The complete guide to visiting Siquijor, the Philippines

For a quieter island in the Philippines with plenty of natural beauty, look no further than Siquijor. This island is known for its mystical properties, but is also host to a range of pretty beaches and waterfalls, which make it exciting for any traveller.

I visited Siquijor in May 2023 and adored it. As a typhoon was approaching, we didn’t get to take full advantage of some areas of the island, such as the marine sanctuaries, which were much too cloudy and choppy for snorkelling! However, we still loved our time there and wished we had longer on the island.

Following our visit, I’ve written this guide to give you more information on how to visit and the many activities available.

About Siquijor

Siquijor is an island in the Visayas region of the Philippines. Close to the islands of Negros, Cebu and Bohol, it’s easy to access by ferry and is well-established for domestic tourists. However, international tourist numbers are lower than other touristy destinations in the Philippines, making it quieter and cheaper!

At around 340 km² and with fairly quiet roads, Siquijor is easy to navigate, and all of its top highlights can be seen within a day. However, it’s also home to several pretty beaches and other less visited attractions, so if you want to dig deeper or just want to chill for a few days, you can do this here too.

I found that Siquijor had a laid-back vibe, even more so than most of the other locations I visited in the Philippines. If you’re visiting as part of a longer trip, it’s so relaxing that it almost feels like a break from the hustle and bustle of typical travelling.

A mystery island

Siquijor is best known for being a mystical place, with a history and reputation for witchcraft and magic. If you’re looking for healers or a more spiritual experience, I have no doubt you’ll be able to find what you need there. I challenge you to find a witch!

However, for me, Siquijor just felt like any other island in terms of magic. The only evidence of any supernatural activity were the souvenir items on sale, which featured broomstick and witch magnets, healing potions, and many magical motifs… you get the idea.

Slow boats take around 2 hours, and also leave around every 2 hours. When we visited, only slow boats were available due to the approaching typhoon. We took a slow boat from Montenegro Liners, which cost 234 pesos ($4 / £3) per person (with no extra fees for luggage). We enjoyed taking the slow boat. Unlike the fast boat, you can sit outside, although there’s also the option to sit indoors with air conditioning.

With many slow and fast ferries available, unless your timings are exact or you want to travel with a particular carrier, it’s fine to buy your ticket at the port on the day. Just make sure to turn up early as we had to queue a long time to get our ticket. To enter the port you also have to go through security and pay a terminal fee, so leave enough time for this.

Siquijor Directory offers a handy list of the ferry times between Siquijor and other connecting destinations, which is super useful for planning your journey!

Travelling from Bohol

You can also travel to Siquijor from Tagbilaran City on Bohol, with three companies offering the route. One company operates boats from Siquijor Port, with two further companies operating boats to Larena Port in the north of the island. It’s best to take a ferry to the port that’s closest to where you’re staying, as they’re around 10 km apart. If you’re staying at or near San Juan (like we did), Siquijor Port is the closest one to you!

We took a ferry with Oceanjet from Siquijor Port. The ferry cost 800 pesos ($14 / £11) per person plus 100 pesos ($2 / £1.40) for each luggage item. They only have one service a day, at 8:20 am.

Given the comparatively limited service between Siquijor and Tagbilaran, I’d recommend booking your ferry ticket a couple of days in advance, either at the ticket office or online. Our service was full so I expect they normally will sell out beforehand.

Before getting on the boat at Siquijor when you leave the island, you’ll need to pay a port fee, which I believe is around 30 pesos ($0.50 / £0.40) at Siquijor Port. For Oceanjet departures, in addition to going through security, you’ll need to get seats allocated to you and drop off any luggage items, so make sure to turn up at least 30 minutes early even if you’ve already bought your ticket.

Travelling from Cebu City

It’s also possible to travel to Siquijor from Cebu; however, you’ll have to go via Bohol. Oceanjet offers a service between Siquijor and Cebu via Bohol, and, whilst you’ll have to wait for the boat to leave again, you don’t have to get off or change boats, which would make the journey easier. The same service also continues through to Dumaguete.

How to get around the island

Siquijor is a peaceful island, and most of the roads are quiet, straight and paved. Tricycles and motorbikes rule the roads, and there are no buses or other forms of public transport.

