Siquijor: Salagdoong Beach and Forest
Salagdoong morning at the observation deck
It was still dark when we started the next day. We were able to get a hold of Og’s previews habal-habal driver before named Dennis. Transportations from resorts can be very expensive so it’s recommended to hire your transportation from outside and haggle for a good price. Since Dennis, a local of Siquijor is no longer a stranger to us, he’s like a part of the caravan now. It’s gonna be a long day of island exploration and our first stop is Salagdoong.
Molave morning silhouette
Our habal-habal whisked through the cold morning air as we drove off along the wide open road of Siquijor. We passed by the an idyllic scene of a town waking up. Looking at the map of Siquijor, Salagdoong is found at the eastern part of the island, at the town of Maria. Since it’s on the east, we thought that the beach would be nice place to catch the island’s sunrise, thus making it our first stop early morning.
Driving along the Molave Forest
Before reaching the Salagdoong Beach, we passed by the scenic road of the Salagdoong Forest. Around a kilometer drive, the forest features impressive growth of molave trees both eerie and beautiful at the same time with their intertwined branches and thin bodies. The forest is part of the local government’s reforestation program which I think is doing well. Molave Trees are home to fireflies which made the island’s name was credited for. The name Salagdoong was taken from a common Swift Bird’s nest, that may have been abundant in the area.
Limestone with an observation deck
Arriving in Salagdoong Beach, we paid the 10 pesos person entrance fee which is really cheap, considering, this is one of the more popular beach in the area. The beach was developed and being maintained by the local government which I again applaud them for doing a good job. The place is clean and in order. People may also choose to camp by the beach if they wish. In fact, we saw several foreigners waking up from their tents when we arrived there. On other development in the area, there’s a newly constructed hotel resort nearby if a for comfort travelers looking for a more upscale accommodation nearby.
A small cove opposite the beach stretch
As for the beach itself, I find it as one of the more picturesque I’ve seen, with some scenic limestones and outgrowths of molave trees, it’s definitely very unique to Siquijor. The sand’s quite good and the water’s crystal clear. The facilities like cottages and CRs are basic of course but I think a lot of people would enjoy the place.
Salagdoong long beach stretch
Our objective there was to shoot the sunrise, but because of the unpredictable weather, the sun didn’t show up since the sky was so cloudy. But the place, like I said is really picture perfect and you wouldn’t have a hard time looking for a nice angle to shoot despite the weather condition.
A fisherman in Salagdoong
There’s this limestone by the beach where they made an observation deck near the cliff, from there you could see both sides of the beaches and some interesting local life of the fishermen in the area. Really nice staying there and just enjoy the view.
Cliffs and the west side scenery
I’m really not surprised why Salagdoong Beach is one of the more popular beach in the area. Aside from the amazing scenery and nice white sand beach, it’s also very cheap.
Tags: Beach, Forest, Molave Trees, Salagdoong, Siquijor
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Friday, November 23rd, 2007 at 1:41 pm 
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November 23rd, 2007 at 2:27 pm
uy, una na naman ako dito, hahaha. lovely pix bai! i do agree, some things in life are almost free (read: cheap). even with the opening of the nearby hotel/inn, access to salagdoong remains very, very cheap.
November 23rd, 2007 at 2:39 pm
huwaw! ganda nga dito tapos hindi rin ganon kadaming tourist. isa pang maganda sa mga developed beaches gaya ng Salagdoong, may mga viewing deck sila para mas ma-appreciate mo talaga yung nature. so hindi mo nakita ang sunrise? hehe! oh well, ganyan talaga, weather-weather lang yan.
November 23rd, 2007 at 4:28 pm
another wonderful beach!
tahimik.. rare to find..
November 23rd, 2007 at 11:03 pm
The second photo rocks Ferdz! Look at the silhouette, amazing!
Siquijor seems like a nice place to be at.
November 24th, 2007 at 10:09 am
it was really an amazing place. looking at your pics, it feels like andoon na naman ako.
by the way, i was inspired by your (and oggie’s) trip to Lake Sebu so I just booked my flight to Davao and the lake is included in my itineraries. Take Care!
November 24th, 2007 at 10:47 am
ayyy ang ganda.. ill remember the name of the beach.. im making a note. hehe
November 24th, 2007 at 12:43 pm
Siquijor never looked this peaceful. Haha. You just convinced me to add Salagdoong in must-see places, if only because it doesn’t look a tourist trap to me.
November 24th, 2007 at 2:42 pm
It is getting better and better… maybe I should look for a home to retire there…
November 24th, 2007 at 4:52 pm
the seocnd photo is very dramatic, but i love the first one, cliff shots are great. you have shown as so many versions of paradise, philippine style.
November 25th, 2007 at 1:23 am
wow, the turquoise water shots are just off the charts, man. For a popular beach, it sure doesn’t have a lot of people.
November 26th, 2007 at 6:43 am
you should have won at the PWA, brotha!
November 26th, 2007 at 10:21 am
the pictures reminds me of my boyhood days when we used to swim and get some shelss during low tide..in Salagdoong…
November 26th, 2007 at 10:47 am
Wooo. That observation deck is quite pretty, right at the edge of a cliff. It doesn’t look too high - looks great for diving ?
November 26th, 2007 at 10:49 am
wow really very nice. everything combined to serene effect
November 26th, 2007 at 12:43 pm
That Gazeebo would be amazing place to have a outside wedding ceremony!!!
November 26th, 2007 at 1:04 pm
lovely, lovely colors!!!
November 26th, 2007 at 4:50 pm
ang ganda naman!! sana makapunta rin ako dyan!
November 26th, 2007 at 9:46 pm
Wow! These are lovely photos complimented with excellent narrative. I wish I can visit this place too!
November 27th, 2007 at 8:17 am
Gandang hangout nung nasa first pic bro — one of my dream places where i can spend the whole day watching the wonderful creations of God.. amen hehe!
November 27th, 2007 at 7:03 pm
buti na lang at napuntahan ko na itong lugar na ito. kung hindi, inggit ako. hehehe. nice picture ng boat. gusto ko yung composition.
anyway, im not sure if you’ve seen my sagada video but clickthecity is currently featuring. here is the direct link so you can see it:
http://www.clickthecity.com/clipcast/?v=357
November 28th, 2007 at 9:33 am
[...] Siquijor: Salagdoong Beach and Forest [...]
November 28th, 2007 at 6:45 pm
ferdz, thanks for your very kind words you left in my biyahengpinoy blog about my sagada video. that was the nicest thing i’ve heard from someone i haven’t even met.
hope to bump with you on your future travels.
July 10th, 2008 at 1:38 pm
myawjz rmykij zrgam