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Explore the vivid and diverse marine life of a coral reef underwater in Central Visayas, Philippines.
📷 Zir YU · Pexels

Marine Sanctuary

3.6 — based on 21 community signals
4.2 12 especies 22 colaboradores

Apo Island's Marine Sanctuary protects thriving coral reefs and diverse marine life in a year-round dive destination within the Philippines' Apo Island Protected Landscape and Seascape.

⭐ Best for beginners.

🐢 MPA · Apo Island Protected Landscape… updated 4 months ago
Dificultad
Principiante
MPAMacroFocusFamily-friendlyBeginner

De un vistazo

Actividad
dive
Dificultad
beginner
Mejores meses
Todo el año
Vida marina
Tortuga verde

Mejores operadores aquí

Ver todos los operadores ↓

Mapa

Este spot Operadores Aeropuerto Spots cercanos
Mapa de ubicación de Marine Sanctuary © Google · Datos del mapa © Google, colaboradores
Abrir en Google Maps

Condiciones hoy

Condiciones

Open-Meteo
Viento
2.4 kn
Olas
0.48 m
Agua
29.8°C
N E S W
Wind direction (7d)
Primary: SW (41%)
Now: SW (233°)
Marea (7 días)
amplitud: 1.26m

Próxima: Alta a las 02:00 (+1.28m)

+1.3 m0 m+0.0 m
▲ 02:00 · +1.28m ▼ 11:00 · +0.25m ▲ 02:00 · +1.21m ▼ 14:00 · +0.19m
Sáb 19Dom 20Lun 21Mar 22Mié 23Jue 24Vie 25
UV9.15 · very high Aire PM2.521 · moderate 05:36 17:45
Día Viento Olas UV Lluvia
09-19 8.6 0.64 9 0mm
09-20 6.3 0.56 8 2mm
09-21 5.9 0.5 7 7mm
09-22 5.2 0.36 5 20mm
09-23 3.5 0.18 2 26mm
09-24 4.7 0.1 8 43mm
09-25 5.9 0.24 8 5mm

About this spot

Apo Island Marine Sanctuary sits within one of the Philippines' most carefully managed marine protected areas. The sanctuary's designation as part of the Apo Island Protected Landscape and Seascape means strict protections on fishing and development, creating stable conditions for marine life recovery and growth. Coral health here shows no signs of stress, which is significant given bleaching pressures elsewhere in the region. This stability supports a diverse ecosystem that divers encounter on every visit. The protected status means you're diving in an area where reef management is taken seriously, not just another popular spot. The sanctuary welcomes divers year-round, making planning flexible. Community documentation includes 12 recorded species observations and 3 community videos, offering insight into what you'll see below. The combination of protection, year-round access, and active monitoring makes this a reliable choice for understanding Philippine reef diving.

📖 Guía: Buceo en Filipinas: 119 sitios, naufragios y paredes que justifican el vuelo

Mejores meses

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Vida marina

Tortuga verde

Tipos de buceo

Arrecife

Esenciales del viaje

Todo lo que necesitas antes de hacer la maleta — checklist, sol, logística.

Trip checklist

  • 🛂 Visa-free or visa-on-arrival
  • 📜 C-card + dive insurance (DAN)
  • 📔 Dive logbook
  • 🧴 Reef-safe sunscreen SPF 50+
  • 🔌 Plug type A/B/C · 220V adapter
  • 💊 Seasickness meds + ear drops
  • 📱 Offline maps + emergency contact

Quick facts

  • 🌓 Moon First quarter · 47%
  • GPS
Información de sostenibilidad
🌍 CO2 footprint MAD ↔ 12272km · ~2823kg · €51

Desde tu país de salida

Estados Unidos
Puntuación de origen: 54/100
  • Visado: Visado a la llegada · 30 días máx.
  • Vuelo: 12h · directo
  • Jet-lag: 11h este · 8 días de recuperación

Preguntas frecuentes

When is the best time to dive Apo Island Marine Sanctuary?

The sanctuary is diveable year-round, so your visit depends on personal schedule and travel plans rather than seasonal closures. Check local weather and sea conditions closer to your dates for optimal visibility and comfort.

What depths and difficulty levels does this sanctuary offer?

Specific depth profiles and difficulty ratings aren't documented for this site. Contact local dive operators or the Apo Island Protected Landscape and Seascape management office for details on dive routes, depths, and recommended experience levels.

What marine life will I see?

Twelve recorded species observations document the sanctuary's biodiversity. Healthy, non-stressed coral indicates a thriving reef ecosystem. Community videos provide visual reference—check those before your dive to set realistic expectations for encounters.

Do I need permits or special access?

Apo Island is a protected landscape and seascape, so regulations apply. You'll need to coordinate with local management or authorized dive operators familiar with current permit requirements and entry procedures.

Operadores cerca de este spot

Centros de buceo, escuelas de kite y surf en un radio de 10 km, desde OpenStreetMap.

