Cantabon Cave is a must if you’re visiting the Philippine island of Siquijor, perhaps off the beaten track, Cantabon Cave is one of the best cave tours we did in the Philippines. Walk under stalagmites and observe stalactites, learn about columns and marvel at the glittering walls. On top of this you can bathe in healing water, spot bats and see the protected bird nests! The Cantabon Cave Tour Guide will walk with you underneath the earth, following the tunnel system pointing out any animals and formations.
Read on to find out everything you need to know about one of the best hidden gems on Siquijor, Cantabon Cave.
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Where Is Cantabon Cave on Siquijor?
Cantabon Cave’s location is in the centre of the island on the edge of the Mt. Bandilaan National Park. Located in the mountain town of Cantabon.
How To Get To Cantabon Cave Siquijor?
The best way to reach the cave is by scooter, it takes around 30 minutes from San Juan. You can rent a scooter on the island of Siquijor for ₽250-350 a day.
Be warned though some parts are off road and extremely steep. The best way is to follow the ring road round rather than cutting through back streets that are not paved. We found this out the hard way and ended up driving some pretty intense roads.
If you don’t fancy driving a scooter, the Siquijor Day Tour is perfect to see the highlights.
You may see a sign for Cantabon Cave’s entrance, this means you’ve gone too far as you need to register at the tourism office first which is located in the town next to the church. Head to the Cantabon Barangay Hall first to get yourself a started.
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Once you’ve parked and registered you will need to hire a guide for your underground expedition.
Alternatively if you’re not comfortable renting a scooter a trike or private car should all be able to take you to the area of the Mount Bandilaan National Park to see the sights however this option could add up and become costly if traveling from San Juan.
Read more about Mount Bandilaan National Park
How Much Is Cantabon Cave?
The cave entrance fee is ₽600 which provides you with a helmet, head torch and guide. As you’re going to get wet in the cave you can also hire waterproof shoes for an extra cost.
Tip: The ₽600 is for 1-3 People so if you’re traveling solo try and pair up to reduce your cost.
When To Visit Cantabon Cave?
We always believe early is best for any tourist attraction. This means you will often have the site to yourself. If you arrive first to the cave, the water will be clearer as less silt is disturbed compared to the afternoon when lots of people have trampled through.
Don’t worry about the weather as the cave is underground, there won’t be any natural light. One thing to note however, if there has been too much rain the cave may close as the water level rises to dangerous levels.
Need help organising your travels? Head to our Siquijor travel itinerary and tips blog
What Will You See Inside Cantabon Cave?
Your guide (mostly these are the women from the village) will take you to the entrance of the cave down a steep slope. Before you enter you will be told the cave guidelines which include not taking anything but photos, not touching the formations and not leaving anything.
The first few steps are steep and you will need to watch your head. You are now entering the cave system, all around you are formations of stalactites and stalagmites. You will wade through the water and clamber over rocks for around 1 hour.
Some notable highlights are the glistening white walls, the holy water shower and the plunge pool where you can swim.
How Are The Formations Inside Cantabon Cave Created?
As water drips from the top of the cave it deposits minerals which build up over thousands of years. Stalactites hang from the ceiling and Stalagmites rise from the floor. The subterranean river also plays a part in eroding the soft limestone rock.
How Difficult Is Cantabon Cave?
Some parts are physically demanding; you will be pushing and pulling yourself up and over rocks. The cave doesn’t get too tight other than the entrance but some places you will crawl and have to watch your head and back as you go.
What We Learnt Inside Cantabon Cave
The guides are very knowledge and share lots of information about the cave. Here are some things we learnt
- Swallow Nests – These used to be collected and sold to create an income for the village. They are know protected by the government and instead tourism has taken its place. The swallow nests are a delicacy in China.
- Stalactites, Stalagmites and Columns all form in cave from the minerals, many of these are thousands of years old
- The length of the cave is 800m
- Bats roost high above you, while looking for them remember to keep your mouth shut!
What To Bring For Cantabon Cave Tour?
You will be getting wet so wear clothes you don’t mind getting soaked, some people choose to wear swimwear inside the cave. You also need a good pair of Water Shoes such as crocs but these can also be hired if you don’t have any.
You are also given a helmet and headtorch however ours were extremely dim lights so we would recommend taking a good Headtorch of your own.
Apart from this, a Go Pro or Waterproof Phone Case are the only other things you need take to get some pictures. We were allowed to leave our rucksack in the cave’s tourist office while we were exploring or you could bring a Dry Bag with you.
Itineraries, where to stay, top things to do & more for every island we visited in the Philippines!
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.
Spacing
Siquijor’s Best Tourist Attractions
We stayed 5 nights on Siquijor and think this is the perfect amount of time to see everything the island has to offer. Here’s our highlights.
Top Pick: Cambugahay Falls
Visit early or don’t bother going, this is our top pick as it was so tranquil at 8am plus we saw an iguana!
Best Beach: Paliton Beach
One of the best snorkelling spots on Siquijor and a hotspot for traveller at sunset. The beach is lined with shacks selling rum for cheaper than water!
Off The Beaten Track: Cantabon Cave
The best cave on Siquijor and still a hidden gem on the island.
Other Blogs On Siquijor
Best Siquijor Tours
Top Tips For Travelling To 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.
Planning a Philippines Trip?
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Final Thoughts On Cantabon Cave
For us this is something you should not miss, to find a hidden gem in a popular tourist area is rare and we think this is ones of Siquijor’s best activities. This cave was the best we experienced in the Philippines and we highly recommend going exploring beneath the earth!
Looking to relax after cave exploration? The Best Beaches Siquijor
