Siquijor, in the central Visayas region of the Philippines, is an enchanting dive destination with a mystical allure. Known locally as the "Island of Fire" due to its enchanting fireflies, this small collection of islands offers an underwater experience that is both mesmerizing and diverse. Divers will find 23 dive sites that boast a variety of environments, including healthy coral reefs, deep walls, and fascinating swim-throughs. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced diver, Siquijor accommodates all skill levels with its calm waters and select sites featuring strong currents for advanced exploration.

One of the highlights of diving in Siquijor is its excellent macro marine life, making it a paradise for underwater photographers and critter enthusiasts. Night diving here is particularly famed, offering an opportunity to spot unique nocturnal creatures that add an extra layer of excitement to the experience. Beyond the marine life, the island’s rich history and legends, including tales of witchcraft and sea-rising origins supported by fossil evidence, provide a captivating backdrop to your diving adventures. This combination of mystical charm and underwater beauty makes Siquijor a truly special dive destination.

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Diving in Siquijor

Siquijor offers some exceptional diving, and it is mostly suitable for even beginner divers. The warm, clear waters make the islands perfect for dive courses and there are many dive shops to choose from. There are plenty of dive resorts as well, but dive and stay packages do tend to be more expensive. There is some variation in the dive shop prices and there are lots of differently priced accommodation available so a diving holiday on Siquijor can be catered to all budgets. There are not many liveaboards operating as all the dive sites are close to the islands.

There are reef dives which offer lots of healthy corals and reef life, including excellent macro - these are also brilliant night dives for those who like searching with the light of a torch-beam. There are deep, stunning walls that drop down as deep as 60m in the crystal waters. There are also plenty of swim throughs and caves to explore for the adventurous. Some of the dive sites such as Sunken Island are best suited to advanced divers due to the depth and the strength of the currents.

Dive Centers

Dive Sites

The best Months to dive in Siquijor

Diving in Siquijor is possible all year round, but the best conditions are during the dry season between December and April. As a country, the Philippines experiences rain year-round, though Siquijor has less than some other islands. The rain is consistent between June and November, and the seas can sometimes be rough. As all the dive sites are close to the islands, this does not affect diving, but can make ferry crossings a little hairy. The water temperature is steady, between 26°C–30°C/79°F–86°F all year round.

During the dry season, prices can be a little higher for resorts as this is the busiest time. Public holidays such as New Year and Chinese New Year are even busier, so bear these dates in mind when booking.

Top Wildlife Sightings in Siquijor

As much of Siquijor is a marine protected area, the diversity of corals and marine life is superb. The coral gardens feature both hard and soft corals - fans, sponges, whips, hydroids and leather corals cover the rocks. Colourful reef fish like butterflyfish and damselfish dance over the reef while the eagle eyed can spot the well camouflaged giant frogfish, nudibranch, ornate ghost pipefish and playful cuttlefish. Big schools of fish are commonplace - mackerel, fusiliers, jacks and glassfish. In deeper water, giant barracuda and blue spotted rays can be found along with turtles, eagle rays and reef sharks.

Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content

Green Turtle

Green Turtle

2.3k Sightings
J
299
F
207
M
247
A
296
M
230
J
119
J
156
A
103
S
36
O
101
N
231
D
290
Hawksbill Turtle

Hawksbill Turtle

720 Sightings
J
69
F
72
M
80
A
69
M
85
J
24
J
36
A
41
S
6
O
16
N
100
D
122

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 200

Moray Eel

Moray Eel

353 Sightings
J
41
F
18
M
34
A
49
M
23
J
21
J
20
A
16
S
1
O
16
N
56
D
58

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 27

Barracuda

Barracuda

225 Sightings
J
22
F
29
M
33
A
23
M
16
J
12
J
11
A
17
S
9
O
8
N
32
D
13

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 28

Clownfish

Clownfish

1.7k Sightings
J
203
F
189
M
174
A
175
M
150
J
104
J
124
A
70
S
10
O
63
N
215
D
210

