While some islands are now reachable by plane or are connected to the mainland with a bridge, ferries remain the only way to reach some of the most beautiful and amazing islands, hidden beaches, or other seaside destinations. Larger and slower car ferries carry vehicles and passengers around the world, but in certain cases, you will need to opt for a smaller yet faster express high speedboat or catamaran to reach your destination. While the latter does save you time, caution should be taken if you are prone to seasickness. When the sea is, rough high-speed boats which actually cut the waves are a better option than catamarans that ride the waves instead hence turning your journey into a rock-and-roll trip. To prevent or beat motion sickness, we recommend taking a special medication – consult your doctor prior to the journey. While on board, grab a seat on an open-air deck wherever possible.
Ferry trips offered by Atienza InterIsland Ferries can be booked online – in an easy and hassle-free manner, without wasting your time visiting the booking office.
Atienza InterIsland Ferries Main Piers
Here is a list of some of the main piers you can reach with Atienza InterIsland Ferries ferries. Check the complete station guide before you go:
Coron Port
Baseco Port
El Nido Ferry Terminal
Batangas Port
Balatero Port
Atienza InterIsland Ferries Popular Destinations
The most popular shipping routes covered by Atienza InterIsland Ferries include but are not limited to:
High-speed fast ferries always hit the hardest on your pocket. If you need to save money, check whether some slower options are available on your route – usually the rates are much more affordable. It is a rule of thumb to check the length of the trip before booking. On longer routes, the difference in travel time can be huge. Note that not all ticket fares or classes are always available on any route. During peak seasons it is a good idea to make your booking in advance as the availability of more expensive private cabins is often limited. Opting for walk-in tickets on the most popular routes during these periods can result in long waiting queues. Some destinations have more than one pier or different piers for different ferry companies hence goes the recommendation to check the pier you leave from/dock at before your trip. Leave enough time before the departure to find your boat and check in. These procedures may take up to a couple of hours on international routes. Last but not least, some piers impose their own ‘pier fee’ on all arriving passengers. This fee is normally not included in your ticket price – keep this in mind.
Travel by Ferry: Pros & Cons
Pros of Ferry Travel
Taking a ship allows you to get to some of the islands, beaches, or seaside destinations which otherwise cannot be reached. While ferry travels can be time-consuming and sometimes make you suffer from sea sickness, the possibility of visiting the most paradise, secret, off-the-beaten-track destinations they bring you to usually compensates.
Ferry tickets can be booked online. It saves you time and secures your travel itinerary goes as planned. The advanced booking option is especially convenient when travelling during peak season periods, national holidays, or long weekends when there is high demand for tickets and on routes served by a limited number of vessels.
On some routes, you are able to choose the class of the ticket or cabin. There are private compartments or standard cabins with a number of extras included or not. Always check the conditions of your fare to take most of your trip.
Ferry travel is always fun. It allows you to see the places you visit or just pass by from a different angle. The majority of places look terrific – and totally different! – when viewed from the water. Sailing provides a great opportunity to shoot nice and unique pics and videos – do jump at it!
Cons of Ferry Travel
The major concern while travelling by water is motion sickness, which is a very annoying and unpleasant thing. Even if you have never experienced it before, there is no guarantee that the next ferry trip will run smoothly as well. Rough seas and speedboat journeys can make even the strongest stomachs beg for mercy. Follow our recommendations above and take your medicine half an hour prior to your trip. Taking a light meal before travel also helps – more chances to get seasick with an empty stomach.
Delays and cancellations are common for ferry trips as they highly depend on weather and sea conditions. It especially concerns travel during shoulder months or off-season. Rains, mossy seas, and stormy weather may interfere with your travel itinerary – try to keep it flexible and do not plan tight flight connections even during the ‘usually-good-weather’ season.
Batangas PortCoron PortBaseco PortEl Nido Ferry TerminalBalatero Port
Atienza InterIsland Ferries Company Reviews
C O
Ciara O
When booking our ticket, 12goasia said the ferry trip is 18 hours (leaving Manilla 7am and arriving into Coron the following morning at 1am). However, at 7pm that night the ferry docked and the captain told us that there would be a 3 HOUR BREAK!! AND that we wouldn’t be arriving until 14:30 THE NEXT DAY!
