How to get to Apo Island? If you’re eager to cross off your things to do in Apo Island list by swimming with the beautiful sea turtles of the marine sanctuary, here you’ll find all the information you need. You basically have 3 ways to get to Apo Island: from Malatapay Port (Negros), on a day trip from Dumaguete, or on a day trip from Siquijor. Here we’ll tell you in detail how to get to Apo Island in these ways.
Where is Apo Island
Apo Island is a small piece of land located to the east of the eastern coast of Negros Island. More specifically, it is 7 kilometers from Malatapay Port, located south of Dumaguete City, the capital of Negros Oriental province.
To make it a bit clearer, Apo Island lies between Negros and Siquijor, although it’s much closer to the former.
Dumaguete is one of the most important cities in the Visayas and has an airport, a seaport, and several bus terminals. In this article about how to get to Apo Island, you’ll see different ways to reach it using these terminals.
How to get to Apo Island from Dumaguete independently
The first step to know how to get to Apo Island is to go to Dumaguete. The capital of Negros Oriental is well connected to lots of places in the Philippines. We explain it all clearly in How to get to Dumaguete, but here are the main points:
Getting to Apo Island from Manila via Dumaguete
In this case, you just need to book a seat on one of the flights from Manila to Dumaguete that depart daily. These take about 70 minutes and are operated by both Cebu Pacific Air and Philippine Airlines. Prices are around €30, but they usually increase if you buy them very close to the date. Keep in mind that you’ll have to pay for any checked baggage separately.
Book flights from Manila to Dumaguete here
Once at Sibulan Airport, you can take a tricycle (it shouldn’t cost you more than 150 pesos) to the Ceres bus terminal in Dumaguete. You can also head out to the road and wait for a jeepney or a regular bus to pass to get to Dumaguete. This journey will take about 20 minutes.
Getting to Apo Island from Cebu via Dumaguete
To get to Apo Island from Cebu, the fastest route is to take one of the flights from Cebu to Dumaguete that depart 2 or 3 times a day. They’re operated by Cebu Pacific Air and the flight takes just 50 minutes. Prices are around €30 as long as you book in advance.
Book flights from Cebu to Dumaguete here
If, for whatever reason, you’re not flying to Dumaguete, you also have the option to go directly from Cebu to Dumaguete by ferry. However, keep in mind that it will be considerably slower, as they usually stop at other ports. The most convenient and reliable option is Oceanjet, with departures at 5:10 and 8:20 in the morning every day. They take about 4.5 hours. Prices start at 1,600 pesos and can be booked from this link.
This Oceanjet boat also stops in Tagbilaran, the capital of Bohol, so this is also the way to get to Apo Island from Bohol.
Other companies operating the Cebu–Dumaguete route are:
-
- Cockalion Shipping: depart on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays at 20:00 and arrive at 2:00. From 480 pesos. Cannot be booked online.
-
- George and Peter Lines: depart Cebu on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays at 22:00. Takes about 6 hours. Tickets start at 450 pesos.
Finally, you can also go from Cebu to Dumaguete by bus. Although it’s a bit less comfortable, it’s cheaper and there are more schedules. To do this, you’ll need to go to Cebu City’s South Bus Terminal. The best advice is to take one of the Ceres Liner buses that go directly to Dumaguete. These, of course, board a RORO-type ferry to reach Negros.
Although schedules change often, buses from Cebu to Dumaguete depart at 6:00, 7:00, 9:00, 10:00, 11:30, 13:00, 14:00, 16:00, 18:00, and 23:00.
The journey takes about 6 hours (although it depends on the traffic in Cebu) and the ticket costs around 340 pesos (270 for the bus + 70 for the ferry). It will drop you at the Ceres terminal in Dumaguete.
If those buses don’t work for your timing, you can take any bus heading to Santander/Liloan. Once there, take any boat to Sibulan (70 pesos/30 minutes) and then you’ll need to hop on a jeepney to Dumaguete (11 pesos/30 minutes).
Getting to Apo Island from Moalboal via Dumaguete
The only way to get to Apo Island from Moalboal is as follows:
- Tricycle from Panagsama (where you’re probably staying) to Moalboal town. Tell the driver you’re catching a bus to Bato and they’ll drop you where they pass. They usually charge 100 pesos.
