Diving in Siquijor: Complete Scuba & Snorkeling Guide

Diving Siquijor: What to Expect

Siquijor isn’t on most divers’ radar—and that’s exactly why you should dive here. While Apo Island (visible from Siquijor’s shores) gets the diving fame, Siquijor offers excellent sites without the crowds, coral-rich reefs, and the chance to spot everything from nudibranchs to sea turtles.

The island’s dive scene is low-key, with a handful of professional operators offering personalized experiences you won’t find at busier destinations.

Best Dive Sites

Sandugan Wall ⭐

Depth: 8-35 meters Level: All levels Highlights: Wall dive, excellent coral, turtles

The most popular dive site in Siquijor. A stunning wall dropping into the blue, covered in hard and soft corals.

What You’ll See:

• Green and hawksbill sea turtles
• Schools of fusiliers and jacks
• Moray eels hiding in crevices
• Lionfish and scorpionfish
• Occasional reef sharks

Best For: All divers, photography, turtle encounters

Tubod Marine Sanctuary

Depth: 5-18 meters Level: Beginners, snorkeling Highlights: Healthy reef, easy access, good for checkout dives

A protected area with excellent coral recovery. Perfect for easy dives and snorkeling.

What You’ll See:

• Clownfish (Nemo!) in anemones
• Parrotfish and surgeonfish
• Nudibranchs
• Occasional octopus
• Healthy hard coral gardens

Best For: Beginners, snorkelers, photography

Paliton Wall

Depth: 12-30 meters Level: Intermediate to advanced Highlights: Dramatic wall, pelagics, drift diving

A lesser-known wall dive with strong currents that attract larger marine life.

What You’ll See:

• Large schools of trevally
• Barracuda
• Occasional manta rays (rare)
• Soft coral gardens
• Macro critters on the reef

Best For: Experienced divers, drift diving

Tonga Point

Depth: 10-25 meters Level: All levels Highlights: Coral gardens, diverse marine life

A relaxed dive site with varied topography and consistent marine life.

What You’ll See:

• Reef fish in abundance
• Cuttlefish and squid
• Sea stars and sea cucumbers
• Occasional turtles
• Good macro life

Best For: Relaxed diving, underwater photography

Maite Marine Sanctuary

Depth: 5-15 meters Level: Beginners, snorkeling Highlights: Protected area, fish abundance

Another sanctuary zone with thriving marine ecosystems.

What You’ll See:

• Dense fish populations
• Healthy coral coverage
• Reef sharks occasionally
• Schooling fish

Best For: Easy dives, conservation-minded divers

Dive Site Quick Reference

Dive Operators

Recommended Dive Shops

Sea Explorers Siquijor

• Location: Coco Grove Resort, San Juan
• Certification: PADI 5-Star
• Services: Fun dives, courses, equipment rental
• Reputation: Most established on the island

Islander’s Scuba

• Location: San Juan
• Services: Small group dives, local knowledge
• Vibe: Personal, budget-friendly

Pricing (Approximate)

What’s Included:

• Boat, guide, weights, tanks
• Equipment rental (usually extra)
• Marine sanctuary fees

Conditions & Best Time to Dive

Seasonal Overview

Water Temperature

• Year-round: 26-30°C (79-86°F)
• Warmest: April-June
• 3mm wetsuit usually sufficient

Best Months

December to May: Optimal conditions, clearest water, calmest seas. This is dry season and the best time for diving.

June & November: Still good but less predictable. Possible afternoon storms.

July to October: Rainy season. Diving still possible but visibility reduced, occasional rough seas.

Snorkeling Options

Don’t dive? Siquijor has excellent snorkeling too.

