Siquijor island
The 'mystic island' off Dumaguete — turquoise waterfalls, white-sand beaches, ancient balete trees and a slow, friendly pace. Go for a day or stay a few.
Siquijor is famous across the Philippines for its folk healers and legends, but most visitors come for the scenery. Cambugahay Falls, a three-tiered turquoise waterfall with rope swings, is the star; Paliton Beach is the classic sunset spot.
Ferries leave Dumaguete port several times a day. The easiest way around the island is a hired tricycle or motorbike — a full loop of the coastal road takes most of a day.
Highlights
- Cambugahay Falls swimming holes
- Paliton Beach sunset
- Centuries-old balete tree with fish spa
- Spanish-era churches and quiet coastal roads
Good to know
- Ferries from Dumaguete take roughly 45 minutes to 2 hours depending on the boat; fast-craft fares start around ₱400. Check the last boat back if you're day-tripping.
- Cambugahay has a few hundred steps down to the falls and a small entrance fee.
- Many travellers find a day too short — consider staying one or two nights.
Prices and fees last checked October 2026. Always confirm locally before you go.
Book it with a local
More things to do
Oslob whale sharks (Cebu)
Cross the strait to southern Cebu to snorkel beside whale sharks in Oslob — the most popular day trip from the Dumaguete area.
Bais dolphins & Manjuyod white sandbar
Spot dolphins in the Tañon Strait, then wade out onto a long white sandbar in the middle of the sea, lined with houses on stilts.
Muck diving the Dauin coast
Dauin is one of the world's best-known muck diving spots — frogfish, flamboyant cuttlefish, mimic octopus and ghost pipefish live on its black volcanic sand.