CALAPAN MINDORO FERRY GUIDE (2019 Update)

Entrance Gate to the Port of Calapan. Copyright: mcgutib

The Port of Calapan is the main gateway to the Province of Oriental Mindoro. Located at Brgy. San Antonio, this port is developed and maintained by the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA). The Port of Calapan is best known as part of the Strong Republic Nautical Highway, as it is the Port linking the Visayas islands to the mainland of Luzon. The Port is actually 104.3 nautical miles from Manila, and about 22 nautical miles southward from the Batangas sea.[1]

Although the port is located far away from the southern towns of Oriental Mindoro, the port itself is indeed accessible. Public Utility Vehicles are available for passengers whose destination are outside the town of Calapan…(no taxis available though)

Calapan Port Terminal Building. Copyright: mcgutib

As of the moment, the Port of Calapan is only serving routes in and out of the Port of Batangas (which is the main hub of shipping lines).

The port has just nearly completed its expansion process, bringing its total area to some 30,932.00 sq.m. [2] The newly built two-story passenger terminal has just been opened early this year. And a terminal fee of P20.00 is now being required upon entrance.

Calapan Port Terminal Information Desk. Copyright: mcgutib

The newly constructed terminal is equipped with several LCD TVs in order to keep the passengers entertained. Wi-fi internet access is also available. The use of an electronic billboard is being utilized in order to show the boarding status, and some other few announcements. Four boarding gates are being used in this terminal. Two gates are dedicated for fastcraft passengers while the other two are for RORO passengers. The said terminal has also a dedicated VIP lounge for VIP personalities (i.e. politicians).

Additional Ramps has been constructed in order to accommodate more Roll-on Roll-off (RORO) vessels. Officially, there are 7 ramps being utilized in the Port. They are numbered accordingly (ramp 1, ramp 2…etc.). Aside from this, additional 4 ramps are used alternatively, in order to continuously accommodate ships whether the tides are low or high. These alternative ramps are labeled as 4a, 5a, 6a and 7a, and are located just beside their corresponding ramps.

Calapan Port Ro-Ro berthing/docking area. Copyright: mcgutib

These ramps are really capable of handling huge RORO vessels up-to-date. Here are its specs:

1. RoRo ramp nos. 1, 2 and 3 – 9.0m x 9.0m fixed ramp and constructed flush with the wharf’s faceline. Berthing depth is -5.0m from MLLW.

2. RoRo ramp No. 4 – 9.0m x 11.0m fixed ramp but independent of the wharf’s faceline (protruding). Berthing dept is -5.0m from MLLW.

3. RoRo ramp Nos. 5, 6 and 7 – 11.0m x 9.0m fixed ramp and constructed flush with wharf’s faceline. Berthing depth is -4.5m from MLLW.

1. RoRo ramp nos. 1, 2 and 3 – 9.0m x 9.0m fixed ramp and constructed flush with the wharf’s faceline. Berthing depth is -5.0m from MLLW.

2. RoRo ramp No. 4 – 9.0m x 11.0m fixed ramp but independent of the wharf’s faceline (protruding). Berthing dept is -5.0m from MLLW.

3. RoRo ramp Nos. 5, 6 and 7 – 11.0m x 9.0m fixed ramp and constructed flush with wharf’s faceline. Berthing depth is -4.5m from MLLW.   [3]

A 75 meter finger port has also been constructed perpendicular to the passenger terminal, in order to accommodate fastcraft vessels. Now, not only passengers of Supercat will have an air-con terminal!

There are many notable changes in the Port this year. One of this is of course the newly constructed terminal. The old exclusive terminal of Supercat has already been demolished. Ticketing booths are now more presentable. And parking spaces has already been relocated.

Ticketing Booth. Copyright: mcgutib

Rumors are expecting for a future plan of making the seaport more accessible though a construction of dedicated coastal road….

Here is the typical path you’ll take if you plan to depart from the Port of Calapan:

First, choose your preferred shipping company…

Here are the shipping companies serving the Port of Calapan:

Copyright: mcgutib

SUPER SHUTTLE FERRY

Daily Trip  starts at 5:15 AM and 5:15 PM

You may contact them thru this numbers:#0915 746 6857; #0942 445 3708

Copyright: mcgutib

BESTA SHIPPING LINES INC.

Daily Departures: Starts at 1:30 AM next is 3:30 AM, 6:30 AM, 9:30 AM, 11:30 & 12:30 PM, 3:30 & 6:30PM, 9:30 & 11:30 PM.

Fare: 192 Pesos-Regular + terminal fee

SUV Fare: Php 1,500 plus Wharfage fee.

