Siquijor Island in the Philippines doesn’t show up on many tennis radars. Most people know the island for one thing — its reputation as the “witch island,” home to folk healers and old superstitions that still get a raised eyebrow from other Filipinos. What most people don’t know is that this small island also has a real tennis community, built around one court and a group of players who show up night after night to play.
If you’re headed to Siquijor and want to bring your racquet, here’s what you need to know.
My Experience Playing Tennis on Siquijor Island
I didn’t plan on playing tennis on Siquijor. I definitely didn’t plan on playing in front of fifty people, or even putting up a 200 peso wager on my own match.
I’d already played in a few other spots around the Philippines — Cebu, Dumaguete, and Angeles City — but Siquijor was different. There wasn’t much information about tennis on the island online, so I found the court on Google Maps and just showed up, not really knowing what to expect. It had just rained, the court was flooded, and a local told me to come back the next evening. So I did.
Also see: Tennis Guide for Cebu City, Philippines
That first night, word got around fast. Someone heard there was a foreigner on the court, told someone else, and by the time we were playing, dozens of people had come out of their houses — some driving across the island — just to watch. I won some points, lost some, and honestly don’t remember the score. What I remember is the feeling of showing up somewhere as a total stranger and leaving like I’d been part of the community the whole time.
They don’t get many Westerners walking onto that court. As much as the match was a treat for them, it was more of one for me.
Finding the Tennis Court
On Google Maps, it’s listed simply as “Siquijor Tennis Court,” and it’s easy enough to find. It sits near the port entry, only about 500 meters from the Siquijor Pier. That said, most visitors to the island stay on the other side, around the San Juan area, where the resorts are — so if you’re coming from San Juan, expect about a 20-minute drive. I rented a motorbike near the pier and used it to get around the island, including the ride to the court.
I was told there are a few other tennis courts scattered around Siquijor Island, but this is the main one, and by far the most popular from my experience.
Also see: Tennis Court Guide for Dumaguete, Philippines
About the Tennis Court
This is the court to know on Siquijor, so this guide is short and simple.
- Lights: Yes — the court has lighting, which matters because most of the action happens outside the midday heat.
- Format: Pickup games. There’s no need to arrange anything in advance — just show up, and the group will pair you with a partner for the next set.
- Price: There is a small fee per match but it was very reasonable. The fee goes to the ballboy salary and/or lights. You may also be asked to put a wager on the match, which is customary in Filipino tennis.
- Best times: Mornings and evenings are when the regulars come out. It’s less about structured play and more about rotating games, watching from the sidelines, and hanging out between sets.
- Lessons: This isn’t a lesson-and-clinic kind of court, but during slower hours you can usually find a coach or knocker willing to work with you if you ask.
- Vibe: Casual and social. Even if you’re not playing, it’s a good place to sit, watch, and get a feel for how tennis lives in a small Filipino town.
If you’re island-hopping around the Philippines with a racquet in your bag, this one’s worth the stop. And if Siquijor’s got you curious about the tennis scene elsewhere in the country, check out the guides for Cebu and Dumaguete too.
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Stories like this one — grassroots courts, local communities, tennis in places you wouldn’t expect — are what Primal Tennis is all about. If you enjoyed this and want to help keep these stories coming (and eventually get racquets into the hands of kids who need them), you can buy me a coffee. Every bit helps keep this mission going.