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 12

Lionfish

Lionfish

813 Sightings
J
90
F
73
M
81
A
44
M
78
J
49
J
57
A
29
S
9
O
36
N
137
D
130

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 100

Parrotfish

Parrotfish

749 Sightings
J
64
F
75
M
78
A
65
M
73
J
47
J
81
A
37
S
4
O
17
N
124
D
84

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 130

Pufferfish

Pufferfish

718 Sightings
J
81
F
70
M
85
A
60
M
75
J
16
J
64
A
25
S
5
O
16
N
122
D
99

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 90

Angelfish

Angelfish

574 Sightings
J
57
F
48
M
70
A
24
M
60
J
43
J
72
A
25
S
4
O
14
N
110
D
47

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 8

Bannerfish

Bannerfish

483 Sightings
J
26
F
13
M
66
A
37
M
43
J
12
J
41
A
28
S
5
O
16
N
122
D
74

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 130

Butterfly Fish

Butterfly Fish

480 Sightings
J
34
F
47
M
60
A
29
M
46
J
32
J
47
A
22
S
1
O
25
N
95
D
42

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 40

Triggerfish

Triggerfish

478 Sightings
J
48
F
35
M
51
A
24
M
57
J
28
J
54
A
36
S
2
O
5
N
109
D
29

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 3000

Nudibranch

Nudibranch

469 Sightings
J
44
F
33
M
62
A
52
M
56
J
16
J
28
A
20
S
4
O
20
N
41
D
93

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 3400

Shrimp

Shrimp

377 Sightings
J
50
F
35
M
57
A
33
M
37
J
20
J
17
A
14
S
4
O
12
N
48
D
50

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 3

Trumpetfish

Trumpetfish

353 Sightings
J
17
F
11
M
28
A
29
M
35
J
22
J
42
A
24
S
1
O
6
N
110
D
28

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 150

Sweetlips and Grunts

Sweetlips and Grunts

274 Sightings
J
25
F
26
M
25
A
21
M
20
J
24
J
37
A
10
S
2
O
6
N
41
D
37

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 130

Pipefish

Pipefish

271 Sightings
J
24
F
24
M
19
A
30
M
40
J
22
J
29
A
14
S
0
O
4
N
41
D
24
Banded Sea Krait

Banded Sea Krait

219 Sightings
J
12
F
34
M
17
A
21
M
28
J
16
J
22
A
8
S
5
O
11
N
2
D
43

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 85

Surgeonfish

Surgeonfish

208 Sightings
J
11
F
4
M
24
A
9
M
12
J
11
J
34
A
7
S
1
O
5
N
73
D
17

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 50

Frogfish

Frogfish

197 Sightings
J
22
F
17
M
26
A
8
M
43
J
5
J
21
A
20
S
2
O
11
N
14
D
8

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 250

Scorpionfish

Scorpionfish

173 Sightings
J
36
F
17
M
20
A
17
M
18
J
5
J
9
A
6
S
2
O
3
N
27
D
13

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 25

Boxfish

Boxfish

146 Sightings
J
12
F
13
M
5
A
16
M
23
J
8
J
11
A
8
S
2
O
8
N
22
D
18

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 7000

Crab

Crab

144 Sightings
J
15
F
10
M
20
A
16
M
12
J
6
J
17
A
7
S
1
O
4
N
19
D
17

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 350

Damselfish

Damselfish

97 Sightings
J
4
F
1
M
14
A
1
M
7
J
7
J
26
A
7
S
0
O
3
N
24
D
3

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 110

Snapper

Snapper

71 Sightings
J
2
F
0
M
7
A
1
M
2
J
7
J
25
A
6
S
3
O
0
N
16
D
2

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 40

Jackfish

Jackfish

68 Sightings
J
5
F
6
M
6
A
8
M
3
J
7
J
0
A
3
S
0
O
0
N
12
D
18