How to get to Pintuyan. If you’re thinking about swimming with whale sharks in Pintuyan, this guide is for you. This part of the Philippines is still relatively off the tourist trail and not the easiest to reach. Bus schedules are a bit erratic and there are several ways to get to Pintuyan, so we know it can be confusing.
At Travel Around the Philippines, we keep a close eye on any changes, so you’ll find the clearest, most up-to-date information here. Even so, we always recommend double-checking with the ferry companies by calling them or messaging them on Facebook.
Also, once you’re on Leyte itself, public transport is limited and timetables can be hard to figure out. In most cases, you’ll have to wait by the roadside for a bus or van to pass by. Don’t let that put you off! It’s all part of the adventure of seeing whale sharks in a more sustainable way.
Read on to find out how to get to Pintuyan in the Philippines.
Where is Pintuyan
Pintuyan is a town on Panaon Island, a narrow strip of land connected by a bridge to the much larger island of Leyte. More specifically, Pintuyan is part of the province of Southern Leyte, whose capital is Maasin and which is centred around a large bay. Sogod Bay is, in fact, your destination, since it is here—thanks to the high concentration of nutrients at certain times of the year—that whale sharks gather. Pintuyan is a coastal municipality on the shores of the bay and the closest place to try swimming with these incredible animals.
There are no airports on Panaon Island itself, and the nearest ones aren’t really that close to Pintuyan either. These are Tacloban (in Leyte), Ormoc (with very limited flights), and Surigao (in Mindanao).
However, there are several important ports you’ll likely pass through to reach Pintuyan. These are Hilongos, Bato, Maasin, Liloan and San Ricardo, all in Leyte and with connections to Cebu, Bohol and Mindanao.
Here’s a map showing the town of Pintuyan (marked with a yellow star), Son-ok (in purple, where the whale-shark trips depart) and all nearby ports and airports.
How to get to Pintuyan from Cebu
If you’re in Cebu and planning to travel to Pintuyan, you have several alternatives to choose from. The two most direct options are taking ferries to the Leyte coast and then using land transport. The two best destinations are Hilongos and Bato, but you could also opt to fly to Tacloban. Here’s a closer look at your best options:
1. Go from Cebu to Pintuyan via Hilongos
This is what we did the second time we went to Pintuyan. There are several companies operating this route, but the most reliable is Roble Shipping, which runs daily ferries at 11:00 and 21:00. The journey takes 5 hours and you can book a bunk on deck. Although there are seats from 480 pesos, the price difference compared with a bunk is minimal, so we recommend the latter. It’s well worth it.
Bear in mind that you can’t book online, so you need to buy the ticket in person at the office here, and then walk to Pier 3, where the ferries depart.
The other major company is Gabisan Shipping Lines, which runs ferries every day except Tuesdays at 14:00 (arrival 17:30) and every day except Sundays at 21:00 on a ro-ro ferry, which is slower (about 5 hours). The trip also takes around 5 hours and prices are similar to Roble’s, starting at 400 pesos.
Once in Hilongos, get off quickly because just outside the ferry terminal, on the left, you’ll see several buses—and you’ll want to grab a seat before they fill up. Sometimes there are direct buses bound for San Ricardo (4 hours/180 pesos) and you can tell them you’re getting off in Pintuyan, but you may not find them. In that case, walk to the main road (or take a pedicab; it shouldn’t cost more than 20 pesos) and wait for a Davao Metro bus towards Sogod (90 minutes/about 60 pesos). Once there, you can wait for a bus heading to San Ricardo or look for the vans, which are faster. We went with the latter option (150 pesos/1 hour) and got off at the entrance to Pintuyan.
At Travel Around the Philippines, we constantly update our guides, but things can change quickly in the Philippines. We recommend double-checking schedules on the Facebook pages of the ferry companies or by asking the Pintuyan Tourism Office, which usually replies quickly.
2. Go from Cebu to Pintuyan via Bato
If you’re travelling from Cebu to Pintuyan, going via Bato is another good option.
