How to get to Dinagat Islands

⚠️ This route is currently suspended ⚠️ 

The fastest option used to be a direct flight from Manila to Surigao City.  It took about two hours. Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific both operated it in the past. 

With no direct flights between Manila and Surigao, the alternatives include:

1. fly from Manila to Surigao via Cebu; or 
2. fly from Manila to Butuan City and get a taxi to Surigao

Booking a flight from Manila to Surigao is only possible with a stopover in Cebu. 

These stopover flights are operated by Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines (PAL). 

• Flight time from Manila to Cebu is about an hour.
• Flight time from Cebu to Surigao is under an hour. 

The layover in Cebu varies from one hour to over seven hours. This is because flights can be delayed and disrupted especially between Cebu and Surigao.  

The cost of a flight from Manila to Surigao via Cebu is approximately ₱9,000 for a round-trip.

The uncertainty and cost is one reason why some visitors fly via Butuan.

Manila has good connecting flights to Butuan. 

The flight from Manila to Butuan is operated by both Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines. Expect to pay around ₱3,900 for a round trip. 

From Butuan, it’s a three-hour drive by van or bus to reach Surigao City. The transfer costs as little as ₱400-₱500 per person if you share the ride. You can also book a separate private van transfer for ₱6,000.

Cebgo, Cebu Pacific, and PAL Express operate flights from Cebu to Surigao. The journey takes under an hour, and from the Surigao airport it’s only a short transfer to the port. Boats from Surigao to San Jose leave several times a day, with the crossing lasting about an hour and fares between ₱200 and ₱300.

If flights to Surigao are limited, another option is to fly Cebu–Butuan. This flight also takes about an hour. From Butuan, vans and buses run regularly to Surigao City, usually taking three to four hours. Once in Surigao, you can continue by boat to San Jose.

Travelers combining Siargao and Dinagat can also fly Cebu–Siargao. From Siargao, ferries connect to Surigao City, where you can catch another ferry across to Dinagat. This route involves extra steps but appeals to those who want to see both destinations in a single trip.

Boats from Surigao to San Jose (the capital of Dinagat Islands) leave several times a day, with the crossing lasting about an hour and fares between ₱200 and ₱300.

For a list of schedules and ferry departure times between Surigao City and San Jose Dinagat Islands, you can check websites like 12Go, bustickets.ph and other booking sites.

A new ferry route opened in August 2025 that offers the option to travel to a more northern destination on the Dinagat Islands - Libjo. The route is operated by Ryexanne SEA Express and regular rates are ₱300 one way.

1. From Surigao City towards Libjo, Dinagat Islands - Daily 5:30 am (First Trip). 
2. From Libjo, Dinagat Islands towards Surigao City - Daily 12:00 pm (Last Trip).

For the latest information please consult the Ryexanne SEA Express facebook page.

Tip: tickets can be bought there and then both before or after boarding the ferry.

A new trip schedule from Tubajon, Dinagat Islands to Surigao City (and vice versa) started on 14 October 2025.

1. Tubajon to Surigao City

• 5:15 AM – 6:15 AM from Municipal Port, Brgy. San Vicente, Tubajon to San Roque, Brgy. Puerto Princesa, Basilisa
• 6:00 AM – 8:00 AM from San Roque, Brgy. Puerto Princesa, Basilisa to Surigao City

2. Surigao City to Tubajon

• 11:00 AM – 12:00 NN from Surigao City to San Roque, Brgy. Puerto Princesa, Basilisa
• 12:15 PM – 2:00 PM from San Roque, Brgy. Puerto Princesa, Basilisa to Municipal Port, Brgy. San Vicente, Tubajon

To get to Dinagat Islands from Siargao, you will need to 

1) Get a ferry from Siargao to Surigao City (costing between ₱500 - ₱700) which takes 2 hours, and

2) Get a ferry from Surigao City to San Jose (Dinagat Islands), costing between ₱200 and ₱300  which takes around an hour.

Exploring Dinagat Islands by boat is the best way to access most of the natural wonders in the province. 

To do this, you will need to schedule an Island Hopping tour with one of the accredited operators.  See our section on Island Hopping Tour Operators for more information.

Taxi

There is no taxi service within the main islands of Dinagat; instead, the main transportation in Dinagat is a bao-bao tricycle. Fares start at Php10.00 p/p for short trips around San Jose. 

Please be aware of opportunistic overpricing by a small minority of locals. It is advisable to arrange your travel before you arrive. A list of reputable service providers can be downloaded in the FREE Guide. 

Port Transfers by car

Some accommodation rentals provide a transfer service, but these need to be arranged separately with the accommodation providers.

Car Rental

There is no car rental service in Dinagat Islands.

Bike Rental

You can rent a motorbike from several providers. A list of Motorbike Rental providers can be downloaded in the FREE Guide.

Exploring Dinagat on foot is a great experience in the towns. 

Hikig and Running

Dinagat has several hiking options.  For a list of Hiking Routes, please download the FREE Guide.

Dinagat Islands also has a Marathon which takes place in the Autumn. There are 42km, 21km, 10km and 6km routes.

For more information, check our blog where we publish information about upcoming and past events as well as the running routes.