The beaches in Siquijor are amongst some of the best in the Philippines and especially so when you consider that they are less crowded than those on the more famous neighbouring islands.
Siquijor island is one of my favourite places to visit in the Philippines as it is slightly off the beaten track but home to an incredible mix of beaches, waterfalls, wonderful places to stay and some amazing bars and restaurants.
If you want to learn more about this wonderful island, take a look at my complete travel guide to Siquijor in my Mini Guide; Tourist Spots in Siquijor.
Alternatively, if you are planning a trip to the Philippines and are not sure where to stay, take a look at my Manual; Backpacking the Philippines for inspiration on where to go, when to go and how to get there!
For now, let’s take a look at some of my favourite beaches in Siquijor.
The Beaches in Siquijor
Siquijor island is a small island standing at less than 350 sq kilometres. The majority of its coastline is comprised of beaches and being so small, it is easy to explore!
There are many beaches in Siquijor worthy of visiting, and plenty of unexplored coves and bays to find all over the island.
I have picked out my three favourite beaches in Siquijor that shouldn’t be missed if you are visiting Siquijor island for a few days.
So let’s have a look at my favourite beaches in Siquijor!
Paliton Beach
Perfect for: Beach Bums and Stunning Sunsets
Highlights
Paliton Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Siquijor and for good reason!
Paliton Beach’s powder white sand and beautiful turquoise water earn it the nickname of ‘little Boracay’ due to its similarities with White Beach.
It isn’t as long as White Beach, nor is it anywhere near as busy (with either tourists or bars and restaurants), but it is still beautiful and feels a lot more natural and undiscovered than its more well-known counterpart.
It is much less commercialised than beaches on Boracay or Bohol and in my opinion, it is much better for it! You can expect to see a few fishing boats lined up along the beach depending on the time of day and otherwise a largely unspoiled and natural beach.
The sand at Paliton Beach is more powdery than the sand on the east side of the island and the water is crystal clear. It is also very shallow and teeming with little fish and the occasional starfish for you to hunt out!
This is the perfect beach for a lazy day; bring a book, bat and ball or simply a towel to lie on and relax in the sun or under the palm trees that fringe the beach. There are also usually swings attached to the palms to enjoy; it really does feel like you have escaped the real world!
And whatever you do, don’t leave when the sun is starting to set!
Paliton Beach faces west and so it is the perfect place to watch the sunset on this amazing tropical island. The sunsets are really impressive on this side of the island and are worth the trip alone if you are not already staying in San Juan.
The chilled-out nature of this beach and the stunning sunsets made it one of the best beaches in Siquijor and definitely one to add to your list if you visit Siquijor Island.
Location and How to Get There
Paliton Beach is located in the popular tourist area of San Juan on the west side of Siquijor island. It is just up the road from Dolce Amore Restaurant (which serves fantastic Italian food!) and north of JJ’s Backpacker Village and The Bruce.
If you are heading there on a scooter then ride along the main Siquijor Circumferential Road until you reach the small church at Barangay Paliton. Take the road towards the sea from there and it is a small 1.5km trail down to the beach. There is parking at the beach.
Entrance Fee and Amenities
There is no entrance fee at Paliton Beach and it is free to park your scooter in the car park just behind the beach.
There are no permanent bars or restaurants on Paliton Beach. However, there are usually vendors on the beach that will sell snacks and drinks as well as rent snorkelling equipment if you want to discover the beautiful turquoise waters.
Salagdoong Beach
Perfect for: Adrenaline Junkies and Snorkellers
Highlights
Salagdoong beach is one of my favourite beaches in Siquijor due to the huge number of things you can do here!
Salagdoong Beach is in fact two coves which are split by a large rock which juts out into the sea. Each cove is fringed with palm trees and made up of white sand.
As with other beaches on the east coast of Siqujior, the sand is not as powdery as on the west side and is made from fine pieces of coral and rock which give it a harder texture. That said, it is not unpleasant to walk or sit on and so is still a beautiful beach for lounging around and enjoying the beautiful setting.
There is something for everyone at Salagdoong Beach! If you love to laze in the sun and relax then this idyllic setting is perfect!
For those that love the sea, not only is the water crystal clear and very calm but there is a reef off-shore which is perfect for exploring with a snorkel. Expect to see plenty of tropical fish and hopefully a little Nemo fish or two!
And for the adrenaline junkies, there are not one, but two man-made diving boards at Salagdoong Beach! One is 5-7 metres high and the other 10 metres high and both send you into the beautiful blue water below. If you’re not brave enough for the jump, they still offer a beautiful photo opportunity!
As well as the diving boards, there is also a natural rock slide which you can take into the sea at high tide.
There is a lifeguard on duty here to keep an eye on the slides and the diving boards so you can be assured that the lifeguard will point you in the right direction if you are not sure where to jump!
As Salagdoong Beach is part of Salagdoong Beach Resort, there are plenty of amenities at the beach to keep you hydrated and fed and so it has everything you need for the perfect beach day.