For this, Medallion Transport offers ferries every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 20:30. The journey takes around 6 hours. The ticket costs 470 pesos and you can book it online from this link.
Southern Pacific Trans. Corp. has daily ferries at 20:00 arriving at 3:00. However, it doesn’t appear to have an official website.
Once in Bato, look for the buses bound for San Ricardo at the port or go to the terminal and wait for a bus to Sogod (80–90 pesos) and follow the steps we mentioned above in option 1.
3. Go from Cebu to Pintuyan via Tacloban
If, for whatever reason, you’d rather not take a ferry or the schedules don’t work for you, you can opt to fly. Still, keep in mind that it’s usually more expensive.
You can look for flights from Cebu to Tacloban operated by Cebu Pacific Air (Cebgo) and Philippine Airlines. If you book well in advance, fares can start from $18.5.
Search flights from Cebu to Tacloban
Once in Tacloban, take a tricycle to the bus terminal, Robinsons Tacloban Transport Terminal, and look for the buses or vans bound for San Ricardo. The journey takes about 5 hours, but it’ll be much faster by van. Remember to tell the driver you’re getting off in Pintuyan. If there isn’t one going to San Ricardo, you can take one to Sogod or Liloan and then connect to another to Pintuyan.
Bear in mind that these services run roughly from 6:00 to 18:00, so if you arrive later you’ll need to stay overnight. A nice place close to the terminal is this one.
How to get to Pintuyan from Siargao
If you’re in Siargao and want to swim with whale sharks, getting to Pintuyan is definitely doable. It’s actually quite manageable, since it’s relatively close. To go from Siargao to Pintuyan, follow these steps:
- Take the ferry from Siargao to Surigao from Dapa: there are several ferries roughly from 4:00 to 15:30. The only one you can book online is Evaristo and Sons, which departs at 4:00, 6:00, 10:00, 13:00 and 15:30 daily. The 4:00 sailing takes 3.5 hours and the others 1.5 hours. The ticket costs around 400–500 pesos, depending on the type of boat. We recommend setting off early so you can comfortably reach Pintuyan the same day.
- Take a jeepney to Lipata port: it’s barely 8 kilometers. They usually leave from Luneta Park, but it’s best to check locally, and it shouldn’t cost more than 20 pesos.
- Take a ferry from Lipata to San Ricardo: there are 2 companies operating this route roughly between 5:00 and 17:00 every 2 hours, with Montenegro the most reliable. The trip takes about an hour and costs 340 pesos. You can call or text 09265505337 to confirm the latest schedule.
- Take a bus or van towards Pintuyan: you can hop on any going to Tacloban, Sogod, Ormoc… Just say you’re getting off in Pintuyan. It won’t take more than 40 minutes. If you want to be quicker and you don’t have much luggage, you can take a habal-habal (shared motorbike) to Pintuyan. It will cost about 100 pesos per person.
Another option is to go from Lipata to Liloan (you’ll notice it’s a port further north of Pintuyan) with the company FastCat. They depart at 00:00, 6:00, 12:00 and 18:00, but you can check schedules here. The journey is 3.5 hours and prices start at 464 pesos. Once there, you can take a bus or van to Pintuyan.
How to get to Pintuyan from Manila
If you’re in Manila, you also have 3 options for reaching Pintuyan:
1. Go from Manila to Pintuyan via Cebu
In this case it will be cheaper since flights to Cebu are quite affordable. However, it’s the longest option, since you’ll have to follow any of the steps we mentioned above. That is, you’ll need to take a ferry to Hilongos or Bato and then go overland to Pintuyan.
The same applies if you’re elsewhere and there are no direct flights to Tacloban.
2. Go from Manila to Pintuyan via Tacloban
This is the easiest option and involves the fewest transfers. Just look for flights from Manila to Tacloban. You’ll find them with Philippine Airlines, Air Asia and Cebu Pacific roughly once a day. Prices are around $35–$45, depending on how far in advance you book. If you plan ahead, you can get them from $21.
