Siquijor Day Tour from Bohol- Shared Tour

Siquijor rewards curious visitors. This 17-hour trip from Bohol packs the island’s best-known sights into one ambitious outing, from the 400-year-old Balete Tree and Cambugahay Falls to Mount Bandilaan, a butterfly sanctuary, and a traditional Bolo-Bolo healer. I like the small-group format, limited to 12 people, and I like that transport, ferry tickets, entrance fees, and an English-speaking guide are included. The main drawback is the schedule: ferry delays can turn an already long day into a punishing overnight return.

I also like the way the tour mixes nature with local beliefs instead of treating Siquijor as just another beach stop. Guides such as Lee, also called Leebuir, have been praised for explaining island traditions and keeping the group together when rain changes the plan. You should still book this only if you can handle early mornings, long ferry rides, uneven paths, and a late return to Bohol.

Key points to know before booking

• The day begins before sunrise: Pickup at Abraham Bohol Resort is scheduled for 6:00 a.m., followed by the trip to Tagbilaran Pier.
• Two ferry crossings shape the day: Each crossing is planned at about two hours, but return sailings can be delayed or changed.
• Cambugahay Falls is the main swimming stop: Bring a swimsuit and towel, since neither meals nor towels are included.
• The Balete Tree comes with a natural foot spa: Small fish gather in the water at its base.
• The cultural stops are unusual: You visit a Butterfly Sanctuary and meet a Bolo-Bolo healer, with the healer’s service fee paid separately.
• This suits active people: The tour is not recommended for anyone with mobility impairments.

Why this Siquijor trip is tempting from Bohol

Siquijor is close enough to Bohol to look easy on a map, but the ferry schedule makes a day trip a serious commitment. Abraham Tours Philippines has built the day around the island’s central and western attractions, with a van carrying you between stops after you arrive.

At $92 per person, the price is reasonable if you value convenience. Your fee covers the guide, transport around Siquijor, both ferry tickets, and all entrance fees. You still pay for lunch, drinks, snacks, towels, and the healer’s service fee, so the real cost will be a little higher.

I see the strongest value in the transport. Organizing a Bohol to Siquijor crossing, local vehicle, and several attraction visits on your own would take more planning. The tradeoff is freedom. You will follow a tight group schedule rather than linger wherever you like.

The small group helps. A maximum of 12 people is much easier to manage at a waterfall or ferry terminal than a large coach party. It also gives you a better chance to ask the guide about Siquijor’s customs and stories.

The 6:00 a.m. start and ferry across the water

The day begins at Abraham Bohol Resort. The planned schedule takes you to Tagbilaran Pier by 6:45 a.m., with the ferry leaving at about 7:00 a.m. The crossing to Siquijor is scheduled to take roughly two hours and 30 minutes in the detailed timing, while the general trip information describes the ferry ride as about two hours.

That early start is not optional in spirit. You need the morning departure to fit in the island stops and return sailing. If you are staying somewhere else in Bohol, you will need to arrange your own way to Abraham Bohol, since that is the stated pickup point.

Ferry timing is the biggest practical concern. One outbound crossing was reported as about an hour late, which still allowed the day to continue. The return is more uncertain. The Larena to Tagbilaran departure may be set for 7:00 p.m. or 9:00 p.m., depending on availability, and the ferry can be a late sleeping ferry.

In one especially difficult case, a major delay pushed arrival in Bohol to around 5:00 a.m. That is not a small inconvenience after a full day of sightseeing. I would avoid scheduling an important flight, dive, or early activity the next morning.

Pitogo Cliff, Paliton Beach, and the first island views

The planned route reaches Shaka Cafe in San Juan at about 10:00 a.m., then continues to Pitogo Cliff around 10:15. The cliff stop gives you a quick first look at Siquijor’s coast and is designed more for scenery and photographs than a long beach stay.

The tour description also highlights Paliton Beach, a well-known white sand stop. The timed itinerary names Pitogo Cliff rather than Paliton Beach, so I would confirm the exact beach stop before booking. The route may change with conditions, but you should know that the advertised highlights and detailed schedule do not match perfectly here.

This is an early taste of the day’s main compromise: many sights, limited time. You may get a fine coastal view, but do not expect a slow morning by the water. If your main goal is to sit on a beach for hours, an overnight Siquijor stay will suit you better.

