Explore Siquijor

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.

Courses and Events

Try Scuba

The SSI Try Scuba program is the best way to try scuba diving for the first time. You will be in confined water and well looked after by your instructor, so you can enjoy those first unforgettable breaths underwater and experience the magic of scuba diving. At the end of this short course, you will have earned your SSI Try Scuba recognition card and undoubtedly want to go diving again. Endless scuba diving adventures are waiting for you and this course is where it all begins. Start today!

11 February +42 More
EUR 56.77
PHP 3,950.00

Open Water Diver

This globally recognized certification program is the best way to begin your lifelong adventures as a certified scuba diver. Personalized training is combined with in-water practice sessions to ensure you have the skills and experience required to become truly comfortable underwater. You will earn the SSI Open Water Diver certification.

11 February +42 More
EUR 301.79
PHP 21,000.00

Advanced Open Water Diver

If you cannot decide which specialty programs are the best choice for you, join the SSI Advanced Open Water Diver program! With this program, you can try a variety of specialties before committing to full specialty programs. It is a great way to experience what advanced diver training is all about and how valuable it can be to your diving adventures. During the Advanced Open Water Diver Program, you will try out 5 different specialties. You will complete one open water training dive per specialty after a comprehensive briefing with your SSI Instructor. With this trial program in specialty diving, you will have total freedom to explore. You can complete the full specialty programs any time in the future and credit your Advanced Open Water Diver training towards them.

11 February +42 More
EUR 294.61
PHP 20,500.00

Enriched Air Nitrox (40%)

As a Nitrox diver, you can increase your bottom times and safety margins, plus shorten your surface intervals - so you can spend more time diving and less time waiting! In this program, you will learn new skills and increase your diving knowledge whilst learning how to safely plan and dive with enriched air mixtures of up to 40% oxygen. Upon completion, you will earn an SSI Enriched Air Nitrox 32% or 40% certification.

11 February +79 More
EUR 172.45
PHP 12,000.00

Stress & Rescue

The SSI Diver Stress and Rescue specialty program teaches you the skills you need to protect yourself and other divers. You will learn how to identify stress, how to prevent accidents and be taught practical techniques to conduct rescues and provide emergency care. With a combination of pool and open water practice sessions, you will become well prepared and confident at handling emergency and rescue situations. Upon completion, you will earn the SSI Diver Stress and Rescue Specialty certification.

11 February +79 More
EUR 287.42
PHP 20,000.00

Dive Activity

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.

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

Shutterstock-Shane Myers Photography

Green Turtle
1.7k Sightings
J
257
F
141
M
177
A
194
M
148
J
82
J
98
A
80
S
30
O
72
N
196
D
257
Shutterstock-Ed Jenkins

Hawksbill Turtle
567 Sightings
J
60
F
50
M
57
A
45
M
67
J
15
J
26
A
38
S
5
O
11
N
85
D
108

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

Total number of species: 200

Alamy-WaterFrame

Moray Eel
283 Sightings
J
38
F
20
M
15
A
24
M
17
J
19
J
14
A
15
S
2
O
16
N
52
D
51

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

Total number of species: 27

iStock-Global_Pics

Barracuda
194 Sightings
J
24
F
26
M
21
A
25
M
11
J
10
J
12
A
14
S
9
O
8
N
28
D
6

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

Total number of species: 28

Udo Kefrig

Clownfish
1.3k Sightings
J
179
F
129
M
118
A
121
M
98
J
71
J
69
A
49
S
10
O
48
N
183
D
181

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

Total number of species: 12

iStock/cinoby

Lionfish
625 Sightings
J
78
F
50
M
68
A
24
M
51
J
33
J
41
A
24
S
6
O
25
N
117
D
108

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

Total number of species: 100

iStock-burnsboxco

Parrotfish
554 Sightings
J
59
F
52
M
59
A
44
M
49
J
30
J
44
A
26
S
3
O
14
N
103
D
71

