5 Best Day Trips from Dumaguete

What would be the best day trip from Dumaguete? If you’re wondering where else to travel near Dumaguete, I handpicked the must-visit places that I think should be part of your itinerary.

Dumaguete City is one of the most popular places for expats in the Philippines. Known as the City of Gentle People, it is the capital of Negros Oriental and is located in the southernmost part of the province, giving you access to many tourist attractions that can be visited for a day.

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Having explored Dumaguete for years, here are my top picks for the best day trips from Dumaguete:

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1. Siquijor Day Trip from Dumaguete

Pitogo Cliff - Tourist Spots in Siquijor — Pitogo Cliff in San Juan, Siquijor

Located less than 2 hours away, Siquijor is very easy to travel to, making it one of the most popular tourist destinations near Dumaguete. More than its reputation for being a center for mystical activities, Siquijor is known for its tourist attractions such as Cambugahay Falls, Paliton Beach, the Lazi Church and convent, the old Enchanted Balete Tree, and Cantabon Cave.

From scuba diving to spelunking, there are many worthy activities in Siquijor. Some of my personal favorites include cliff-jumping at Pitogo Cliff and Salagdoong Beach. And, of course, the Tarzan swing at Cambugahay Falls should not be missed!

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Check out our range of Siquijor travel guides:

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How to Get to Siquijor from Dumaguete

To get to Siquijor from Dumaguete, take a ferry from Dumaguete Port to Siquijor Port. Three shipping companies can take you to Siquijor, but if you plan to make the most of your time and do not have a vehicle with you, take OceanJet.

Fare rates start at 350 PHP (~7 USD) for the open-air/tourist class and 580 PHP (~11 USD) for business class. The travel time is 45 minutes.

Once you’re in Siquijor, you move around by either joining tours or renting a motorcycle (if you’re going solo or with another person) or a van (if you’re here with a group). We recommend renting a motorbike because it’s cheaper at around 350 PHP (~7 USD) and gives you a lot of freedom to go around. Just make sure you have a license to drive legally.

Ferries from Dumaguete to Siquijor leave as early as 6:50 AM, while the last trip from Siquijor to Dumaguete is at 6:00 PM.

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2. Apo Island Day Trip from Dumaguete

App Island in Dauin, Negros Oriental - Best Day Trips from Dumaguete — An aerial shot of Apo Island in Dauin, Negros Oriental

If you are into scuba diving, Apo Island is a must-visit. This marine sanctuary in Dauin, Negros Oriental is home to a diverse collection of underwater life.

Located about 1.5 hours away from Dumaguete, Apo Island is popular among divers as it is home to many species, including big-eyed jacks, hammerhead sharks, manta rays, hump-head wrasses, and tuna.

Aside from the abundance of marine life, Apo Island also boasts white sand beaches and unique rock formations. And you can enjoy all that Apo Island has to offer in less than a day’s time.

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How to Get to Apo Island from Dumaguete

There are three ways to go to Apo Island from Dumaguete. You can either book a day trip to Apo Island via tour sites like Klook, book with a dive resort or go on a DIY day trip. Booked tours usually pick you up at your hotel in Dumaguete, so it’s more convenient.

If you’re going to DIY your day trip, first take a jeepney or bus from Dumaguete to Malatapay Port (about 1 hour), then ride a boat to Apo Island (about 30 minutes). The boat costs around 3,500 PHP (~$62 USD) for three people round trip.

Once you arrive, you need to pay an entrance fee of 100 PHP (~$2 USD) and another 100 PHP (~$2 USD) for the snorkeling fee. If you don’t have snorkeling gear, you can rent one for 300 PHP (~$6 USD). This includes the fee for the guide who will go with you.

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3. Manjuyod Sandbar Day Trip from Dumaguete

Manjuyod Sandbar Things to Do in Dumaguete — An aerial view of Manjuyod Sandbar in Bais City, Negros Oriental

A YouTuber once referred to Manjuyod Sandbar as the ‘Maldives of the Philippines,’ making it popular for its moniker. While I think this is an overstatement, I highly recommend visiting Manjuyod Sandbar for one thing—dolphins!

Located about 58 kilometers away from Dumaguete, it is known for its expansive white sandbar stretching for about 7 kilometers. You will be enamored by beauty, which varies with the rising and ebbing of the waters.

