Bojo River

The Bojo River is a short, emerald-green river in Aloguinsan, a quiet town on the west coast of Cebu. It winds for about 1.4 km between mangroves and limestone cliffs before it opens into the sea. Since 2009 the families of Barangay Bojo have run a community eco-tour on the river: local guides, many of them former fishermen, take you downriver by boat, tell you about the mangroves and the birds, and often feed you a home-cooked lunch. It is calm, green and very different from the busy beaches of the south.

Why go to the Bojo River

• A peaceful boat ride through mangroves and cliffs, ending where the river meets the sea.
• It is community-run: your fee supports local families and the protection of the river.
• Clear, green water, birds in the trees and a swim stop near the river mouth.
• Easy to pair with Hermit's Cove, a small beach a short ride away.

The Bojo River eco-tour

The tour is run by the Bojo Aloguinsan Ecotourism Association (BAETAS), a group of local residents, working with the town's tourism office. Groups are usually welcomed with a song and a short talk on why the river is protected. Then you board a wooden outrigger boat (banca) and glide down the river with a guide, past mangroves, rocky walls and fishing spots, until the river widens into the open sea.

Near the river mouth there is usually a swim stop before you head back. The full package often adds a welcome drink, a local lunch, a snack and a short handicraft demonstration, and takes about 3 hours. The number of visitors each day is limited to protect the river, so book ahead, especially on weekends.

Fees and how to book

Rates depend on the package and the size of your group. As a rough guide, a cruise-only walk-in trip has been around ₱400 per person, and the full package with lunch around ₱450-₱850 per person, cheaper per head for bigger groups. Prices change, so confirm them when you book.

• Book through the Aloguinsan Tourism Office (see the local contact on this page), ideally two days ahead if you want lunch.
• Walk-ins can sometimes join a cruise, but you may wait for a boat, and food is not guaranteed.
• Ask about the tide. The cruise is usually nicer at high tide, when boats can go further and the swim spot is deeper.
• Ask where to check in. Many visitors start at The Farmhouse in Aloguinsan before going down to the river.

Hermit's Cove and Aloguinsan town

Hermit's Cove is a small beach in a rocky cove a short habal-habal ride from the river. The water is clear and good for a swim or a snorkel, and there is a separate small entrance fee, about ₱100 in recent reports. It has little shade and few facilities, so bring water and snacks.

Aloguinsan itself is a relaxed farming and fishing town. Its parish church is dedicated to Saint Raphael the Archangel, and every June the town celebrates the Kinsan Festival, named after a local grouper. Please dress modestly if you visit the church.

How to get to the Bojo River from Cebu City

1. Go to the Cebu South Bus Terminal. Our guide to Cebu bus terminals explains how it works.
2. Take a bus or minibus bound for Aloguinsan or Pinamungajan. The ride usually takes about 2-3 hours.
3. Ask the conductor to drop you at The Farmhouse or in Aloguinsan town, depending on where you were told to check in.
4. Take a tricycle or habal-habal to the Bojo River tour site in Barangay Bojo, a short ride away.

Leave Cebu City early so you can do the morning cruise and still catch a bus back. Fares change, so check them on the day. If you prefer not to deal with buses, a private car or a booked day tour from Cebu City is easier.

Getting around

Habal-habal (motorbike taxis) and tricycles connect the town, the river and Hermit's Cove. Fares are small but agree on the price before you set off, and ask the driver to wait or come back for you, as rides can be hard to find later in the day.

Where to stay and eat

Most visitors come on a day trip from Cebu City. There are a few simple places to stay in and around Aloguinsan, and more choice in Moalboal further south or back in the city. The package lunch at the river is the easiest way to eat well. Otherwise there are small eateries and stores in town.

When to go

The dry season, from about December to May, brings the calmest water and the best light. After heavy rain the river can turn murky and trips may be cancelled. Weekdays are quieter than weekends and holidays. Check the tide when you book.

Tips for a good trip

• Bring cash in small bills. There is no card payment on the river.
• Wear your swimsuit under your clothes for the swim stop.
• Pack sunscreen, a hat and insect repellent for the mangroves.
• Stay seated in the boat and wear a life vest if you are not a strong swimmer.
• Do not pick plants, feed animals or leave any trash. The river is protected.

Want more of the west coast? Head south to Moalboal and Kawasan Falls, or see our ideas for day trips from Cebu City.

Watch before you go

Photo: "Bojo River" by Warrendering, via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Last updated October 16, 2026