19 Best Things To Do In Siquijor, Philippines: Top Tourist Attractions
Commonly known by locals for its witchcraft, the island of Siquijor has become a popular tourist destination in recent years for all the right reasons, with an abundance of things to do. Nestled amongst nature with pristine surrounding ocean and dense untouched jungle with the perfect amount of tourism infrastructure, Siquijor is home to some of the best attractions for all types of travellers. Whether you’re a family looking to relax on the beach or a solo traveller looking for adventure, this gem of an island has it all.
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Here's The 19 Top Things To Do In Siquijor
Salagdoong Beach - Cliff Diving For The Adventure Seekers
At Salagdoong Beach you have the perfect mix of adventure and paradise. There are two main bays on the beach: one ideal for relaxing in the shallows and the other for snorkelling, if you’re lucky you might even see some turtles. There are also cliff diving platforms 5 & 10 meters high which can be used during high tide, meaning you can keep everyone busy for the whole day. Location 📌
Tubod Beach & Marine Sanctuary - The Best Snorkelling Spot On Siquijor
The real highlight of this beach is the Marine Sanctuary out front boasting some of the best snorkelling Siquijor has to offer, however if you’re looking for a white sand beach to relax on we recommend Paliton Beach just up the coast. At Tubod Marine Reserve, just a few meters into the sea you will see some of the best coral, starfish, anemones and more.
We recommend visiting at high tide to avoid stepping on the coral when entering the sea, also make sure to wear Water Shoes and watch out for the sea urchins that occupy the Siquijor Coast. Location 📌
For More Information On Siquijor’s Snorkelling Spots, Read Below
Locong Falls - Hidden Gem Waterfall
Perhaps one of the least crowded falls on the island, the hidden gem Locong Falls is a must visit if you’re looking for some serenity away from the chaotic roads of the Philippines. A little oasis hidden down a steep hill boasts great swimming, rock jumping and a rope swing, as well as bamboo benches to relax on. Located near the town of Lazi, you can combine a trip to Locong with visiting Cambugahay Falls early that day. Location 📌
Kawasan Falls - Tarzan Rope Swing Over A Hidden Cave Behind A Waterfall
This is one of the smaller waterfalls on Siquijor, however still worth the visit if you have enough time. There is a natural pool to relax in as well as a hidden cave behind the falls, there are definitely less crowds here than most of the other falls in Siquijor (similar to Locong Falls), so if you prefer a smaller waterfall with less crowds and activities we recommend visiting these instead of the famous Cambugahay Falls. Location 📌
Paliton Beach - Best Beach For Sunset Drinks
One of the most famous beaches in Siquijor, and therefore busy, is Paliton Beach. Known for its stunning sunsets, silky smooth white sand, turquoise blue shallow water and row of bars selling rum and cokes or fresh coconuts. This beach is a must visit at sunset while on Siquijor, located only a 5 minute drive from the main town of San Juan. Location 📌
Lugnason Falls - Cascading Waterfall Surrounded By Lush Green Jungle
Nestled amongst picture perfect jungle lies Lugnason Falls, a popular alternative to Cambugahay Falls due to less crowds. Jump from the rope swing suspended above the pool, stand behind the cascading waterfall or simply relax in the bright blue water. Location 📌
The Old Enchanted Balete Tree - 400 Year Old Tree With Feet Eating Fish
Yes, you read that right! A 400 year old balete tree with hanging roots stands tall over a natural spring beneath containing small foot eating fish, a very unique Siquijor tourist attraction. Although it was very busy when we visited which took away from the mystical feel, if you visit early and have this place to yourselves it is worth the visit. Location 📌
Monkey Beach - Secluded Beach Used By Local Fishermen
This is called Monkey Beach for a reason! Local Monkeys can commonly be seen roaming the beach, however they won’t bother you if you leave them alone. This secluded beach is quite far off the beaten track meaning you’ll probably only bump into the odd local fisherman, make sure to bring a snorkel and have fun exploring. Location 📌
Cambugahay Falls - The Most Beautiful Siquijor Attraction
The most stunning and certainly the most crowded tourist attraction in Siquijor, Cambugahay Falls is a multi-tier waterfall with four different levels. We arrived at 8am and the crowd was already building up, so we headed straight for level 4 and had the place to ourselves. Make sure not to miss this as it’s definitely one of the best things to do on Siquijor however we recommend going early or not at all. Location 📌
Tulapos Barracuda Point - A Cool Opportunity To Snorkel Or Dive With Schools Of Barracuda
A unique adrenaline rush for the adventurous travellers, Tulapos Barracuda Point offers a chance to snorkel or dive with large schools of Barracuda, as well as small black tip sharks and turtles. The water here is deep so make sure the water visibility is good before getting a guide. Location 📌
Cangbangag Falls - Tallest Waterfall On Siquijor