Paul's Dive Shop

0.6 km
4.8 (16 reviews) closed
Centro de buceo
Verified
Horario: Friday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Beach Cafe & Dream Diving Resort

8.4 km
Centro de buceo

Wellbeach Dive Resort

8.7 km
4.4 (68 reviews) closed
Centro de buceo
Verified
Teléfono: +63 956 189 1713
Horario: Friday: 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Recently spotted by divers

iNaturalist →

Observaciones verificadas de especies marinas

50 registros · 50 especies · fuentes: OBIS, GBIF

Notodoris minor

キイロトラフウミウシ
Gastropoda · Aegiridae
OBIS
Última observación:
11 nov 2019
×1registros
Profundidad:
10 m

Mariaglaja tsurugensis

Gastropoda · Aglajidae
OBIS
Última observación:
23 oct 2016
×1registros

Allogalathea babai

Malacostraca · Galatheidae
OBIS
Última observación:
9 abr 2016
×1registros
Profundidad:
2–18 m

Polynoidae

Polychaeta · Polynoidae
OBIS
Última observación:
8 abr 2016
×1registros
Profundidad:
9 m

Trapania palmula

Gastropoda · Goniodorididae
OBIS
Última observación:
8 abr 2016
×1registros
Profundidad:
5–28 m

Discodoris

Gastropoda · Discodorididae
OBIS
Última observación:
6 abr 2016
×1registros
Profundidad:
0–4 m

Phyllidiella nigra

Gastropoda · Phyllidiidae
OBIS
Última observación:
5 abr 2016
×1registros
Profundidad:
0–3 m

Serpulidae

Polychaeta · Serpulidae
OBIS
Última observación:
5 abr 2016
×1registros
Profundidad:
6–21 m

Pontoniopsis comanthi

Malacostraca · Palaemonidae
OBIS
Última observación:
5 abr 2016
×1registros
Profundidad:
6–21 m

Echinostrephus molaris

Echinoidea · Echinometridae
OBIS
Última observación:
4 abr 2016
×1registros
Profundidad:
0–3 m

Tenellia nakapila

Gastropoda · Trinchesiidae
OBIS
Última observación:
4 abr 2016
×1registros
Profundidad:
0–4 m

Filogranella elatensis

Polychaeta · Serpulidae
OBIS
Última observación:
4 abr 2016
×1registros
Profundidad:
27 m

Datos: 187.991 observaciones de OBIS (Ocean Biodiversity Information System) y GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility). CC-BY 4.0.

See this spot in action

YouTube videos — click to play.

Unbelievable Encounters: Scuba Diving in Dauin, Philippines

Totaldive
💬 3 top comments
  • Thanks for checking the video out, here's part two from the island of Malapascua! https://youtu.be/tUmhNLCPjDQ

    @totaldive · 👍 1
  • It was an awesome video… thanks 🏖️🏖️

    @BeStr0ngStayStr0ngAlways333 · 👍 1
  • Can't wait to get back to Dauin. Incredible diving. Thanks for the fantastic video.

    @jeffcinciripino · 👍 0

The Gorgeous Underwater World of the Philippines | Tales of Tiny Treasures | Free Documentary Nature

Free Documentary - Nature
💬 3 top comments
  • The documentary delves into the delicate balance between human activity and marine life, revealing both positive transformations and looming environmental threats. Anilao's marine gems have become ambassadors of conservation, yet the region faces challenges like plastic pollution, illegal fishing, and anchor damage. Highlighting the profound impact of these minuscule creatures on Anilao's resident

    @FreeDocumentaryNature · 👍 51
  • Beautiful country and beautiful people 🤗 God bless & long live Philippines 🇵🇭

    @PeacePlease7 · 👍 28
  • Perhaps the most beautiful islands and especially people of the world!

    @carollee594 · 👍 36

Black Forest of Balicasag Island Marine Sanctuary #TheDivePH

Ocean Care Initiative
💬 3 top comments
  • ✨❤️👍

    @reily7795 · 👍 0
  • 😉💕

    @reily7795 · 👍 0
  • woowwww 😮

    @abcdarnayla8657 · 👍 0

Local knowledge

OpenStreetMap Notes
  • "Bahura Dive Resort seems to be not existing anymore 2023-11-23"

    Totor · 2023-11-23
  • ""Dive shop run trip on Dauin and Zambonguita coastal, Apo island(min.2divers) and Sumilon(min.6divers). Dive courses available. Dive rate start from 1,500php. Dive equipment provided without extra charge. Marine park fee, dive guide and towel are included. Offer secluded beach front accommodation for divers. Small swimming pool and a boutique café on site. Room rate start from 500php/bed in dorm room, breakfast are included. All types room with private hot shower/toilet and air-conditioning." P"

    Dives Visaya · 2020-01-12
wind peaks Feb-Jan-Mar, calmest Aug-Oct-Jun, dry Jan-Apr.

Clima mensual de 5 años

60 muestras
0 5 10 15 20 25 JFMAMJJASOND
rango p25–p75 Mediana Viento (nudos) Aire (°C)
Visibility (month-by-month)
Best: Jun (100/100) Worst: Jan (0/100) Now: Sep (94/100) NOAA MODIS Aqua · 5y mean

Spots cercanos

Kan Uran Philippines Buceo
🇵🇭 Philippines

Kan Uran

Kan Uran is a year-round dive site near Apo Island in the Philippines, protected by marine reserve status and known for healthy coral.

Intermedio Ene·Feb·Mar+
Rock point East Philippines Buceo
🇵🇭 Philippines

Rock point East

Rock Point East offers year-round diving near Apo Island with healthy coral and abundant marine life in the Philippines.

Ene·Feb·Mar+
Katipanan Philippines Buceo
🇵🇭 Philippines

Katipanan

Katipanan is a year-round dive site near Apo Island, Philippines, within a protected marine landscape with healthy coral and abundant marine life.

Principiante 20m Ene·Feb·Mar+

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