Siquijor is a paradise island located in The Visayas region of the Philippines, surrounded by crystal clear blue water perfect for swimming. It is also home to an abundance of rich marine life and thriving healthy coral at the various marine sanctuaries dotted around the island. From unique giant clams to schools of Barracuda, we dive into the best snorkelling Siquijor has to offer, whether you prefer deep or shallow water, having a guide or DIY, the island has something for you!
Read on as we discover Siquijor’s Marine Sanctuaries and best snorkelling spots.
You could join a Siquijor Island Snorkelling Tour to visit all of the best spots in one day
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Best Marine Sanctuary Siquijor
Tubod Marine Sanctuary Siquijor
Let’s start with arguably the best snorkelling on Siquijor! Tubod Marine Sanctuary is thriving with a rich marine life just a stones throw away from the shore, the sea bed is alive with starfish, giant clams and pristine coral. Watch out for the sea urchins and make sure to wear water shoes. It’s incredible that snorkelling like this exists only a 15 minute walk away from the main town of San Juan and it’s definitely worth a visit.
The entrance for the marine Sanctuary can be found next to Coco Grove Beach Resort, which will lead you down to the sea where a local should be there renting snorkels and flippers. The locals should point out the red buoys in the water, marking the different coral sections of Tubod. The highlight will definitely be the huge clams on the sea bed floor, reaching nearly 1 meter in length! You’ll also spot clownfish, parrot fish, blue starfish and more. Don’t miss Tubod Marine Sanctuary Siquijor, one of the best snorkelling spots on Siquijor island. Location 📌
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Maite Marine Sanctuary Siquijor
This Marine Sanctuary on Siquijor has mixed reviews, as it has become more popular over recent years it seems people have stood on the corals in the shallows, however just a short swim out and you’ll find beautiful corals and small fish. For ₽100 each you should be able to spot puffer fish, clownfish and have a chance of seeing a turtle. Location 📌
Caticugan Marine Sanctuary Siquijor
Certainly not a white sand beach for relaxing on, Catigugan Marine Sanctuary is purely for snorkelling, offering some of the healthiest coral colonies along the whole coast of Siquijor. This amazing spot offers an indescribable wealth of oysters and coral which could be in an aquarium. A guide is recommended at Catigugan due to the potential risk of strong currents, however it could also be done alone.
It’s also necessary to be careful not to step on the coral, due to the water being very shallow in parts, it can be tricky to snorkel without just laying flat on the surface. We also recommend good water shoes to avoid stepping on the sea urchins that populate Siquijor’s coast rather than rental flippers which are difficult to use in the shallow water. Location 📌
Tulapos Marine Sanctuary Siquijor
A guide is mandatory for Tulapos Marine Sanctuary and we can understand why, unlike the other snorkelling spots in this list, Tulapos requires being in much deeper water with stronger currents. Offering a cool and unique opportunity to snorkel and free dive with huge schools of Barracuda as well as spotting black tip reef sharks and turtles.
A guide is required per pair of people, meaning if you arrive midday you might have to wait, so we recommend arriving as early as possible. The swim out to the snorkelling site is 10-20 minutes, and depth can vary from 5-10 meters meaning if the water visibility is not good, it might not be worth going out. Tulapos Marine Sanctuary Siquijor is also quite a drive from San Juan, so we recommend checking the weather beforehand. Location 📌
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Best Snorkelling Siquijor From The Beach
Paliton Beach Siquijor Snorkelling
Located only a 5 minute drive from the main town of San Juan, Paliton Beach is a strip of silky smooth white sand with crystal clear water, and a perfect destination to watch the sunset with a cocktail and amazing vibes. Although it’s not the best snorkelling spot on Siquijor, with only sea grass and a few fish, there is the chance to see turtles here. However, we recommend the marine Sanctuaries listed above if you want good snorkelling. Location 📌
Read More About Paliton Beach
Salagdoong Beach Siquijor Snorkelling
Located on the east coast of Siquijor, Salagdoong has the perfect mix of adventure and paradise. The beach has multiple cliff jumping platforms if you’re looking for an adrenaline rush (5 & 10 meters high), and great snorkelling along the rocks, giving you a chance to spot turtles in the clear water. There is also a nice beach area to relax, and a shallow swimming area perfect for a dip to cool off in the midday sun. Location 📌
Read More About Salagdoong Beach
Snorkel Spots and Dive Points Siquijor Map
Siquijor Diving
Siquijor has an extremely healthy underwater ecosystem making it one of the most travelled destinations in the Philippines for diving. While visiting you can stay at a dive resort to gain your PADI certification, or if you’re already certified you can also join dive trips to one of the many spots around the island. Siquijor offers the rare opportunity to dive with turtles, barracuda, sharks, pristine coral and more, making it an amazing destination to learn; make sure to add this to the bucket list!
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Best Time To Visit Siquijor
How To Travel To Siquijor?
Siquijor is a relatively small Filipino island with a very small airport so the best way to get there is by ferry, however flights run daily from Cebu and take roughly an hour but expect it to cost!
Ferries run very often from the nearby islands of Cebu, Negros and Bohol making it easily accessible. One of the most popular routes is from Moalboal after flying into Cebu City, this is what we opted for and would highly recommend it.
Travelling to Siquijor? Read our Moalboal to Siquijor Guide
Best Places To Eat In Siquijor
Y-Road – A small unassuming restaurant near Locong Falls that serves some of the best local food on the island.
Roadside Diner – a local eatery that serves the best bbq chicken we’ve ever tasted and at a budget friendly price. If you’re in Siquijor you need to eat at Roadside Diner at least once!
Marco Polo Italian Restaurants – If you’re looking for Western Food you can grab a great pizza here.
Best Places To Stay In Siquijor
$ Budget
Lazy Lizard Hostel
Lazy Lizard is a great budget option for your stay in San Juan. Up from the main road it is quiet, in the jungle and offers scooter hire. There’s options for private rooms or shared dorms.
$$ Mid-Range
Apo Diver’s Resort
Perhaps you want something more luxury or your here for the diving! Apo Diver’s Resort offers sea views on the beach front with a beautiful pool and chill out spot.
$$$ High-End
Coco Grove Beach Resort
Backing onto Tubod Marine Reserve this is a great luxury choice if you love snorkelling. The resort also boasts a large seafront swimming pool, free coffee and breakfast as well as an on-site restaurant.
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Tips For Visiting Siquijor Island
If you’re visiting Siquijor here are our top travel tips:
- Plan your transport – getting to Siquijor can seem confusing so make sure to plan your route and leave early on your travel day.
- Arrive early to Cambugahay Falls to miss the crowds and experience the natural beauty of the area, we arrived at 8am.
- Eat Local, we had some of our favourite food in the Philippines here, mainly from Roadside Diner!
- Rent a scooter to explore the natural attractions. The island is small so it’s the perfect place to learn to ride a scooter, just make sure you wear a helmet.