Search flights from Manila to Tacloban
Once there, you’ll need to take a tricycle to the bus terminal, Robinsons Tacloban Transport Terminal. You just have to look for the buses or vans heading to San Ricardo. We recommend the van, which will be much faster. It will take roughly 4 hours. Tell the driver you’re getting off in Pintuyan.
If there isn’t one, take any to Liloan or Sogod and then connect to another towards Pintuyan.
3. Go from Manila to Pintuyan via Surigao
Another way to reach Pintuyan from Manila is by booking a flight from Manila to Surigao. Cebu Pacific is the only airline operating these flights and prices are around $45, though that also depends on how far in advance you book. The flight takes about 90 minutes, but bear in mind that afterwards you’ll need to head into town by tricycle or jeepney (20 pesos if shared) and then take the jeepney to Lipata.
Once there, as we explain in How to get from Pintuyan to Siargao, take the ferry, then continue overland to Pintuyan.
Search flights from Manila to Surigao
How to get to Pintuyan from Bohol
If you’re in Bohol, the first step is getting to the port of Ubay. It’s in the northwest of the island, quite a long way from the main tourist areas. Even so, whether you’re in Panglao, Loboc or Anda, you’ll find transport to get to Ubay.
How to get to Ubay?
- How to get to Ubay from Tagbilaran: you just need to go to DAO Terminal, the main bus terminal, and take a bus or van to Ubay. The journey takes around 3 hours and the price depends on the bus, but it’s about 150 pesos.
- How to get to Ubay from Panglao: you can take the bus from the airport that goes along the Alona Beach road to Dao Terminal (50 pesos) or go by tricycle (300 pesos) or taxi (500 pesos). It will take between 30 minutes and an hour, depending on what you choose. Once there, take the bus or van to Ubay.
- How to get to Ubay from Loboc: take any bus or jeepney to the intersection in Loay (10 pesos/20 minutes). Wait for any bus going to Ubay.
- How to get to Ubay from Anda: take one of the motorelas that go to the Bohol Circumferential Road (if you take it shared, they charge about 20–30 pesos; it’s a fixed price). Once there, wait for any bus going to Ubay.
Boats from Ubay to Leyte
Once in Ubay, you just have to walk to the port, which is very close to the bus “station”. From Ubay to Leyte, you can arrive at 2 ports:
- Bato: Soemco Mariner departs daily at 8:00 and takes 1.5 hours. It costs 470 pesos. You also have ferries from Medallion Transport. They depart at 10:00, 12:00 and 18:00. The ticket costs 480 pesos. Neither of them can be booked online. In the opposite direction, from Bato to Ubay, they depart at 8:30, 10:30, 15:00 and 18:00.
- Hilongos: there are several ferries and bangkas. Leopard leaves at 9:00 from Ubay to Hilongos.
Once in Bato or Hilongos, follow the steps we explain in How to get from Cebu to Pintuyan.
How to get to Pintuyan from Malapascua
Have you spent a few days diving with thresher sharks in Malapascua and now want to see whale sharks too? It’s possible to travel from Malapascua to Pintuyan by backtracking to Cebu or, if you want more adventure, by hopping via Kalanggaman. Here we explain both options:
1. Go from Malapascua to Pintuyan via Cebu
Unless you came from Bantayan, you’ve probably already done this route. In short, you’d have to return to Cebu combining boat and bus or van and then continue on to Leyte. Keep in mind that this way you’d need to spend the night in Cebu or on the ferry. The route looks like this:
- Bangka from Malapascua to Maya: they depart roughly every hour from 6:30 to 17:30. It costs 200 pesos per person and takes about 45 minutes.
- Bus or van to Cebu: right at the port there are usually vans waiting. They typically charge 350 pesos. If you want to save or don’t mind going more comfortably but more slowly, walk a bit and on the right you’ll see the bus station. Depending on traffic in Cebu, the journey can take 5 to 6 hours. Prices are around 250 pesos, depending on the type of bus.
