A tour of Siquijor in the Philippines

Siquijor is a small island in the Central Visayas region of the Philippines and can be reached by ferry from Dumaguete which takes about an hour. It is famous for its white sandy beaches and wakwaks which is the local term for a witch.

There are 2 seasons but both enjoy many sunny days and the occasional shower. The big difference comes from the wind direction which comes from the North East from December to May (Amihan)  and from the South West from June to November (Habagat). Typically each side of the island gets about 6 months of windy weather with some waves and 6 months of flat seas.  The wind brings a cooling effect which is nice on really hot and sunny days although you might prefer the flat seas.

There are many resorts on the island to suit your budget and we stayed on the North Eastern tip, about 10 minutes drive from Larena at CangDoki Resort and Dive Camp. They specialise in diving and provide course for leisure and technical diving via TDI and SDI.

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Sea View Cottage
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Pool with a view
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The beach at high tide

We took a Coastal Island Tour from our resort and travelled around the island in a clockwise direction.  Our first stop was the a small family run bakery where you could sample the bread along with some coffee.

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The dough for the next batch was prepared in the back
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The bread is being baked under the fire

Our next stop took in a beach were you can snorkel or try your hand at cliff jumping or just relax in the sea.

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View of the reef
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Cliff jumping and slides
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Walk down to the beach where a life guard was on duty

Our next stop was the Cambugahay Falls where you can swim, jump into the water from the edge or a swing, or simply relax with some snacks and drinks. There are several layers of waterfall here so you can pick a quiet one to get away from the crowds or join in the fun if you prefer.

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The quiet top waterfall
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The lower waterfall with swings
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Jumping in from the side
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Walking on water after jumping from a swing
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Enjoying the local snacks

Our next stop was to the Broomstick riding experience in Lazi. Only a real witch can ride a broomstick?

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The Lazi Convent and church are nearby.

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Spanish style church
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The Lazi Convent

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At the Old Balete tree we had some lunch and also a fish foot spa. I felt strange having your feet nibbled by fish but enjoyable and relaxing. Our last stop was to Paliton beach  where we enjoyed a beautiful sunset.

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Sunset in Siquijor

 

Siquijor is a beautiful island where you can still find some unspoilt and quiet beaches. If you prefer something more adventurous then you can try snorkelling or diving and an island tour is a must.

 

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