Siquijor Day Tour from Bohol- Shared Tour

Siquijor rewards an early start. This $92 shared tour packs beaches, waterfalls, mountain views, a fish-foot spa, butterflies, and traditional healing into one very long day from Bohol. I like the variety, especially the chance to see both Siquijor’s natural side and its old island customs without arranging several ferries and a rented scooter yourself.

I also like the small group limit of 12 people and the way the guide can shape the day around weather and group energy. The main drawback is the schedule: you may leave Abraham Bohol before sunrise and return very late, with ferry delays capable of turning a tiring day into an overnight ordeal.

Quick takeaways from the Siquijor day trip

• The ferry crossing takes about two hours each way, so the journey is a major part of the experience, not a minor transfer.
• Cambugahay Falls is the active highlight, with cool pools and a jungle swing.
• The Enchanted Balete Tree combines local legend with a fish spa at its roots.
• Guide Lee, also written as Leebuir in tour feedback, earns strong praise for explaining island customs and adapting when rain changes the plan.
• The Bolo-Bolo healer visit adds cultural interest, but the healer’s service fee is not included.
• The return ferry schedule can change, and serious delays have led to arrivals back in Bohol around 5 a.m.

Why Siquijor makes a good day trip from Bohol

Siquijor is often linked with stories of healing, spirits, and old island rituals. You will also find the things that make any Philippine island day appealing: white sand, clear water, palms, forest roads, and waterfalls.

This tour gives you a broad introduction rather than a slow, single-theme outing. You will see the coast, the interior, a mountain viewpoint, a cultural site, and a café before heading back to the port. That range is useful if you have only one free day and do not want to spend time planning transport on your own.

The trade-off is easy to understand. The tour is listed as 17 hours, but ferry schedules are not fully within the operator’s control. The return sailing from Larena may be scheduled for 7 p.m. or 9 p.m., and delays can stretch the trip well past the expected end.

I would treat this as a long island expedition, not a relaxed beach day. If you need a quiet evening back in Bohol, this may not be the right choice.

The 6 a.m. start and the ferry across the water

Pickup is at Abraham Bohol Resort. The first part of the morning takes you by van to Tagbilaran Pier, followed by a ferry ride of roughly two hours to Siquijor. The planned arrival is around 9:30 a.m.

That early departure is practical. It gives you a chance to reach Siquijor with enough daylight for the main stops. It also means you should eat beforehand or carry something for the morning, since meals and snacks are not included.

The ferry crossing is scenic, but it is also the first point where patience matters. One trip had a one-hour delay on the way to Siquijor, while another experienced a much longer delay on the return. Weather and boat availability can affect the day, so keep important evening plans flexible.

The ferry tickets are included in the $92 price, along with the van transfers, entrance fees, and English-speaking guide. That matters because arranging the same route independently would require coordinating port transfers, ferry tickets, local transport, and admission fees on a tight timetable.

Pitogo Cliff and Siquijor’s coastal introduction

The first planned stop after reaching Siquijor is Shaka Cafe in San Juan, followed by Pitogo Cliff. The timing allows a short reset after the ferry before the sightseeing begins in earnest.

Pitogo Cliff gives you an early look at the island from the coast. It is a scenic stop rather than a long activity, so you should expect photographs and views instead of a full beach session.

The day includes Paliton Beach in the tour description, although the detailed schedule does not assign it a separate time slot. That tells you something useful: this is a fast-moving route, and the exact order or length of coastal stops may change.

If white sand and swimming are your top priorities, ask the guide how much time is available on the day. The itinerary covers many attractions, and the waterfall stop generally receives more practical attention than a long stay at the beach.

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

The Enchanted Balete Tree is one of Siquijor’s most distinctive stops. The tree is described as about 400 years old, and local legend gives it a mysterious reputation.

At its base, small fish nibble at your feet in a natural fish spa. This is simple, unusual, and easy to enjoy, though you should bring a towel because towels are not included.

The stop works well because it connects nature with local storytelling. You are not just looking at an old tree. You are hearing about the island beliefs that helped give Siquijor its mystical image.

Do not expect a long hike or a private forest experience. It is a popular attraction with a short visit built into a packed day. Still, it is one of the places that gives the tour a sense of place, rather than making the route only a checklist of beaches and viewpoints.

Cambugahay Falls: the day’s best chance to cool off

Cambugahay Falls is likely to be the physical center of your day. The water is cool and refreshing, and the setting includes jungle views, pools, and a swing.

You will have the chance to swim, so bring a swimsuit and towel. Sunscreen, a hat, and drinking water are also sensible items for the long day, though drinks are not included.

The waterfall stop is scheduled for about an hour and a quarter, which is more generous than some of the shorter photo stops. Even so, the route includes several attractions afterward, so you should not expect an unhurried afternoon beside the pools.

The swing adds a playful touch, but this stop is not ideal for anyone with mobility limitations. The tour is specifically not suitable for people with mobility impairments, and the day includes multiple transitions, outdoor surfaces, and swimming-related activities.

If you have to choose where to focus your energy, I would save it for Cambugahay Falls. It is the stop most likely to feel like a proper island experience rather than a quick look.

Lunch at Twenty4 Restaurant and Events

Lunch is planned for Twenty4 Restaurant and Events at about 1:15 p.m. Meals are not included in the tour price, so you pay for your own food and drinks.

This is a useful break after the waterfall. A long day with an early start and swimming can wear you down, and a sit-down meal gives you a chance to recharge before the cultural and mountain stops.

The food and service received especially strong praise in one account, which makes this more than a purely functional meal stop. Still, the menu and meal cost are not provided, so budget separately for lunch.

The schedule allows roughly 75 minutes here. That is enough for a proper meal if the group stays on time, but delays earlier in the day may reduce the break.

