Diving the Reefs of ApoApo Island is a small volcanic island, 7km off the southeastern tip of Negros Island in the Philippines. It is under the jurisdiction of the municipality of Dauin, Negros Oriental. The marine habitat around the island is a marine reserve; protected by the National Integrated Protected Area Act (N.I.P.A.) and comes under the jurisdiction of the Protected Area Management Board (P.A.M.B.).
The island is home to nearly 800 people, mainly fisher folks. Since 2002 Apo has become a popular dive site and snorkeling destination with tourists. There are two resorts on Apo Island, both of which have their own dive centers. Apo Island Beach Resort is the smaller and more exclusive, Liberty's Lodge is larger.
Apo Island is one of the world's best known community-organized marine sanctuaries, and as such it has been well documented, by the global science community. The project was started in 1982. It is home to over 650 documented species of fish and estimated to have over 400 species of corals.
Visitors and tourists pay a fee to enter Apo Island and to snorkel or dive in the marine sanctuary there, these fees are used to keep the sanctuary clean and in good condition.
In 2003 Chicago's Shedd Aquarium opened a Wild Reef exhibit based on Apo Island's surrounding reef and marine sanctuary.
The island is 20 kilometres from Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental and can be reached by a 30-minute boat ride from the fishing/market village of Malatapay, Zamboanguita, Negros Oriental.
Diving in Apo IslandIf you are on your way to a diving activity in Negros Oriental, then include a trip to Apo Island in your itinerary. It is situated about six kilometers off the southeastern shores of Negros Island and south of Dumaguete City. It can also be reached by boat from Silliman Beach.
Apo Island boasts of a wide array of dive sites to choose from. Chapel Point is a sanctuary of various fish species including tuna, black and white snappers, and barracuda. There is likewise various species of coral and exotic marine life like sea stars, nudibranch, basket sponges, whip corals, and gorgonian sea fans.
Another exciting dive site on Apo Island is Rock Point. It is accessible by banca. Although the weather conditions here can be heavy, Rock Point has an abundant share of marine life. Diving activity kicks off from a gentle slope consisting of rocks and coral heads. It abounds with various fish species like black and white snappers, Picasso triggerfish, black and white tip sharks, moray eels, to name just a few.
Apo Island Marine SanctuaryTowards the east of Rock Point lies another dive site on Apo Island and one that shouldn’t be missed. The Marine Sanctuary is home to turtles, clown fish, and giant clams. It is a combination of walls, sands, and slopes. Among the fish species common in Marine Sanctuary include Vlaming’s Unicornfish, turtles, black and white snappers, nudibranch, and manta rays.
Moreover, another excellent dive site on Apo Island is Mamsa Point, which derived its name from its variety of jacks. This site is home to various species of scorpionfish, lionfish, groupers, and black and white tip reef sharks.
beautiful rock formations.
Coconut PointCoconut Point is located at the northern portion of Apo Island. Barracudas, jacks, whitetip reef sharks, and Vlaming Unicornfish are some of the fish common on this side of the island. It is likewise home to different varieties of soft coral. Coconut Point is recognized for having a strong current.
While Apo Island is generally a dive site, there are other activities that non-divers can indulge in. Trekking to the lighthouse, shopping for different delicacies and native products in the local market, or taking a trip to lover’s beach can likewise complete a trip to Apo Island.
Apo Island is one of the smallest volcanic islands in the Philippines. All of a mere 72 hectares, the island is home to some 700 people who rely on fishing as their main source of income. The island has one elementary school, apo islandtwo restaurants, one general merchandise store and a small church. The two resorts provide accommodation for divers and tourists who come to check the exquisite marine flora and fauna which the island is very well known for.
Apo Island is one of the world’s best known marine sanctuaries. It began in the year 1982 with the initiative of Silliman University Marine and Biology Department. It became a protected reserve by the National Integrated Protected Area Act under the jurisdiction of the Protected Area Management Board.
Diving in Apo Island is perhaps the best marine adventure in the Visayas Region. Beneath the clear sparkling blue waters of the island lies a breathtaking collection of over 600 documented fish species and 400 varieties of corals.
In the southeast portion of the island, the coral formations unify into a shallow wall with a gradual slope.You can encounter clusters apo island snorkelingof tiny fishes some peeking behind the coral crevices, clown fishes and anemones. In other areas catching a glimpse of the bigger sea creatures like the sea turtles, jack fishes, a bed of sea snakes and manta rays are a common occurence. There have also been sightings of a whale shark, hammerhead shark, cookie cutter shark, the Japanese Wobbegong shark and the thresher shark in the nearby waters.
From Dumaguete City, Apo Island can be reached by a 30 minute road trip to Malatapay, Zamboangita, a small coastal town in the south of Negros Oriental. From there a motorized outrigger will take you across to Apo Island. Upon arrival you are greeted by a throng of locals selling all sorts of souvenir items and gifts.
