Underwater Photography in Siquijor: Complete Dive Site Guide

Beneath Siquijor’s turquoise surface lies a photographer’s playground: pristine coral gardens, macro critters hiding in every crevice, and marine life undisturbed by the crowds found at better-known dive destinations. For underwater photographers, this island offers what money can’t always buy—healthy reefs, clear water, and room to work.

This guide covers Siquijor’s dive sites through a photographer’s lens, with specific recommendations for subjects, techniques, and the shots that make each site unique.

Why Siquijor for Underwater Photography

The Marine Sanctuary Network

Siquijor has established over 20 marine protected areas around the island. These no-take zones have allowed fish populations and coral to recover, creating photogenic environments rarely found in more accessible destinations.

Visibility and Conditions

• Best months: March-June (15-30m visibility)
• Good months: November-February (10-20m)
• Variable: July-October (5-15m, depends on storms)

Diversity in Small Spaces

The island’s geology—volcanic origins creating varied underwater topography—means you can shoot walls, slopes, sandy flats, and coral gardens all within a 30-minute boat ride.

The Pace

Fewer divers means you can take your time. No one’s rushing you through a shot. Your dive guide knows you’re here for photos and adjusts accordingly.

Equipment Overview

Camera Options

Entry Level: GoPro or action camera

• Pros: Affordable, durable, wide angle
• Cons: Limited control, small sensor
• Best for: Video, environmental shots

Compact in Housing: Sony RX100, Canon G7X, etc.

• Pros: Versatile, manual control, reasonable cost
• Cons: Small sensor, limited lens options
• Best for: All-around use, travel photographers

Mirrorless/DSLR Systems: Sony A7, Nikon Z, Canon EOS

• Pros: Best quality, lens flexibility, professional results
• Cons: Expensive, complex, heavy
• Best for: Serious shooters, selling images

Lens Selection

Wide Angle (for Siquijor):

• Fisheye (8-15mm) for dramatic reefscapes
• Rectilinear wide (16-35mm) for balanced scenes
• Use for: Reef scenes, large animals, environmental portraits

Macro:

• 60mm for larger subjects (nudibranchs, shrimp)
• 100-105mm for tiny subjects, more working distance
• Use for: Nudibranchs, crustaceans, fish portraits

Lighting

Underwater, you bring your own light:

Strobes: Most control, freeze action, true colors Video Lights: See what you’re lighting, continuous output Both: Ideal for versatile shooting

For Siquijor’s relatively shallow sites, one strobe can suffice. Two provide better, shadow-free lighting.

Site-by-Site Photography Guide

Tubod Marine Sanctuary

Depth: 3-15m Best For: Macro photography Signature Subjects: Nudibranchs, frogfish, pipefish, ornate ghost pipefish, sea horses

Photo Tips:

• Slow down. Tubod rewards patience.
• Check every anemone for commensal shrimp
• Sand margins often hide more than reef edges
• Night dives reveal different macro population

Settings Starting Point (macro):

• f/16-f/22 for depth of field
• 1/200-1/250s for strobe sync
• ISO 100-200
• Manual focus for control

Paliton Wall

Depth: 5-40m Best For: Wide-angle photography Signature Subjects: Gorgonian fans, soft corals, schooling fish, occasional turtles

Photo Tips:

• Look up—the wall against surface light creates drama
• Find divers to add scale and interest
• Dawn dives for feeding activity
• Negative space can be powerful on walls

Settings Starting Point (wide):

• f/8-f/11 for sharpness and depth
• 1/125-1/250s depending on strobes
• ISO 200-400 for ambient balance
• Wide strobes positioned to avoid backscatter

Maite Marine Sanctuary

Depth: 3-18m Best For: General reef photography, fish behavior Signature Subjects: Table corals, damselfish gardens, anemonefish, schooling anthias

Photo Tips:

• Early morning for active fish behavior
• Find a healthy coral head, wait for fish to settle
• Anemone groupings often have multiple species
• Shoot down on coral gardens for overview shots

Caticugan Marine Sanctuary

Depth: 5-22m Best For: Patient macro work, undisturbed subjects Signature Subjects: Pygmy seahorses, mantis shrimp, flamboyant cuttlefish

Photo Tips:

• Ask guides about specific resident subjects
• Some rare species have been in same spot for months
• Longer bottom times possible in shallow water
• Excellent for night dive photography

Siquijor Deep

Depth: 15-40m+ Best For: Blue water, pelagic species Signature Subjects: Barracuda schools, reef sharks (rare), large groupers

