Apo Island is in the province of Negros Oriental, in the Central Visayas region of the Philippines, about 30 km (20 miles) south of the provincial capital of Dumaguete. Administratively, the island is a barangay of the town of Dauin; population is about a thousand.
Apo Island is well-known as one of the country's many fine diving destinations; one divers' magazine included it on a list of the top hundred destinations worldwide. Part of the area around it is a marine reserve under the jurisdiction of the national Protected Area Management Board (PAMB).
One of the Philippines' famous diving sites, Apo Island has one of the world's best known community-organised marine sanctuaries. It's home to over 650 documented species of fish and estimated to have over 400 species of corals. There are also many sea turtles.
Diving and snorkeling are the main activities around the island. Resorts on and off the island typically hold diving programs for different skill levels. Instructors are commonly PADI-certified. The diving is excellent, plenty of reefs, tons of fish and turtles, and amazing visibility. Keep an eye out for the Giant Trevally (largest of the jackfish family) which is known in these waters.
There are two dive shops in Apo Island:
- Apo Island resort - USD25 inclusive of complete gear, boat and divemaster; USD20 exclusive of gear, inclusive of tank & weights, boat and divemaster. Less USD2 for shore dives.
- Paul's diveshop - for one dive, for 2 dives exclusive of gear. For complete gear, add per dive.
Conservation tax of is charged if diving within the sanctuary and if diving outside of the sanctuary. These rates are as of June 2009.
There isn't much in the way of retail on Apo Island. It's advisable to bring anything that you may need with you because it is a long trip back to Dumaguete. The local women will try to sell you t-shirts and sarongs when you arrive and when you leave.
Both resorts have Apo Island t-shirts and hats which are little more than the words Apo Island and the symbol for divers.
Both hotels have restaurants, Liberty's has particularly good chocolate/banana shakes. Menus are limited but what is available is pretty good. At Liberty's, the dive master will go table to table during dinner and help you arrange the next day's dives.
Dumaguete is the main transport hub of the region; most travellers will reach Apo from there and return there after the island trip.
It is also possible to spend time on the coast near Apo (in Zamboanguita or Dauin) or to continue south (away from Dumaguete and toward Siaton) after visiting the island, but these are much less common choices.