Diving Siquijor & Apo Island — Where the Turtles Are

Siquijor has 30 dive sites and some of the healthiest reef in the Visayas. But the real draw is Apo Island — a 45-minute boat ride away with 650+ fish species and sea turtles on virtually every dive. Here's the complete picture.

Siquijor's 30+ Dive Sites

Siquijor has roughly 30 mapped dive sites in its surrounding waters, ranging from beginner-friendly coral gardens to advanced drift dives. The best sites are clustered in two protected marine sanctuaries: Tubod (southwest) and Tulapos (east), both home to healthy coral and abundant marine life.

Tubod Marine Sanctuary (Southwest)

Depth: 5–30 meters. Marine life: coral-dwelling fish, nudibranches, sea snakes, cuttlefish, ghost pipefish, sea turtles. The reef has multiple entry points suited to different skill levels. Shallow coral gardens (5–15m) are ideal for open-water divers; deeper sections (20–30m) host larger pelagic fish.

Why dive it: Year-round protection means healthy coral and dense fish populations. Early morning dives (6–8 AM) offer the best visibility and calmest seas.

Tulapos Marine Sanctuary (East)

Established in 1986 — Siquijor's oldest marine reserve. Depth: 8–40 meters. Famous for: seasonal barracuda runs (December–March), cave systems, coral crevices. Marine life: barracudas, jackfish, blacktip reef sharks (small, non-aggressive), sea turtles, groupers.

Why dive it: More adventurous than Tubod. The cave systems and barracuda encounters make it memorable. Best for intermediate+ divers. Peak season: December–February when barracuda congregate.

Other Notable Sites

• San Juan Reef: Shallow (3–12m), beginner-friendly, easy access from the main town
• Apo Island Surroundings: Multiple sites around Apo with steep drop-offs and pelagic fish
• Paliton Caves: Northwest, shallow cave diving (10–18m), ideal for training

Apo Island Day Trip: World-Class Diving

Apo Island is a 30-minute boat ride from Siquijor's main port. It's one of the world's top 10 dive sites and absolutely worth a day trip. The site is a marine sanctuary with strict protection rules and astounding biodiversity.

What Makes Apo Special

• 650+ fish species: More fish in one location than most divers see in a year
• Sea turtles: Green turtles seen regularly (90%+ of dives encounter at least one)
• Reef condition: Pristine, thanks to strict marine sanctuary management
• Dive variety: House Reef (beginner), Barracuda Point (intermediate), and drift dives (advanced)

Typical Apo Day Trip

Schedule: Pickup 6:30 AM → Boat to Apo (30 min) → First dive 8 AM → Surface interval + lunch (on boat, pre-packed) → Second dive 11:30 AM → Return 1:30 PM → Arrive Siquijor 2 PM.

Cost: ₱3,000–3,500 for a two-tank dive with lunch included. Equipment rental is extra (₱500–1,000 if needed).

Booking Apo Dives

Book through your dive operator at least 1 day in advance. All operators offer Apo day trips. Weather can delay departures (Apo is exposed to rough seas during monsoon), so be flexible on timing. Best weather months: November–April.

Dive Operators & Shops

Established & Recommended

Sea Pearl Divers — San Juan-based, PADI 5-Star facility. Offers recreational diving, training, and Apo day trips. Well-maintained equipment, safety-first culture. Recommended for solo divers and groups.

Coco Grove Beach Resort Dive Center — Resort-based operator with house reef access. Good for beginners (relaxed, easy entry). Equipment: newer (regularly maintained). Apo trips available.

Local Independent Guides — Cheaper (₱2,000–2,500/dive) but variable quality. Use only if recommended by your accommodation or if you have extensive diving experience. No formal certification checks sometimes.

What to Ask Before Booking

• Is the operator PADI-certified or equivalent?
• How old is their equipment? (Request inspection — regulators should be serviced annually)
• What's their dive computer and safety protocol?
• Do they provide a detailed site briefing before each dive?
• What's their diver-to-guide ratio? (Ideal: 4:1 max)
• Do they require logged dives and certs? (Good sign if they do)

Costs Breakdown

Best Diving Season

Optimal: November–April

Why: Northeast monsoon brings calm seas, good visibility (15–25m), and lower boat cancellations. December–February are peak months for barracuda runs at Tulapos and turtle encounters.

Possible: May–October

Visibility: Fair (10–15m). Conditions: Rougher seas, higher chance of boat cancellations. Upside: Fewer divers, lower prices, interesting seasonal fish movements.

To Avoid: June–August

Southwest monsoon brings choppy seas, frequent rain squalls, and poor visibility. Many operators reduce schedules. Not ideal unless you're flexible on cancellations.

Certification & Requirements

PADI Open Water (Beginner)

No prior experience required. 3-day course: 1 day theory + confined water training in pool or shallow water, then 2 days open water dives (4 dives total). Cost: ₱12,000–15,000. After certification, you can dive to 18 meters independently (with a buddy).

For Non-Certified Divers

Most operators offer "Discover Scuba" taster dives (₱2,500–3,000). A guide conducts a brief training session, then takes you on a shallow dive (max 12m). Good way to test if diving is for you before committing to full certification.

Logged Dives & Recency

If you haven't dived in 6+ months, most reputable operators require a "refresher dive" before proceeding to new sites. It's a safety rule. Cost: ₱2,500 (counts as a regular dive but on easier site).

What You'll See Underwater

• Reef Fish: Parrotfish, angelfish, groupers, snappers, fusiliers, surgeonfish
• Larger Species: Barracuda (Tulapos), reef sharks (occasional, non-aggressive), trevally, jacks
• Sea Turtles: Green and hawksbill turtles (common at Apo, less frequent elsewhere)
• Crustaceans: Nudibranches, shrimp, crabs, lobsters hiding in coral crevices
• Unusual Species: Ghost pipefish, lionfish, scorpionfish, occasionally octopuses
• Coral: Hard corals (brain, boulder, staghorn), soft corals, sea fans

Safety Reminders

• Never dive alone — always use a buddy system
• Check your equipment before every dive and perform predive safety checks
• Stay within your certification level and experience
• Follow your dive computer and guide's signals
• Never ascend faster than 10m/minute; include safety stops at 5m
• Avoid diving the same day as your last dive if taking flights (wait 18–24 hours)

Next Steps

Combine diving with Apo Island day trips or pair with beach time. If you're diving 3+ days, check our multi-day itineraries.

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