As such, to get around the island you only have two options: renting a scooter, or taking a tricycle. Scooter rental costs around 350 to 400 pesos ($6 to $7 / £5 to £6) per day. If you’re confident on a scooter, this is the most cost effective way to get around.

Alternatively you can take a tricycle. (A tricycle is a 3-wheel motorbike-based vehicle unique to the Philippines!) It’s possible to hire a tricycle and driver for the day, and they’ll take you to the main spots on the island. This is what we did! We paid 1500 pesos ($26 / £21) for a tour around the island organised by our accommodation, going to most of the sights in the below list.

What to do in Siquijor

Siquijor has a lot of sights to see. Some of these are fun; others are not so much, with an overly commercial feel. I’ve listed the most popular ones below so you can get a feel for the attractions.

1. Century-old balete tree

In the south of the island, you’ll find the century-old balete tree. As the name suggests, this is a balete tree thought to be over 400 years old, with a pool beneath. Balete trees are associated with mysticism in Philippine folklore and you can see this when visiting, as it does feel like the kind of tree where spirits would live!

The pool is fed naturally by a spring but is lined with tiles and concrete, so isn’t very natural itself. There are fish inside which will come to you and eat your dead skin if you stick your feet in. For the price, it’s a bargain, and you can tell yourself you’re at a foot spa…

The tree was cute but I’m not sure it would warrant a visit on its own. However, we did like the pool, and, with an entry fee of 30 pesos ($0.50 / £0.40), you can’t complain!

2. Cambugahay Falls

The most popular waterfalls to visit in Siquijor are Cambugahay Falls, three pools separated by waterfalls.

We found the pools to be beautiful, with pretty blue water. The waterfalls between them are quite short (probably less than 5 m high) so are not physically impressive, but they are aesthetically pleasing nonetheless!

Cambugahay Falls is famous in part for its Tarzan swings. You’ll find them in the in the lowest and highest pools, which are deep enough for swimming.

Additionally, on the highest pool there is a wooden platform that you can stand on for an extra fee. The staff at the swing will then push out the platform in front of the waterfalls and take photos of you. It’s quite impressive watching them take photos of you whilst mid-air on the Tarzan swing!

To be honest, though, I didn’t really take to these waterfalls. Cambugahay Falls, as one of the most popular attractions in Siquijor, was incredibly busy, with hardly any space left in the water. Additionally, with the wooden platform pushed out, it is impossible to get an unobstructed photo of the falls. As a result, we stayed less than an hour.

However, at 30 pesos ($0.50 / £0.40) per person entry, I can’t really complain! You’ll also have to pay an extra 20 pesos ($0.40 / £0.30) to park a vehicle at the Falls; if you take a tricycle, the driver pass this cost onto you.

3. Lagaan Falls

Lagaan Falls is a natural pool and waterfall also in the south of the island. This waterfall isn’t as touristy as Cambugahay Falls so it was a lot quieter during our visit, with only a few other groups present.

The waterfall itself isn’t too impressive and must only be a couple of metres high, with a relatively low flow of water. However, it’s one of the most fun waterfalls that we’ve been to, and the pool, with minimal currents and quite deep water in the centre, is great to swim in.

Like Cambugahay Falls, Lagaan Falls is also home to a Tarzan swing. There’s also an area of the waterfall which you can use as a slide and jump off. The best part is, as the waterfalls are much quieter than Cambugahay Falls, it’s much easier and faster to be able to use them.

Lagaan Falls works out more expensive than Cambugahay Falls at 50 pesos each ($0.90 / £0.70), which includes a mandatory guide. It’s recommended to tip them but there are no other hidden fees.

4. Tubod Marine Sanctuary

On the west coast of Siquijor you’ll find Tubod Marine Sanctuary. When we visited, it was so cloudy and choppy that there was absolutely no way to snorkel. However, we’ve heard that this area is particularly lovely to snorkel in, in part because of the turtles that are found on this part of the coast.

Yes – turtles! We stayed around 100 m south of Tubod Marine Sanctuary and spent so much time watching the turtles come up to breathe. We probably saw one surface every minute, which was pretty exciting!

In calm weather I’d definitely recommend checking the Sanctuary out. If not, the beach along it has white sand and makes for a comfortable afternoon relaxing.

Just to note, the entry fee for the marine sanctuary is 100 pesos ($1.80 / £1.40), although there is no charge to enter the beach.

