FREEDIVING IN SIQUIJOR: Home of Majestic Barracudas and Cave Diving
Known as the home of penetration dive spots, as I call it, and the majestic barracuda run in the Philippines, freediving in Siquijor is one of the most exciting things to do in Isla del Fuego.
I have been on the island several times for a freediving activity and every time that I visit, I get to experience a different spot — a newly discovered cave, a crevices, a coral garden, and a lot more.
On this blog post, I am excited to share a guide about freediving in Siquijor Island, the locations of the best dive spots, a recommended safety guide, who to contact, a dive itinerary, and everything that you need to know to prepare your freediving trip in the island of Siquijor.
BEST DIVE SPOTS FOR FREEDIVING IN SIQUIJOR
Trust me when I say that freediving in Siquijor will be your favorite if you’re extra adventurous and love exploring underwater. Some of the freediving spots in Siquijor Island are challenging and not recommended for newbie freedivers — those that never had any experience and didn’t took an introductory lesson.
There are sanctuaries in Siquijor for shallow divers, maybe around 4-7 meters deep. However, if you want to enjoy the most stimulating ones, you should at least be more experienced.
Here are the best freediving spots to experience in Siquijor Island.
TULAPOS MARINE SANCTUARY -- The Famous Barracuda Run in Siquijor
Tulapos Marine Sanctuary is a highly-protected site that has a healthy and good marine life underwater. This sanctuary is the home of the famous barracuda run.
Just like the Napaling Crack in Panglao Bohol, the sardines run & mermaid statue of Moalboal Cebu, and the shipwrecks of Coron Palawan, to have an awra dive photos and videos with the barracuda run is every freediver’s bucket list.
It was mine.
Until today, it’s still part of my core memories in freediving.
Sea turtles are also quite common in this area, school of jacks, and there is also a chance to see a black tip reef shark.
DIVE FEES IN TULAPOS MARINE SANCTUARY
- Environmental Fee
- Local Guide Fee
- Snorkeling/Diving Fee
Other marine sanctuaries in Siquijor that you might want to dive:
Tubod Marine Sanctuary – Located near Coco Grove Beach Resort, it’s a perfect place for snorkeling and observing stunning healthy corals as well as huge collection of fish and colourful starfish.
Maite Marine Sanctuary – This is popular for night diving because of huge population of mandarin fish. You can also find here all sorts of fishes, crabs, sea urchins and corals.
Caticugan Marine Sanctuary – Marine life is close to the shore by the shallow waters. You can expect to see colorful fishes, corals, and sea snakes here.
SAWANG -- Cave, Crevices, and Coral Garden
Nicole (@tomathoecatsup on Instagram), a certified freediver and a creative artist, is one of the few who have been cave-diving in Siquijor together with Mang Tatski, the highly recommended dive guide on the island.
Through Nicole’s cave-diving videos, a lot of freedivers (including me), were inspired to explore the caves and crevices of Siquijor Island.
However, this extreme activity is not for the faint-hearted. Most especially not for non-experienced freedivers. Caves are home to poisonous sea snakes. There are a lot of things that could happen and we don’t want any of that.
If you’re still planning to experience this soon, here are my tips.
- DO NOT EVER DIY! Never dive alone and dive with your buddies who are not familiar with the dive spot. I’m strictly recommending booking a local safety guide. Book with Mang Tatski of Swake Freediving. He knows the nooks and crannies!
- Prepare yourself mentally. If you’re someone who easily gets a panic attack during a dive, who’s afraid of sea snakes, has a phobia of darkness, and is claustrophobic, then you might want to reconsider your decision. This might not be for you and that’s okay.
DUMANHOG CUBES
These artificial reefs in Dumanhog Siquijor are just 7 meters deep. This spot has become so popular among freedivers because of its cube-shaped design. Freedivers love to pass through it or enter the middle of the cube, then ascend.
The corals and the different species of underwater marine life surrounding the cubes are what make it captivating.
DUMANHOG DIVE FEES
- Environmental Fee – ₱50.00/pax
These are the only few out of many freediving spots in Siquijor Island. There are newly-discovered ones and others are not recommendable due to the degree of difficulty and risks. Some are freediving-friendly and others need to be scuba-dived.
As a freediver, you should assess your capabilities first, know your limitations, and take extra precautions.
Freediving in Siquijor is one of the most strenuous experiences in all of my freediving exposures. Almost all the dive spots require skills and effort to achieve breathtaking awra shots.
The dive spots are literally breathtaking! It takes your breath away and always leaves you gasping for air in every dive.
Khae Santiago
Hellooo! :) I am so happy that you've reached at the end of this post. Please let me know your thoughts by leaving a comment below. I'd be delighted to hear it. After all, engaging with readers like you is my top priority. Also, if you liked this article, feel free to share. Love youu! ❤
Glenn
Hello! Do you happen to know what months barracudas are usually seen? thank you..
Misskhae
Hi Glenn 🙂 My apologies for the late reply. The battery of barracudas can be seen most of the time the entire year, but they’ve been very unpredictable these past few months since April.
Norbert
thanks for the post! going there tomorrow.
Misskhae
Hi, Norbert! Enjoy freediving in Siquijor 🙂