With its still and clear water, beautiful beach, corals for snorkelling, trees for shade, rocks for diving and sliding and a restaurant and local vendors for food and drinks, Salagdoong Beach really is one of my favourite beaches in Siquijor.
Location and How to Get There
Salagdoong Beach is located on the eastern coast of Siquijor island and is part of the Salagdoong Beach Resort.
If you are heading to Salagdoong beach from San Juan then it will take around 45 minutes.
As you approach Salagdoong Beach Resort, at Maria town, on the main Siquijor Circumferential Road you will see a sign taking you off the main road and towards the beach. You will enter a small forest on the way to the beach where you will be charged an entrance fee to access Salagdoong Beach.
Entrance Fee and Amenities
Entrance to Salagdoong Beach will cost you 30 pesos per person (less than $1 or £1) and an additional 20 pesos for parking.
As it is part of a beach resort, Salagdoong Beach is a very well-maintained beach with villas from the nearby resort right next to the beach, a restaurant for food and many local vendors selling on the beach.
As a consequence, Salagdoong Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Siquijor, especially with the locals so head down early to beat the crowds! You can even splash out and hire a beach hut for around 200 pesos per day ($4, £3).
Tubod Beach
Perfect for: Escaping the Tourist Crowd and Snorkellers
Highlights
For me, there are two reasons why Tubod Beach is one of the best beaches in Siqiuijor.
Firstly, it is nowhere near as touristy as any of the other beaches in Siquijor that I have mentioned in this blog despite being on the San Juan side of the island.
Secondly, it has some of the best snorkelling on Siquijor island as it is located at the Tubod Marine Sanctuary!
The beach itself is similar to the other San Juan beaches in Siquijor (including Paliton Beach) with its powdery white sand, palm trees and crystal-clear water.
Tubod Beach is now mainly part of the stunning Coco Grove Beach Resort and that part of the beach is beautifully maintained.
There is a fee to access the part owned by Coco Grove Beach Resort and in exchange, you get to take advantage of the wonderful facilities at the Resort. Alternatively, there is still a small section of the beach open to the public.
The beach is a beautiful place to relax on the sand in a picture-perfect setting. However, that is only one-half of its appeal as one of the best beaches in Siquijor.
Tubod Beach is home to Tubod Marine Sanctuary, a designated area of coral and sea on Siquijor island aimed at preserving and promoting marine life.
The snorkelling at Tubod Marine Sanctuary is what sets this beach apart from the rest. If you don’t have your own snorkel then no worries, you can hire a set from Coco Grove Beach Resort and head into the sea.
It is not far out to the marine sanctuary, depending on whether it is high or low tide you have around 50 metres of seagrass from the beach and after that, you have corals and reefs to explore.
Within the sanctuary, there is a clearly marked designated area for snorkelling. The dive shop will show you where to go and I would definitely recommend trying to be here for high tide.
You will find beautifully coloured corals and reefs teeming with sea life including clown fish (a.k.a ‘Nemo’ fish!) for which snorkelling in the Philippines is famous! If you are lucky, and at high tide, you may see turtles.
You can easily spend 30 minutes or so floating and swimming above the reefs and corals and watching the fish below; it is mesmerising and very beautiful and all the better for knowing that this marine life is being protected.
Once you have explored the Tubod Marine Sanctuary, head back to dry land and enjoy one of the most peaceful beaches in Siquijor. As it is located on the west side of the island it is another beautiful spot to watch a sunset.
Location and How to Get There
Tubod beach and Tubod Marine Sanctuary are located just in front of Coco Grove Beach Resort on the west side of Siquijor Island.
It is located around 10 minutes south of Paliton Beach in the San Juan area of the island.
The entrance to Tubod Marine Sanctuary can be found between the two entrances to Coco Grove Beach Resort if you decide not to go into the Resort itself.
There is motorcycle parking at the entrance to Tubod Marine Sanctuary if you’re arriving on a scooter.
Entrance Fee and Amenities
If you wish to access the part of Tubod Beach owned by Coco Grove Beach Resorts then there is a 200 pesos ($4, £3) entrance fee payable to the Resort.
Entrance to the Tubod Marine Sanctuary is 50 pesos ($1, £0.75) and payable to the dive shop next to Coco Grove Beach Resort. It is possible to hire snorkels either here or at Coco Grove.
The only real amenities at Tubod Beach are provided by Coco Grove Beach Resort. The food at the Resort is stunning and the setting is beautiful; it is the perfect place for a treat meal whilst watching the sunset after a day of relaxing on the beach and exploring the Tubod Marine Sanctuary!
If you are on a budget, and perhaps generally if you are spending the day here, I would definitely recommend bringing some food and certainly some water with you as there are not always vendors on the beach here.
Accommodation near the Beaches in Siquijor
Siquijor island has some fantastic accommodation options with many of these located on or overlooking the beaches themselves.
Below are my favourite places to stay in Siquijor and all of them offer good access to explore the beaches of Siquijor.
For more details on these options, take a look at my guide to the Tourist Spots in Siquijor which has more detail on where to stay on Siquijor island as well as where to go, food and drink options and getting to and around Siquijor Island.
