by From Cambugahay Falls, our next stop was the well-loved Salagdoong Beach. Still a little wet from our waterfall adventure, we made our way to the beach that many people call one of the best in Siquijor. I’d seen it on Instagram and Facebook one too many times. And I felt that I had to see it in person to know if it was actually as beautiful as everyone made it out to be.
Well, it was. It really, really was.
The road to Salagdoong is not the smoothest ride, just to set expectations. It’s located in the municipality of Maria, on the eastern side of Siquijor, so the ride can feel like a mini adventure on its own. But don’t you worry. I can’t stand long, dizzying rides, but I survived. So, you will, too!
By the time we pulled up to the beach, I had forgotten all about the bumps in the road because, in all honesty, Salagdoong took my breath away.
Salagdoong Beach
Salagdoong Beach is managed by the provincial government of Siquijor. So, you can expect an entrance fee, a proper parking area, and actual facilities. If you’re changing into your swimsuit, you’re lucky because they actually have changing rooms. Anyway, I would like to commend the local government for doing an ok job. The spot looks actually well-maintained and lovely.
Salagdoong doesn’t feel overcrowded the way some popular beaches do, although I noticed a lot of visitors. Also, unlike Paliton Beach, the sand is coarse (but clean) here. The real star of the show, however, was the water. It was this impossible shade of bright blue-green. Like someone turned up the saturation on the whole ocean and forgot to turn it back down. I found a spot near the shore and just sat there for a while, doing nothing, taking all those beautiful colors in.
I’m glad we got plenty of time for this stop. Flying in with Sunlight Air meant we didn’t spend half the day on a ferry. So we actually had enough time to breathe and exist at a place like this, instead of rushing through it.
Cliff Jumping in Salagdoong Beach
Salagdoong is famous partly because of its cliff jumping platform. The platform is actually located on a massive mound or rock that lies right on Salagdoong Beach. The rock has two levels where visitors can do cliff jumping. The first one is for the mildly adventurous type. And the other one is for the absolutely unhinged type. I did not jump, of course, because I cannot swim, and I have made peace with that. Hehe.
But watching other people do it was truly entertaining. The screams on the way down, the splash, the triumphant surface, the friends cheering from the rocks. It was such a vibe to witness. I screamed for strangers. I clapped for people I didn’t know. And I can say that I truly had a great time.
The main beach is quiet and scenic. Like a hidden sanctuary you discover after a long trek. What a sight!
Our group spent a little over an hour here, and I hoped we’d stayed longer. If you’re braver than I and planning to attempt that cliff jump, set aside at least three hours for Salagdoong. Although for some, that still won’t be enough because I heard that the snorkeling is also supposed to be really good. But don’t worry. The water is clear enough that you can see the bottom even from the shore. So, there’s really no need to get in the water. Hehe.
The Salagdoong Effect
By the time we left, I was already thinking about how awesome it would be if I could come back one day with my parents and loved ones. That’s the Salagdoong effect. It’s not subtle about being beautiful. It just is, completely and unapologetically, and it makes you want to not leave.
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