A forewarning: Schedules of boats to and from Siquijor are erratic, and depending on the season and the weather. If Siquijor or Dumaguete is under Typhoon Signal No. 1, I am sure 100% that no boat will be allowed to travel. However, even if there's no storm, the coast guard usually does not allow boats to and from Siquijor to travel because of the huge waves. On normal days, it is expected that the seas surrounding Siquijor are rocky. But when there is slight wind, the rocky seas turns monstrous. And I am not kidding. The waves are not for the faint of heart. I've seen foreigners vomit even with just a slight rocking of the boat. If you are a first timer to Siquijor, read below for my tips on how to get the best smooth sailing trip to my island of fire. So, back to the schedules of boats, to be sure, call and ask ahead.
Jaylan Shipping Lines
I consider this the No. 1 shipping company in the island because they have the most number of boats plying the Siquijor-Dumaguete route. They have daily trips. Jaylan has no trips on Saturdays, because that is their Sabbath Day. The Jaylan vessels though are the old-fashioned sea vessels that used to ply the Siquijor-Dumaguete route before. I recall going to the now-defunct Tambisan Port to ride a small boat with bamboo outrigger at dawn. It was so small, I can reach the water from where I was sitting inside the boat. The Jaylan boats now are improved versions of these old boats.
Jaylan Schedule (Daily, except Sat.).
5:45 AM
10:15 AM
12:00 NN
02:00 PM
04:30 PM
Where to buy Jaylan tickets:
Dumaguete Port,
Near the entrance,
Near the stalls selling pasalubong
Jaylan ticket price:
P100-P120
* There is only one Jaylan boat that's airconditioned, and that's the old Delta fastcraft. I don't ride this vessel because I find the airconditioning suffocating and when the seas are rough, I hate the creaking sound of the boat when it comes in contact with the waves.
* I prefer to ride the boat leaving the earliest. It's the smallest boat, not airconditioned, and cramped. But if the seas are not rough, it is a wonderful ride. And, you will get a good view of the dolphins should they grace you with their presence.
Oceanjet Fast Craft
The Oceanjet is probably the most luxurious option you will have in going to Siquijor (except maybe when you charter a private plane or yacht). This is my preferred mode of transportation because their vessel has remained clean, although I hate that their movies do not have sounds, and they no longer serve rice meals.
Oceanjet Schedule (Daily):
12:50 PM
5:20 PM
Where to buy Oceanjet tickets:
Rival Blvd.
Outside the Dgte Port
In front of the BBQ are
Oceanjet ticket price:
P210
* The Dgte Port Management had an overhaul of the terminal's layout and all the ticketing offices are now located outside of the terminal, which I find inconvenient because there are no shaded areas for passengers lining up to get tickets. Worse is the Oceanjet ticketing office, which is located at the Rival Blvd., outside the port. I had a hard time locating it at first because it was located in a private house, and if the line is long, you will line up in the street, which is dangerous because Rival Blvd. is a main highway and Ceres buses are plying there.
Montenegro Shipping
This is a ro-ro boat and I seldom use this because the ride takes 2:00 hours. And that is frightening if the seas are rough. Also, the seats are not comfortable as they are just benches. Most people who use this are those bringing cargo. This boat also arrives at the Larena Port, and not at the Siquijor Port. I have only used this vessel on Saturdays when the boat trips to Siquijor are scarce.
Montenegro Schedule (Daily)
10:00 AM
06:00 PM
Where to buy Montenegro tickets:
Outside Dgte Port
Montenegro ticket price:
P136
Aleson Shipping
I have not used this vessel yet. This is another ro-ro vessel but I heard that it does not take as much as two hours to travel, compared to Montenegro. Maybe because Montenegro docks at the Larena Port, which is farther from Dumaguete compared to the Siquijor Port. Aleson docks at the Siquijor Port.
Aleson Schedule (Daily):
8:30 AM
10:30 AM
3:30 PM
6:00 PM
Where to buy Aleson tickets:
Outside Dgte Port
Aleson ticket price:
P170
Note 1: It is mayhem when it's passenger season (Christmas and New Year, start and end of classes, and Holy Week). Chances are you will have to wait for many hours before you can grab a ticket to Siquijor. And these shipping lines do not pre-book, so it is a first come, first served basis. What I usually do is ride the boat from Cebu to Dumaguete so I arrive at dawn, wait at the terminal, and line up for tickets at 4:30 AM for the first Jaylan boat trip. If you can't do this, just go with the flow. Do not let this unpredictability of schedules and unavailability of tickets turn you off from visiting our majestic island.
Note 2: If you have a friend or know someone in Dumaguete, you can ask them to purchase your tickets. Again, tickets are purchased on the day, but, Filipinos as we are, we cannot not make hangyo/bargain for advanced booking.
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