Transfer from Oslob to Bohol
In addition to my other post, I've been looking at options to transfer from Oslob to Bohol after doing the whaleshark experience.
I've read that Apekop ferry leaves Oslob at 11.30am, but I get the impression that they are not a highly recommended operator?
The other options seem to be a long trip back to Cebu City, ferry to Bohol Is, and another long drive to Panglao, as the recommended place to say to explore Bohol. Alternatively, Oslob/Liloan/Sibulan/Pangalo, which also seems like a lot of faffing around.
What would be your recommendation, and is it even possible to do the whaleshark experience and still make the 11.30am Ferry?
>>> I've read that Apekop ferry leaves Oslob at 11.30am, but I get the impression that they are not a highly recommended operator? <<<
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Yes it has an indifferent reputation. But, you should have time after the the whale sharks if you decided to dip for that route, its better when you are not tied to a deadline. Read the reviews and make your own mind up.
Travel in general in the Phils can incur a lot of faffing around, that is often the way it is I'm afraid.
Edited: 2:41 am, August 08, 2025Well, it's not a long drive from Tagbilaran to Panglao, it's only about 20-30 minutes. It would be a long drive from Tubigon to Panglao but whatever time you saved on the ferry crossing you'd lose on the road so there's no real point in taking up that option.
It makes little sense to me to go via Negros. That leaves Apekop direct or heading back to Cebu City as your best options.
I don't know what I'd do. It may depend on how I was feeling on the day. I am under the impression that it would be possible to make the 11.30am crossing as the Oslob whale shark interactions begin very early in the morning.
Plan A. Get the apekoptravel.com ferry
Plan B. In the unlikely event of it being cancelled walk to the main road and wait for the next Cebu City bound bus then stick your hand out, put bags underneath, get on then off at the bus terminal and taxi to the pier and buy a ticket for the next ferry., the last one is 17.40 so you should make it then trike or whatever from Tagbilaran pier.
PS do a review of the apekoptravel.com ferry as usually people don't post reviews if everything goes to plan
Edited: 3:51 am, August 08, 2025You will make it with plenty of time for the 11.30 ferry, staying in Oslob at Down South resort they had us in for our swim and back at the hotel for breakfast by 7.30am.
That ferry has very mixed reviews though, not as robust as the one from Cebu City. Personally I prefer to take the Ocean Jet from Cebu to Tagbillaran, but you could go for the Oslob ferry and if it cancelled, you would still have time to get back to the city to make an afternoon/ evening crossing there.
Thanks for the replies. I'm slowly googling my way through all these locations to familiarise myself with your recommendations.
I would probably go with Alexis' advice, keep and eye on the weather and keep your options open and make a late a decision as possible.
Its not just about the Apeko ferry being cancelled, its a relatively small boat, effectively a large banka and is far more likely to end in a rough crossing. So, perhaps it will come down to your propensity to being sea sick as well - probably, best not to have a full English for breakfast :-)
Down South Resort is a great option as they will drop you off, line up for you and bring towells to dry off after the whaleshark experience then bring you back to the hotel for a light plated breakfast.
If you wanted a private transfer to Cebu you could prearrange Danny Noy to collect you after breakfast.
apekop's boat is a glorified outrigger boats. these cant handle choppy seas. so when the waters are not calm. they slow down significantly.
Oceanjets are fast crafts that are either monohull, or twin hull/catamarans. catamarans can handle choppy waters better and are designed for fast speeds.
* Down South Resort is a great option as they will drop you off, line up for you and bring towells to dry off after the whaleshark experience then bring you back to the hotel for a light plated breakfast.*
I hope this doesn't sound too diva-esque, but what do you do while the staff are lining up for you? I'd much rather someone lined up for us and called us from the hotel when it was close to our turn. :D
I guess I'll have to keep an eye on the weather forecast leading up to the day when we want to transfer to Bohol.
Thanks, I'll keep Danny in mind for the transfer.
Could someone please spoonfeed me the information - if I get a private taxi from Oslob to Cebu, and then ferry to Mobol (where?) how long would it take to get to Panglao area.