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

Total number of species: 130

AdobeStock-JirinaVFR

Pufferfish
506 Sightings
J
67
F
45
M
48
A
32
M
40
J
12
J
40
A
18
S
7
O
11
N
105
D
81

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

Total number of species: 90

Shutterstock-Rich Carey

Angelfish
395 Sightings
J
51
F
33
M
46
A
18
M
28
J
23
J
35
A
21
S
5
O
10
N
92
D
33

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

Total number of species: 8

Alamy-Reinhard Dirscherl

Bannerfish
371 Sightings
J
28
F
20
M
41
A
26
M
19
J
9
J
32
A
12
S
6
O
11
N
107
D
60
Show More

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

Total number of species: 40

iStock-wrangel

Triggerfish
345 Sightings
J
45
F
30
M
43
A
15
M
32
J
17
J
28
A
24
S
2
O
3
N
87
D
19

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

Total number of species: 130

Shutterstock_Krzysztof Odziomek

Butterfly Fish
342 Sightings
J
28
F
37
M
36
A
24
M
25
J
20
J
27
A
17
S
2
O
16
N
77
D
33

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

Total number of species: 3000

SSI-Peter-Schinck

Nudibranch
336 Sightings
J
40
F
19
M
42
A
37
M
38
J
14
J
13
A
13
S
0
O
13
N
31
D
76

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

Total number of species: 3

Shutterstock_Leo Lorenzo

Trumpetfish
282 Sightings
J
15
F
15
M
28
A
22
M
27
J
12
J
28
A
13
S
1
O
3
N
95
D
23

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

Total number of species: 3400

Shutterstock-Shane Gross

Shrimp
276 Sightings
J
42
F
28
M
30
A
19
M
28
J
21
J
15
A
7
S
1
O
9
N
40
D
36

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

Total number of species: 130

iStock-Christian von Mach

Pipefish
218 Sightings
J
21
F
12
M
26
A
21
M
23
J
17
J
22
A
13
S
0
O
4
N
40
D
19

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

Total number of species: 150

Shutterstock-aquapix

Sweetlips and Grunts
210 Sightings
J
25
F
23
M
20
A
14
M
16
J
17
J
24
A
11
S
2
O
1
N
37
D
20
AdobeStock-Richard Carey

Banded Sea Krait
184 Sightings
J
12
F
23
M
10
A
23
M
19
J
17
J
19
A
8
S
3
O
4
N
1
D
45

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

Total number of species: 85

iStock-mirecca

Surgeonfish
155 Sightings
J
11
F
13
M
16
A
5
M
2
J
7
J
22
A
5
S
1
O
4
N
60
D
9

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

Total number of species: 250

iStock-Miguel-Angelo-Silva.

Scorpionfish
146 Sightings
J
33
F
16
M
16
A
12
M
15
J
3
J
7
A
9
S
2
O
3
N
22
D
8

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

Total number of species: 50

istock-atese

Frogfish
119 Sightings
J
15
F
10
M
19
A
4
M
25
J
3
J
14
A
9
S
0
O
2
N
11
D
7

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

Total number of species: 25

AdobeStock_Vladimir Wrangel

Boxfish
117 Sightings
J
12
F
5
M
4
A
13
M
17
J
5
J
11
A
7
S
2
O
6
N
20
D
15

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

Total number of species: 7000

iStock-Michael Zeigler

Crab
117 Sightings
J
19
F
11
M
3
A
10
M
14
J
6
J
16
A
4
S
1
O
4
N
17
D
12

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.

