Cebu to Dipolog City — Tickets & Schedules (12Go)
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Getting from Cebu to Dipolog by ferry takes about 12h0m / 9h0m, run by Medallion Transport. If you’re based in Cebu, this is the most direct way south to Zamboanga del Norte without flying — an overnight sailing that clears customs of the road trip around the Zamboanga Peninsula entirely. Here is the schedule, the ports involved, and how to book.
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At a glance
| Operator | Departures | Crossing |
|---|---|---|
| Medallion Transport | 20:30 | 12h0m, 9h0m |
Schedule valid as of 2026-06-23 — check 12Go for current times.
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Ports and location
- Departs: Cebu Pier — Cebu, Central Visayas
- Arrives: Dipolog — Dipolog, Zamboanga del Norte
Confirm the exact terminal on your ticket; in larger ports (Cebu, Tagbilaran) more than one pier operates. On the Cebu side, Medallion Transport loads at the city’s main pier area alongside the province’s other Mindanao-bound lines, so double-check your gate number against the ticket rather than following the crowd toward the Bohol or Negros counters. Dipolog itself sits on the northern coast of Zamboanga del Norte, where the peninsula narrows toward the Mindanao Sea; it’s sometimes called the Orchid City for the flowering boulevard along its waterfront, and it’s the closer pier to Rizal’s exile city of Dapitan, about 20 minutes further by road.
What to expect
Medallion Transport is the main operator on this route, departing from Cebu Pier in Cebu, Central Visayas and arriving at Dipolog in Dipolog, Zamboanga del Norte. Fares are not published online for this route; book ahead on weekends and holidays when the popular departures fill, and confirm the exact terminal and time on the day — schedules shift in low season and during weather advisories.
Cebu has functioned as the transshipment hub for the Zamboanga Peninsula since the inter-island steamer era of the American colonial period, when trade in coconut, corn, and abaca first ran through the city’s port on its way to and from Manila and abroad. That gateway role hasn’t disappeared; it’s just changed cargo. What leaves Cebu today is more likely to be hardware, packaged goods, and produce grown closer to the city, while what comes back up from Dipolog is dried fish, seaweed, and copra bound for Cebu’s markets and processors. If you’re traveling as a passenger, expect the vessel’s pace and comfort level to reflect that working cargo role rather than a tourist-focused catamaran — this is a long-haul overnight lane, not a Cebu–Bohol day hop.
Cebu’s own pier-side stalls are worth a stop before boarding: expect grilled seafood, dried danggit, and rice meals at prices well below what you’d pay in the city center, a reasonable preview of the seafood-forward cooking you’ll find waiting on the Zamboanga side too. On the safety front, Philippine inter-island shipping has operated under considerably tighter oversight since the maritime disasters of the late 20th century forced MARINA (the Maritime Industry Authority) to formalize passenger manifests, life-vest briefings, and weather-hold rules; a crew delaying departure for rough seas on a route like this is a sign the system is working, not a sign something’s wrong.
How to book
- Open 12Go and search Cebu to Dipolog.
- Pick your date and a departure that fits your plan.
- Choose your class and pay for instant confirmation.
- Save or print your ticket — smaller operators do not always accept phone screens.
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Tips
One honest caveat — weather: the June–November monsoon window brings delays and the occasional cancellation; most operators reschedule free, but keep onward plans flexible. Arrive 60–90 minutes ahead and carry small bills for the terminal fee. Pack for a genuine overnight — a light jacket for the air-conditioned cabin, earplugs if you’re a light sleeper near the engine room, and your valuables in a bag you keep with you rather than in checked cargo, since smaller operators on routes this far south don’t run the baggage-tracking systems the big Manila lines use.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the Cebu to Dipolog ferry take?
About 12h0m / 9h0m, depending on operator and conditions. Check the live timetable on 12Go for your date.
Where does the Cebu to Dipolog ferry depart from?
From Cebu Pier in Cebu, Central Visayas, arriving at Dipolog in Dipolog, Zamboanga del Norte. Confirm the pier or terminal on your ticket.
Who runs the Cebu to Dipolog route?
Medallion Transport. Medallion Transport carries the most departures on this corridor; because it’s a long-haul route rather than one of Cebu’s high-frequency lanes, confirm on 12Go that the sailing you want is still running before you lock in other plans.
How much is the Cebu to Dipolog ferry?
Fares are not published online for this route; book for the live price on 12Go. Long inter-island crossings like this one typically price by class — economy bench seating, an air-conditioned cabin, or a private berth — so expect a range rather than a single number until you check.
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Cebu’s city piers and terminal fees are administered by the Cebu Port Authority; confirm your pier and current port charges there.
Schedules, ports and fares reflect operator-published information via 12Go as of 2026-06-23. cebu.tips earns a commission on bookings made through 12Go partner links at no cost to you.