October 31, 2026

Cebu City to Camotes Islands by ferry

The Camotes Islands sit east of mainland Cebu, with quiet beaches, caves and lagoons and very little traffic. They are one of the easiest island escapes from Cebu City, but there is no single ferry. You choose between a fast craft from the city centre, a fast craft from Mactan, or a cheaper and slower boat from Danao. This guide compares them, with rough costs and times, and what to do once you land.

All fares and times below are estimates reported in 2025-2026. Operators change schedules with weather, fuel prices and demand, so check the operator's page or ask your resort the day before. For the islands themselves, read our Camotes Islands guide.

Which port serves Camotes?

The islands are mostly reached through two main landing points. Consuelo, in San Francisco town on Pacijan island, is the busiest port, and boats from Danao and Mactan generally use it. Poro, on Poro island, is used by some fast craft. The two main islands are joined by a causeway and bridge, so you can reach either side by road after landing. The town of Pilar is on a separate small island and is reached by boat only.

Passengers with backpacks walking toward a ferry docked at Poro Port in the Camotes Islands — Boarding a ferry at Poro Port. Photo: Headshop5, via Wikimedia Commons, CC0

Your three main options

Cebu City Pier 1 to Poro (fast craft): about 1.5 hours. OceanJet was reported with one or two departures a day, often early morning and early afternoon, and fares of roughly ₱600-₱800 for economy or tourist class, more for business class.
Mactan Wharf to Consuelo (fast craft): about 1.5 hours, with fares reported around ₱600. This suits you if you land at Mactan-Cebu airport and want to skip the city.
Danao to Consuelo (regular ferry): about 2 hours, with fares reported at roughly ₱250-₱400 depending on the boat. Boats run several times a day, starting very early, and this is the cheapest way across.

Expect a small terminal fee of about ₱25-₱50 at the port, usually in cash. Schedules reported online do not always match what runs today, so treat every departure time as a guide, not a promise.

The Welcome to Port of Danao gate beside the pier with blue sky above — The entrance to Danao port. Photo: Elmer B. Domingo, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Is there a route from Ormoc?

OceanJet runs between Cebu City and Ormoc in Leyte, which takes about 3 hours. Some travellers link Leyte and the Camotes by local boats, but we could not confirm a reliable scheduled tourist service from Ormoc to Camotes. If you are coming from Leyte, ask your resort or the port office before you plan around it.

Getting to the port

Pier 1: this is in downtown Cebu City. A taxi or Grab from most city hotels takes 15-30 minutes. See our Grab and taxi guide.
Mactan Wharf: close to Mactan-Cebu airport. Our airport guide covers the ride from the arrivals area.
Danao: about 1.5-2 hours north of Cebu City by bus from the North Bus Terminal. The bus terminals guide explains how to get there. Ask for a bus signed for Danao and tell the conductor you want the port.

Buying tickets and boarding

Arrive at least 45-60 minutes early for fast craft, and earlier on weekends and holidays.
Buy your ticket at the terminal counter or from the operator's official booking page. Avoid unofficial sellers.
Bring a valid ID. You may be asked to fill out a passenger manifest.
Keep your bag with you on open decks and use a dry bag for your phone and passport.
Book the return trip early if you travel on a Friday, Sunday or holiday, when seats fill up. Our festivals guide lists dates when boats get crowded.

Can I bring a vehicle?

Some of the regular ferries from Danao are roll-on roll-off boats and carry motorbikes and cars, with limited slots and a fee that depends on the vehicle. Fast craft from Pier 1 and Mactan are passenger boats. If you plan to bring a car, ask the operator about space, fees and boarding time before you drive to Danao. For most visitors, renting a motorbike or hiring a tricycle on the island is simpler.

Getting around the islands

Habal-habal (motorbike taxi): the standard way to move around. Short rides were reported at about ₱50-₱100, and longer day hires cost more. Agree on the price before you go.
Tricycle: good for short hops in town, roughly ₱20-₱50 for a short distance.
Motorbike rental: about ₱500-₱700 a day in 2025-2026 reports. Bring your licence and wear a helmet, and check the bike and fuel level first.
Van or jeep hire: about ₱1,500-₱2,500 a day, which suits a group sharing the cost.

There are few ATMs and card payments are patchy, so bring enough cash for the whole stay.

A quiet paved road curving through coconut trees and green growth in the Camotes Islands — A quiet island road in the Camotes. Photo: Headshop5, via Wikimedia Commons, CC0

Best base towns

San Francisco and Santiago Bay: the most popular visitor area on Pacijan, with the most restaurants, resorts and beach stays, and close to Consuelo port.
Poro: the more local and quiet side, with the town plaza, a few beach stays and easy links to Poro port.
Tudela: on the northern part of Poro island, quieter again, for travellers who want fewer people.

Homestays were reported from about ₱800 a night and mid-range resorts from about ₱2,500-₱4,000, but prices rise in peak months. Book ahead for Holy Week, Christmas and long weekends.

An orange sunrise over the sea with a palm silhouette at Tudela on Poro Island, Camotes — Sunrise at Tudela, Poro Island. Photo: Marcelino Rapayla Jr. from Lapu-Lapu, Philippines, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

Weather and cancellations

Fast craft and small boats can be cancelled in strong wind or when a typhoon is near. The sea can also be rough from around November to March in the northeast monsoon. Do not plan a flight on the same day as your return boat. Keep a spare night, and read our typhoon season guide and best time to visit.

A simple two-day plan

Take the morning fast craft from Pier 1 or Mactan and arrive before lunch.
Rent a motorbike or hire a habal-habal for the afternoon, and visit a cave, a lagoon or a beach.
Spend the evening at the beach in Santiago Bay for sunset.
On day two, do your last swim, then go back to the port at least 1.5 hours before your boat.

Quick tips

Take your rubbish with you and do not touch or stand on coral. See responsible travel in Cebu.
Pack sandals, a dry bag, sun protection and a power bank. Our packing list helps.
Read ferries from Cebu for other routes, and Cebu on a budget for saving money.

Photo: "Pier in Camotes Islands" by Rollymagpayo, via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

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From Tourist Booklet: https://touristbooklet.com/cebu-to-camotes-ferry/. Last updated 21 October 2026. Prices and times change, so check before you go.