Top Snorkeling Spots

1. Tubod Marine Sanctuary

• Entry: ₱50
• Rentals: ₱150
• Quality: Excellent
• Access: From shore

2. Guiwanon Marine Sanctuary

• Entry: ₱30
• Rentals: Available
• Quality: Good
• Features: Mangroves + reef

3. Salagdoong Beach

• Entry: ₱40 (beach entry)
• Rentals: Limited
• Quality: Good on calm days
• Bonus: Cliff jumping too

Snorkeling Tips

• Wear a rashguard (sun protection + reef safety)
• Don’t touch or stand on coral
• Use reef-safe sunscreen
• Morning = calmest conditions
• Bring your own good-quality mask

Diving Logistics

What to Bring

Essential:

• Dive certification card
• Dive log book
• Dive insurance (recommended)
• Reef-safe sunscreen
• Seasickness meds (if needed)

Nice to Have:

• Your own mask
• Dive computer
• Surface marker buoy
• Underwater camera

Dive Insurance

Highly recommended. Options include:

• DAN (Divers Alert Network)
• World Nomads (travel insurance with diving)
• Your agency’s insurance

Nearest Hyperbaric Chamber: Cebu City (~2-3 hours by boat + ambulance)

Conservation

Siquijor’s marine ecosystems are protected but fragile. As a responsible diver:

Do:

• Maintain proper buoyancy
• Keep fins away from coral
• Take only photos
• Report illegal fishing
• Support marine sanctuaries (pay fees!)

Don’t:

• Touch marine life
• Stand on coral
• Feed fish
• Remove shells or coral
• Use chemical sunscreen

Combining Diving with Siquijor

Sample 3-Day Dive Trip

Day 1:

• Morning: 2-dive trip (Sandugan + Tubod)
• Afternoon: Rest, beach
• Evening: San Juan dinner

Day 2:

• Morning: Paliton Wall + Tonga Point
• Afternoon: Cambugahay Falls (no diving after!)
• Evening: Night dive (optional)

Day 3:

• Morning: Final dive or snorkeling
• Afternoon: Island exploration
• Evening: Departure prep

Apo Island Day Trip

While not technically Siquijor, Apo Island is just 45 minutes away by boat and offers world-class diving. Many Siquijor dive shops offer day trips.

Apo Island Highlights:

• Sea turtle encounters (virtually guaranteed)
• Pristine coral walls
• Diverse marine life
• Marine sanctuary success story

Day Trip Cost: ₱4,500-6,000 including 2-3 dives

Learning to Dive in Siquijor

PADI Courses Available

Open Water Diver (3-4 days)

• Full certification
• 4 open water dives
• Cost: ₱18,000-22,000

Advanced Open Water (2 days)

• 5 adventure dives
• Deep dive, navigation included
• Cost: ₱15,000-18,000

Discover Scuba (1 day)

• Try diving experience
• Pool + 1 ocean dive
• Cost: ₱3,500-4,500

Why Learn Here?

• Uncrowded dive sites
• Personal attention from instructors
• Warm, clear waters
• Relaxed pace
• Combine with vacation

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Siquijor good for diving?

Yes! While not as famous as Apo Island or Malapascua, Siquijor offers excellent diving with fewer crowds, healthy reefs, and turtle encounters.

Do I need my own equipment?

No. All dive shops offer full equipment rental. Bring your own mask if you have one that fits perfectly.

Can I dive if I’ve never dived before?

Yes! Try a Discover Scuba Diving experience, or take the full Open Water course during your visit.

What’s the biggest thing I’ll see?

Sea turtles are common. Reef sharks, manta rays, and whale sharks are rare but possible.

Is night diving available?

Yes, at Sandugan and other sites. A unique experience seeing nocturnal creatures.

Final Thoughts

Siquijor diving is for those who appreciate quality over quantity. You won’t find massive schools of hammerheads or guaranteed manta encounters. What you will find are pristine reefs, regular turtle sightings, and the rare gift of diving without crowds.

The island’s mystical reputation adds another layer to the experience—there’s something magical about exploring underwater worlds off an island known for its healing traditions and supernatural stories.

Dive in. The underwater world of Siquijor is waiting.

For more water activities, check out our guide to Siquijor’s Best Beaches.