- Take a taxi to the appropriate ferry terminal: it can take about 30 minutes, depending on traffic. Always try to have them turn on the meter.
- Take a ferry to Bato or Hilongos: you have the details in How to get to Pintuyan from Cebu.
- Take a bus to Pintuyan: as explained above.
As you can see, you’d arrive roughly mid-morning the next day. If you have to stay overnight in Cebu, check out our article Where to sleep in Cebu.
2. Go from Malapascua to Pintuyan via Kalanggaman
It’s not the most straightforward option and takes a bit of negotiating, but it can be done. If you’re thinking of visiting Kalanggaman, whether for a few hours or staying overnight, it’s an option not to rule out. Here’s how to get from Malapascua to Pintuyan step by step:
- Negotiate the transfer to Kalanggaman: as we explain in How to get to Kalanggaman, this excursion costs 1,200–1,500 pesos for the transport and 1,000 pesos in island fees. You’d then need to negotiate how much a one-way transfer would cost you. If you want, we can also give you a contact for this. Consider at least about 700 pesos. Departure is usually at 9:00 and it’s about 2 hours of sailing. If you want, you can stay overnight in Kalanggaman in the huts there; in that case, fees are 1,500 pesos.
- Negotiate the transfer to Palompon: note that there’s no “regular” public transport linking Kalanggaman with Leyte; in this case, you’d have to join a boat that came from Palompon and is returning that same day. If you arrive around 11:00, you’d have to wait for the excursions to return, usually around 15:00 or 16:00. If you want to stay longer in Kalanggaman, you can spend the night in the huts or tents we mention in the island article. A round-trip boat from Palompon for up to 20 people costs 4,500 pesos, so the price varies depending on the number of passengers. Use this as a reference (estimating around 300 pesos). The crossing takes about 45 minutes.
- Take a bus or van to Ormoc: the van is a much better option, as it’s significantly faster. It costs 150 pesos and takes 90 minutes.
- Take a bus from Ormoc to Sogod or San Ricardo: in the first case, it will take about 4 hours and the ticket costs around 180 pesos. If you see one to San Ricardo, don’t hesitate—take it. You’ll just need to ask the driver to stop in Pintuyan.
- Take a van or bus from Sogod to Pintuyan: vans are faster and take about an hour. They usually charge 150 pesos.
Because it’s a long journey, you may need to spend the night in Ormoc or Sogod.
3. Go from Malapascua to Pintuyan via Bogo
A good middle-ground option, in case you don’t want to go via Kalanggaman, is to go to Pintuyan via Bogo. Bogo is a city south of Maya and has a fairly important port (Polambato) with some ferries to Leyte. In this case, the route would be:
- Bangka from Malapascua to Maya.
- Bus from Maya to Bogo; you can ask the driver to drop you at the intersection to the port. The journey takes about 45 minutes and costs around 70 pesos.
- Tricycle from the main road to the port. It’s about 10 minutes; we paid 100 pesos because it was late and we didn’t feel like negotiating, but it can certainly be cheaper.
- Ferry from Polambato to Palompon: you have departures by Aznar Shipping Corporation at 11:30 and at 1:00 a.m. The journey takes around 3 hours. Tickets can’t be bought online, but you can check schedules here.
- Van or bus from Palompon to Ormoc.
- Van or bus from Palompon to Sogod.
- Van or bus from Palompon to Pintuyan.
If you’re in other Visayas destinations such as Siquijor, Moalboal, Apo Island or Dumaguete, you’ll need to consider whether it’s better to go back to Cebu and from there head to Pintuyan or if it’s easier to go to Bohol. In most cases, going via Cebu will usually make more sense.
We hope this has helped make getting to Pintuyan a bit easier to work out—and thanks for choosing not to go to Oslob! If you have any questions, we’ll get back to you in the comments as soon as we can.