Most of its surface appears only during low tide. And when high tide comes, the sandbar gets submerged, leaving the native stilt houses built on it to appear like they’re floating. That said, you should plan your day trip to Manjuyod Sandbar during low tide.

Your trip to Manjuyod Sandbar will be unforgettable along the way as you watch a pod of dolphins swim in unison on Bais Bay. Do note that while these dolphins can be seen whole year round, the best time to see them is between March and October when the sea conditions on Tañon Strait are calmer.

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How to Get to Manjuyod Sandbar from Dumaguete

There are several ways to go to Manjuyod Sandbar. You can either book a tour or go DIY.

If you book through Klook, you will be picked up at your hotel and directly transported to Capiñahan Wharf.

If you do a DIY tour, take a jeepney or bus (about 55 PHP or ~$1 USD) to Bais City, and then proceed to Canibol Wharf or Capiñahan Wharf via tricycle or jeepney (about 15 PHP or ~$0.27 USD).

From the wharf, you can either join a boat tour for around 1,500 PHP (~$27 USD) per person, charter a boat that can carry up to 7 people for 3,700 PHP (~$70 USD), or charter a boat that can carry up to 15 people for 5,000 PHP (~$90 USD). You can wait for other tourists and split the boat fee instead.

The travel time is approximately 2 hours.

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4. Bohol Day Trip from Dumaguete

Balicasag Island in Panglao, Bohol - Best Day Trips from Dumaguete — An aerial shot of Balicasag Island off the coast of Panglao Island in Bohol

Bohol may not be the nearest to Dumaguete of all destinations, but it’s definitely worth considering. Just 2 hours away, Bohol’s capital, Tagbilaran, can be easily reached by OceanJet ferry.

Most popular tourist attractions in Bohol are found outside the capital. If you want to see Bohol’s white sand beaches and rich marine life, head over to Panglao Island. You may check out this Panglao Island land tour to maximize your visit.

If you want to explore the province’s most iconic landmarks, such as the Chocolate Hills, tarsiers, Bilar man-made forest, and Loboc River cruise, the best way to experience them all is through an arranged tour.

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Check out our range of Bohol travel guides:

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How to Get to Bohol from Dumaguete

To get to Bohol from Dumaguete, take a ferry from Dumaguete Port to Tagbilaran Port. OceanJet has daily trips connecting these two cities. The trip takes approximately 2 hours and costs around 900 PHP (~16 USD) per person.

Ferries from Dumaguete to Tagbilaran leave at 3:20 PM, while the return trip is at 10:40 AM the next day.

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5. Oslob Day Trip from Dumaguete

Oslob Whale Sharks - Best Day Trips from Dumaguete — An aerial shot of whale shark watching activities in Oslob, Cebu

Lastly, you can go on a day trip to Oslob in Cebu, where you can experience the world-famous whale sharks. This activity allows you to get up close and personal with these gentle giants as they swim in the clear blue waters of Tan-awan.

Aside from whale sharks, Oslob is also known for other attractions, such as Sumilon Island and Tumalog Falls—both I highly recommend visiting.

Whale shark watching is best done in the early morning. This way, you may also get to visit Oslob’s other attractions.

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How to Get to Oslob from Dumaguete

To get to Oslob from Dumaguete, take a tricycle (100 PHP or ~$2 USD) or jeep (10 PHP or ~$0.18 USD) to Sibulan Port, then catch a ferry to Liloan Port in Santander, Cebu. You have two options—the Cuadro Alas fastcraft (120 PHP or ~$2.5 USD) or Maayo Shipping (for 70 PHP or ~1.5 USD). Take the fastcraft to get there in less than 1 hour.

From Liloan Port, ride a bus bound for Cebu City via Oslob. The fare will cost you around 50-65 PHP (~$1-1.20 USD), and the trip will take about 45 minutes. Tell the conductor to drop you off at Tan-awan if you’re coming to watch whale sharks.

Once there, you should expect to find a queue of people waiting for their turn to watch the whale sharks. Line up and prepare to pay fees depending on you’re chosen activity. If you’re snorkeling with the whale sharks, the fee will be 500 PHP (~$10 USD) for locals and 1,000 PHP (~$20 USD) for non-locals.

Trips from Sibulan Port to Liloan Port start at 4:30 AM, and the return trip is 7:30 PM.

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