Dipolog to Manila Ferry

The Dipolog to Manila crossing is one of the longest passenger sea journeys in the Philippines, linking the Zamboanga Peninsula in western Mindanao with the national capital across the Sulu and open seas. It is operated exclusively by 2GO Travel, the country's largest inter-island shipping line, on a single weekly sailing rather than a daily service.

How the service runs

2GO deploys the RoRo (roll-on/roll-off) vessel St. Michael the Archangel on this route as part of its Manila–Dumaguete–Dipolog rotation. Northbound departures leave Dipolog Port on Tuesdays at around 11:00 AM and arrive at Manila's North Harbour (Pier 2, Tondo) roughly two days later, typically on Thursday. Scheduled sailing time is in the region of 48–50 hours, meaning two nights aboard, so this is very much an overnight-plus voyage rather than a quick hop.

Accommodation and fares

As a full-service overnight ship, the vessel carries several cabin grades. Fares generally span from around ₱3,800 in Mega Value class up to roughly ₱11,000 for a private stateroom, with Tourist class and 4-berth cabins in between. Because it is a RoRo, the ship also loads private cars, motorcycles and rolling cargo at separate vehicle rates.

Practical notes

• Only one weekly departure operates, so tickets should be booked well ahead, especially around fiestas and holidays.
• The vessel does not normally call at intermediate ports unless the operator announces a stop.
• Departure days, times and fares are adjusted seasonally and can shift with weather; always reconfirm directly with 2GO before travelling.

For travellers who want to save time, flying Dipolog–Manila takes under two hours, but the ferry remains popular with vehicle owners, cargo shippers and those preferring an unhurried sea passage.