Worries about ferry from Cebu to Southern Leyte in January

[prairiedog]

I'm going to Southern Leyte in just a few days. I booked a flight from Manila to Cebu on Jan 3, staying overnight, and then was planning to take the ferry to Hilongos in the afternoon Jan 4. It's a fast ferry. But I'm hearing all this stuff about the ferries being unsafe and delayed because of weather...I can buy another ticket to Tacloban and go that way, would have to take the bus to the dive resort (Peter's) because I can't afford the pick up if I buy a new ticket.

What are the chances that I'll get stranded in Cebu City for a day or more? What are the chances that the ferry will sink, ack! I've heard the fast ferries are much safer. Is it worth it to change and go through Tacloban? (would be about US$100 when all is said and done--I have to abandon a hotel in Cebu, also) Thanks for any help.

 

[kdl]

I will be there just a few days after you. if you have internet, please post if you have any issues. Have a great trip and good luck.

 

[prairiedog]

Ok will do! I'm leaning toward just going to Cebu and taking my chances for a number of reasons. Maybe I'll see you there!

 

[Caimito]

Hi Prairiedog. I live and work in Maasin, Southern Leyte and travel over and back to Cebu regularly.

My first choice is Cokaliong direct to Maasin, but that boat is often booked out and only goes 5 times a week, so I go SuperCat (2go) to Ormoc. Ormoc is less than two hours from Maasin The Supercat takes between 2:15 and 3:00 hours depending on the weather. It is a catamaran and very modern. There is also a Weesam fast ferry to Ormoc.

There is no real fast ferry to Hilongos (pronounced 'ilong-us). There is a semifast Gabisan boat. I had no choice last week only to get this boat. It is a very old boat. I also do not like Roble to Hilongos as the boats are not great. Cokaliong shipping on the other hand Are big and very well maintained boats. More expensive than the others at about 700 pesos for tourist class 2g is abot P700 also.

You can book Coacaliong in their main headquarters on the main road about 1km from SM Mall. You can book Supercat (2go) in SM mall itself.

There has just been a storm and some of the roads around Tacloban are blocked today. Tacloban to Babay is blocked. In any case it takes up to 4 hours to go from Tacloban to Maasin

 

[rob1967]

Hi Prairiedog,

I went to Southern Leyte last year just 2 weeks after the big typhoon. Our original plan was to fly into Tacloban and get a private van down to Southern Leyte, but we had to change our plans because of all the damage in Tacloban. So we flew into Cebu instead and took the Gabisan boat to Hilongos. We arrived in Cebu in the morning and went over to the pier to buy our tickets for later the same day, it was fairly straightforward. The boat wasn't particularly quick but it got us there and I never felt in danger or anything. I don't know about the Cockaliong boat but that might be a better option for you if it is indeed faster.

Have you asked your resort for advice/help? They will know all the up-to-date ferry information and for a reasonable fee they could maybe even provide you with an escort who can buy your tickets for you and make sure you get to where you are going.

 

[prairiedog]

Thank you both so much, this is exactly what I needed! I can definitely get in touch with the resort, I just wanted to hear the perspectives of people who didn't have an interest in the situation. I'm sure they can give me current information about booking and schedules, but the info about the condition of the boats is extremely helpful, Caimito! I'm guessing the ticket offices are closed in the evenings? I'm getting into Cebu around 5pm the night before I want to take the ferry. Also have to pick up a cell though so I have to go to the mall anyway.

 

[Caimito]

Rob, Cokaliong is not fast boat.

---------- Post added December 30th, 2014 at 03:47 PM ----------

Wife says 2go office in SM Mall shuts at 7pm. 2Go have 3 sailing per day in each direction as do Weesam. You can book a ticket for 2go on their website. Search 'Supercat'
What is the name of the resort you are going to? I know the owners of most of them in the Macrohon/Padre Burgos area.

 

[prairiedog]

Thanks! I'm staying at Peter's. Can you book that Cokaliong ferry ahead? Going to directly to Maasin would definitely be the best and I'm going on a Sunday when they have a 12 noon boat.

 

[Caimito]

Okay. Peter's is there for many years and well established in Padre Burgos. The Whale Sharks have finally come to Sogod Bay.
You cannot book Cokaliong online. Just ask the taxi driver to bring you to their main building. It is a modern building with touchscreen booking machines etc. Failing that (no seats), I would use 2GO.
Weather should not a problem. There are no systems in The Pacific, and we have blue skies and 30C today.Edit: 33.3C
Have a safe Journey and welcome to Southern Leyte.

 

[prairiedog]

Ok that sounds great, thank you! I'm really excited.