The Best Things to do on Siquijor Island

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Siquijor island is located in the Central Visayas region, just south of Negros island. It is known as the island of healing, witchcraft and everything mystical. With tourism only existing here since 2018, Siquijor has an authentic Filipino feel and is still very untouched.

This island has the kindest hearts, the most incredible adventures and the most beautiful beaches. From enchanting trees to majestic waterfalls, there is an air of mysticism around the island.

I fell in love with Siquijor and I hope you will too!

My experience…

For me what made Siquijor so special were the people. For example, when my friend’s card got stuck in the ATM, all the locals came to try and help. They got various tools from their homes and called people and they helped us to save his card.

Another time, we were driving through the hills and, as we drove past this house, an incredible smell wafted through our noses. We stopped and met this couple who owned a small bakery. They gave us fresh coconut bread they had just made, as well as coconut wine and other delicious treats.

In fact, the most memorable person I met from Siquijor was Mamma Rita. She was the owner of our hostel, the Love Shack, and she made us feel so welcome. We called her Mamma Rita and she would help us with anything we needed. She was the kindest soul and really reflects the attitude of the people of Siquijor.

Cambugahay Waterfalls

These crystal clear falls in Siquijor are very popular as they really are spectacular. Clear blue pools, beautiful waterfalls and very high rope swings for a good adrenaline rush. During our visit, we had a few go’s on the swing which was very fun and explored the different pools of the waterfalls.

To me, the falls felt quite mystical with the beaming blue water and tall, ancient trees hanging overhead. It was certainly a very beautiful location. It was a bit busy when we arrived in the afternoon so it would be good to arrive early to beat the crowds.

Entry price: 20 pesos
Swing price: 50 pesos for unlimited use

Lugnason waterfalls

The Lugnason waterfalls may not have blue waters like others in Siquijor but they are very beautiful and great for adventure-seekers.

We had such a great time at these waterfalls, climbing through the falls until you get to the top. We got very wet as we went up so having a dry bag for our belongings was very useful.

With a mix of plunging in the cool water and rock climbing, this was a great adventure and a bit of a workout. The best thing is these waterfalls were not busy, and free to enter. There is choice to go with a guide if you don’t feel so confident as the climb can be slippery.

Entry price: free

Cantabon caves of Siquijor

Venture underground into these spectacular caves. We had the chance to see incredible rock formations, underground plunge pools as well as waterfalls in the caves. We also saw sleeping bats and many catfish.

The whole experience was adventurous and very unique. We had 2 kind women as our guides, who provided us with helmets and headtorches.

No one else was there when we walked through and there are no built-in lights which made it a bit spooky. The caves are small and narrow in places so they require some level of fitness. Therefore, I’d recommend wearing practical clothing to go in.

Expect to get very wet as you to crawl through the water!

Entry price: 50 pesos each
Guide price (mandatory): 500 pesos that can be split between up to 4 people

Siquijor’s old enchanted balete tree

This enchanted tree boasts some beautifully old vines which hold many years. It was very mystical around this tree which is no surprise considering Siquijor is known for its healing and witchcraft.

Below the tree is a natural spring leading to a man-made pool. Here, we dipped our feet into the waters and allowed the fish to give us a free pedicure.

Entry price: 20 pesos

Snorkel at Tulapos Marine Sanctuary

We had a really unique experience at the Tulapos Marine Sanctuary that felt a bit crazy, but also really fun. In this area, we saw massive shoals of barracuda, sea turtles, jackfish and even black tip sharks. Seeing the barracuda was a beautiful sight in itself as there were so many of them.

We had one guide per 2 people who led us out into the waves and carried buoyancy aids. Also, we rented snorkels from guides. They took us through the rocky terrain and we did get caught in the waves which was not easy work.

I describe this experience as crazy because the sea was very rough when we went. Despite the craziness, I really enjoyed the experience. A few of us did come back with scratches from the rocks so its definitely a more adventurous snorkel experience. Afterwards, we relaxed on the beach and soaked up the sun.

