Apo island is a miniature islet located next to Negros Island and is one of the best diving spots in the Philippines. The island has a volcanic origin and covers an area of 12 hectares. The word “Apo” in Filipino means “old man”.
Millions of tourists come here every year to see the corals and the marine life around them, as well as to swim with huge sea turtles that are the owners of the island. No, they do not lay eggs here, but come here to feed.
Check our 2024 tourist’s guide to Apo island in Philippines where you can find information about this place, how to get there, things to do and see, as well as many other details that can be helpful to those planning to go there.
Turtles on Apo Island
Apo Island is a small but very picturesque island with a population of about 700 people. Island’s landscape is mostly presented by rocks, the highest of which is 120 meters in height. In the east of Apo there are two fresh water lakes.
Apo island turtles are not afraid of people and do not mind against their company. Over the last 30 years it has had a status of marine reserve. It was the initiative of local residents, who decided that this place must be protected. Therefore, the turtles feel safe here.
How to get to Apo Island
From Manila you need to get to Dumaguete, then take a bus to Zamboanguita, which is located 7 km from the island itself.
If you are traveling from Cebu , the trip will be longer. You will have to travel by bus for 3 hours to Liloan, Santander. From there, take a ferry to Sibulan port, then take a jeep to the Ceres bus terminal. Take another bus to Bayawan town and ask the driver to stop at Malatapay Market.
After that, rent a motor boat, which will take you directly to the island. If you want to avoid multiple connections, take a bus from Cebu to Dumaguete. Some tourists prefer to visit the island of Apo as part of a day tour, while staying at one of the hotels in Zamboangita.
Apo Island visiting tips
- There are 2 types of turtles on the island: green turtles are found in shallow waters, and hawk turtles in the depths.
- Most of the native turtles are females. They are distinguished from males by a shorter tail.
- Most young turtles are afraid of people, but the old ones can swim very close to you. There is no need to be afraid of them, they will not harm people.
- Pack your belongings and gadgets in waterproof bags before visiting the island. There may be waves on the way to Apo and you may get wet.
- There are almost no restaurants and cafes on the island. And the restaurants that are there are very expensive. Therefore, take a snack or picnic food with you before your trip.
- Don’t forget to bring drinking water with you. It can be a problem to find clean drinking water on Apo island. And the filtered water that the locals drink can harm your stomach.
- Snorkeling areas are located just a few meters from the shore, where the water is chest-deep. So it doesn’t matter if you swim well.
- If you are arriving at Apo island just for one day, you can leave your belongings at the registration desk.
- Boats are sometimes delayed or leave ahead of schedule, so keep this in mind when planning your trip. The last boat from the island leaves at midnight.
- You can meet turtles on Apo island all year round. However, the best time for diving is from October to early June. From July to September, swimming is uncomfortable due to strong monsoons.
- To preserve and protect the marine reserve, only traditional fishing methods are allowed on its territory: fishing rods, gillnets, bamboo traps.
Things to do on Apo Island
Keeping in mind small size of the island, don’t expect too much from it in terms of tourist attractions. But there are still enough things to do.
Hike to the Lighthouse
If you are not in a hurry, then take a 30-minutes walk to the abandoned lighthouse, which is at the same time island’s highest spot. During the walk, stunning views and almost complete absence of tourists await you.
There are several other trekking trails for different fitness level.
Diving on the island of Apo
Diving is one of the most popular activities on the island. There is a coral reef underwater that is home to 650 species of fish and sea turtles, as well as 400 species of coral. There are several diving centers on the island that will take you to some of the best dive sites.
Apo island is one of the best diving spots not only in Philippines, but in the world. Despite its small size, there are many places to observe the abundance of underwater world.
Get PADI certification
If you want to get PADI Apo Certification then you can! There are several diving centers on the island that offer certification at an affordable price. The most famous centers:
- Apo island diving
- Bongo bongo
Both, beginners and experienced divers can enjoy scuba diving in Apo island. The following locations are considered the best places to observe the underwater world: Coconut, Olo, Kogon, Mamsa Point, Can Uran, Marine Sanctuary, Rock Point East, Rock Point West West, Katipunan, Chapel, Baluarte and Largahan.
Snorkeling with Turtles
If you are not into diving, Apo island offers excellent snorkeling opportunities. You can easily see how diverse the underwater world is, even with a mask. You can rent swimming equipment at one of the shops on the island.
Explore local beaches
When tired from snorkeling or diving, just relax on the beach. There are several locations to discover, make sure to check all of them.
Upon arrival on the island, you’ll find yourself on the main beach, located opposite the city. It is the most popular beach and starting point for all snorkeling and diving tours. You can rent a mask and equipment right on the beach.
In the north of the island there are several large rocks with a small passage between them. If you follow this passage, you will reach the beach resort of Apo Island. This is one of the most beautiful beaches on the island of Apo. Not many people know about this place.
Price for visiting Apo Island
Holidays on Apo island in the Philippines are chosen by lovers of “green” tourism. The cost of visiting the island for both foreign and local tourists is 100 pesos. This money is used to preserve and develop the marine reserve.
In addition, you will have to pay for a guided tour to swim with turtles, the tour price for a group of 4 people is 300 pesos. Additionally, you can rent swimming equipment and a life jacket, the cost is 100 pesos. You can also rent a camera for underwater photography, if you do not have one.
ATM machines and prices
Stock up on cash as there are no ATM machines on the island.
Since Apo is located far from the Philippines themselves, prices here are higher compared to large cities. To save money, take snacks with you or prepare a little more cash than you usually spend in the Philippines.
