Siquijor is a wonderfully relaxed island south of Bohol in the Philippines. By motorbike you will get to beautiful places in Siquijor, but you can also have ultimate relaxation on the beautiful beaches. Below we answer the question “what are the best things to do in Siquijor?” with the 12 best activities in Siquijor.
Content of this blog:
1. APO Island snorkeling tour
One of the best things to do in Siquijor, and for us the highlight, is the APO Island Snorkeling Tour. During this tour to APO Island from Siquijor you will snorkel at beautiful places and have a very good chance of seeing turtles, how cool is that!
It is magical to swim along with the turtles or watch them nibbling on the algae. A visit to APO Island is really a must as far as we are concerned when you are on Siquijor. Unfortunately, this often also means that the biodiversity of the underwater world is not well cared for. The many tourists trample the coral and trap the turtles (sometimes unknowingly) preventing them from swimming away. Always keep enough distance from wild animals and also make sure that there is an exit route for them so that they are not trapped and stressed by this.
2. Diving at APO Island from Siquijor
In addition to the snorkel tour, you can also dive at APO Island from Siquijor. Again, you will encounter a bizarre amount turtles and of course many beautiful fish and coral. Walk in to one of the many diving schools on Siquijor and enjoy some great diving.
3. The most beautiful beach in Siquijor: Paliton Beach
Siquijor is not an island where you will find many paradise beaches, but there is one that meets the conditions, which is Paliton Beach. Therefore, this is by far the busiest beach, but oh so nice to enjoy. Definitely add this to your list of things to do in Siquijor.
Drink some fresh coconut water, take a swim and watch the sun set under the palm trees. Paliton Beach is the ultimate place to relax in Siquijor.
4. The magnificent waterfalls of Siquijor
Siquijor has quite a few nice waterfalls that you can visit. Many waterfalls are still unknown to most tourists, so take advantage of them and enjoy the tranquility. Read all about the waterfalls on Siquijor below.
5. Cambugahay Falls
These are by far the most famous waterfalls in Siquijor. Cambugahay Falls consists of three different levels, with the lowest level being the busiest. Here, for a fee of 50 PHP, you can also use a swing to jump into the water. The enthusiastic Filipino tour guides – for an additional fee – can also take fun videos of you trying to mimic a human drone. The waterfalls feel like a heaven on earth with the super blue lagoons and the green surroundings. Don’t miss it, it is one of the best things to do in Siquijor.
Admission to Cambugahay Falls is 50 PHP (€0.80) per person. You don’t need a tour guide to get to the falls. Just follow the steps down and you’re already there. However, it may be wise to put on good water shoes or sandals that will give you plenty of grip. The Cambugahay Falls are Siquijors most famous waterfalls so it is wise to get there early. If you arrive here at 08:00 you will still have the falls (reasonably) to yourself. Any later than 10:00 and it gets very crowded.
6. Kawasan Falls & Cave
These falls are very quiet, but also very small. There is a natural pool you can swim in, but otherwise there is not much to do. When visiting Kawasan Falls, it is mandatory to hire a guide, even if you hike an easy route to the falls.
7. Long Falls
We really liked these waterfalls. The water is beautiful blue and there are nice swings you can have fun with. It is a small pool, but definitely fun to visit in Siquijor.
8. Lugnason Falls
This is the only waterfall located near San Juan (the area of Siquijor where you are probably staying). Despite this, Lugnason Falls are not touristy at all, a hidden gem on Siquijor in other words.
The water is beautifully clear blue and there are several rope swings that you can have fun with. In addition, you can also jump off the large waterfall. A visit to Lugnason Falls is guaranteed to be a fun activity in Siquijor.
9. Salagdoong Cliff Jump
The Salagdoong Beach Resort is located all the way in the northeastern part of Siquijor. You can enjoy the relaxing beach here, or seek some adrenaline with a 10-meter high cliff jump. You can only do the cliff jump at high tide, and it is not open in all seasons. Check the reviews on Google Maps to be sure in advance, or come to Salagdoong to enjoy the beautiful beach.
10. A day of relaxation at RUNIK beach club.
RUNIK is a lovely beach club in Siquijor. You can rent a bed for 250 – 500 PHP (€ 4 – 8) and enjoy the fine pool, jacuzzi and beautiful sea view all day. The food is also very good, just obviously a bit more expensive than other places. It is a perfect location to relax for a day and to unwind.
11. Climb the viewpoint Quesol Mountain View
In the middle of the island of Siquijor, you will find the viewpoint Quesol Mountain View. You only have to walk up (steeply) for 5 minutes until you have a sweeping view of all of Siquijor, the surrounding meadows and the sea. A nice viewpoint in Siquijor to go to early in the morning, or at sunset.
12. Sambulawan Underground River
And so, we’ve reached the last activity on our list of things to do in Siquijor. The Sambulawan Underground River is a surprisingly fun activity in Siquijor, which is even fairly undiscovered. You pay 250 PHP (€4) entrance fee per person, which includes a headlamp and life jacket. You then descend over 100 steps into the cave and start swimming. Make sure you put on good sandals / water shoes, this is very important. In total you will spend 45 minutes swimming through the dark cave. A special experience and really a fun activity in Siquijor.
San Juan in Siquijor
San Juan is the base for your stay in Siquijor. Here, all the nice accommodations, tasty restaurants and cozy bars are located. Therefore, we definitely recommend staying in San Juan during your trip in Siquijor. From San Juan you can then easily travel by motorbike to all the beautiful places of Siquijor. Note that you officially need a motorcycle license to be insured should an accident happen. Read everything you need to know about renting a scooter in Asia here.
