Our Loboc River Cruise Floating Restaurant Experience in Bohol & Travel Tips for You

Whenever I look back on our time in Bohol, it isn’t the Chocolate Hills or the tarsiers that come to mind first. It’s our lunch at the floating restaurant in Loboc.

I REALLY enjoyed it! And it was not only because of the food. I loved the river scenery and the surprises that came along during the trip.

For context, our Loboc River Cruise experience was part of a Bohol day tour. This tour? It was the first thing we did during our 5-day Central Visayas trip.

Today, whenever a friend asks me what not to miss in Central Visayas, I point them straight to the Loboc River Cruise. I tell them it’s 100% worth it. It is pretty much like the experiences in Cebu that turned out so memorable. For example, canyoneering at Kawasan Falls. Snorkeling to see the sardine run in Moalboal is another.

I wrote this article so I can simply share it with my friends when they ask about my experience on the river cruise.

Let me share our experience on the Loboc River Cruise so you can see if it’s worth adding to your itinerary. I’ll share a few simple travel tips along the way so if you head over there, you’ll know how to enjoy every minute of your visit.

What to Expect in Loboc River Cruise Floating Restaurant?

Here is a funny confession: Did you know that I was unaware of our itinerary for our Bohol tour that day? For most of the tour, I had no clue where we were going. Even after our last stop, XZOOTIC Animal Park, around noon, I still had no idea.

In fact, I was hoping we were going to eat after the animal park. I was so hungry my stomach was doing all the talking.

Before long, I joked with our guide, “Are we eating anytime soon? I’m starving” He chuckled and said, “Don’t worry, we’ll be there in a bit, and trust me, you’re going to love it.”

Indeed, he was not wrong. I loved it.

Our arrival at the Loboc River Cruise

I got my first glimpse of the Loboc River Cruise when we drove past the town’s charming church, the Diocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe de Extremadura.

From that side of the river, I saw the massive boats drifting under the bridge and docked at the riverside. I started getting an idea of what we were up to next. I felt excited.

I could already tell that we were going on a river cruise. But I still couldn’t figure out one thing: where were we going to eat lunch?

A few moments later, after crossing the bridge, our driver dropped us off. And the first thing we saw was a group of nice looking buildings. They had a contemporary build, but looked charming because of the Filipino-style ornaments.

I did not know what these buildings were exactly back at that very moment. But, I got a feeling that it was where we would start our cruise.

When we arrived at the entrance, I saw the tarp saying “Loboc River Cruise.” And that proved my hunch right. Our guide also said that we had arrived at the Loboc Tourist Complex, which made everything clear.

He left us for a bit after that to fetch our tickets from the counter nearby. But yeah, when he returned he handed us the tickets right away. And it was the time I realized that it was there we would have our lunch.

The photo on our ticket pretty much suggested it. I mean, there were people in the photos sitting at a round table. It was obvious.

Boarding the Floating Restaurant

Before we got to our boat, we had to walk on a long covered pathway from the ticketing office.

We were “fortunate” to have the Village Floating Resto and Cruises assigned to us. Which, I assume, is the farthest one out of all the floating restaurants around there.

The scenery along the path was really nice. With views of the church and that clear turquoise river, nobody minded the walk. Still, one of us had to ask the guide why we couldn’t just hop on one of the boats we walked past.

I did not catch every word he replied, but it was something about the ticketing desk personnel. They were the ones who assign passengers to the boat that docks next to avoid long wait times for visitors.

Although, you can request a specific one if you call your floating restaurant of choice in advance. If you’re curious, there were three floating restaurants. They are “Loboc Riverwatch,” “Rio Verde,” and “Village.”

When we reached the dock, I felt a little relief because there was no long queue. We boarded the boat and headed straight to our table.

I suppose the ticketing personnel were real pros at their job. Or, it could only be Tuesday and there are not many tourists during weekdays. Anyway, I was thankful we didn’t have to wait because my stomach was growling like a lion already.

We could have picked the table near the front of the boat once we got on board. That way, we would have had a better view of the river. Also, I thought I could film a time lapse there. The shot would have looked mesmerizing once rendered.

However, tickets had assigned tables. So we had no choice but to sit at the table on the side, which wasn’t bad at all. The view was still nice, and besides, I could still take photos and videos the way I wanted anyway. You know, take shots while standing.

Lunch in the Floating Restaurant

The crew started serving the food as we left the dock. And it also surprised me. They brought in all kinds of food.

First, there was chicken and pork. Then, they brought in seafood, desserts, salad and beverages.

It clicked to me: it was a buffet! (I did not see the table set-up like a buffet right away)

My favorite fried chicken was there, as well as chicken adobo. I saw pork barbecue skewers, sweet and sour pork. All the typical Filipino dishes.

My friends were total seafood fiends, so their eyes lit up when they saw their favorite crispy fried shrimp.

As the crew prepared food, the band also started singing and playing music in the background. The singer was a professional one. She sang well, although I am not a fan of her thick accent. But yeah, the band pretty much made the atmosphere a bit lovely.

All in all, there are 50 to 60 visitors in the floating restaurant. Most tables have 8 seats, like the one assigned to us. But there are longer ones that can accommodate more. I assume they are for bigger groups.

After the crew completed the table preparation, they started calling each table one by one to get food. Thankfully, we were assigned to table number four. We were not the last to hit the buffet. Thanks to this numbering system, everything went smoothly for grabbing our food.