Dive Centers

Mystic divers

Circumferential Road, 6227 San Juan Siquijor Island, Negros - PHL

Coco Grove Dive Center

Coco Grove Beach Resort, 6227 Siquijor Island, Philippines, Negros - PHL

Dive Point Siquijor, Maite, San Juan

Republika Beach Bar, 6227 Maite, San Juan, Negros - PHL

VOODOO DIVING CENTER

Lala-o San Juan Siquijor, 6227 San Juan, Siquijor, Negros - PHL

BLUE DREAM DIVE, KITE & WING RESORT MANAGEMENT, BLUE DREAM DIVE, KITE & WING RESORT

Timbaon, 6227 Siquijor, Negros - PHL

Dive Sites

Elias P. (#2102022)

Coco Grove House Reef (★4.6)

A shallow slope makes this the perfect site for beginners. Just in front of Coco Grove resort, you will find a beautiful and colorful variety of coral and small fish. This site is easy to dive and not a lot of current.
Dive Point Siquijor, 6227 San Juan, Siquijor

Sawang (★4.4)

This site has large boulders full of corals and marine life. Afterwhich, the bottom slowly changes to a sandy slope which leads to a small wall filled with coral.
Dive Point Siquijor, 6227 Maite, San Juan

Republika Coral Ridge (★4.8)

Just in front of Republika Beach Bar is an area with abundance of corals which slowly goes down. Diving directions SWW you come to a ridge, with the deepest depth of 24m at the SWW end. Top of the ridge is 10m below the surface.
Dive Point Siquijor, 6227 San Juan, Siquijor

Johnlhea Coral Garden (★4.7)

One of the most popular shore entries in Siquijor is 1,3 kilometers south of San Juan town center. You will find on the right side the John Lhea Resort sign board. Turn in and check in at Dive Point DC which is located there for a shore dive in Coral Garden. A great site for a night dive.
BLUE DREAM DIVE, KITE & WING RESORT MANAGEMENT, 6227 Siquijor

Lighthouse (★4.5)

Just at the bottom of the cliff right under the lighthouse, this corner can have strong current, really good for drift diving, usually from west to East.
Mares

Cabakungan (★4.5)

Famous for its porous rocks, on the surface, you will find a variety of coves and shallow water caverns. Underwater these rocks have been overgrown with coral and inhabited by a variety of reef fish.
Aqualung

Sunken Island (★4.2)

Also known as “Takot Shoal,” this site is a beautiful submerged island encrusted with hard and soft corals. Amazing for both diving and snorkeling.
Scubapro

Tubod (★4.6)

A marine sanctuary with an area of over seven hectares of coral reef and sea grass. This site starts as a gentle sloping reef and is considered one of the best sites in Siquijor.
Mares, Janez Kranjc

J.J. (★4.5)

Five minutes away from the Resort. A sandy slope dive site perfect for macro diving. Average depth of 18 meters. And a nice corals on shallow parts.
Scubapro, Stephen Frink

Maite Marine Sanctuary (★4.6)

Southwest of the island along the beach road of San Juan in Siquijor you will find a cemetery. Maite in the Visayan dialect means cemetery, lending this dive site its name.
Mares

Dive Point Coral reef (★4.7)

It is located short swimming distance from the shore, just in front of Dive Point diving center. Drop of starts in coral rocks area at 5-6m and falling down to 25m. Fields of staghorn corals characterize this location in deeper part.
Mares, Janez Kranjc

Mystic coral garden (★4.7)

The entry is walking, the approach is shallow for approximately 50 meters and the coral reefs start to drop off, it varies 6 meters to 30 meters to a gentle slope. The dive can be done in two sessions left and right, both completely different in topography.
Mares, Janez Kranjc

belle’s wall (★4.8)

One of the most popular shore entries in Siquijor is 1,3 kilometers south of San Juan town center. Shore entry from mystic diving services. Sloping wall varying from 5 metres to thirty metres plus.A great site for a night dive.
Mares

Baha reef (★4.5)

Just swimming distance from Dive Point Siquijor dive center there is a Baha Reef, reach with coral rocks, giant table corals and marine wild life. Excellent night dive here is guaranteed.
Aqualung

Takot Shoal (★4.5)

Takot Shoal is also known as the sunken island. Located in the San Juan area of ​​Siquijor. This is a sloping dive, starting at about 12 m, going all the way to 40 m. This is a more advanced dive site and you can encounter some current. You can meet seahorses.