This meant our journey went from 18 HOURS TO 32 HOURS!!!
The crew were all very professional and kind and said that the trip is never 18 hours (so it’s not like the weather or anything can be blamed).
This was extremely stressful and we lost out on a nights accommodation as a result.
Again the crew cannot be faulted as they were all very kind and helpful but the website is lying!!
Terminal is hot and overcrowded. Ferry itself left almost an hour after scheduled time. Seat assignment was completely ignored with staff telling people to sit anywhere. Wifi didn't work. No onboard entertainment or help from staff just 5+ hours of rough waves. We got there way after the scheduled time. Save yourself the stress and take a flight instead.
Our original ferry cancelled at short notice due to weather, but Atienza's ferry was big enough to ride it out. It's an ex Japanese ferry with aircraft style seats (but much better leg room). It rolled around of course, but felt robust and safe. Was late departing and took 5 hours, but it got us there. We had seasick tablets and they are probably a good idea if the weather isn't smooth.
Poor facility; many seats are not properly bolted to the vessel; seat covers are broken; no decent restaurant for an 3-4 hour trip; the passengers are kept in line under the sun; what if it rains?
Friendly staff, easy journey. Note thet the Aircon is very cold so bring extra layers. Seats are comfy. Also, you have to go to the office just outside of the harbour to get your paper ticket, Coron port doesn't have the facilities to accept E-tickets.
We left 40 minutes later, and were told the ride would take 5 hours instead of 3-3.5 since we’re against the current. Something that could’ve been told ahead.
The trip took almost 5 hours. There was no airconditioning, only vans that people put out because of the wind in the faces. But there is a deck where we stood more than 3 hours, that was nice
The ferry departure was on time from Coron to El Nido. It was fully booked for a few days, so I was glad to have booked in advance. I needed to stop at the ticket office a few blocks from the ferry terminal to have the ticket printed. The ferry was completely full, so suggest getting there early to get a seat. The wifi was decent. It was hot and at one point the fans power went out for a few minutes. The stated time on the ticket was 3.5hr but the journey was 5hr.
Standard Filipino disorganisation.
The ferry was an hour late getting to the port. The passengers had been lining up for an hour and the crowd was packed into the small waiting area. It was very hot this particular day and there was no room to move.
The staff checking people in were very friendly and proficient.
The ferry left the port 50 minutes after the expected time.
There was a safety demonstration similar to a plane with how to put on life vests and showing the exits.
There was plenty of leg room when sitting.
It was extremely hot and muggy inside the cabin. The air conditioning was very weak and made almost no difference.
Fortunately there is an outside area up the top which saved multiple passengers from the heat and getting sea sick. It would be very hot up there if the sun were out.
The kiosk is located at the top of the stairs so the line to the kiosk regularly went down the stairs, which is a safety hazard.
The toilets were blocked, which is awful for all concerned, but especially for those suffering sea sickness.
There were no cold drinks to help alleviate the heat from the cabin.
The ferry should have been disembarked in the same way as a plane, in sections, rather than the crowd en masse.
The ramp off the ferry was very steep and the cross sections of timber that would stop people from slipping had broken off.
There should have been a long section fenced off where the luggage went because it came out of the same door as passengers and was placed right next to where passengers got off. This caused passengers trying to get off the ferry to get stopped by the passengers trying to get their luggage.
It would be so easy to make this more organised and efficient.
The journey was advertised as taking 3 hours and 30 minutes. It took us almost 5 hours. Regarding luggage, upon disembarking the ferry, passengers stand in front of the boat waiting for their bags. A designated luggage area should be set up to prevent everyone from crowding in front.
Ticket collection had queues out onto the road than after being told to be at loading area 2 hours before sat in a wire enclosed, hot shed for over 2 1/2 hours. Then my area of the ferry the air conditioning was not working fans had been ut in but did not suffice. Add the port tax 200pcs then arrival tax in Coron 200 paesos then tuk tuk having set price of 300 paesos was not a good welcome
Departure: 07.02.26 was postponed to 08.02.2026 due to bad weather. Ok happens.
