09/03/2022
Siquijor, Philippines
For decades, Siquijor has remained largely untouched by outside influence, thanks, in no small part, to its persistently spooky reputation. Whispered about as ‘The Island of Witches’ (witches being a firmly European concept thrust upon locals when the Spaniards settled in the 16th century), Siquijor is known for its ‘wise people’ and healers who source materials from the land to create their mysterious concoctions.
But a slow glug of curious travellers are making their way to this petite island, coaxed in by its pristine rivers, waterfalls, lagoons and thick jungle bloated with fruit bats. The island can be easily circumnavigated by bicycle, and you’ll find plenty of snorkel spots at which to cool down among the corals. There’s little by way of hotel development, but the options that do exist – most notably Coco Grove Beach Resort and some sound glamping and treehouse operations – are unfussy and comfortable. As a result, the island is rarely busy, although you might bump into a few blow-ins at Cambugahay Falls, taking long-exposure shots of the rapids.
