Cantabon Travel Guide

Cantabon is a cave that was only recently found by foreign explorers in 1985 and has since attracted many visitors into its 300m long passage.

The cave is not developed in any way but remains easy to navigate thanks to the wide spaces in the horizontal passage. It is set in Siquijor, just west of the main town, and is a great find for adventurous travelers. Many visitors simply wear shorts and sandals but it is advisable to wear rubber shoes to protect your feet when visiting the cave.

The cave is stacked full of stalagmite and stalactites shaped like icicles rising from the floor and hanging from the roof. This natural phenomenon occurs when mineral deposits mixed with water continuously drip and eventually form into a solid form; they take a minimum of 20 years to start to take their shape.

The biggest stalactites and stalagmites in the cave are the same size as a human body, with the smallest resembling fingers. Fines are implemented to anyone who causes damage in the cave so be sure to take a flashlight as the cave is totally dark. In the heart of the cave is a small pond that is full of crystal clear water, and apart from the dripping of water the silence is deafening.

Getting There & Away

Siquijor Town is only a 45-minute ferry journey from Dumeguete, where there are regular flights to and from Manila. The capital boasts the nearest international airport and flights to Dumeguete from Manila take about 1 hour. Manila to Cebu on a boat takes about 20 hours and Cebu to Siquijor about 3 hours.