Entry price: 100 pesos
Guide price (mandatory as he finds the barracuda): 250 pesos between 2 people.
Snorkel rental: 50 pesos

Visit Paliton and Tubod beach for sunset

Along the west cost of Siquijor island, we visited some beautiful beaches and saw some amazing sunsets. I can recommend two beaches in particular.

First, we went to Paliton beach which has a chilled out vibe. A place where dogs roamed around freely and you could sit on a handmade swing on the water’s edge while watching the sunset.

On the beach we bought beers and snacks from the kiosk set up by two local women which made for the perfect sunset snack. I would recommend coming to this beach for its relaxed, charming atmosphere.

Another beach we visited was Tubod beach which is a long white sand beach and is located on the west side. It spans far along the coastline and was generally very quiet when we were there.

Again, this is a great sunset beach. Along this beach, there are a few bars along the road where you can sit and watch the sunset.

Entry price: free

Dive or snorkel at Apo Island

Across the Philippines, the marine life is teaming with colour and life. I decided to dive at Apo island because it is arguably one of the best spots in the Philippines. The corals were so alive and bursting with colour.

We dived with Coco Grove Resort and the day trip included 2 dives at different dive sites. This dive trip did cost more than most in the Philippines but it was a very beautiful experience. If you want more diving spots in the Philippines, check out my post about Malapascua Island.

Snorkel price: from 2000 pesos
Diving price: from 6000 pesos

Where to eat in Siquijor

During the day, whilst exploring the island on scooters, we would get lunch wherever we found. There are many small places to eat that aren’t necessarily on Google maps so I’d recommend simply driving around the island to see what you find. However, below are some great restaurants for dinner.

Baha bar – locals told me Baha bar was the first restaurant in Siquijor. It serves amazing food and all sorts of drinks. The building itself is beautiful, a wooden structure on stilts, which is classic Filipino and the interior showcased many old photos and artefacts. In fact, Baha bar was my favourite place to eat on Siquijor Island.

Dolce Amore – if you’re looking for some authentic Italian food, this is where to go. Run by Italians, their pizza transported me straight to Italy. The restaurant itself had a great atmosphere and the owner was very friendly. It is a bit on the pricey side for the Philippines but its worth every penny.

Tunahan Sushi Restaurant – tucked away beyond a resort, this place is the ultimate romantic dinner spot. We sat at a table surrounded by fairy lights and trees in the grassy garden. We even saw an owl in the garden which was very magical. I had a pokè bowl and gyozas and they were incredible. If you want a bit of luxury, I would definitely recommend the Tunahan Sushi restaurant.

Things to note:

• Arriving – ferries arrive from Dumaguete 3 times a day. If you are coming from Cebu, you’ll have to first take a ferry to Dumaguete. I spent hours trying to figure out how to get from Moalboal to Siquijor (it’s really not very clear and there is no correct timetable online). If you are going this route, I would stop overnight in Oslob and get the ferries the next day. It means no overnight travel and no panicking or rushing. There will be tuk tuks waiting at the pier to take you to your accommodation.

• Getting around – the best way to explore the island is by scooter. We rented them for 350 pesos a day (£5) which is a great price. The roads along the coast are in great condition so a good place to practice if you are not so confident on a scooter.

• Money – there are Euronet ATMs available on the island, however I preferred using BPI (Bnak of the Philippines) as they take no commission. Therefore, I would recommend getting cash in a main city before you get to Siquijor.

• Where to stay – I mentioned previously I stayed at the Love Shack hostel and had the most amazing host, Mamma Rita. If you are looking for a dorm room, stay here! For a more luxurious stay, Coco Grove Resort had amazing grounds, multiple swimming pools, private shop and dive shop and private beach area. For other options, you can find plenty of accommodation here.

For more on the beautiful islands of the Philippines, check out Malapascua island.

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