Copyright: mcgutib  

MONTENEGRO SHIPPING/MARINA FERRIES

Daily departure schedules: Every hour starting 12 AM until 12 MN.

Fare is at 240 Pesos- Economy + Terminal fee.

SUV Fare: Php 1, 536 plus Wharfage fee.

Copyright: mcgutib

STARLITE FERRIES INC.

  

 Private vehicle fees (SUV) /rates at   Php 1,500- 1,700  (Driver included) plus wharfage fees.                            

Copyright: mcgutib

2GO TRAVEL’s  SUPERCAT

Daily departures starts at 4:45 AM, then 6:00 AM, 7:30 AM, 9 AM, 10:30 AM, 12:30 PM, 2 PM, 3:30 PM, 5 PM & 56:30 PM.

Fare per pax is at 192 Pesos (economy) +Terminal fee.

OceanJet

OCEAN FERRIES INC.

Daily Schedule of Departure: Starts at 4:50 AM until 7:50 PM with 10 round trips to and from Calapan.

Fare is at 290 Pesos (Economy) plus Terminal fee.

Copyright: mcgutib

ARCHIPELAGO PHILIPPINE FERRIES CORP.

Daily schedules: 2:30 AM, 6:30 AM, 8:30 AM, 12 PM, 2 PM, 5 PM, 9 PM & 11 PM.

Fare rates per pax is at 240 Pesos + terminal fee

If you’re in a hurry, then choose one of the three fast crafts available. I suggest Supercat as their safety has been tested through the years.

All you need to do is to buy your tickets from their ticketing outlet, pass through secruity check, pay the terminal fee, wait for your boarding call and off you go. You’ll arrive at the Port of Batangas in approximately 1 hour.

On the other hand, opting to ride a RORO is a wise option…(more affordable and more time to admire the beautiful islands of Mindoro and Batangas).

Walk in passengers will have the path as riding a fastcraft (except for your boarding gates…lol).

If you wish to bring your cars, then you’ll have to secure a booking slip before hand. RORO trips are available every hour. “Odd-numbered-hours” (1am, 2am…) are served by a Starlite vessel, while the “even-numbered-hours” (12am, 2am…) are served by a Montenegro Lines vessel. On the other hand, Besta ships serves “30-min-slots” in between some of the hours (ie 12:30pm, 3:30pm).

Upon entering the port, you will still be required to pay the P20.00 terminal fee (Even though you’re not entering the passenger terminal!). Present your booking slip, then they’ll let you proceed to the queue of vehicles. While waiting for your boarding call, pay for the PPA fee (amount depends on your vehicle type).

Upon the boarding call, the shipping crew will now collect your total fare and give you your tickets. They’ll assist you upon entering the ship, then off you go. Travel time is about 2 hours. By the way, I recommend Montenegro Shipping Lines. They have the best ships and accommodations on board.

Here’s what you’ll see on your trip:

Copyright: mcgutib

The beautiful coastline of Mindoro

Copyright: mcgutib

Approaching Mag-asawang Pulo

Copyright: mcgutib

Ship racing one after another as it passes near the coastline of Verde Island

Copyright: mcgutib

 Verde Island

Batangas VTMS Radar Station 2. Copyright: mcgutib

Glimpse of Batangas 

Familiar sight when approaching Batangas Port. Copyright: mcgutib

Copyright: mcgutib

Reference:

[1],[2],[3] http://www.ppa.com.ph/Calapan/cal_about.htm

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Ferry schedules and fares posted above are sourced from the ticketing booth found in Port of Batangas and/or Port of Calapan. The information provided herein is accurate for the time being but subject to change as per shipping operator’s policy. Other pertinent information regarding shipping operator and port terminal policies can be found at their own respective websites/or Facebook pages, and at their designated ticketing offices found in the port of destination stated above.

The aforementioned shipping information  are painstakingly gathered from different sources and updated every now and then- without being paid in return or getting any monetary commission from any of the shipping companies mentioned. Your continued patronage (please share it to your Facebook account) and generous contribution -any kind- will be highly appreciated.

Disclaimer: The author, in any way, shall not be held liable for any damages -personal and/or business related losses- caused by factual errors, omission and/or any unforeseen mistakes (I strive to make it accurate as much as possible, but being human it does happen), nor it expresses any warranties for the information it provided here. ANY USE OF INFORMATION  ON THIS SITE IS  AT YOUR SOLE RISK. Furthermore, any comments/or statements raised by yours truly are of personal opinion only and does not in anyway reflects the opinion of any authoritative bodies unless stated.