Surigao to Cabalian Ferry

This northbound sailing runs from the Lipata Ferry Terminal in Surigao City, Mindanao, across the Surigao Strait to the Port of Cabalian in San Juan, Southern Leyte. It is operated by Lite Ferries (Lite Shipping Corporation) as a roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) service, meaning the same vessel carries foot passengers together with private cars, buses and freight trucks on its vehicle deck.

Lite Ferries opened this link under a MARINA missionary-route grant, beginning in 2022 and expanding to twice-daily operations in 2023 with ships including MV Lite Ferry 11 and MV Lite Ferry 30. Departures from Lipata are usually set for 6:00 AM and 6:00 PM each day, mirroring the return leg, and the crossing takes roughly four hours. Lipata is Surigao City's principal ferry terminal and the gateway hub of the Eastern Nautical Highway, so travellers here often connect from Siargao, Dinagat or the Mindanao mainland before boarding for Southern Leyte.

Arriving at Cabalian puts you on the southern coast of Leyte island, within reach of Maasin City and the wider Southern Leyte province by road, and it is a practical way to move vehicles between Mindanao and the Visayas without the longer Liloan or Maasin routings. Passenger fares are inexpensive, generally in the ₱430–₱570 band for standard accommodation, with a slightly dearer air-conditioned tourist class; vehicles are priced by size at the terminal. Because these are open-sea RoRo sailings, the coastguard can hold departures during rough weather, so it is wise to reconfirm the schedule, book ahead during peak periods, and be at the terminal about an hour before your listed departure with a valid ID.