The Balete Tree and its fish foot spa

The Century Old Balete Tree, also described as roughly 400 years old, is one of Siquijor’s most memorable stops. Its age and unusual shape have helped make it part of the island’s mystical reputation.

At the base, water collects beneath the tree, and small fish nibble at your feet. It is a simple experience, but an entertaining one. You can sit at the edge, lower your feet into the water, and enjoy a natural foot spa while your guide explains the local stories connected with the place.

Bring sandals or shoes that you can manage on wet ground. The stop is short, so I would not expect a long relaxation session. Its appeal comes from the combination of old tree, local legend, and a distinctly odd little wildlife encounter.

Cambugahay Falls, the day’s best outdoor stop

Cambugahay Falls is the part of the trip most likely to justify the long journey. The water is cool and refreshing, and the itinerary allows about an hour and 35 minutes from the scheduled arrival at 11:40 a.m. until lunch at 1:15 p.m.

You can swim in the pools and enjoy the jungle setting. The itinerary also refers to a jungle swing, so this is the place for the tour’s most active fun. Bring a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, and a hat. Towels are not provided.

Rain does not automatically ruin the stop, but it can change what is practical. During one wet outing, the guide adjusted plans and checked with the group about safety and which activities made sense. That kind of flexibility matters at a waterfall, where water conditions can affect swimming and swinging.

You will not have unlimited time here. One practical complaint about the overall schedule is that there are perhaps too many stops for one day. If Cambugahay Falls is your priority, keep an eye on the clock and change into your swimwear before arrival if possible.

Lunch at Twenty4 Restaurant and Events

Lunch is scheduled for 1:15 p.m. at Twenty4 Restaurant and Events. The meal is not included, so plan to pay separately for your food and drinks.

This is a useful pause after the morning’s ferry ride, walking, and swimming. You can eat, dry off, and regain some energy before the afternoon visits. Reports of the restaurant have been especially positive, with strong marks for both food and service.

Because the day runs tightly, lunch is not likely to become a long, leisurely break. You should also carry some small snacks for the ferry and van rides. Snacks, drinks, and meals are all excluded from the tour price.

Butterflies, Mount Bandilaan, and the island from above

The Butterfly Sanctuary is scheduled for about 2:30 p.m. This stop adds a quieter natural attraction after the busier waterfall visit. You can see butterflies in a contained setting and take a break from the road.

The next stop, Mount Bandilaan Viewpoint, is planned for 3:00 p.m. From here, you get broad views across Siquijor. The viewpoint is a good counterpoint to Cambugahay Falls: the waterfall gives you close contact with water and jungle, while Mount Bandilaan gives you a wider sense of the island.

The order and timing may shift. One person who enjoyed the route suggested removing one stop so the remaining places could have more time. I agree with the concern. The viewpoint deserves a few unhurried minutes, but the ferry timetable controls the afternoon.

If you have mobility limitations, take the warning seriously. The tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, and the combination of van transfers, outdoor attractions, uneven surfaces, and quick transitions may be tiring even for reasonably fit visitors.

Meeting a Bolo-Bolo healer

At about 3:45 p.m., the group visits a traditional healer who practices Bolo-Bolo, a form of island healing associated with Siquijor’s long-standing mystical image. This is not simply another photo stop. It gives you a chance to hear about a living local practice and the beliefs surrounding it.

Keep your expectations sensible. The visit is cultural and personal, not a replacement for medical care. The healer’s service fee is not included in the tour price, so ask your guide about the current amount before agreeing to anything.

This stop may be the most distinctive part of the day for you, especially if you want more than beaches and waterfalls. It can also feel less comfortable if you prefer strictly secular sightseeing. The guide’s role matters here. A good guide can explain the tradition respectfully without turning it into a sideshow.

Coffee and sunset at Bucafe

The last planned stop is Bucafe, also called Bukid Cafe, at about 4:30 p.m. You get free time for coffee, local snacks, and views toward golden hour before heading to Larena Port at around 5:00 p.m.

The cafe is a smart finish. After such a packed route, you need a place to sit, eat something small, and reset before the port transfer. The final view also lets the day end on a calmer note.

The timing can feel odd, though. You may be ready for a full meal rather than coffee and snacks, and the return ferry may not leave until 7:00 p.m. or later. Use this stop to ask the guide exactly where and when you need to meet the vehicle.