Butterflies, mountain views, and the island interior

The Butterfly Sanctuary follows lunch. It gives the day a quieter change of pace after the waterfall and restaurant.

The sanctuary is a short stop in the overall route, so you will likely see the butterflies and walk through the site without a long educational program. The attraction adds color and variety, particularly if you enjoy small nature centers and close-up views of local insects.

Next comes the Mount Bandilaan viewpoint. From here, you can look across Siquijor from higher ground. The stop is brief, but the panoramic view helps you understand the island as a whole after seeing it from the coast and forest.

One useful note from the day’s feedback is that some people wanted fewer stops and more time at the places they liked most. That is the central compromise of this tour. You get a wide sample of Siquijor, but you will not linger everywhere.

Meeting a Bolo-Bolo healer

The Bolo-Bolo visit is the most culturally unusual part of the route. You meet a traditional healer and learn about island healing practices that are tied to Siquijor’s long-standing mystical reputation.

The visit should be approached with respect and curiosity. It is not presented as a medical appointment or a substitute for professional healthcare. Instead, it offers a look at a local tradition and the beliefs surrounding it.

The healer’s service fee is not included. If you want to take part in any service, carry extra cash and ask the guide about the cost before agreeing to anything.

This stop will appeal most if you enjoy cultural encounters that do not feel polished for tourists. It may feel less important if you are mainly seeking swimming, beaches, or scenic photography.

Bucafe and the final golden-hour pause

The final stop is Bucafe, also called Bukid Cafe, where you have free time for coffee, snacks, and views. The planned arrival is about 4:30 p.m., with departure toward Larena Port around 5 p.m.

This short café break is well placed. You have already had a full day of road stops, water, viewpoints, and cultural visits, so a drink and a quiet view can help you gather yourself before the return ferry.

The café is described as a place for golden-hour views, although the exact light will depend on the season and weather. Rain has affected some departures, and one particularly wet day still worked well because the guide adjusted activities and kept the group involved.

Do not confuse this with a long sunset meal. The scheduled free time is brief, and the group must reach the port for the ferry.

The return ferry is the biggest risk

The planned boat from Larena to Tagbilaran leaves around 6:30 p.m. or 7 p.m., with arrival back in Bohol listed around 8:30 p.m. The actual return schedule can change, including a possible 9 p.m. sailing.

This is the part you must consider before booking. A late ferry has already caused one person to reach Bohol around 5 a.m. Another account described a sleeping ferry that took several hours and confusion over the correct port, with an extra local transfer cost.

Those incidents do not automatically make the tour poor. Ferry operations can change, and guides may have limited control over the boats. But they do make the day less predictable than the attractive printed schedule suggests.

I would not book this tour before an early flight, important meeting, or hotel transfer. If you have a free morning afterward, the risk is easier to accept.

Is $92 a fair price?

The $92 cost includes the guide, all listed entrance fees, transport between stops, and ferry tickets from Bohol to Siquijor and back. For a small group capped at 12 people, that is a reasonable package if you value convenience.

The price also buys time saved on planning. You do not need to research every attraction, negotiate separate transport, or work out how to connect the ferry with Siquijor’s inland stops.

The value is weaker if you are comfortable riding a scooter and arranging the island yourself. One person noted that the attractions could be reached independently by scooter. That approach may give you more time at Cambugahay Falls or Paliton Beach, though it puts all ferry, navigation, and timing decisions on you.

Remember the extra costs: lunch, drinks, snacks, towels, and any Bolo-Bolo healer fee. Bring suitable clothing for swimming and enough personal spending money for the day.

Who will enjoy this tour most?

I would recommend it to you if you:

• Have only one available day for Siquijor
• Prefer a guide and organized transport
• Want nature and cultural stops in the same outing
• Are comfortable with a very early start and late finish
• Enjoy small-group travel
• Can keep the next morning free in case of ferry trouble

I would be more cautious if you want a slow beach day, dislike long ferry rides, have limited mobility, or need to return to Bohol at a fixed hour.

The guide can make a real difference. Lee, also referred to as Leebuir, received especially warm praise for explaining island traditions, keeping the mood friendly, and adjusting plans during heavy rain. A good guide matters on a day like this because the schedule is tight and conditions can change.

Should you book the Siquijor day tour from Bohol?

Book it if convenience and variety matter more to you than a relaxed pace. You will see many of Siquijor’s signature sights in one organized day, including Cambugahay Falls, the Balete Tree, Mount Bandilaan, the Butterfly Sanctuary, and a traditional healer.

I would book only after accepting the ferry risk. The island portion can be excellent, and the guide may be the strongest part of the experience, but a 17-hour schedule is already demanding before delays enter the picture.

For a first glimpse of Siquijor, this is a practical and memorable option. For a slower, more personal island experience, stay overnight and explore independently instead.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

Pickup is at Abraham Bohol Resort in Bohol.

How long does the tour last?

The planned duration is 17 hours, though ferry delays can make the actual day longer.

Are ferry tickets included?

Yes. The price includes ferry tickets from Bohol to Siquijor and the return journey.

Are entrance fees included?

Yes. Entrance fees for the listed attractions are included.

Is lunch included?

No. Meals, drinks, and snacks are not included. Lunch is planned at Twenty4 Restaurant and Events.

What should I bring?

Bring a swimsuit, towel, hat, and sunscreen. A towel is not provided.

Is the tour conducted in English?

Yes. The tour includes a live English-speaking guide.

How large is the group?

The group is limited to 12 participants.

Is the tour suitable for people with mobility impairments?

No. The tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments.

Can the return ferry time change?

Yes. The Larena to Tagbilaran departure depends on availability and may use a 7 p.m. or 9 p.m. schedule. Ferry delays are also possible.