Last Updated on 2026 年 4 月 14 日 by Ching
Want to visit Apo Island to see sea turtles but unsure how to get there? Apo Island transportation can indeed be a bit complicated. On this trip, we started from Bohol Island, took a speedboat to Dumaguete, then switched to a tutu car to Malatapay port, and finally transferred to a banca boat to reach the island, taking a total of three hours.
To help everyone avoid unnecessary detours, this article compiles the latest comprehensive guide to Apo Island transportation. It includes details on how to get from the city to the pier, charter boat costs, island protection fees, and more. I’ll guide you step-by-step (How-to) through the process. If you’re planning to visit this stunning island, this firsthand experience will be your ultimate guide!
This article is perfect for travelers who don’t mind complex transfers and seek hidden gems. Tested Apo Island transportation: Take the 07:30 speedboat from Bohol Island to Dumaguete, transfer directly by Tutu car to Malatapay port and arrange a boat. It’s recommended to allow 3 hours for travel and prepare a waterproof bag.
Philippines Apo Island Transportation Guide
During this clockwise trip, we discovered that there aren’t many articles about the route from Bohol Island→Dumaguete→Apo Island for sea turtle watching. With inquiries from Facebook group members, we decided to compile our route into an article to share, offering another option for those traveling to Cebu.
Our route: Bohol Island city hotel → (tutu car to) Bohol Island port → (07:30 speedboat to) Dumaguete port → (tutu car) Malatapay → (banca boat) Apo Island
Apo Island Transportation: Complete Guide to Getting There
Getting to Dumaguete
Take the OceanJet ferry from Cebu or Bohol, or fly directly to Dumaguete Airport from Manila via domestic flights.
Transfer to Malatapay Port
From Dumaguete city center, you can take a Tricycle (Tutu) or a local Ceres Bus to reach the port in about 30 minutes.
Take a Banca to Apo Island
Currently, private Banca boats operate the route, usually on a charter basis. The cost is approximately 500P per person when shared among multiple people.
Pay the Environmental Fee
Upon arrival, you must pay an environmental fee of 100P per person at the registration area, which is used to maintain the turtle ecosystem.
1.薄荷島→杜馬蓋地(船班資訊、票價)
1. Bohol → Dumaguete (Ferry Schedule, Ticket Prices)
Traveling from Bohol to Dumaguete is not difficult; simply head to the Bohol port to purchase tickets. However, there are only two ferries each day, so if you’re eager to see turtles on Apo Island, make sure to catch the 07:30 ferry.
Ferry Schedule:
Bohol – Dumaguete daily: 7:30 AM and 12:10 PM
Dumaguete – Bohol daily: 9:50 AM – 2:30 PM
On-site ticket price: 900P – 1,000P
The ferry from Bohol to Dumaguete is an OceanJet fast craft, with an on-site ticket price of 700P. If you want to avoid queues and time constraints, you can book in advance on Klook.
We were charged a luggage fee of 100P upon departure. According to online sources, you can insist on carrying your own luggage to avoid the fee, but all other travelers paid without complaint, and we did the same to save time in the early morning.
The cabin is quite ordinary, similar to the one from Kaohsiung to Xiaoliuqiu. It has air conditioning, and the two-hour journey is just right for a nap.
After two hours, you will arrive at Dumaguete Port. Dumaguete Port is filled with the scent of a small fishing village, distinctly different from Bohol Island.
2. Dumaguete → Malatapay Port
Dumaguete City — Transportation to MALATAPAY Port
Budget Bus Tips
Take a Tutu car to the bus station (40P)
➔ Transfer to a Ceres Bus to the port (60P)
➔ Walk 5 minutes to reach the pier.
This is a very economical option and the bus is air-conditioned, suitable for light travelers.</small>
Direct Tutu Car Charter
Direct from city accommodation to the pier
➔ Driver’s quote is about 500P.
Avoids the hassle of transfers, suitable for those with large luggage or in a hurry.</small>
This time, since we were dragging suitcases, we ultimately chose Option B (Direct Tutu)</strong>. Although the cost was slightly higher, splitting it between two people only added less than NT$100 each, saving energy for playing with sea turtles was more important! If you want to reach the island when the sea is calm in the morning, direct transport is a wiser choice.
Fortunately, the weather wasn’t too hot, and taking a 40-minute ride on a tutu car was quite an interesting experience.
Upon arriving at Malatapay Port, you’ll see a red banner with ‘Welcome’ written on it. This is the place where you can charter a boat to Apo Island.
3. Malatapay Port → Apo Island
The main transportation to Apo Island is the Philippine outrigger boat, which can accommodate 6 people (round trip 3000P). You can wait on-site to team up with other travelers for a charter, averaging about 500P per person.
We were very lucky that day and quickly met a foreign couple. We initially aimed to gather 6 people, but the foreign couple kindly offered to cover the fare for 4 people. How generous!
Previously, a small boat for 6 people was 3,000P, but the guild’s Standard Rate has now been slightly adjusted to 3,500P (round trip). If you gather 6 people, it averages about 580P per person.
Once on the crab boat, the boatman will have everyone put on life jackets. One operates the engine, while another stands at the bow (I think to maintain balance). The journey from Malatapay to Apo Island takes about 20 minutes. It’s quite thrilling as the boat rocks with the waves, and we quickly got splashed by the sea.
The boatman will place your luggage in the lower cabin, but I’ve heard there’s still a risk of it getting wet. So if you have valuables, it’s recommended to keep them in a waterproof bag.
4. Island Entry Fee (Environmental Protection Fee)
Each person must pay a 100P island entry fee. The boatman will take you to a small payment booth. After paying, you can rent a table to place your luggage and then change for snorkeling!
In 2026, the local government strictly regulated that “you absolutely cannot enter the water on your own to find turtles.” To snorkel in the turtle protection area, it is mandatory to hire a local guide, with a fee of about 300P (for 1-4 people).
Apo Island is truly beautiful, and it was my first time swimming so close to turtles. Although it’s farther and more troublesome compared to other Cebu attractions, requiring both a car and a boat transfer, the tranquility and beauty of this sea make it absolutely worth it!
This article is a transportation guide to share with everyone! If you want to see our day trip on the island, please refer to the following article:
Apo Island Travel: Swim Close to Turtles on a Day Trip (Independent Travel, Costs, Turtles)
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