On the new ticket Departure 08.02.2026 - 2pm and arrival 09.02.2026 - 8am.
We arrived at 11 pm - 15 hours later than on the ticket, eventhough we made no stop. How can an time estimation be so bad? The tour needed 2 days instead of one. Following flight was missed. big financial damage. Why not give a correct timing of 33 hours regular. It is not 18 hours lie on the ticket. It is impossible with this boat.
Bring your own food. Take headphones and earplugs with you. You will have no phone connection 2/3 of the time and no wifi at all.
Everything was good except for an american that kept talking loud at his phone and the staff didn't ask him to be quiet. There were passengers that were pretty close to get mad
Getting the printed tickets was a nightmare. It was a messy with no line and a lot of people. Take more than an hour to get the tickets. The boat leave one hour later, said it will take 4 hours but take 4h45. No air circulation in the boat. The toilet didn't flush and was horrible. The only good thing is the staff was nice.
My ferry was cancelled and I have not received any information regarding the refund of my ticket. At the ticket counter on site, I was told that the refund should be processed through 12Go, but I haven’t heard anything since. I would like to receive the refund for my tickets and at least be contacted by 12Go to know the current status.
Ferry later 1 hour for starting, then we went 5 hours, but all was calm, way is comfortable, seats are old, upstairs and forward is cold by air condition, centre and back is noise and had a hot floor by the engine. I set up in the back and right
Ferry departure dayed 30 min and overall travel time was 4h, good weather conditions.
Innside the ferry was very cold. We asked to turn a conditioner a bit warmer, but employee said “it’s ok”. 4h in cold as a result I got sick. When outside is 28-29 degrees, temperature inside should be around 24, not 18!
You sell me tickets for full boat the operator didn’t let me in, telling that your system didn’t stop selling tickets even though they were full. I had to stay one day longer, lost my booking in the destination I suppose to be, had to pay for additional night in the place where i stuck. Fortunately for me i did not miss the flight. Congratulations!
Ferry journey takes 5hrs not 3.5hrs. The booking said the ferry includes aircon, however only in a small area of the ferry does the aircon actually work. Incredibly hot 5hrs.
Ferry departed over an hour late. We had been waiting for over 3 hours by this point in the sun as there was not enough cover and seats at the port. The embarking was very disorganised and confusing as nobody knew when their ferry was boarding. Also there were hidden fees in the fact that there was a terminal fee of 20 pesos per person. Not a problem if we had known about it but we did not have any small change and struggled to pay it. Once on the ferry, the journey took longer than expected and it was very hot onboard making for a very unpleasant journey.
Believed it to be a 24 hour trip. Boarded at 4pm as directed but the ship didn't leave until 10pm. And tge Air conditioning in the "premium class" didn't start until we shipped out at 10, then it only ran for 8 hours of what turned out to be 37 hours from boarding to disembarking! Very basic dorm bunk beds!
Purchased my ticket through 12GO only to turn up at Coron port at 5.45am to find the office closed (where I have to collect my ticket). Enquiring elsewhere I found out my ferry was cancelled as the ferry itself, ALREADY was off having maintenance done on it. I met another customer there who similarly had bought a ticket from you on a non running ferry. No info given that the ferry wasn’t running.
Luckily, a woman in a neighbouring building called someone on my behalf and someone from the shipping office turned up to reissue me an alternative ferry ticket.
Pretty great and interesting ferry trip if you're on a budget. Unfortunately the meal provided is just chicken with rice and it would have been nice if there was a plant based option
The boat is ok, the AC area is comfy. I got the tourist class, which was better for the convenience of the toilet. But the AC at the tourist class was not as good as the one in the bigger area and it was also smelly. Moreover the flushing was not working properly as well, which I made it using the bucket anyways, but since I was paying more I would expect the facilities to be better. I could still sleep and enjoy the trip overall, but I cannot give a good rate because of that.