The
Apo Reef in Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro is a 34 square kilometer of coral reef
system which is considered as the world’s second largest contiguous coral reef
system second to that of the Great Barrier Reef of Australia. The land area of the main island of Apo is
only 29 hectares but the waters are already shallow kilometers away from the island
as it already forms part of the coral reef system. It is one of the best known
and popular dive sites in the country.
Being
in the middle of nowhere, I thought it was just an impossible place to go. However, when I decided to explore Mindoro,
to travel to Apo Reef became the highlight of the trip. I had wanted to dive at the Apo reef after
having read of the glowing descriptions of the marine biodiversity of the
place. It was the reason I had to go for
a predive in Anilao as I read that one who has not dived for a year has to have
a predive first before being allowed to dive in Apo. One of the dive shop that I called up, however, was not sure if they could gather enough
divers on the day I was going since I
was still the only one. The tourism
office of Sablayan would only accept snorkelers as their equipments were no
longer that reliable. I was referred to the Pandan Island Resort as they had
regular trips to Apo. I was just told to
try my luck when I get there as there might be enough divers who would signify.
I had a slight disappointment when I got
to Pandan when I was told that I could no longer be accepted as they already
had full takers as a group of foreigners arrived that day who signified to go
to Apo. To ease my disappointment they
offered me a fun dive at the back of the island of Pandan which I took. I then called up the Tourism office of
Sablayan if there were takers for the Apo Reef the following day. I was told
that a Belgian couple was interested to come along. So I confirmed for an overnight
camping trip to Apo. The overnight rental for the boat which could accommodate
ten persons cost 8,000 pesos and 1,000 for the guide which we had to divide
among the passengers.
The
boat with the Belgian couple was already at Pandan when I arrived after my dive.
We left Pandan Island at 11:30 in the morning. By 1:30 pm we were already in
the vicinity of Apo reef and we had our first snorkeling by the Apo Menor islet
which was just a rocky limestone island. There were many dead corals but plenty
of beautiful fishes. Next stop was at the east side of Apo island. Saw a shark come up just on top of the drop
off. Then we registered at the island
paying for a snorkeling visit of 240. Pitched our tents and by almost sundown
went to the lighthouse to wait for the sunset. Dinner and beer over a moonbeam and starry
clear skies.
After
breakfast the following day, we had our first swim on the beach. Just a few meters away was
already a drop off. There were plenty of beautiful fishes. Then
we went to the lagoon and took the balsa to cross to the other side.
Afterwards,
our guide had us take the boat for a snorkeling trip around the island. We made two
stops. At one stop the current was so strong that the guide decided that we
just snorkel holding on to ropes attached to the outrigger while the boat would
cruise around the island. Had early lunch and by one pm we left the island for
our last snorkeling stop also near the rock island for table top corals.
Even
though I was not able to dive, yet I still saw many marine forms that could not
be seen anywhere. I saw some sharks which came on top of the drop off, saw sea
turtles and other beautiful fishes and corals. But most of all we were able to
camp and stay overnight in the island. Had I just joined the dive, we would not
have been able to stay overnight at the island as it was only a daytrip and of
course more expensive.
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Composed of a 34 square kilometer of coral reef system, the waters are already shallow with abounding corals although it is still a few kilometers away from the island of Apo. |
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The Apo Reef is still away far at the background, but the waters are already shallow. This is the Apo Menor islet |
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Our first stop was on this rocky limestone grounds of Apo Menor. There were not much corals to be seen here but there were many colorful fishes. |
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Some of the corals and fishes that could be seen on our first stop before arriving at the Apo Reef. |
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Approaching Apo Reef with it's distinctive lighthouse. |
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View of the other end of the island. |
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The main gazebo in Apo Reef where every visitor registers. Different fees are collected for those who will go diving and for those who will just snorkel. |
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Wide expanse of white sand in Apo Reef. |
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Fine sand of Apo reef. |
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A lagoon surrounded by mangroves could be seen from on top of the lighthouse. |
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With the Belgian couple who joined us in the boat coming to Apo. |
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At the lagoon one can go sailing with the use of a floating cottage that is just being pulled by a rope to the other end. |
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A souvenir pose from on top the lighthouse. |
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Sunset captured from the lighthouse. |
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Sunrise in Apo Reef |
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Another pose from the Welcome sign of Apo Reef. |
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Corals just near the beach. |
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Lots of small fishes. |
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Hard corals abound. |
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Some of the fish that could be seen while snorkeling. |
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A shark coming up on the edge of the reef. |
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A sea turtle passed by also. |
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A school of fish passing by. |
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The office of the DENR at the Apo Reef. |
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A dilapidated building near the lighthouse. |
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Mangroves by the lagoon. |
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With the rope that you just pull, one can get across the lagoon with the floating cottage that they had. |
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Another side of the island. |
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Our tent under the trees. There was no wind that evening, that it was unusually hot in the tent. My companions had to sleep under the tables outside to get some fresher air. |
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A few foreigners were our companions on the island that day. |
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Taking the boat back to Sablayan. |
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A last look at the Apo reef. |
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We still had one stop before going back: to see the table top corals. |
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Flat corals abounded in this area. |
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