I am not sure if you are allowed to return to the buffet table for a second round, but I went back anyway and ate like I had been stranded on a deserted island for a week. LOL.

Food Quality in the Floating Restaurant

When it comes to the food, nothing really stood out to me. But it wasn’t bad either. I guess that’s because I’m already used to Filipino food.

For first-time foreigner travelers trying the cuisine, the buffet might still leave a good impression.

But honestly, I couldn’t care less how it tasted at that moment. I was just relieved we were finally eating lunch.

Scenery During the River Cruise

While the food tasted ordinary, the scenery was unbelievable, at least for me.

I have been to many rivers in our country before. BUT Loboc was the first place where I saw a river with a deep emerald and turquoise color. I was eating while my eyes went back and forth: food, river, food, river.

Take note, the color of the water depends on the weather. We were lucky that it was sunny and we got to see it bright and beautiful. But yeah, it was the river and trees all around us that satisfied me more during that lunch.

Told myself, perhaps, Loboc River Cruise is really not about the food, but the actual experience of having lunch in a lovely place.

For a moment, I had a point. Then I realized I was only half right.

Loboc River Cruise isn’t only about having lunch on a floating restaurant.

Cultural Performances in Loboc River

Moments later as we approached Busai Dream Falls, our boat stopped beside a hut along the banks of the river.

And then, we started hearing rondalla (pretty much like a guitar or ukulele) music playing.

Then, there were ladies singing.

Together with other tourists on the boat, we immediately stood up from our table to see what was happening.

At that point, Loboc River Cruise surprised me once again. I did not know that there would be a cultural performance along the cruise!

The best part is that, the ladies did not only play local stringed instruments. They also danced! I think they first performed Kuratsa. The second dance was Tinikling, which pretty much amazed the foreigners in our boat.

I observed a white couple away from us, and they clapped harder than anyone else after the presentation.

Tinikling, by the way, is a dance where dancers step in and out of rapidly clapping bamboo poles held by pairs on the ground.

After the performance, our boat pulled up close to Busai Dream Falls so we could check out the view for a minute.

That was pretty much the end of the cruise because we headed back to the Loboc Tourism Complex right after.

Should You Try Loboc River Cruise?

From our experience, I cannot emphasize enough how unmissable the Loboc River Cruise is. Don’t miss it when you visit Bohol.

I believe it is one of the best package deals in Bohol to make the most of your trip. Not only do you have a unique experience having lunch while drifting along the turquoise river in the middle of the jungle. But also, you get to taste Filipino cuisine, discover Filipino culture, and immerse yourself in nature all at the same time!

And this explains why I recommend it to my friends all the time. You should try it too!

Practical Tips for Your Loboc River Cruise

If you decide to go, here are the essential tips to keep in mind for your visit.

Best time to go

Try to go at the same time and on the same day we did. Tuesday or anytime midweek, about an hour before noon.

There’s a big chance you’ll get the same seamless boarding experience, without waiting in line or waiting for your turn. For sure, there are more tourists on weekends, so if your trip falls between Friday and Sunday, come earlier than 11:00 AM.

Join a tour

If you’re traveling in Bohol for just one day and going with a group, I recommend joining a tour similar to the one we took. Within 6 hours, we visited more than 5 attractions together without the hassle of commuting or asking for directions.

The best part is that the Loboc River Cruise fits in perfectly with visiting other attractions on the island, including the Tarsiers and the Chocolate Hills. We totally made the most of our quick visit during our time in Bohol.

Where to Stay

For a longer stay in Bohol where inland attractions are your priority, like the Loboc River Cruise, it’s a good idea to make Loboc your home base.

Not only can you surely get to the floating restaurants early and avoid long wait times, but you’re also already close to the Tarsier Sanctuary (25 minutes away) and the Chocolate Hills (45 minutes away). Compared to staying in Tagbilaran or Panglao, your travel time is cut in half if you stay in Loboc. You get to spend more time enjoying experiences, not on the road.

Getting there

If you prefer to stay elsewhere, getting to Loboc is pretty straightforward if you start from Tagbilaran City. Just head to Dao Integrated Bus Terminal, where you can find public transportation bound for Loboc.

Travel time, according to Google Maps, takes around 1 hour. It’s only 40 minutes if you travel using your private car, which I recommend if you’re traveling with a group like we did. Loved how we bonded together while on the road between attractions.

Planning a Trip to Bohol?

Bohol is one of the highlights of the Philippines. Don’t miss out on what makes this island so special. Here’s our itinerary to spark some inspiration.

If it’s your first time visiting Bohol, you’ll definitely find everything we discovered and learned on our trip helpful. Learn what to avoid, what not to miss, when to visit, how long to stay, and so much more. Read all my tips so you can have a truly wonderful time in Bohol. Hit the button below.

View my maps for a visual guide to discovering attractions.

Important: Organizing your trip, like booking tours, ferry tickets, places to stay, or vehicle rentals, shouldn’t feel overwhelming. That’s why I created my Bohol Travel Planning Page to help you prepare for your upcoming adventure. It serves as your complete guide to remove the stress so you can focus on getting excited.

Hit the button below to start planning.

Explore Central Visayas

There’s more to see in Central Visayas.

Give Cebu a closer look. There’s so much to discover! Check out my maps.