Scuba diving in

Apo Reef and Occidental Mindoro

Apo Reef was declared a protected area in 1996 and covers a total of 27,469 hectares. From above, the reef appears almost diamond-shaped, and is split into two separate triangular lagoons by a channel running east to west. While the majority of this structure lies beneath the surface, three islands protrude from the water. Apo Island is the largest of the three and features a central lake surrounded by mangroves. The other two islands are Cayos del Bajo and Apo Menor, which form parts of the northern and southern lagoons respectively.

Liveaboards are the easiest way to explore Apo Reef and greatly simplify the process of reaching this remote reef as most of the travel arrangements are already taken care of. Ports of departure vary depending on the itinerary, with liveaboards embarking in Coron, Puerto Princesa on Palawan, and Batangas on the island of Luzon.

Travelling to Apo Island independently requires far more effort. From Manila, guests would need to make their way to Mindoro Island, either flying into the southern city of San Jose, or catching the ferry from Batangas to the northern town of Puerto Galera. A bus or land transfer would then be required to reach the western region of Seblayan. From here, it is possible to catch a ferry to Apo Island, which lasts around three hours.

Without a doubt, the simplest and most comfortable way to dive Apo Reef is from a liveaboard. A wide range of vessels explore this impressive destination, offering everything from budget safaris to luxury cruises. It also allows guests to maximise their time, enjoying as many dives as possible on this remote reef.

Apo Island serves as the base for the park’s ranger station, where various staff and military personnel stay, and also features a small campsite for visitors. But, bear in mind that there are no stores on the island and electricity if only available at night. Visitors can also choose to stay in Sablayan, on the island of Mindoro, or the nearby islands of North Pandan and South Pandan, where a select few operators offer diving day-trips to Apo Reef. However, be prepared for long boat journeys of around two hours each way.

The diving at Apo Reef can be enjoyed at any time of year, though conditions are best during the dry season, which runs from November to May. Outside of these months, heavier rainfalls and stronger winds can increase surface chop and reduce visibility. It is also worth noting that many liveaboards move to Tubbataha between March to June, which means less availability.

Water temperatures range from around 26°C in February to 30°C in June, while air temperatures tend to hover between 28-30°C. Visibility at Apo Reef is typically terrific, sometimes exceeding 40-metres during the dry season, but dipping to 20-metres or so in the wet season.

The sea krait congregations at Hunter’s Rock occur between June and July, while hammerheads are most common between November and March.

Apo Reef was declared a protected natural park by the then-president, Fidel Ramos, in 1996 and has since been submitted for consideration as a World Heritage Site. Currently, the Apo Reef Natural Park (ARNP) is the second largest no-take zone in the Philippines, serving as a sanctuary for various overfished species and a nesting ground for sea turtles. It also plays host to several significant threatened species, including manta rays, Napoleon wrasse, threshers sharks, and hammerheads. Furthermore, Apo Island’s mangrove-lined lagoon serves as a food source, nursery, and spawning ground of several coastal and marine species, including birds.