Ports & Harbours of the Philippine, Sulu and Celebes Seas
YearMaps maps 61 harbours on the Philippine, Sulu and Celebes Seas, in 3 countries and territories. The largest by the World Port Index's harbour size are Cebu and Cagayan de Oro. 3 are written up in full below, and every harbour is listed with its depths, tidal range and the largest ships it takes.
The Philippine archipelago lies between the deep Philippine Sea to the east and the Sulu and Celebes Seas to the south, which it shares with Malaysian Sabah and Indonesian Sulawesi. Manila was the Asian end of the Spanish galleon trade with Acapulco from 1565 to 1815, exchanging Chinese silk and porcelain for Mexican silver, and its bay remains the country's chief harbour.
- Harbours
- 61
- Countries
- 3
- Large Harbours
- 1
- Written Up
- 3
Map of the Ports of the Philippine, Sulu and Celebes Seas
Blue dots are the harbours of the World Port Index; tap or click one to open its entry. Use the layer panel to add trade routes, rivers and historical borders.
Harbours of the Philippine, Sulu and Celebes Seas in Detail
The 3 harbours of the Philippine, Sulu and Celebes Seas with an encyclopedia article, each with its figures from the World Port Index.
Calapan
Very Small harbour · Philippines
The Port of Calapan (Filipino: Pantalan ng Calapan) or the Calapan Baseport, and locally known as Calapan Pier and San Antonio Pier, is a seaport located in Barangay San Antonio, Calapan, Oriental Mindoro, Philippines. The Port of Calapan is the largest and busiest seaport on Mindoro Island. The port has at least seven berths which can accommodate fastcraft, conventional and RoRo vessels.
Primary items handled at the port are agricultural products such as copra, rice, and bananas for outgoing cargo and cement, fertilizer and general commodities for incoming cargo.
Adapted from Wikipedia: Port of Calapan (CC BY-SA 4.0).
- Harbour size
- Very Small
- Channel depth
- 31.1 m
- Anchorage depth
- 20.1 m
- Cargo pier depth
- 49.4 m
- Tidal range
- 5 m
- Country
- Philippines
- Coordinates
- 13.4200°, 121.1800°
More about Calapan
History
During most of the Spanish colonial period, Calapan was primarily served by informal bangka (outrigger boat) services that landed along its shoreline, as no formal port infrastructure existed at the time. By the late 19th century, a small wooden pier with a roof was constructed to accommodate larger vessels arriving from Manila and Batangas. Smaller boats continued to unload cargo directly along the town center via the San Vicente River, which served as a key transport route into the settlement.
During the American colonial period, the port was formally opened and integrated into inter-island maritime trade networks. From this period onward, the Port of Calapan underwent gradual expansion and modernization, eventually becoming the principal gateway of Mindoro.
Facilities and Services
The Port of Calapan is an approximately 75,000-square-meter complex comprising key facilities such as a Law Enforcement Building (LEB), Port Operations Building (POB), at least 7 berths, a land transportation terminal serving various towns on the island and destinations within the city, and four access gates.
The Passenger Terminal Building (PTB), inaugurated in March 2023, is currently the largest seaport passenger terminal in the Philippines in terms of capacity, with a floor area of 8,124-square meters. It has a stated capacity of 3,500 passengers but can accommodate up to approximately 4,000 passengers when necessary.
At present, the Port of Calapan primarily serves routes connecting Oriental Mindoro with Batangas in mainland Luzon.
Location
The Port of Calapan is located along Calapan Bay in Barangay San Antonio, Calapan, Oriental Mindoro, Philippines. It is situated on a slightly elevated coastal peninsula extending into the bay. The port lies within the Verde Island Passage, a key maritime corridor between Luzon and Mindoro that is widely recognized for its high marine biodiversity.
It is approximately 28 nautical miles (52 km; 32 mi) from the nearest point of Batangas, around 45 km (28 mi) south of Batangas City, and about 130 km (81 mi) south of Manila across the Verde Island Passage.
The port is directly connected to Calapan city proper via Quezon Drive and National Route 455 (N455), with a dedicated one-way port access road of approximately 500 meters linking the terminal to the main highway network.
Sections adapted from Wikipedia: Port of Calapan (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Dumaguete
Very Small harbour · Philippines
The Port of Dumaguete (Filipino: Daungan ng Dumaguete, Cebuano: Pantalan sa Dumaguete) is a seaport in Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, Philippines. It is owned and managed by the Philippine Ports Authority and is the base port of the Port Management Office of Negros Oriental/Siquijor.
After upgrade works were made in the port, the port was inaugurated on March 11, 2021 by President Rodrigo Duterte and Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade.
Adapted from Wikipedia: Port of Dumaguete (CC BY-SA 4.0).
- Harbour size
- Very Small
- Channel depth
- 5.5 m
- Anchorage depth
- 5.5 m
- Cargo pier depth
- 53 m
- Tidal range
- 1 m
- Largest vessel
- medium vessels
- Country
- Philippines
- Province
- Negros Oriental
- Coordinates
- 9.3200°, 123.3000°
Jimenez
Very Small harbour · Philippines
The Port of Jimenez or Jimenez Port (Filipino: Daungan ng Jimenez, Cebuano: Pantalan sa Jimenez), is a seaport in Jimenez, Misamis Occidental, Philippines. It is managed by Philippine Ports Authority - Port Management Office Misamis Occidental/Ozamiz.
