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Travel to
Apo Reef Dive Sites and Destination- Second largest coral reef in the
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Apo
Reef is one of the most best and famous diving site in
the Philippines and the one of the most popular coral
reef in the world. Apo Reef is the second largest coral
reef in the world and the largest one in the country.
Apo Reef is the largest among three islands ofthe Apo
Reef Nature park. The other two Islands are the Apo
Island and the Pand Island. Apo Reef is located 28 kms
off the western coast of Mindoro Island, it is 34 kms
long and divided into two lagoon systems, north and
south. |
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Apo
Reef is one of the world class diving site in the
Philippines and is a pure bliss for divers. Apo Reef
diving has some spectacular drop offs and walls with
some of the best visibility in the country. The shallow
lagoon with a depth of 2 meters to 10 meters surrounded
by mangrove forest which serves as source of food,
nursery and spawning ground of several coastal and
marine species of fauna and sanctuary of birds. Its
diverse corals are approximately 34 sq. km. of reef
where different species of fish, marine mammals and
invertebrates thrive. If you like big fish action Apo
Reef will not disappoint you, schools of trevally, tuna
and the photographers dream, barracuda’s, not to mention
hammerheads, white and black tip reef sharks, manta,
eagle and sting rays and turtles galore.
Apo Reef is a protected sanctuary and declared a
National Park in 1996. Apo Reef Natural PArk has a
unique natural phenomenon and has a high diversity of
corals and has an island covered with terrestrial
vegetation.
Trips to Apo reef are generally arranged from Pandan
Island Resort on the west coast of Mindoro Island,
Pandan Island itself to the south, or from Puerto Galera,
125 km away. Most live-aboard boats feature the area in
their itineries also. |
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How to get there |
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3
hours by boat from Pandan Island. 125 kms by boat from
Puerto Galera. Live-aboards from 1-5 days. |
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Famous Diving Site Sites in
Apo Reef
Philippines |
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Apo
Island: This Island has some lovely and scenic view
with a magnificent and good assorment of dive sites.
Stunning and outstanding hard and soft corals are all
around and enormous table corals, stag horns, brain
corals and fire corals can be seen.
Huge drop-offs and spectacular walls are in the
southern, northern and eastern side of the island.
Exotic and enchanting marine life species can be
experienced when the currents are strong because a
variety of large pelagic species are attracted all
around the island.Stunning Marine life will be
encountered such as large pelagics, including tuna,
jacks, humphead wrasses, mantas and hammerheads. |
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Shark
Ridge: Located at the Eastern side of Apo Island.
This diving spot is named Shark Ridge because many
whitetip and blacktip sharks can be seen. Mantas are
also common in this site but the corals are not so good.
Binangaan Drop-off: Site drop-off site is located at the
southwest side of Apo Island and another good wall to
explore. Impressive gorgonians and plenty of soft and
hard corals can be seen in this site. Exotic Marine life
is vibrant and schools of humphead parrotfish, tuna,
groupers, snappers and other large pelagics can be
experienced.
Hunters Rock: This reef is located 20 km off the
west coast of Apo Reef. This site is not for beginners
because the current is strong. Experienced guide is
needed to find the spot. Numerous sea snakes can be
found in here especially during mating season June and
July. Beautiful marine life can be seen in here and
masses of corals and sponges. This reef is home to
schools of tropical fish, including butterflyfishes,
snappers and sweetlips. Sharks, big trevallys and other
predatory fish are common.
Merope Rock: This is similar to Hunters rock and
is located 20 km off the west coast of Apo Reef. There
is a good wall on the eastern side of this rock and you
will find big fish, sharks, barracuda and trevally.
Pandan Island: Going to Apo Reef is by boat from
Pandan Island. Located off the West coast of Mindoro
Island and is a private resort. There are numerous
beautiful dive sites here in Pandan Island that the
depths ranges from 2m to 20m which is ideal for
beginners. Wide variety of marine fauna and life, from
colourful corals to small reef fish and larger pelagics
can be found in here. |
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