JJ’s Backpackers Village
JJ’s has a huge range of choices with dorms as well as single, double, twin and triple rooms and even bungalows available.
JJ’s also has a great bar and restaurant with food and drinks served directly on the beach.
Located in the San Juan area of the island, on the west coast and between Paliton Beach and Tubod Marine Reserve, JJs is perfectly positioned to visit the beaches of Siquijor.
The Bruce
Just up the road from JJs, and very near to Paliton Beach, the Bruce Resort offers beach-front cottages, a treehouse and spacious apartments.
The Bruce also offers a large swimming pool, and free kayak hire and you are able to arrange scooter hire for your trip to help you explore the beautiful beaches in Siquijor.
The Bruce doesn’t have a restaurant but there are various options nearby including Monkey Business and Dagsa next door and opposite.
Tropical Fun-Ta-Sea Rentals
As a great mid-range option with some stunning beachside bungalows, Fun-Ta-Sea is an incredible place to stay.
Complete with a restaurant, free parking, airport pick-ups, scooter hire and watersports, Tropical Fun-Ta-Sea has you covered!
Located equidistant between Paliton Beach and Tubod Marine Sanctuary, this is a great base from which to explore the beaches in Siquijor.
Coco Grove Beach Resort
If you are looking for luxury, then Coco Grove Beach Resort is the perfect destination for your trip to Siquijor island.
Located at Tubod Marine Reserve, Coco Grove Resort has its own pristine white sand beach, a swim-up bar, amazing pool areas and several delicious on-site restaurants.
This is a level above in terms of accommodation but still a very good price when compared to similar western offerings. It is located on the west side of the island, at Tubod Beach, and so still within easy reach of Paliton Beach and the rest of the attractions of San Juan.
Food and Drink on Siquijor Island
I have picked out below some of my favourite places to eat and drink whilst exploring the beaches in Siquijor.
Check out my Mini Guide; the Tourist Spots in Siquijor for more suggestions and details.
Dolce Amore
If you love Italian food, you will love Dolce Amore! Incredible food, great drinks, a beautiful setting and wonderful staff; this place has everything!
Located near JJs and Bruces, on the road between Paliton Beach and Tubod Marine Sanctuary, this place is definitely worth a visit even if you are not staying in the San Juan area.
Coco Grove Beach Resort
Coco Grove Resort has two stand-out restaurants on site and these are well worth a visit even if you are not staying at the resort.
Both Salamandas Restaurant and Sunset Restaurant offer outstanding food in a beautiful beach-side setting so take a look at the menus and decide which one you prefer! The staff are super friendly and the extra cost is definitely worth it for the food here.
Ideally located at Tubod Marine Sanctuary so it can be the perfect way to finish off a trip to Tubod Beach.
Dagsa
Dagsa offers a variation from the usual beachside offerings with a rustic dining area and a very chilled-out lounge.
Enjoy one of their incredible wood-fired pizzas and keep an eye on their socials for their live music nights and drinks offers.
Located in San Juan, just across the road from The Bruce, this one is definitely worth a trip.
Monkey Business
Monkey Business brings the classic beach bar vibe and does it so well. With its sandy floor and swings at the bar, this is the perfect watering hole after a day at the beach.
Located next door to The Bruce in the San Juan area, between Paliton Beach and Tubod Marine Sanctuary, it’s a great place to grab a cool drink after a day exploring the beaches in Siquijor.
Getting to the Beaches in Siquijor
There are two main ways to get to Siquijor Island, either by plane or by ferry.
Siquijor airport, located in Siquijor town, is small and only has connecting flights from Cebu airport. That said, if you are coming from (or going to) Cebu then the connection is very quick and given the size of Siquijor airport, there is not a lot of queuing or waiting around.
The most popular way to get to Siquijor island is by ferry and there are ferries from nearby Bohol, Dumaguete and Cebu on a daily basis.
For more details on getting to Siquijor, check out my Mini-Guide; Tourist Spots in Siquijor.
Getting around Siquijor Island
For me, the best way to explore the beaches of Siquijor is by scooter. As Siquijor is not very big, you can head from one side of the island to the other in a day without too much trouble at all.
Fortunately, you can hire a scooter from nearly all of the hostels and accommodation on the island and you can expect to pay around 250 pesos per day ($5, £4).
Alternatively, you can hire a taxi or a trike either to take you to the beaches of Siquijor or by the day for a full tour of the island.
Again, for more details take a look at my full Mini-Guide; Tourist Spots in Siquijor.
Enjoy the beaches in Siquijor!
There are so many beaches in Siquijor to discover, and they are all absolutely stunning, like most beaches are in the Philippines but these three were my favourite.
Of course, there are other beaches in Siquijor that are also worth a visit, like Sabas and Solangon beaches, but for those people that are only spending a few days in Siquijor, for me, the three beaches that feature in this blog, are the beaches in Siquijor that shouldn’t be missed!
I hope that this blog helps you decide what should feature on your Siquijor Island itinerary – let us know if you do visit the beaches on this list and what your thoughts are in the comments below!
Disclaimer: My blog contains affiliate links. If you buy something through these, I get a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you x
