Visayas 2-Week Island Loop: Cebu, Bohol, Siargao and More

The Visayas is the middle section of the Philippine archipelago - a tightly clustered group of islands connected by regular ferries and short flights. Most Visayas island hops take two to four hours by boat, making a two-week loop feel luxurious rather than frantic. This route starts and ends in Cebu and loops through Bohol, Dumaguete, Siquijor, and Siargao.

The Route

1. Days 1-2: Cebu City
2. Days 3-4: Bohol - Chocolate Hills and Panglao diving
3. Days 5-6: Dumaguete - university town and whale watching
4. Day 7: Siquijor - the mystical island
5. Days 8-9: Back to Cebu - Oslob and Kawasan
6. Days 10-11: Malapascua - thresher sharks
7. Days 12-14: Siargao - surf and lagoons

Days 1-2: Cebu City

The city center has Magellan's Cross (1521), the Basilica del Santo Nino, and the Carbon Market - Philippines' oldest public market. Evening: the IT Park food strip in Lahug serves everything from Korean barbecue to craft beer.

Days 3-4: Bohol

Fast ferry from Cebu South Port to Tagbilaran (2 hours, 350-450 PHP). Day three: scooter rental and the Chocolate Hills circuit - Carmen viewpoint, Tarsier Sanctuary, Loboc River cruise. Day four: Alona Beach on Panglao Island for diving or snorkeling.

Days 5-6: Dumaguete

Fast ferry Tagbilaran to Dumaguete (2 hours). Day five: walk the Rizal Boulevard. Day six: hire a motorbike and ride to Apo Island - a marine sanctuary with sea turtles so accustomed to snorkelers that they swim within arm's reach.

Day 7: Siquijor

Fast ferry Dumaguete to Siquijor (30 minutes). Salagdoong Beach has cliff jumping platforms over clear water. Siquijor's traditional healers (mananambal) still practice medicine using herbs gathered during Holy Week - the island has genuine cultural depth alongside its beaches.

Days 8-9: Oslob and Kawasan

Ferry Siquijor to Cebu via Larena port. Day eight: whale shark interaction at Oslob (1,500 PHP). Day nine: Kawasan Falls canyoneering (1,400 PHP) - three hours of rappelling and swimming through waterfalls.

Days 10-11: Malapascua

Bus to Maya port (3.5 hours north of Cebu City), bangka to Malapascua (30 minutes). The only reliable place in the world to dive with thresher sharks year-round. Wake up at 5am, dive at 6am. 2,500-3,500 PHP/two-tank dive.

Days 12-14: Siargao

Back to Cebu, fly to Siargao (~40 minutes). Cloud 9 surf, the Naked-Daku-Guyam island hopping, and Sugba Lagoon. See our full Siargao 5-day itinerary for detail.

Practical Notes

• Main ferry operators: Oceanjet, Supercat, 2Go Travel. Book online 1-2 days ahead in peak season.
• Total ferry costs for the loop: approximately 2,000-3,000 PHP per person.

Browse Visayas island-hopping tours on PANA.PH for curated packages.