5. Paliton Beach

One beach on the west coast is renowned above the others: Paliton Beach.

This beach was closed during our visit so I can’t say whether it’s nice or overrated compared to other areas. However, given its good reputation, a visit may still be recommended when you’re on the island!

6. Hapitanan

On the island there’s a place where you can fly on a broomstick – on photos, at least!

You’ll find a platform and a broomstick, and a guy who is able to take your photo. When you jump, he will take a photo of you which makes it look like you’re flying – seriously, the angle he takes it at is super impressive.

It definitely leads into the mystical experience that is Siquijor and is about as close as we got to experiencing its powers. It is rather a unique experience as well. The best part about it, however, is that it’s free!

7. Tulapos Marine Sanctuary

Right on the north-east of the island, there is a marine sanctuary known for the opportunity to spot a different kind of animal: barracudas.

Rumour is that shoals of barracuda swim in the coastal waters here, which makes for an exciting experience. You’ll also be able to find large reefs in deep and shallow water, with plenty of fish present.

As we were visiting just before a typhoon, there were no barracudas there – the guides at the marine sanctuary told us that during storms they move into deeper water. However, we still got to see a lot of fish and a couple of reef sharks. One other cool thing they have is large clams, over 1 feet each, which we got to see during our snorkel.

Snorkelling in the Sanctuary costs 100 pesos ($1.80 / £1.40) per person. The use of a guide is mandatory and costs 250 pesos ($4 / £3) for up to two people for an hour (gear rental costs extra if you need it).

Just to note, we saw a lot of sea urchins and had to swim over them in water that was only a couple of feet deep, which was not quite as fun. The guide lent us shoes when we were walking which made it seem a lot better at the start.

8. Salagoong Beach

On the east of the island, there’s a beach which was formerly known for cliff jumping. However, the beach is being refurbished, so cliff jumping activities are currently banned, although the jumping points still make for useful viewing platforms!

The beach itself is very skinny so isn’t a good place to relax or sunbathe. However, as with all the beaches we saw on Siquijor, it is very pretty and photographs well.

Given the refurbishment activities, the beach is free to enter. And, most importantly, they have toilets!

9. Cantabon Cave

One other place we wanted to visit, but didn’t have time for, was Cantabon Cave. You can go caving inside, which sounded pretty cool to us!

It’s a bit more expensive than some of the other activities on this list as you have to take a guide. However, it seems well worth it for this experience.

10. JJ’s beach party

Every Friday night, there’s a beach party held at JJ’s Backpacker Village in San Juan. A lot of locals we met asked us if we’d gone, and whilst we didn’t make it here, we hear it’s a good vibe!

Just to note, I’ve read some pretty bad reviews for the hostel that hosts the beach party, so decide carefully whether you’d want to stay here.

How does Siquijor rate as a destination?

As part of this blog, I give every place I visit a rating so that we can easily compare destinations and decide whether they’re worth a visit. Those are the scores you see at the top of the page!

This is how Siquijor rated:

• Accessibility: 4/5 – compared to other tourist destinations in the Philippines, Siquijor is not as accessible as it doesn’t have its own airport and public transport is limited. However, with tricycles widely available, it’s easy to get around and will suit all kinds of people.
• Safety: 5/5 – Siquijor feels completely safe and I didn’t have any concerns whilst visiting.
• Enjoyment: 4/5 – I loved Siquijor and think it’s well worth a visit. However, Siquijor’s main attractions are very similar to other islands, so you could have an equally good experience in other areas of the Philippines.
• Value: 5/5 – Siquijor was the cheapest island we visited in the Philippines and we thought it was great value for money.

Overall score: 4.5/5

If you’ve already visited, let me know if you agree with these ratings! Just to note, the ratings are my personal opinion based on my visit, so you might have a completely different experience.

More: how I rank destinations on In Search of Everywhere

Where to stay in Siquijor

Conclusion

Siquijor is a lovely island and a great place to spend a couple of days exploring if you’re visiting the Visayas region of the Philippines. Check out the many waterfalls and snorkelling spots – you won’t regret it!

Do you have any questions about visiting Siquijor? Let me know in the comments!

More information

• Dumaguete Info Net Service’s pages on Siquijor provide a great introduction to the island.
• The Pinay Solo Backpacker is a good source of information on how to visit Siquijor and other destinations in the Philippines.