Bohol Day Trip from Cebu: Chocolate Hills, Tarsiers and the Loboc River

Bohol is Cebu's neighbour island and home of the Chocolate Hills and the tiny tarsier. It is very doable as a day trip from Cebu, as long as you plan the ferry well.

Getting there: the fast ferry

Fast ferries leave from Cebu City's Pier 1 to Tagbilaran, Bohol's capital, several times a day. The crossing takes about 2 hours. Tourist class is comfortable; business class is quieter and colder. Fares change with fuel prices, and morning boats fill up on weekends and holidays, so we book them in advance for you. Bring your passport or a valid ID.

A realistic timeline

• 5:00–6:00 AM hotel pick-up and transfer to the pier.
• Morning ferry to Tagbilaran (about 2 hours).
• Late morning Blood Compact Shrine and Baclayon Church.
• Lunch buffet on the Loboc River cruise.
• Afternoon tarsier sanctuary, man-made forest, Chocolate Hills viewpoint.
• Late afternoon ferry back to Cebu; hotel by evening.

The stops, and why they matter

Chocolate Hills

More than a thousand grassy, cone-shaped hills that turn brown in the dry season, hence the name. A staircase leads to a viewpoint over the hills.

Tarsier sanctuary

The Philippine tarsier is one of the smallest primates in the world, with huge eyes. They are nocturnal and easily stressed, so visits are quiet: no flash, no touching, speak softly.

Loboc River cruise

A floating restaurant glides along the jungle river with a buffet lunch and local music. Relaxing after the morning ferry.

Baclayon Church and the Blood Compact Shrine

Baclayon is one of the oldest stone churches in the Philippines. The Blood Compact Shrine marks the 1565 friendship pact between the Spanish explorer Legazpi and the local chief Sikatuna.

Man-made forest and Shiphaus

A cool, shady stretch of road through tall mahogany trees, and the ship-shaped Shiphaus viewpoint, a fun photo stop.

Tips

• Bring a light jacket for the air-conditioned ferry.
• Comfortable shoes: the Chocolate Hills viewpoint has many steps.
• Seasick? Take a tablet before the ferry and sit at the back.
• Rain is common from June to November; the tour still runs, so bring an umbrella.

Day trip or overnight?

A day trip is perfect if you have 4–6 days in Cebu. If you have a week or more, spend at least one night on Panglao Island: you can add dolphin watching at sunrise, Balicasag Island snorkeling, Panglao's beaches, or stand-up paddling on the Loboc River.

For pilgrims, we also run a Bohol pilgrimage day trip with its historic churches.