo Cliff follows at about 10:15. The attraction here is the sea view and the feeling of being on the edge of Siquijor’s coast. It is a quick photo and sightseeing stop, but it helps break up the longer transport sections.

The short visits are a trade-off. You see more of Siquijor, but you may wish for extra time at one or two places. One person specifically felt that removing a stop could allow more time at the strongest attractions. I agree that this is the central question to ask yourself: do you want broad coverage, or a slower visit to fewer sites?

The 400-year-old Balete Tree and its fish spa

The Enchanted Balete Tree is one of the most distinctive stops. The tree is said to be about 400 years old, and its spreading roots create a shaded, almost storybook setting.

At the base, a shallow pool contains small fish that nibble at your feet. It is a simple pleasure, but it gives the stop something you will not get from a normal photo stop. Bring a towel, since your feet will get wet even if you do not plan to swim.

This is also one of the places where the island’s mystical reputation feels most present. You can enjoy the unusual setting without needing to accept every legend as fact. The value is in seeing how nature, local stories, and tourism meet in one compact place.

Cambugahay Falls, the day’s best swim

Cambugahay Falls is likely to be the highlight for anyone who likes water. The tour reaches the falls at about 11:40 and allows time for swimming in the cool pools.

The water offers a welcome reset after the ferry and road travel. This is also where the jungle swing comes in. The swing adds a playful touch, although you should expect a busy, active stop rather than quiet time beside a stream.

Bring a swimsuit and towel. Sunscreen is useful for the open-air parts of the day, but you will also want to protect your belongings from water. The tour includes entrance fees, so you do not need to budget separately for admission.

The timing matters here. Cambugahay Falls is the major water attraction, but the planned schedule gives you less than two hours before lunch, including arrival and departure. If this is your main reason for booking, ask the guide at the start of the day how much swimming time is realistic.

Lunch at Twenty4 Restaurant and Events

Lunch is scheduled at Twenty4 Restaurant and Events at about 1:15. Food is not included in the $92 price, so you pay for your own meal and drinks.

That arrangement keeps the basic tour price clearer, but you should carry extra Philippine pesos or confirm the preferred payment method before leaving Bohol. The meal is also your main chance to sit down properly. After the falls and several sightseeing stops, a real break matters.

The restaurant has received strong praise for its food and service. That is useful because group meals can sometimes feel like rushed refuelling. Here, the stop appears to be one of the more comfortable parts of the day.

Butterflies, Mount Bandilaan, and the island’s interior

After lunch, the group visits the Butterfly Sanctuary at about 2:30. You see colorful butterflies in a peaceful setting, and the stop adds a gentler rhythm after the waterfall.

Do not expect a large wildlife park or a long guided nature lesson based on the information available. The attraction works best as a short, calm visit that shows another side of Siquijor.

Mount Bandilaan Viewpoint follows at about 3:00. From this higher point, you get broad views across Siquijor. It is a good counterpoint to the beach and waterfall stops because you can see the island from above rather than from the shore.

The visit is brief, scheduled for about 45 minutes including the approach and departure. If clouds or rain move in, the view may be less impressive. Weather has affected this tour before, with one group continuing through steady rain while the guide adjusted plans and checked what the group felt safe doing.

That flexibility is important. A guide named Leebuir received especially warm praise for explaining island traditions, matching the group’s energy, and trying to keep plans workable in poor weather. A small group of up to 12 people makes that sort of communication easier.

Meeting a Bolo-Bolo healer

At about 3:45, you visit a traditional Bolo-Bolo healer. This is the most culturally specific stop on the route.

Bolo-Bolo is a local healing practice linked to Siquijor’s long association with folk medicine and spiritual beliefs. The visit gives you a chance to learn about an island tradition that is not represented by beaches and waterfalls alone.

Keep your expectations respectful and open-minded. This is not a medical consultation, and the healer’s service fee is not included in the tour. If you choose to request a service, you pay that cost separately.

I see this stop as valuable because it adds context to the island’s reputation. You do not have to believe in mystical healing to listen, ask polite questions, and understand why these practices remain part of Siquijor’s identity.

Bucafe and the final golden-hour pause

The group reaches Bucafe, also called Bukid Cafe, at about 4:30. You have free time for coffee, snacks, and views before leaving for Larena Port around 5:00.

