One of the main attractions of Bohol in the Philippines is the Loboc River and its Floating Restaurants. Loboc River is also known as Loay River, situated in Poblacion Ondol, Loboc, Bohol and is 15-20 minutes away from the Blood Compact Site. The long Loboc River is a host to many small bancas and floating restaurants. Visitors, both locals and foreigners are treated with utmost care and foods being served are mainly Filipino cuisine and local delicacies.
A cruise along the river starts either from the Loay Bridge or at the Poblacion of Loboc. The Loay Bridge is 20 kilometers from Tagbilaran City, the main city of Bohol while the Poblacion is 25 kilometers away. In Loay, the floating restaurant travels upstream from the starting point and at Poblacion the resto travels downstream. The Loay starting point is preferable as the stretch is longer.
There are several Souvenir Shops and Restaurants in the area of Loboc River. Shirts, bracelets, delicacies, bags and many others are sold at a very affordable price. The development is gradual and there will be several other amenities and stores later this year.
Floating Restaurant at Loboc River
Souvenir Shop
For those who want to cruise while eating, the floating restaurants are available at P280 per person. A P100 fee is also collected by the City Government which serves as maintenance, safety and security charges. The floating restaurant can accommodate 40-50 person but if you want to go alone or with your loved ones, you can do so but the price will be according to negotiations.
Loboc Ambassador Rondalla
Before reaching the stairs going to the Floating Restaurant, a group of locals with the name of Loboc Ambassador Rondalla is performing Bohalano and other local songs. Donations are very much welcome as they needed it to help raise their foundation and music ministry. The waiting lounge has a free Wi-Fi or Wireless Internet Access which makes it cool if you have your own gadget with Wi-Fi while waiting before boarding. Once on board, the crew starts to prepare the tropical drinks and fruits for desert. This includes coconuts, bananas, watermelons and pineapples depending on the season. Foods being served are already prepared early in the morning but continue to be warm as they store it using food warmers and it is being served in a buffet style.
Going Aboard
Preparing the coconuts
Local Kids Swimming at Loboc
Entertaining the crowd
While in Loboc River’s Floating Restaurant, we enjoyed hearing some unwinding country music played solo by a local guitar man while other floating restaurants have an acoustic band with 2-4 members. Some Visayan and Tagalog Music were presented as well. We saw some local kids who enjoyed dipping into the clean, unpolluted waters of Loboc River. The trip ends in Busay Falls which is about 1 meter in height. In the area near Busay Falls, visitors were being entertained by some local kids who jumped off the coconut trees leaning towards the Loboc River.
Busay Falls Landscape
Busay Falls Zoom
Rondalla House and Leaning Trees from afar
The oldies entertaining the tourists
Rondalla and Dance Group
Before going back to the starting point, the crew took us to a Rondalla and Dance Group housed in a Nipa Hut along the river. They played a couple of popular local songs and dances such as the Kuradang and Tinikling. Everyone enjoyed the 10 minute show and happily showed their support by giving donations to this group. The group also sells small souvenir guitars and honeys.
Loboc River is a major tourist destination and is continually developed by the City Government. Cruising at night is more spectacular than cruising at day. Lights are installed on the riverside and peace is really experienced during night time. When you’re in Bohol, never forget to visit Loboc River and its Floating Restaurants. The price you’re going to pay is less than what you’re going to eat and experience in a world-class, fine-dining, floating restaurant and with awesome surroundings.
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- Loay Bridge
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- In front of the docking area
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- Loboc River Downstream
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- The Docking Area
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- Loboc River Landscape
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- Back of a Floating Restaurant
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- Buffet
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- Outrigger Boat used for Floating Resto
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- Another Landscape View
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- The Captain
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- The Long Loboc River
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- Bamboo Fences and Locals
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- Coconut Trees
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- Small banca with foreigners
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- Mark and Lisa enjoying the cruise
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- Some colorful flowers
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- Small banca along the river
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- The beautiful Loboc River
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- Viewing and relaxing area
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- Moving Upstream
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- At the waiting area
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About the author
Mark Anthony Maranga is an Educator-Parent to his 3 Homeschooling Kids. He sells Ice Cream and Balloons in Mandaue City, Cebu. Exploring the Philippines tourist attractions together with his family is his passion; they are learning without borders.
hi were planning to go to Bohol on April 4-7 how much po ang loboc river cruise and how much ang fare manggagaling ksi kmi sa Bellevue hotel tnx
Is meal served the whole day during the cruise? With our group are 2 kids ages 2 and 4 how much will they be charged for the river cruise and maintenance fee? is there a discount for a group of 7 adults? How many minutes is the cruise ? How many minutes from Tagbilaran port to the Loboc river cruise , starting point?
There is no ride-only option, at least as of Sept 2012. You either pay for the entire lunch and ride or nothing at all. The food, typical Filipino fare, was thoroughly below standard. All of the 12 members in my party were much less than happy with the food. I would suggest you either bring your own, as many of the tourists did, or expect to pay for TWO lunches, one on the boat you will not eat, the other to satisfy your hunger.
Hi! just want to ask if iyong 350 fix price naba iyon? Wla nabang additional charges?
Hi Meldy,
I think it’s already a fixed price.
it’s 350 pesos now
Hi Susan,
Thanks for the updated price.
sir, im a engineering student, i want to ask questions about the floating restaurant. how much the price of a complete floating restaurant and the capacity of person to ride in every floating restaurant. for thesis only sir. im from ilocos sur. TY
Hi J,
Yan din plano namin ng hubby ko river cruise lang…gano katagal ang cruise? Tnx
My gf and I went there last Friday, our hotel (Nuts Huts, a very nice back-to-basics resort) arranged for the river-cruise (W/O lunch buffet) with a local boatman. It was a small decent boat that could sit 10 people. We paid 300 each. A bit pricey but very worth it and romantic kc solo namin ung boat. 🙂
Hi Mark. I stumble upon your site when I was checking the schedules for Loboc Cruise. Do you know their schedules? We will arrive at Tagbilaran around 1:30pm and I want to go straight there immediately. Thanks and will surely appreciate your reply.
Sorry, I don’t know their schedules; I don’t think the have any. I think the first trip is early in the morning and the last trip is late in the evening. Boats sail once they reach the minimum number of passengers.
Magkano po kung ride lang?wihout luch buffet.
Mercy,
I don’t know if they allow a “ride only”. And if they do, I don’t know the price.
magkano po kung ride lang?without the lunch buffet?
I think there’s no ‘ride only’ option in Loboc River Cruise. If there is, kindly inform me and it’s price if you get the information from someone else and I’ll update my blog.
Mark, kasama na sa binayaran mong package kay Kuya Dodong yang lunch buffet? Thanks
Rio,
Yes, the lunch buffet at Loboc River is included in the package.
Do you need waterproof cam or casing going to Loboc river?
Chiqui,
If you want to jump out of the floating restaurant and have a swim at Loboc River, then I think a waterproof cam would come in handy. But if you choose to stay inside the floating restaurant and dine, then there’s no need for you to bring a waterproof cam or casing because the waves and splashes in the river are very minimal.
how much is the luboc river ride
P280 per person including the buffet. There is an additional P100 for maintenance fee. So you’re going to pay a total of P380.