Apo Island — Sea Turtles, World-Class Reef & the Philippines' First Marine Sanctuary

A tiny volcanic island 45 minutes off Siquijor with some of the best snorkelling and diving in Southeast Asia. Apo Island's community-run marine sanctuary has been protecting these waters since 1982 — and it shows.

A 45-Minute Island Escape with Some of SE Asia's Best Reef Life

Apo Island sits isolated in the deep water between Siquijor, Negros, and Bohol. It's a tiny teardrop of land (about 1 km2) surrounded by coral gardens and the kind of marine life that keeps divers returning. The underwater sanctuary feels alive: giant trevally cruise past, jacks school in the shallows, and you'll see sea turtles in almost every dive.

The island has been a fish and turtle sanctuary since 1982, managed by the Apo Island community itself. It was one of the Philippines' first community-led marine parks — long before marine tourism became mainstream. The result: one of Southeast Asia's healthiest coral ecosystems.

Marine Biodiversity

Scientists have catalogued over 650 fish species on and around Apo Island. Green and hawksbill sea turtles nest here and visit year-round. The coral slopes plunge from 3 meters to over 40, which means divers get reef diversity in one location. Visibility typically runs 15-30 meters, depending on season and time of day.

Getting There from Siquijor

Apo Island is a 45-minute boat ride from Larena, Siquijor's main port town. Most visitors organize trips through their accommodation, a dive shop, or book directly with boatmen on Larena waterfront. Departures are typically early morning (6:00 AM - 9:00 AM) to maximize time on the water before afternoon chop kicks in.

Boat Operators & Booking

Several dive shops in Siquijor (based in Larena) offer all-inclusive packages: Apo Reef Divers, Dumaguete Divecenter, and local guides available through your resort. A group boat departure with a guide typically costs ₱400-₱600 per person (roundtrip). Private boat hire runs ₱2,500-₱4,000 depending on group size.

Snorkelling vs. Diving

Snorkelling on Apo Island

Shallow reefs in 2-6 meters make snorkelling excellent. Most snorkellers focus on the western and southern sides where coral gardens come alive close to the surface. Sea turtles, jacks, and reef sharks (harmless) are common. A basic snorkelling trip (3 hours on island + 2-3 snorkel sites) costs ₱800-₱1,200 per person through guides or resorts.

Bring your own gear if experienced, or rent on-island (₱200-₱300 for mask, fins, snorkel). Go early — reef traffic builds later in the day, and fish behavior changes with tourist density.

Scuba Diving

The real magic happens below 10 meters. Dive sites include: West Reef (coral slopes, large groupers, eagle rays), South Point (pinnacle dive, schools of jacks), and East Reef (sea turtles, smaller schools). Most divers do 2 dives per trip. Certification dives are possible (PADI Open Water ~₱3,500). Experienced divers spend more time exploring drop-offs.

Dive packages typically include: boat, 2-3 tank dives, guide, and lunch. Prices: ₱2,500-₱3,500 for Open Water certified divers; ₱4,000-₱5,000 for specialty dives (night dives, wreck exploration).

Costs, Practicalities & What to Bring