Returning from Larena to Tagbilaran

The van takes you to Larena Port, and the return ferry is scheduled for about 6:30 or 7:00 p.m. The general information warns that the actual sailing may be at 7:00 p.m. or 9:00 p.m., depending on available seats and ferry operations.

This is the part of the experience I would treat as flexible rather than fixed. A return crossing of three to four hours has been reported, and serious delays have occurred. There was also an instance in which a group was taken to the wrong port and had to pay extra to reach the correct one. That appears to be an operational problem rather than the normal plan, but it is worth confirming the port name before leaving Bucafe.

Keep your phone charged and carry enough money for unexpected local transport. I would also avoid booking this on a day when you must be back in Bohol at a precise hour.

What makes the guide important

The guide can make or break a schedule this tight. Lee, also known as Leebuir, has been singled out for sharing island history and traditions, watching out for the group in bad weather, and adjusting the plan when conditions required it.

That is valuable on Siquijor. The places themselves are attractive, but the island’s stories, healing customs, and folk beliefs give the day its character. A guide who explains those details turns a series of quick stops into a more meaningful visit.

The group atmosphere also matters. A small shared tour means you will spend much of the day with the same people in a van, at lunch, and on the ferry. The best outings benefit from a friendly group and an attentive guide. The downside is that you cannot control the pace if someone needs extra time or if the group must wait.

Is $92 good value?

I think the price is fair for the right kind of visitor. You receive:

• Return ferry tickets between Bohol and Siquijor
• Transport between the island stops
• An English-speaking guide
• Entrance fees
• A small group capped at 12 people

You pay extra for lunch, drinks, snacks, towels, and the healer’s fee. You should also budget for possible port transport if a last-minute change occurs, although that should not be treated as a normal included cost.

The value is strongest if you have limited time and do not want to arrange every leg yourself. The value is weaker if you already plan to rent a scooter, stay overnight, and explore at your own pace. Many of the island sights can be reached independently, but the ferry coordination is the reason this organized option is attractive.

Who should book this day tour?

I would choose this trip if you are staying in Bohol, want to see Siquijor without changing hotels, and prefer an organized route. It is also a good match if you like a mix of swimming, views, local beliefs, and short cultural visits.

You should think twice if you dislike early starts, long ferry rides, or uncertain return times. It is not a good fit for anyone with mobility impairments, nor for someone who wants a relaxed beach day with no schedule.

Rain is another factor. The tour can continue in wet weather, and a flexible guide may adjust activities, but waterfalls, cliff views, and outdoor paths are simply better when conditions cooperate.

My verdict on the Siquijor day trip from Bohol

I like the range of this experience. In one day, you see a famous old tree, swim at Cambugahay Falls, look over the island from Mount Bandilaan, visit butterflies, hear about Bolo-Bolo healing, and finish with coffee at Bucafe. That is a lot of Siquijor in a single ticket.

The main warning is serious: the return ferry can destroy the schedule. A 17-hour plan may become much longer, and the late sailing can leave you back in Bohol after midnight or even near dawn.

Book it if you value access and variety more than comfort and free time. Skip it if you have a tight next-day schedule or can spare an overnight on Siquijor. If you do book, bring swimwear, a towel, sun protection, snacks, cash for extras, and patience for the ferry.

FAQ

Where does the Siquijor day tour from Bohol start?

Pickup is at Abraham Bohol Resort. This is the stated meeting point for the tour.

How long does the full experience take?

The advertised duration is 17 hours. Ferry delays and changes to the return sailing can make the actual day longer.

What time does pickup begin?

The planned pickup time at Abraham Bohol Resort is 6:00 a.m.

Are the ferry tickets included?

Yes. The tour includes ferry tickets from Bohol to Siquijor and for the return trip to Tagbilaran.

Are meals included?

No. Lunch, drinks, and snacks are not included. Lunch is scheduled at Twenty4 Restaurant and Events, where you pay for your own meal.

Is a towel provided?

No. You should bring your own towel, along with a swimsuit, hat, and sunscreen.

Is the healer’s fee included?

No. The service fee for the traditional Bolo-Bolo healer is paid separately.

What language does the guide speak?

The live guide service is provided in English.

Is this tour suitable for people with mobility impairments?

No. The experience is listed as unsuitable for people with mobility impairments because it includes multiple outdoor stops, transfers, and active sites.