- Any bus heading to Bato. They take a couple of hours and charge around 150 pesos, depending on the type of bus.
- Tricycle from Bato bus station to Liloan Port. It’s barely 10 minutes, so don’t pay more than 75 pesos.
- Boat from Liloan to Sibulan. They run roughly from 4:30 to 19:30. It costs 120 pesos and takes about 30 minutes.
- Jeepney to downtown Dumaguete. They charge 11 pesos and it takes about 30 minutes.
After that, you’ll need to follow the steps we describe below towards Apo Island.
Getting to Apo Island from Siquijor via Dumaguete
To go from Siquijor to Dumaguete you just have to take one of the boats that depart from Siquijor Town Pier to the city daily between sunrise and sunset. The route is covered by Oceanjet, Aleson Shipping, Yohan Express, HS Star, and Montenegro Shipping with fast boats, ferries, and RO-RO type ferries, so the trip takes between 1 and 2 hours. Prices range between 350 and 400 pesos. The only one that can be booked online is Oceanjet via here.
If you’re in Siquijor, a good alternative to avoid going the long way around (although more expensive) is to take one of the day trips that go to Apo Island from there. In the last section of this article on How to get to Apo Island you’ll find more information.
How to get to Malatapay?
Once in Dumaguete, you’ll need to get to Malatapay, which is where the boats to Apo Island depart from. To do this, you just have to go to the Dumaguete Ceres Terminal and hop on any bus going to Siaton or Bayawan and tell the driver you’re getting off in Malatapay. It will cost you between 30 and 50 pesos, depending on the type of bus. It takes about 20–30 minutes.
From where the bus drops you, next to a market, you just need to walk to the pier. This will take you about 10–15 minutes. If you prefer, you can also negotiate a tricycle. We’ve always walked, but for a trip like this we wouldn’t pay more than 40 pesos.
If, luckily, you’re willing to get to Apo Island on a Wednesday, you’ll have the chance to pass through Malatapay market in full swing. This is the day when all the local producers from this region of Negros come to sell, so don’t hesitate to browse a little.
Another alternative is to take a tricycle from Dumaguete directly to Malatapay. They usually charge around 300–400 pesos in total. If you’re coming from Moalboal, you can negotiate a tricycle from Sibulan to Malatapay for about 400 pesos.
And from Malatapay to Apo? Boat to Apo Island from Malatapay
At the port (so to speak—you’ll see what we mean) you’ll see a booth for AMAPOI (Association of Malatapay & Apo Island Pumpboat Operators Inc.), which is where you need to buy your boat ticket.
The system is confusing and they might make it seem even more so. The point is that, supposedly, there are “public” boats where you pay 300 pesos per person (plus a 5-peso terminal fee), but they don’t have fixed schedules (in theory, one departs between 7:00 and 13:00) and it’s very common to have to wait quite a while. If you’re not in a hurry, go ahead. Return schedules are at 6:00 and 15:00.
If there isn’t an established boat, you’ll have to hire a bangka (a typical Philippine outrigger boat) from Malatapay and the boat prices to Apo Island are 3,200 to 3,400 for 2–4 people.
These prices are for same-day round trips. If you’re going to spend the night on the island, there’s an extra fee, usually 500 pesos.
To avoid the hassle, we suggest 4 things to get to Apo Island:
- Book your accommodation with Liberty’s Lodge. As we mention in Things to do in Apo Island, staying here ensures they’ll arrange a boat for you or tell you the schedule. You pay 300 pesos.
- Go very early in the morning and wait for other travelers to show up.
- Post a notice in our calendar of tours around the Philippines to see if there are more people who want to share a boat to get to Apo Island.
- Try calling or sending an SMS to the association to ask about the schedule of those public boats: +63 (0) 997 562 3866 or +63 (0) 906 689 1049.
The boat ride to get to Apo Island from Malatapay takes about 30 minutes, although it depends on sea conditions, which is especially important because this part of the Visayas isn’t known for being very calm. Our advice is to keep valuables in a dry bag and put rain covers on your backpacks.
Also, there are no piers either on Apo or in Malatapay, so you board the boat from the beach. This means there’s a good chance you’ll get wet. Wear suitable footwear and, if you can, a swimsuit or shorts.