Adapted from Wikipedia: Port of Jimenez (CC BY-SA 4.0).
- Harbour size
- Very Small
- Channel depth
- 5.5 m
- Anchorage depth
- 9.1 m
- Cargo pier depth
- 34.7 m
- Tidal range
- 3 m
- Largest vessel
- large vessels
- Country
- Philippines
- Coordinates
- 8.3300°, 123.8700°
All Harbours of the Philippine, Sulu and Celebes Seas
61 harbours, the largest first by the index's harbour size. Channel depth and tidal range set the physical limit on which ships can call. 14 of them are recorded in the source with the city they serve.
| Harbour | Country | Size | Channel | Anchorage | Tide | Largest vessel | Map |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cebu | Philippines | Major | 38.4 m | — | 2 m | medium vessels | |
| Cagayan de Oro | Philippines | Medium | 5.5 m | — | 2 m | medium vessels | |
| Tanjungredeb | Indonesia | Small | 49.4 m | 45.7 m | — | — | |
| Tagbilaran | Philippines | Small | 45.7 m | 5.5 m | 1 m | — | |
| Mangagoy | Philippines | Small | 42.1 m | 31.1 m | 3 m | medium vessels | |
| Pelabuhan Sandakanserves Sandakan | Malaysia | Small | 38.4 m | — | 2 m | medium vessels | |
| Toledo | Philippines | Small | 23.8 m | 5.5 m | 2 m | large vessels | |
| Masbate | Philippines | Small | 5.5 m | 5.5 m | — | medium vessels | |
| Puerto Princesa | Philippines | Small | 5.5 m | — | 1 m | medium vessels | |
| Zamboanga | Philippines | Small | 5.5 m | — | 1 m | medium vessels | |
| Hinatuan | Philippines | Very Small | 56.7 m | 45.7 m | 4 m | — | |
| Masao | Philippines | Very Small | 56.7 m | 5.5 m | 2 m | medium vessels | |
| Sorsogon | Philippines | Very Small | 56.7 m | 49.4 m | 3 m | — | |
| Laoang | Philippines | Very Small | 53 m | 31.1 m | 4 m | — | |
| Pulupandan | Philippines | Very Small | 53 m | 38.4 m | 2 m | medium vessels | |
| Tahuna | Indonesia | Very Small | 53 m | 5.5 m | 3 m | medium vessels | |
| Bakapit | Malaysia | Very Small | 49.4 m | 53 m | — | medium vessels | |
| General Santos | Philippines | Very Small | 49.4 m | — | 2 m | medium vessels | |
| Port Capizserves Roxas | Philippines | Very Small | 49.4 m | — | 4 m | medium vessels | |
| Nasipit Port | Philippines | Very Small | 45.7 m | 5.5 m | 2 m | medium vessels | |
| Tabaco | Philippines | Very Small | 45.7 m | 5.5 m | 2 m | large vessels | |
| Tanjung Arang (Bunyu) | Indonesia | Very Small | 45.7 m | 31.1 m | — | medium vessels | |
| Tubigan | Philippines | Very Small | 45.7 m | 49.4 m | 3 m | — | |
| Port Holland | Philippines | Very Small | 42.1 m | 34.7 m | 3 m | — | |
| Virac | Philippines | Very Small | 42.1 m | 23.8 m | 4 m | medium vessels | |
| Basilian City (Isabela) | Philippines | Very Small | 38.4 m | 27.4 m | 1 m | medium vessels | |
| Lahad Datu | Malaysia | Very Small | 38.4 m | — | 2 m | medium vessels | |
| Port Ozamisserves Ozamis | Philippines | Very Small | 38.4 m | — | 1 m | medium vessels | |
| Santa Clara | Philippines | Very Small | 38.4 m | 31.1 m | — | — | |
| Siasi | Philippines | Very Small | 38.4 m | 27.4 m | 4 m | — | |
| Kudat | Malaysia | Very Small | 34.7 m | 34.7 m | 2 m | large vessels | |
| Tanauan | Philippines | Very Small | 34.7 m | — | — | medium vessels | |
| Bais | Philippines | Very Small | 31.1 m | 5.5 m | 2 m | — | |
| Calapan | Philippines | Very Small | 31.1 m | 20.1 m | 5 m | — | |
| Catbalogan | Philippines | Very Small | 31.1 m | 42.1 m | 4 m | — | |
| Jose Panganiban | Philippines | Very Small | 31.1 m | 42.1 m | 2 m | medium vessels | |
| Legazpi Portserves Legazpi | Philippines | Very Small | 31.1 m | — | 1 m | medium vessels | |
| Maasin | Philippines | Very Small | 31.1 m | 38.4 m | 3 m | — | |
| Hondagua | Philippines | Very Small | 20.1 m | 20.1 m | 5 m | large vessels | |
| Margosatubig | Philippines | Very Small | 20.1 m | 5.5 m | 5 m | — | |
| Tawaserves Tawau | Malaysia | Very Small | 20.1 m | — | 3 m | medium vessels | |
| Baybay | Philippines | Very Small | 5.5 m | 5.5 m | 4 m | — | |
