Distance 110 km (68.8 miles) | |
Price range US$ 23-US$ 151 | |
Ride Duration Range 50m-5h | |
Earliest Departure 20:45 | |
Latest Departure 23:30 | |
Most Popular Operator |
You will want to take a ferry to get from Cebu to Ormoc Leyte. There are only two ferries that depart each day so you will need to plan your trip accordingly. Bring your camera and swimming gear to Ormoc Leyte as it is most recognized for its parks and lakes. You can go kayaking on the water or go into town and take advantage of its reputable restaurants and bars. The weather stays warm all year with temperatures rarely departing 90 degrees during the day.
Fastest ferry: 3h
Cheapest ferry: US$ 23
Like most destinations in the Philippines, traveling between Cebu and Ormoc City on Leyte Island requires hopping on a ferry.
After exploring Cebu's magnificent waterfalls and pristine beaches, Ormoc offers travelers insight into a different side of Filipino culture.
Leave from Cebu Pier and arrive in the heart of the city at Ormoc Ferry Terminal to dive straight into the city's culture before expanding your exploration to the rest of the island of Leyte.
This urbanized coastal port city is the economic and commercial hub of western Leyte. It is famous for its healing hot springs and national park nearby.
Once a significant site during World War II, Ormoc is now known for its rich agricultural industry, primarily rice and sugar cane plantations.
Located on the western shore of Ormoc Bay, with stunning beaches and accompanying marine life, Ormoc is a fantastic launching pad for adventures across the island of Leyte to visit jungle lakes, waterfalls, and white-sand beaches.
Although Ormoc is mostly used as a transit hub by tourists, there are many activities and adventures to enjoy here and on the island of Leyte. Keep these top attractions in mind when planning your itinerary:
Visit Tongonan Hot Springs National Park. Located close to Ormoc, the sprawling natural beauty on display in this park is perfect for hiking enthusiasts and for people who want to relax in hot springs. Set aside a full day to make the most of this epic destination.
Hike Alto Peak. This hike will take you to the highest point in the Eastern Visayas. Brace yourself for an intense climb, and aim to set off early in the morning to avoid exposure to the midday sun at the peak. It's worth the effort, though, because you'll be rewarded with sweeping vistas of the surrounding landscapes.
Practice your bartering skills at the Ormoc City Public Market. This bustling market has everything you could possibly imagine, all crammed into one area. Buy fresh produce, sample local delicacies, shop for beautiful handmade crafts, and pick up souvenirs to take home with you. The market is a great spot to meet locals and see beneath the city's surface that so few tourists bother exploring.
Tour the Pineapple Plantations. Learn more about the cultivation process and the local economy with this fascinating excursion. You'll get a unique insight into the real lives of people in the area while sampling some of the freshest fruit you could ever eat straight from the farm!
Book a food tour. The food in this city is unbelievably delicious, but finding the best restaurants as a visitor is almost impossible! So find a reputable tour company to flit around the city on the back of a bike and eat mind-blowingly delicious dishes at every stop.
Marvel at Lake Danao. Tucked away in the mountains encircled by lush forest, this stunning lake is the perfect place to spend a sunny day. Spend the morning hiking one of the many trails surrounding it and return to the lake's edge for a lunchtime picnic before cooling off with a relaxing swim. You can also rent boats to row across the lake and find a quiet spot to sunbathe on the water.
Watch the sunset at Ormoc Bay. There is no better location in the city to watch the sunset at the end of a busy day of sightseeing. Enjoy some people-watching as locals and tourists fish, swim, and chat as another day comes to an end.
Take a beach day. With a few beaches to choose from, you'll fall in love with the beach culture around Ormoc. Pick between Ormoc "Sunset" Bay or Naungan Beach, a smaller stretch of sand in the town center that is often more peaceful.
The only way to travel between Cebu and Ormoc City is to take a ferry.
The journey takes between three and seven hours. The slow ferry makes more stops, which extends the journey significantly. Most ferries will only take three hours to complete the trip, though.
Boats depart from Cebu Pier and arrive at the Ormoc Ferry Terminal.
Various operators mean there are over 40 departures per day, so you shouldn't have problems finding a boat that works for your travel schedule.
Pass the journey in an inside cabin or go outside to watch the world go by in open-air seating. Tickets start at $12.
All ferries have:
Air conditioning
W/C
Reclining seats
Some have TVs
When you book a ferry with a deck to sit on, you'll be able to enjoy spectacular views from start to finish.
As you leave Cebu, you'll spot the oldest fort in the Philippines right next door to the port, as well as beautiful 16th-century churches.
You'll pass the lush green Bay of Magellan on your way out of the port, so keep your phone ready to take some snaps.
Sit and relax with the breeze whipping through your hair as the ferry winds between islands, offering glorious views of the Camotes Sea and passing the Camotes Islands, rimmed with white-sand beaches.
Finally, Leyte Island will edge into view as the ferry pulls into the terminal in the heart of the city, so you can jump off and explore within minutes of arrival.
Ormoc has a tropical rainforest climate, meaning there is a dry and a wet season.
The wet season extends from June to November, and the dry season arrives in December and ends in April or May, depending on the year's weather.
It's best to visit Ormoc at the beginning or end of the dry season because there will be fewer tourists. The weather will still be pleasantly hot without the intense humidity that the summer months of June, July, and August bring.
To explore the city of Ormoc, you only need a maximum of two days. There isn't a lot to do here, so you should move on to something more exciting fairly quickly!
However, as accommodation is accessible and affordable in the city, you might choose to stay for four to five days and travel from the city to the surrounding attractions.
When you can tear yourself away from the magic of Ormoc City and its surrounding treasures, check out Canigao Island, which feels like an island paradise pulled out of a storybook.
Alternatively, hop next door over to Samar Island to explore another Philippine island gem.
Based on 938 reviews from Bookaway users who traveled from Cebu to Ormoc
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