Little by little you’ll see this beautiful island of turquoise waters appear. Once you arrive, you’ll need to pay a 100-peso fee dedicated to the conservation of the island and the marine park. This is paid at the tourism office.
How to get to Apo Island from Dumaguete or Dauin on a day trip
We’ve already told you how to get to Apo Island from Dumaguete on your own, but there’s also the option to take a one-day tour from the city. It’s a good alternative for those who don’t want to complicate things too much and, surprisingly, it can even work out cheaper (especially for diving). Of course, you miss the charm of sleeping on the island and enjoying it more slowly.
As of today, Mad Monkey Dumaguete (one of the best places where to stay in Dumaguete) organizes tours to Apo Island from Dumaguete 3 times a week for 3,500 pesos. An even simpler idea is to book directly with KLOOK (the “Civitatis” of the Philippines); you can do it via THIS LINK.
On the other hand, Dumaguete is one of the most interesting cities in the Philippines and has lively nightlife, being a university town. Plus, as we mention in Things to do in Dumaguete, you can do several interesting excursions such as Manjuyod Sandbar (known as the Maldives of the Philippines) and visit waterfalls like Pulangbato Falls or Casaroro Falls. Therefore, you might want to stay in more comfortable places such as Blue Horizon Hostel or Casa Arrieta Hostel.
Finally, a little further south of Dumaguete there’s an area called Dauin known as a paradise for divers (in Things to do in Dauin you can find more info). There are plenty of cool resorts that go to Apo almost every day for diving trips. So, if you’re looking for greater comfort, being on the beach (note: it’s black sand), and combining it with other interesting dives, Dauin is a great idea. We recommend these two:
- Bongo Bongo Divers: one of the most affordable in Dauin, but quite basic. We stayed here a couple of nights in a nipa hut with a fan and shared bathroom. They also have dormitories.
- Mike’s Dauin Dive Resort: on our first visit we stayed at this beautiful resort with a pool overlooking the sea. Good dive shop. You can see a photo of it below.
You can reach Dauin by taking the same buses that head to Malatapay and telling the driver you’re getting off in Dauin.
How to get to Apo from Siquijor
A very common starting point to reach Apo Island is Siquijor. Since this is one of the most visited islands in the country, many travelers decide to combine it with a day trip to Apo and swim with its beautiful turtles.
At the moment, there are 2 companies that run the excursion from Siquijor to Apo Island: Coco Grove Beach Resort and Island Vibes Explorers. The first is one of the most luxurious resorts in Siquijor and the second is a dive center. You’ll need to contact them to see if they’re running it on the day you’re interested, as they need a minimum headcount to depart.
It usually starts at 8:00 and you’re back in Siquijor around 18:00. The crossing from Siquijor to Apo takes a couple of hours, although it depends on sea conditions. It’s common to jump in at at least two snorkeling spots and have some free time on the island, where lunch is also served.
UPDATE 2024: due to the still low level of tourism in Siquijor, these boats are not daily. You have to sign up and, if they reach the minimum headcount—usually 15 people—they depart.
How much does the Apo Island tour from Siquijor cost?
Coco Grove charges 2,750 pesos (1,525 pesos for children under 12) for snorkeling and 4,700/6,350 pesos for 1/2 dives. Island Vibes charges 2,450 pesos (1,500 for children under 12) for snorkeling and 4,300/5,900 pesos for 1/2 dives.
All include marine sanctuary fees, lunch, drinks (water and soft drinks), and a guide who usually puts effort into taking photos.
But can I stay overnight on Apo if coming from Siquijor?
Yes, but be careful if you want to return to Siquijor. Both companies charge about 1,100 pesos for the one-way trip to Apo, but since they don’t go daily, they might not be able to pick you up the next day.
We find this an interesting alternative if you’re going to continue your route through Dumaguete or Moalboal afterward. Then you’d only have to get on one of the boats that depart daily from Apo to the small port of Malatapay (300 pesos). To do this, you can ask at your accommodation in Apo or at the tourism office.
Remember that you have all the information about this island in the Siquijor Guide and also hotel recommendations in Where to stay in Apo Island.
We hope this guide on how to get to Apo Island was helpful. If you have any questions or don’t know how to do it from any other destination, we’ll be happy to help you in the comments.