| Bugo | Philippines | Very Small | 5.5 m | 5.5 m | 3 m | medium vessels | |
| Dumaguete | Philippines | Very Small | 5.5 m | 5.5 m | 1 m | medium vessels | |
| Guiuan | Philippines | Very Small | 5.5 m | 16.5 m | 2 m | — | |
| Iligan | Philippines | Very Small | 5.5 m | — | 2 m | medium vessels | |
| Isabel | Philippines | Very Small | 5.5 m | 5.5 m | — | medium vessels | |
| Jimenez | Philippines | Very Small | 5.5 m | 9.1 m | 3 m | large vessels | |
| Jolo | Philippines | Very Small | 5.5 m | 9.1 m | 1 m | medium vessels | |
| Lazi | Philippines | Very Small | 5.5 m | 5.5 m | 3 m | medium vessels | |
| Mati | Philippines | Very Small | 5.5 m | 5.5 m | 4 m | large vessels | |
| Mostyn | Malaysia | Very Small | 5.5 m | — | 1 m | — | |
| Pagadian | Philippines | Very Small | 5.5 m | — | 5 m | large vessels | |
| Palompon | Philippines | Very Small | 5.5 m | 23.8 m | 4 m | — | |
| Port Borongan | Philippines | Very Small | 5.5 m | 23.8 m | 4 m | — | |
| Port Romblon | Philippines | Very Small | 5.5 m | 5.5 m | 4 m | — | |
| Santa Cruz (Marinduque Isl) | Philippines | Very Small | 5.5 m | 23.8 m | 5 m | — | |
| Gingoog | Philippines | Very Small | — | — | — | medium vessels | |
| Nasugbu | Philippines | Very Small | — | 42.1 m | 3 m | medium vessels | |
| Teluk Beo | Indonesia | Very Small | — | 5.5 m | 3 m | medium vessels | |
| Villanueva | Philippines | Very Small | — | 5.5 m | — | medium vessels |
Port Cities of the Philippine, Sulu and Celebes Seas
The most populous cities with a harbour of the Philippine, Sulu and Celebes Seas within 25 km. Each city is listed with its country's other cities on the country page.
- Cagayan de Oro1.12 million
Philippines · Cagayan de Oro, Bugo (10 km), Villanueva (17 km)
- General Santos950,530
Philippines · General Santos
- Bacolod949,354
Philippines · Pulupandan (23 km)
- Cebu815,000
Philippines · Cebu
- Zamboanga773,000
Philippines · Zamboanga, Basilian City (Isabela) (25 km)
- Iligan464,599
Philippines · Iligan
- Sandakan392,288
Malaysia · Pelabuhan Sandakan
- Legazpi320,081
Philippines · Tabaco (22 km), Legazpi Port
- Tawau306,462
Malaysia · Tawa
- Tacloban280,006
Philippines · Tanauan (17 km)
- Butuan190,557
Philippines · Masao (15 km), Nasipit Port (24 km)
- Ormac167,584
- Pagadian159,590
Philippines · Pagadian
- Puerto Princesa157,144
Philippines · Puerto Princesa
- Lahad Datu105,622
Malaysia · Lahad Datu
- Roxas102,688
Philippines · Port Capiz
- Ozamis97,806
Philippines · Port Ozamis, Jimenez (21 km)
Countries with Harbours on the Philippine, Sulu and Celebes Seas
More Seas and Coasts
- Ports of Arabian Sea & Bay of Bengal
- Ports of Strait of Malacca & Singapore
- Ports of South China Sea & Gulf of Thailand
- Ports of Java Sea & Indonesian Archipelago
- Ports of Yellow Sea & East China Sea
- Ports of Sea of Japan & Sea of Okhotsk
- Ports of Seto Inland Sea
- Ports of Pacific Coast of Japan
See every sea, grouped from North America to Oceania & Antarctica, on the world ports index, or the voyages that crossed these waters on the famous sea voyages map.
Philippine, Sulu & Celebes Seas: Quick Answers
- How many ports are there on the Philippine, Sulu and Celebes Seas?
- YearMaps lists 61 ports and harbours on the Philippine, Sulu and Celebes Seas, from the World Port Index of the US National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. Small fishing harbours and private terminals outside the index are not counted.
- Which countries have ports on the Philippine, Sulu and Celebes Seas?
- Philippines (51), Malaysia (6) and Indonesia (4).
- What are the largest ports on the Philippine, Sulu and Celebes Seas?
- By the World Port Index's harbour size, the largest are Cebu and Cagayan de Oro.
- What are the main port cities on the Philippine, Sulu and Celebes Seas?
- The most populous cities with a harbour here are Cagayan de Oro (1.12 million), General Santos (950,530), Bacolod (949,354), Cebu (815,000) and Zamboanga (773,000).