The Apo Island Beach Resort – the more popular resort among the two in the island -- can already be viewed from the boat. A minimal entrance fee is collected, proceeds of which are used to maintain the cleanliness in the island.
Apo Island is a divine tropical getaway especially for those who love diving with a passion. It is a one of a kind experience to be able to see what the island has to offer in terms of marine wealth. The Philippine government has taken pains in protecting this sanctuary, banning spear fishing and all fishing methods within 500 meters from the shore.
This is another view in to Apo Island Beach Resort. the area right in front of the resort looks like a really good snorkeling area, I only swam around the big rock formations and walked back on the beach here. so I havent explored the whole beach in front of the resort.
Apo Island Beach Resort itself looks very nice and quiet, I am sure this is the perfect place to rest and relax after a hard weeks work in the city. no cars no trikes no pollution... they do not even have electricity all day as the whole island is running on a big generator which is switched off at night I think around 2am.
A couple of snorkelers are already out snorkeling the clear blue water. the sand is not really sand on this beach, it is beat up coral pieces which is really cool. you can sit for hours just looking around on the crushed corals and shells trying to find some cool ones. Just remember you are not allowed to bring anything from Apo Island when you leave. This is a good rule to make sure there are something to look at in years to come
Apo Island has to protect its ressources, and their most valuable resource is tourism. So that is why they have very strict rules about what you can and cannot do.
This little island is located next to the Island of Negros, at the very south. 30 km south of the capital dumaguete. The island is only 3 km in diameter and 120 m high, topped with a light house. It has a white stone beach, 250 m long, and an unusually vibrant coral reef, which has been protected as a fish sanctuary since 1982 and offers extraordinary diving and snorkeling.
About 800 habitants are living on the Island, accommodation for guest are available and the restaurant serves good European and Filipino meals.
History of ApoIn 1970, Apo Island didn't have fish and corals, people of Apo Island went to another places to get fish for there foods, they even had to go to Mindanao and stay for 2 months harvesting fishes and then coming back to the families in Apo Island. In the year 1982, Silliman University Dumaguete City led by Dr. Angel Alcala introduced about fish sanctuary in Apo Island, telling the fisherman not allow anyone to catch the fishes in fish sanctuary area. After 2 years, fishes and corals can seen within the sanctuary and surrounding areas. The fishermen were educated on the dangers of overfishing. Soon Tourists started to visit and enjoy what Apo Island has to offer. In 1998, Liberty's Community Lodge opened to accommodate visitors.
By this project, village people got their work. Over time, Liberty's Community Lodge gave employment and livelyhood to APO Island locals, like cooks, waitresses, carpenters, dive master dive instructors, boat captain and crew and some workers for the utilities at the lodge, as well as vendors selling native goods to tourists. Families got a steady income and fishing no longer became the main source of income for the locals allowing the marine life to thrive and flourish. The other part of the island has rocky beaches and a resource of all kind of large fish species. There is a hiking trail to the top of the island where you can see different fruit trees.
Liberty's Community Lodge continued to extended its help also to the village by supporting the Elementary school, giving scholarships to the young people going to High School and College. Visitors were told the APO Island History. They were impressed and gave donations for all kind of development like environmental activities. By thier donation, solar collectors were installed to bring light and power. Rain Water tanks with a filter system are installed to collect the precious drinking water. Currently, Eco toilets are being added but we are in need of more funding.
Meanwhile, Apo island continues to attract more and more tourists. Divers from all over the world come and frequet Apo Island. Boats with divers even come from Cebu and Bohol.
This pristine island is located about 5 km off the southeast coast of Negros Island just south of Dumaguete City. Apo Island is one of the undiscovered wonders of the Philippines partly due to the ongoing and extensive environmental protection programs. These programs ensure that dive sites such as “
Clown Fish Apartments” keep their inhabitants. You can reach Apo Island by boat from Silliman Beach, on the North side of Dumaguete.
Scuba World of ApoChapel Point This drift dive starts on one of the mooring buoys dotting the sea. You can see good coral heads, soft corals, sea stars, several sources of Nudibranches, gorgonian sea fans, whip corals and basket sponges. Fish life such as tuna, barracuda, black and white snappers, unicorn fish, and trumpet fish can also be seen in this site.
Rock Point This site is normally gets some heavy weather, but it has a good fish life. The dive begins with a gentle slope made up of rocks and coral heads, and green corals. Variety of fish can also be seen such as Picasso Triggerfish, Black and White Snappers, Moray Eels, Local Sharks and large Bumphead Wrasse.
Marine Sanctuary Marine Sanctuary has a mixture of walls, slopes and sandy patches with black corals.
The western side of the sanctuary was seeded by giant clams, nudibranches, sea star, feather stars and clownfish.
Mamsa Point Mamsa Point is named for its schools of jacks. There are some nice gorgonians on the wall and other pelagic species. Fish life includes Groupers, Scorpion fish, Lionfish and Reef Sharks.
