Ferry to Panglao — Attraction in Oslob

Horrible company, horrible customer service! Avoid it if possible!!!!!!

This was for us by far the most unpleasant experience with the ferries!!! Firstly, they have rescheduled the trip one day prior to departure at 9pm, but they only emailed the people who booked online (that was us, lucky). Originally the ferry leaves from Oslob to Panglao once a day at 11:30am, but due to high demand they suddenly decided to make two trips that day (first at 9:30am, second at 2pm). Majority of people who didn’t booked through their website didn’t get informed about the change of schedule. They suggest passengers to arrive 1h prior to departure, so we were there at around 8am. There is no port or any kind of officice, but at least the spot it’s marked on the google maps. Soon after the first ferry from Bohol arrived to Oslob, they started loading our luggage first on a smaller boat (because there is no pier and the ferry is parked in the middle of the sea and passengers are getting transported there by a smaller boat). The small boat then left and came back 3 times, no luggage was dropped to the ferry. Everyone wondered what they are doing, it looked very silly. Of course no one informed us what’s going on (because they don’t care about customers) and it was now already past 9:30am. After some time one of the guys started refunding people their money (only to those who pais cash on arrival), without giving any clear explanation. Instead of telling everyone what is going on, they just told the people who asked, but nothing specific. We then found out that this ferry broke down and their expedition was “it has a small hole in the engine and it’s not safe for transportation of passengers”. Long story short, later in the afternoon they sent the ferry from Siquijor (which was already full of people) to pick us up and surely there was over 170 (max load) passengers on board. Looked very much like Titanic scenario. People were sitting on top of each other, everywhere, in the middle/emergency isle and what was also not communicated we arrived at the different port in Bohol. No one offerd anything, we were all day without food and drinks. Really bad customer service, and what’s worse no one seemed to care and they didn’t even apologize. In fact they were very rude, almost screaming at customers. They promote themselves as fastest transport from Oslob-Panglao, whit only 90 minutes ride, but at the end it took us over 12 hours....

A good alternative way going to Panglao Bohol from Oslob, but first check the sea while you are in the shore for big waves and persistent white horses, if you can spot some of these indicators it means that the sea is not calm and it is dangerous to travel.

You may download an app called WINDY, it will give you the current wind speed. If the wind speed is 8 knots, dont travel with a bangka it is really dangerous.

I am a boat captain of a bangka ( big bangka with capacity of 20 pax and 11 gross tonage ) and we travel Oslob - Panglao vice versa if we have bookings. We experienced traveling with wind speed of 8 knots, and I regret doing it. It was our first time doing it and we will never do it again. Safety first.

You dont expect a smooth sailing even though the weather is good, the sea is unpredictable, there is a different current underground when you are halfway sailing from Oslob to Panglao. But dont worry about the current it is safe to cross as long as there is no typhoon signal and the wind is not above 8 knots.

DONT SAIL with a small bangka, they are not designed for that kind of sea conditions. Ask or look for markings of the bangka where the capacity of the bangka is stated. If the capacity is 20 pax and carrying 30 pax, it is not safe anymore. Always wear lifejacket the wholetime you are sailing, no lifejacket means that bangka is not safe.

Boarding and getting off the bangka is a little bit tricky. You need to be carefull and listen to the people assisting you.

This trip is for the adventurous, not good for children and the aged.

Travel time: almost 3 hours depends on...

The ferry to Panglao runs once a day at 11:30 AM and costs 1,000 PHP per person, plus 100 PHP for extra luggage (excluding backpacks). I booked in advance on 12go.asia for 60 PHP more. To board, you take a small boat to the ferry—there were four trips total, we were on the first boat and we got on the ferry at around 10:30 AM. Being on the first boat helps since you can pick a better forward-facing seat, but you wait there for others for an hour.

The ride takes 2.5 hours The seats are hard, so bringing a jacket or cushion helps. It gets hot inside since the windows stay closed, so dress lightly. Boarding and unboarding will get your feet wet, so avoid closed shoes. If you get seasick, don’t eat much before and ask for a plastic bag if needed. The ferry is slow, so if the weather is okay, it' not too bumpy. It’s noisy, so headphones and downloaded music are a good idea. Water is sold for 50 PHP, and bananas are available too. Large luggage is kept outside and can get wet, so take it inside if it’s not waterproof. The ride is decent but not very comfortable—prepare...