Loboc River Cruise
Bohol's famous floating buffet lunch: drift along the green Loboc River with live music, then see Busay Falls and Loboc's old stone church, an easy day trip from Cebu.
The Loboc River winds through the green heart of Bohol, and one of the island's most loved day-trip experiences is a slow floating buffet lunch on its calm brown-green water. Boats drift upstream past nipa palms and jungle walls while a live band plays, you eat a Filipino buffet, and the cruise turns around near a small waterfall. The town of Loboc also has a famous old stone church, a children's choir and a few other easy stops, so it fits neatly into a day from Cebu.
Why go to the Loboc River
- A relaxed lunch cruise with a Filipino buffet and live acoustic music, easy for families and older travellers.
- Green river scenery, with palms and forest on both banks and a small waterfall at the turning point.
- Loboc Church, a stone church by the river with a long history and a museum nearby.
- A natural stop on a countryside tour with the Chocolate Hills and tarsiers.
Things to do in Loboc
The floating buffet lunch cruise
The cruise is the main reason people come. You board a covered, two-deck floating restaurant at a landing in Loboc, help yourself to a buffet of Filipino dishes (rice, grilled or stewed meat, fish, vegetables, fruit and dessert), and eat while the boat moves slowly upstream. A musician or small band plays along the way, and the boat stops near a riverside stage where locals sing or dance for a short time before heading back. The whole cruise usually takes about an hour round trip, though plan a little extra time for boarding.
Reports from 2026 say the standard price rose to about ₱1,200 per person from 16 April 2026, up from the long-time ₱1,000 (an advisory attributed to the Loboc tourism office). Buffet lunch is included. Children, seniors and people with disabilities may pay less, so ask at the landing. Lunch boats generally run daily from about 10:00 am until around 2:30 pm, leaving roughly every half hour (estimate, 2025-2026; check locally). Most tours and operators include it in a package with transport, which changes the price.
There are two common boarding points: the Loboc Tourism Complex in the town centre, and a landing near Loay Bridge a few kilometres downstream. Where you board depends on your tour or driver. A quieter evening version with dinner and fireflies is also offered in some seasons; ask locally, as schedules change.
Busay Falls
At the far end of the cruise, the boat reaches Busay Falls, a small, pretty waterfall that tumbles into the river. The boat does not go right up to it, but turns near it, so you get a good view and some photos. It is a quiet, short stop, not a place to swim.
Loboc Church and the museum
Loboc Church (San Pedro Apostol Parish) is a stone church built in the Spanish period, with a tall bell tower beside the river. It was badly damaged in the 2013 Bohol earthquake and, after a long restoration led by the National Museum of the Philippines, it reopened to the faithful on 16 May 2021. A small museum next to it keeps old church items. Dress modestly (covered shoulders and knees), keep your voice low and respect services.
Other short stops in Loboc
- Loboc Children's Choir, a well-known local choir that sings at times in town; check locally before planning around it.
- Old stone and wooden houses along the main road near the church.
- Riverside walks and cafes near the Tourism Complex.
- Tarsiers and the Chocolate Hills are not in Loboc itself but are usually on the same route; see our Chocolate Hills guide.
Where is Loboc River Cruise?
Loboc, Bohol
Directions open in Google Maps, starting from where you are. Its travel times are estimates, and ferries and island boats may not be included.
Getting there from Cebu
- Go to the Cebu City port and take a fast ferry to Tagbilaran. The crossing usually takes about 2 hours, with several departures a day. Our Cebu to Bohol ferry guide has the operators, fares and tips.
- From Tagbilaran port, take a taxi, a hotel transfer or a van with a driver to Loboc. It is roughly 30-45 minutes by road, depending on traffic (estimate, 2025-2026).
- Ride on the public jeepney or van from the Tagbilaran terminals if you are on a tight budget; it takes longer and you may need to change vehicles. Ask the driver where to get off for the Tourism Complex.
- Book the cruise through your driver or tour, or buy a ticket at the landing. A private car with driver for a day, with the cruise, often costs very roughly ₱3,000-₱5,000 for the vehicle (estimate, 2025-2026; check locally).
A typical day trip from Cebu is: an early fast ferry, a transfer straight to Loboc for the lunch cruise, a stop at the church, then the Chocolate Hills and tarsiers if time allows, and back to Tagbilaran for the last ferry. It is a long day, so many visitors stay one night on Bohol. If you stay, Panglao is the easiest base.
Getting around
The cruise landing and the church are close together in the town centre and easy to walk between. Beyond Loboc, a hired car and driver or a countryside tour from Panglao or Tagbilaran is the simplest way to link the sights. Tricycles handle short trips in town; agree on the fare first.
Where to stay and eat
Most visitors sleep in Panglao or Tagbilaran and visit Loboc for the day. A few riverside lodges and homestays in and near Loboc offer a quieter stay among the trees. For food, the cruise buffet is the star; if you want something more, small eateries and local cafes along the main road serve Boholano home cooking, and a stop in Tagbilaran has more choice.
When to go
The river can be visited all year. The dry months from about December to May bring the best light and the most comfortable cruises. In the rainy season the river can run higher and browner, and heavy rain or typhoons can stop boats, so keep a spare day and check the ferry schedule back to Cebu. Weekends, holidays and Holy Week are busy, so go early or pick a mid-week day.
Tips for a good trip
- Bring cash for tickets, tips for the musicians and small purchases.
- Tell staff about allergies or diets (vegetarian, no pork) when you board; the buffet is mostly meat and fish.
- Keep your hands, bags and phones inside the railing, and wear the life vest if asked.
- Don't throw leftover food or rubbish into the river. Take plastic back with you.
- If you tip the singers or dancers, do so kindly; photos are fine but be polite.
- Wear sun protection and bring a light layer, since the boat deck can be breezy.
- Check opening hours and the price the day before; they change.
Planning the crossing? Start with our Cebu to Bohol ferry guide, then add a night in Panglao and a day among the Chocolate Hills and tarsiers.
Photo gallery
Tap a photo to see it full size. Gallery photos come from Wikimedia Commons; each photographer's credit shows when you open the photo.
Watch before you go
Photo: "Loboc river cruise Bohol 2017" by Øyvind Holmstad, via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Last updated October 28, 2026
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