Photo Tips:

• Fast shutter speeds for moving subjects
• Position with sun for backlit drama
• Patient drifting often brings subjects to you
• Deep means careful bottom time management

Techniques for Siquijor Conditions

Working with Natural Light

Siquijor’s clear water and shallow sites allow beautiful natural light photography:

Sunburst Shots:

• Position sun in frame edge
• f/16-f/22 for star effect
• Include reef silhouette as foreground

Blue Water Backgrounds:

• Face open water, not reef
• Subject lit by strobe, background by ambient
• Balance exposure carefully

Color Restoration:

• Red filter on lens
• White balance to “underwater” preset
• Works best in top 10m

Strobe Techniques

Macro Lighting:

• Strobes close to subject
• Angle to avoid flat front-lighting
• One strobe at 45° often sufficient
• Snoots for creative spots

Wide-Angle Lighting:

• Strobes wide to minimize backscatter
• Arms extended, angled slightly inward
• Often needs full power for coverage
• TTL can work; manual offers control

Approaching Subjects

Rule One: Never chase

• Let subjects become accustomed to your presence
• Approach slowly, pause frequently
• Allow them to resume normal behavior

Buoyancy Matters:

• Poor buoyancy = disturbed sediment = ruined shots
• Practice hovering before adding camera
• Use reef hooks where appropriate
• Never stand on coral

Subject-Specific Tips

Nudibranchs

Siquijor hosts dozens of nudibranch species. These slow-moving subjects are perfect for macro practice.

Shooting Tips:

• Get eye level (or rhinophore level)
• Focus on rhinophores (the “horns”)
• Show the full animal when possible
• Backgrounds can make or break shots

Anemonefish

Everyone wants the classic clownfish portrait. In Siquijor, you’ll find several species.

Shooting Tips:

• Wait for fish to pause, face forward
• Include anemone for environmental context
• Catch the moment of mouth opening
• f/8-f/11 for some background anemone detail

Turtles

Green and hawksbill turtles are regularly seen in Siquijor waters.

Shooting Tips:

• Don’t crowd; let turtle approach or pass
• Face-on shots show personality
• Silhouette against surface for drama
• Feeding shots tell a story

Corals

Siquijor’s healthy coral deserves documentation.

Shooting Tips:

• Wide angle for expansive gardens
• Macro for polyp details
• Nighttime reveals extended polyps
• Look for diversity in single frame

Post-Processing Underwater Images

Color Correction

Water absorbs red light first, leaving images blue-green. Fix in post:

• Increase red channel or decrease blue
• Adjust white balance to underwater subject
• Handle each image individually—depth varies color

Backscatter Removal

Even perfect technique may leave some particles:

• Clone stamp for isolated spots
• Content-aware fill for larger areas
• Prevention is easier than correction

Sharpening and Detail

Underwater images often benefit from:

• Clarity increase for texture
• Subtle sharpening on subject
• Dehaze if visibility was reduced
• Detail enhancement in raw processing

Practical Considerations

Dive Shop Selection

Choose a shop that accommodates photographers:

• Small groups or private guides
• Flexibility with dive times
• Knowledge of photo subjects
• Patience with longer dives

Pre-Dive Prep

Before every dive:

• Check o-rings, lubricate as needed
• Test camera function
• Confirm strobe/light batteries
• Clear memory cards
• Clean ports

Post-Dive Care

After every dive:

• Rinse in fresh water (camera in housing)
• Don’t open housing until dry
• Store in cool, dry place
• Charge batteries overnight

Building Your Siquijor Portfolio

Day 1-2: Orientation

Dive without camera. Learn sites, practice buoyancy, identify subjects for later.

Day 3-4: Macro Focus

Concentrate on small subjects at Tubod and calm sites.

Day 5-6: Wide Angle

Tackle walls and coral gardens for reefscape images.

Day 7: Specialized

Return to best sites for specific subjects or conditions.

Backup Days

Weather and visibility change. Build in flexibility.

Beyond the Photography

Siquijor’s marine sanctuaries represent conservation success stories. While photographing, consider your impact:

• Never touch, move, or manipulate subjects
• Avoid damaging coral with fins or equipment
• Don’t chase animals for shots
• Share images that inspire conservation
• Support sanctuaries with donations if moved to do so

The reef you photograph today should be healthier tomorrow because of how you treated it.

Surface after your dive for more Siquijor photography? Check our Instagram-worthy spots guide or try capturing the magic of Cambugahay Falls.