(SPOT.ph) Not too long ago, Siquijor Island was shrouded in the mystery and lore of witchcraft and faith healing. But now, this gem in the southernmost point of Central Visayas has earned its crown of mysticism from tourists who have come back excitedly relaying stories of lush nature and unparalleled experiences.
If you're island-hopping in that part of the Philippines and only have one day to explore Siquijor, don't fret, as there's plenty of time to experience the island's adrenaline-pumping weekend activities with snatches of good food in between.
Explore a hidden gem in the Visayas with this 24-hour Siquijor itinerary:
This plan starts from the port of Dumaguete, Negros Oriental. At the Dumaguete port, you are required to present a vaccination card and valid ID to purchase a ticket. Travel from Dumaguete to Siquijor can either be via RORO on Montenegro Lines or via fast craft with Ocean Jet.
Travel through Montenegro Shipping Lines takes about 1.5 hours. The fare is P243. The RORO leaves Dumaguete at 7 a.m., 10 a.m., 2 p.m., and 7 p.m.
On the other hand, the fast craft takes 50 minutes and offers more options: Open Air/Tourist Class (P350) or Business Class (P580). The fast craft leaves Dumaguete at 7:20 a.m. and 7 p.m., but it's best to check their Facebook page for schedule updates.
At the Dumaguete port, you’ll have to pay a P15 terminal fee and go through security checks before you get to the waiting area.
Rent your wheels
Your adventure begins almost as soon as you arrive on the island. First order of the day: Determining your mode of transportation. The best way to get around the island is on a rented motorbike—with helmets and driving license—for around P350 plus fuel. You can also rent the services of a tricycle for the day, which often has negotiable rates. There are rows of rental places right after you leave the Siquijor port.
Make the charming St. Francis of Assisi church your first stop. It dates back to 1783, when it was still made of nipa. Construction of the modest stone-and-coral church began in 1793. With its detached bell tower, it provides a nice backdrop for your selfie in front of the "Welcome to Siquijor" sign.
Load up on healthy grub
Load up on a nutritious, delicious, and Instagram-worthy breakfast at Luca Loko Restaurant. Less than 20 minutes away from the port of Siquijor, the airy hut lets you satisfy your early morning hankering with vegetarian (like the three-egg Shakshuka), vegan (particularly the highly sought-after Ocean Vibes Bowl: homemade granola with a banana smoothie, blue spirulina, and flaxseed topped with marine-themed white chocolates), and meaty (for example, the very satisfying Chicken Rice loaded with veggies and eggs) options. And if you’re a believer in putting coffee first, you will not be disappointed in both the presentation and size of their cappuccino.
Luca Loko Restaurant is in Barangay Maite, San Juan, Siquijor. It is open daily from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Get your kayak on
Now that you’re good and ready, why not warm up and stretch your muscles with a kayak ride? You can rent a single (P300 per hour) or two-seater kayak (P500 per hour) at FIG Sunset View Resort. The stretch from here to nearby Tubod Beach has manageable currents, which may tempt you to wander farther from shore. Not to worry, FIG has a resident lifeguard who will keep an eye out for your welfare. Also, if you’re lucky, you can paddle more than 1.5 kilometers away from the shore and enjoy the crystal-clear waters that let you see until the bottom of the ocean.
You can also take a quick swim with schools of small fish at the nearby Tubod Marine Sanctuary.
FIG Sunset View Resort is in Tubod Beach, San Juan, Siquijor.
Jump off a cliff ala James Bond
The famous jump-off point in Salagdoong Beach is closed to the public as of this writing. But don’t panic! Just less than three kilometers away is Pitogo, which has several spots for cliff jumping. Stairs have been chiseled into the rock to make the jump-off point more accessible, but otherwise, you’ll get the heart-thumping anticipation as you prepare to step off or jump into the bright blue water. Then, you can go up emerge from the water, climb up, and do it all over again. It’s also a great vantage point for panoramic photos of the horizon and the sea.
Pitogo Cliff is in Tag-Ibo, San Juan, Siquijor. Entrance fee is P30 with free use of a life jacket.
Swing across pristine lagoons ala Tarzan
You may have seen those FOMO-inducing photos and videos of people hanging from a rope and then jumping (or falling) into a lagoon surrounded by refreshing waterfalls and forests. Multiply that by three at Cambugahay Falls.
After paying the P20 entrance fee, you only need to walk down stone steps (with handrails!) for 5 minutes to get to the first site. Pay P50 for an unlimited number of swings and jumps into the clear blue waters. Each tier is supervised by a different team, so expect to pay that amount at each station. At the last one, you can even ride a raft (raft man takes donations) to cross towards the jump-off platform with a side trip under the curtain of water for that music video-type experience.
Cambugahay Falls is in Lazi, Siqujor.
Take a coffee break with a view of the sunset
After all that action, you’re surely ready to fill up your empty stomachs. Before you head back to Dumaguete, take in the sunset from FIG Sunset View Resort’s beachfront. Start with sinuglaw (also known as fish kinilaw or ceviche), followed by chicken sangkutsa (a spicy dish of native chicken in coconut milk) and bagnet pochero (a fusion of crisp pork belly and tomato-based stew). And, if they have it, a slice of cheesecake.
FIG Sunset View Restaurant is open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Where to next
If you're up for it, you can explore the teeming marine life in nearby Apo Island by booking with a tour provider or dive resort in Siquijor or Dumaguete. You can also hop on a RORO or fast craft to Bohol, then to Cebu.
How to get there
Commercial airlines have daily flights from Manila to Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental. From the airport, take a tricycle to Dumaguete Port, then take a ferry to Siquijor Island.