A strenuous hike through Siquijor’s thick jungle brings you to the tallest waterfall on the island. It is best visited around the wet season (June-November) during rainfall as Cangbangag Falls is known to dry up easily. It’s also worth noting this waterfall isn’t the easiest to get to, first you’ll have to drive off-road down a pothole filled entrance road and then hike the treacherous path down to the pool, but that’s what makes it an adventure! Location 📌
Mount Bandilaan - National Park Area With Multiple Of Siquijor’s Top Attractions Inside
If you’re looking for a break from the beautiful beaches and waterfalls Siquijor has to offer, you can escape into the mountains by exploring Mount Bandilaan National Park. You can hike through the rainforest, watch out for snakes, climb to the top of the viewing tower for panoramic views and relax in the healing park. Location 📌
It is home to some of Siquijor’s Best Tourist Attractions:
Cantabon Cave - in our opinion one of the best cave tours in all of the Philippines
Butterfly Sanctuary - loved by many, one man has set up a sanctuary in his garden
Observation Tower - standing high above the ocean, this is Siquijor’s highest point
Healing Park - completely secluded park, perfect for some peace and quiet
Sambulawan Underground River - An Adventurous Trek Through Narrow Cave Systems With Underground Wildlife
A unique spelunking experience, swimming through the crystal clear waters of the Sambulawan Cave System, be prepared to crawl through tight spaces in order to reach the various beautiful rock formations formed over hundreds of years, both stalactites and stalagmites. You will also trek through the multiple bat sanctuaries and run into all of the underground arachnids. For the best experience possible, we recommend visiting around 9am where there won’t be too many crowds. Location 📌
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, make sure to add this to the bucket list!
Siquijor Snorkelling
If diving isn’t your thing, you can also snorkel around Siquijor, both Tubod Marine Sanctuary and Tulapos Barracuda Point can be snorkelled. If you’re venturing to Tulapos you will need a guide per two people, however Tubod can be done without one. Here are the top snorkelling spots in Siquijor:
Caticugan Marine Sanctuary
Tulapos Marine Sanctuary
Tubod Marine Sanctuary
Maine Marine Sanctuary
Best Beaches In Siquijor
Paliton Beach: perfect for sunset drinks
Solangon Beach: un-crowded locals spot
Tubod Beach: best snorkelling
Monkey Beach: secluded fisherman’s beach
Salagdoong Beach: cliff jumping & turtles!
Islanders Paradise Beach: beachfront cottages on a budget
Best Waterfalls In Siquijor
Cambugahay Falls: most beautiful but very crowded
Lugnason Falls: most adventurous
Locong Falls: most secluded
Cangbangag Falls: the tallest
Lagaan Falls: secluded & adventurous
Best Time To Visit Siquijor
How To Get 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.
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 Siquijor
Siquijor has lots of accommodation whether you’re looking for a dive school, a luxury resort or a budget hostel you’ll be able to find somewhere. We recommend staying in the main hub of San Juan as this is where most of the restaurants are located as well as easy access to most of the island's attractions.
We use Booking.com and HostelWorld for all of our stays around the world!
Below is a list of top accommodations we recommend for San Juan, Siquijor:
Essential Travel Items You Need
 | Lifestraw - Filtered Water Bottle Allowing you to fill up water whenever and wherever with peace of mind plus you’re helping the environment! |
 | Jungle Formula - High Deet Mosquito Spray The weak sprays will not work! Make sure to bring a high deet percentage spray made for the tropics. We also use Mosquito Wipes. |
 | Water Shoes - Lightweight with Protection Stay protected from Sea Urchins with these, also useful for snorkelling, waterfall hikes and more. We also love our Microfibre Towels and Dry Bag. |
 | Universal Travel Adaptor With Multiple USBs Life while travelling will never be the same again! Charge multiple devices all at once in any country... game changer. |
Top Tips For Travelling The Philippines
If you’re visiting the Philippines here are our top travel tips:
Book flights in advance - they can become expensive if you leave it last minute… oh and check your luggage allowance to skip expensive check in fees at the airport. Don't forget your Apple Airtags to track your bags
Agree on taxi prices upfront - when getting into a tuk-tuk, tricycle or taxi, make sure you agree on a price or they have a meter, so many tourists get ripped off with a huge price tag at the end of the ride.
Take it slow - don't feel the need to see all the islands, we recommend picking a few and doing them properly. See the island in full, find some locals and sing Karaoke..
Embrace the chaos and get stuck in, the locals are friendly and love to help and share information about their home!
For a checklist of what's needed to pack for your trip, read: How to Pack for Backpacking to South East Asia: Backpacking Essentials and Accessories
We love our DJI Mini for all of our drone shots!
Travel Tools To Help You Plan
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Thank you for reading and enjoy your Philippine adventure. Reach out to us over on Instagram @KateandMikesTravels. We always love to hear from people who read our blogs!
For our Filipino friends: Maraming salamat sa pag babasa, hangang sa susunod nating pag kikita, mamimiss namin kayo, mabuhay ang pilipinas! Salamat
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