Siquijor vs Apo Island: Diving Destination Comparison

These two islands share the same Visayan Sea but offer fundamentally different experiences. Apo Island is a dive-focused destination famous for guaranteed sea turtle encounters. Siquijor is a fuller destination with diving as one component among many.

This comparison helps you choose—or convince you that both belong on your itinerary.

Quick Comparison

The Islands

Siquijor

A full island destination with diving as one activity among waterfalls, caves, cultural experiences, and motorcycle touring. Development is modest but sufficient.

Diving character: Marine sanctuaries, macro life, walls, night diving. Good but not world-famous.

Apo Island

A tiny volcanic island (72 hectares) managed as a marine protected area since the 1980s. The protection has created one of the Philippines’ most successful marine conservation stories.

Diving character: Sea turtles (almost guaranteed), healthy reefs, schooling fish, mild currents. Famous specifically for turtle diving.

Diving Comparison

Sites and Access

Siquijor:

• 15+ dive sites around the island
• Shore diving and boat diving available
• Multiple dive shops in San Juan
• Night diving specialty
• Less crowded sites

Apo Island:

• 10+ dive sites around tiny island
• All boat diving
• Day trips from Dumaguete common
• Some overnight visitors
• More divers per site (popularity)

Marine Life

Siquijor Specialties:

• Nudibranchs (high diversity)
• Frogfish
• Pipefish and seahorses
• Healthy coral gardens
• Occasional turtles

Apo Island Specialties:

• Sea turtles (abundant, reliable)
• Schooling jacks and barracuda
• Large table corals
• Anemone cities
• Occasional pelagics

Turtle Reality

The honest truth: if seeing sea turtles is your primary diving goal, Apo Island is the clear choice. The density is remarkable—multiple turtle sightings per dive, often in the shallows.

Siquijor has turtles, but sightings are opportunistic rather than expected.

Visibility and Conditions

Siquijor:

• Peak season (March-June): 20-35m visibility
• Current: Generally mild
• Water temp: 27-29°C year-round

Apo Island:

• Peak season (March-June): 20-40m visibility
• Current: Variable, sometimes challenging
• Water temp: 27-29°C year-round

Beyond Diving

Siquijor Offers

• Cambugahay Falls
• Motorcycle island touring
• Cave exploration
• Traditional healer visits
• Multiple beaches
• Nightlife (modest)
• Food variety
• Accommodation range

Apo Island Offers

• Snorkeling (excellent)
• Beach (one small beach)
• Hiking to viewpoint
• Very basic village life
• That’s essentially it

Verdict: Non-divers and mixed groups should choose Siquijor. Apo Island is a diving-focused destination with minimal alternatives.

Practical Considerations

Getting There

Siquijor:

• Direct ferries from Dumaguete (1-2 hours)
• Direct ferries from Bohol
• Easy independent access

Apo Island:

• Boat from Dauin/Malatapay (30-45 min)
• Most visitors do organized day trips
• Independent access requires boat negotiation
• Weather-dependent

Accommodation

Siquijor:

• Budget to mid-range options
• Concentrated in San Juan
• Easy to find something suitable
• ₱500-3,000/night range

Apo Island:

• Very limited options (2-3 small resorts)
• Basic facilities
• Book ahead if staying overnight
• ₱1,500-3,000/night

Costs

Siquijor Diving:

• 2-tank boat dive: ₱2,500-3,500
• Multiple dive shops for competition
• PADI courses available

Apo Island Diving (Day Trip):

• Full day (2-3 dives): ₱3,500-5,000 including transport
• Package from Dumaguete-based shops
• Includes lunch typically

Who Should Go Where

Choose Siquijor If:

• You want more than diving
• You’re traveling with non-divers
• You prefer independent exploration
• You enjoy macro underwater photography
• You have a week or more
• You want mystical/cultural experiences

Choose Apo Island If:

• Diving is your primary goal
• Sea turtles are must-see
• You have limited time (day trip works)
• You’re comfortable with basic facilities (overnight)
• You’re based in Dumaguete and want variety

Do Both If:

• You have a week or more in the region
• You want the complete Visayas diving experience
• You love underwater life
• You can base in Siquijor and day-trip to Apo

The Combined Trip

Option 1: Siquijor Base, Apo Day Trip

Base in Siquijor for 5-7 days. On one day, take the ferry to Dumaguete, join an Apo Island day trip, return to Siquijor in evening.

Logistics:

• Early ferry to Dumaguete
• Join arranged dive trip (pre-book)
• 2-3 dives at Apo
• Return to Dumaguete by late afternoon
• Evening ferry back to Siquijor

Pros: One base, both experiences Cons: Long day, requires planning

Option 2: Split Stay

3-4 days Siquijor + 2-3 days Dumaguete/Apo area.

Logistics:

• Stay in Siquijor first
• Ferry to Dumaguete
• Stay in Dauin or Dumaguete
• Day trips to Apo from Dauin (easier access)
• Fly out from Dumaguete

Pros: Easier logistics for Apo, more diving time Cons: Two bases, more moving

Option 3: Dumaguete Hub

Base in Dumaguete, day-trip to both Siquijor and Apo.

Logistics:

• Multiple days in Dumaguete
• Day trips to Siquijor (1-hour ferry each way)
• Day trips to Apo (30-45 min boat each way)

Pros: One base, both islands Cons: Rush to see Siquijor in a day, miss overnight experience

The Diving Experience

A Day Diving Siquijor

6:00 AM: Meet at dive shop 6:30 AM: Boat to first site (Tubod Sanctuary) 7:00 AM: Dive 1 - Macro focus, find nudibranchs 8:30 AM: Surface interval, coffee 9:30 AM: Dive 2 - Wall dive at Paliton 11:00 AM: Return to shop 12:00 PM: Lunch, siesta 3:00 PM: Optional shore dive or snorkel Evening: Watch sunset from beach

A Day Diving Apo Island

5:30 AM: Pickup from Dauin resort 6:30 AM: Boat departure 7:15 AM: Arrive Apo, briefing 7:30 AM: Dive 1 - Turtle encounter 9:00 AM: Surface interval on island 10:00 AM: Dive 2 - Schooling fish, reef 11:30 AM: Lunch on island 12:30 PM: Dive 3 or snorkeling 2:00 PM: Depart for mainland 3:00 PM: Return, rest, process experience

Conservation Context

Apo Island’s Story

In the 1970s, Apo Island’s reefs were damaged from destructive fishing. Starting in 1982, a small marine sanctuary was established. Community buy-in grew, enforcement increased, and fish populations rebounded.

Today, Apo is a model for community-based marine conservation. The turtles came as the ecosystem recovered.

Siquijor’s Network

Siquijor followed Apo’s example, establishing multiple marine sanctuaries around the island. They’re younger and smaller than Apo’s but growing healthier.

Your Role

At both destinations:

• Respect sanctuary rules
• Don’t touch marine life
• Control your buoyancy
• Support conservation through patronage

Final Recommendation

For divers: Both islands deserve your time. Apo for the spectacle of turtles. Siquijor for variety and independence.

For non-divers: Siquijor without question. Apo is a diving destination with minimal alternatives.

For mixed groups: Siquijor as base, possible Apo day trip for divers.

For turtle lovers: Don’t skip Apo. It’s a unique experience.

For macro photographers: Siquijor’s sanctuaries rival anywhere in the Visayas for small subject diversity.

The Visayas offer both. Take them.

For island touring between dives, see our motorcycle guide. For Siquijor diving details, read our underwater photography guide.