This is a smart final stop. After a packed day, you can sit down, gather your things, and watch the light change over the island. The café is often described as a Sky Café, and it provides the most relaxed pause of the afternoon.

Food and drinks here are extra. The stop is not just about buying coffee. It gives the group a shared place to unwind before the return journey, and it allows the guide to keep everyone together before the port transfer.

The ferry home is the biggest risk

The return trip is scheduled to board around 6:30 at Larena Port, with arrival at Tagbilaran listed around 8:30. In practice, the departure may be set for 7:00 or 9:00 depending on availability.

This uncertainty is the tour’s serious drawback. One return ferry reportedly arrived nearly six hours late, leading to a 5:00 morning return to Bohol. Another person described the late ferry as a sleeping ferry that took three to four hours and made the end of the trip awkward.

The operator is not necessarily responsible for every ferry disruption, but the effect on you is the same. Avoid booking an important flight, ferry, work shift, or early excursion immediately after this tour. If you have room in your schedule, the experience becomes much easier to manage.

There was also a report of a port mix-up that required an extra transport payment. That makes it sensible to confirm the exact return port and ferry departure with the guide before leaving Bucafe. Keep your phone charged and hold on to a little emergency cash.

Is $92 a fair price?

At $92 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see Siquijor. A self-guided visit by scooter may cost less, and you could spend more time at the waterfall or beach. However, the price includes the return ferry, van transport to the stops, a guide, and entrance fees.

The tour also removes the need to plan a cross-island route in a place you may not know. That matters when you have only one day and want to reach several attractions. The small group limit of 12 is another value point, since you are not being moved around in a huge coach.

The price makes the most sense for you if:

• You are staying in Bohol and cannot spare a night on Siquijor.
• You prefer organized transport to arranging ferries and local rides.
• You want cultural stops along with beaches and waterfalls.
• You are comfortable paying separately for meals, drinks, snacks, towels, and healer services.

It makes less sense if you want a slow beach day, dislike early starts, or need a dependable return time.

Who should book this Siquijor tour?

I would recommend it to active visitors who want a broad first look at Siquijor. You should be comfortable with early transport, swimming, short walks, changing weather, and a long day on the road.

The tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. The schedule also leaves little room for lingering, so families with very young children may find the pace tiring, although the supplied information does not set a specific age limit.

You will get the most from the trip if you treat it as an introduction rather than a complete Siquijor holiday. The waterfalls, old tree, viewpoint, healer, and café offer a good range of experiences, but none receives the time you would have with an overnight stay.

The strongest part is the human side of the tour. Guides such as Leebuir have helped turn bad weather and a crowded schedule into a more enjoyable group experience. Good guiding matters here because the day involves many handoffs between van, ferry, attractions, lunch, and port.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if Siquijor is high on your list and you have only one available day from Bohol. The route is varied, the included transport is useful, and Cambugahay Falls, the Balete Tree, and the Bolo-Bolo visit give you a genuine taste of the island.

Skip it if you need a reliable evening arrival or want time to settle into Siquijor’s slower pace. The ferry risk is real, and a one-night stay on the island would be the better choice for many people.

If you do book, pack swimwear, a towel, sun protection, snacks, cash for meals and optional healer services, and a fully charged phone. Most important, leave the next morning free. That one precaution turns a risky logistical gamble into a far more manageable island adventure.

FAQ

How long does the Siquijor tour from Bohol last?

The advertised duration is 17 hours. The planned day begins around 6:00 in the morning at Abraham Bohol and returns to Tagbilaran in the evening, but ferry delays can make the trip much longer.

Where does the tour start?

Pickup is at Abraham Bohol Resort. The listed meeting point is Abraham Bohol, and the group then travels by van to Tagbilaran Pier.

Are ferry tickets and entrance fees included?

Yes. The tour price includes the Bohol to Siquijor ferry, the return ferry, transportation between the sites, a guide, and entrance fees.

Are meals included?

No. Lunch, drinks, snacks, and café purchases are not included. You should bring money for these costs.

What should I bring?

Bring a swimsuit, towel, hat, and sunscreen. A charged phone and extra cash are also sensible because the return ferry schedule can change and the healer’s service fee is separate.

Is the tour suitable for people with mobility impairments?

No. The tour is listed as unsuitable for people with mobility impairments. It includes multiple transport changes, sightseeing stops, and a waterfall visit.