About Apo Island

 

Apo Island

The Apo Island. A unique, small, but very beautiful island, located five kilometers off the coast of Dauin, and twenty kilometers from Dumaguete City, Province of Negors Oriental with a land area of about seventy-two hectares. It is one of the world's best known community-organized marine sanctuaries, and as such it has been well documented, by the global science community. To get there, you must take thirty minutes travel time by land from Dumaquete airport plus forty-five to sixty minutes by pumpboat. There are about 700 people living on the island and their main livelihood is fishing. Additionally, they could work in one of the two resorts on the island, or sell some souvenirs items to the local and foreign vacationists.

The island itself with a beautiful reef and lots of wonderful soft and hard corals is within the protected area. Fishing for non-residents is prohibited. And since 1982, there is also a small part declared as a no-take marine reserve, in which the fishes have an undisturbed breeding site.

Vacationists and tourists pay a fee to enter Apo Island and to snorkel or dive in the marine sanctuary there, these fees are used to keep the sanctuary clean and in good condition. Walk through the island's quaint village on your way to the marine sanctuary, where the snorkeling experience is at its best. Also, you can take a thirty-minute trek to go to the lighthouse - the highest point of the island.

There are several dive sites around Apo island ranging between ten and fifty meters. These site are the best as far as corals are concerned. Huge table corals, stag horns, brain corals, fire corals and a huge variety of soft corals can be found all around the island.Currents can be unpredictable and make the northern dive site difficult for beginners. The western side is rather a slope than a drop-off which makes it more easy for less experienced divers. Apo reef has been declared a marine park and there is a turtle sanctuary and a ranger station on Apo island

The island is home to nearly eight-hundred people, mainly fishermen. Since 2002 Apo Island has become a popular dive site and snorkeling destination with tourists. There are two resorts on Apo Island, both of which have their own dive centers. The Apo Island Beach Resort and the Liberty's Lodge.



Things to consider

While you are on the Apo Island there are some things you should not do such as, bringing any stones, shells, coral pieces or the like from this island, wear gloves while diving or snorkeling. However, you should take care the beauty of nature on the island, so bring your trash back to the mainland and dispose it properly. Support the local economy there and buy drinks and food on the island. Go to the boat not later than 4 o'clock in the afternoon for you to came back to Negros Oriental Proper for the boats will not ride you later than this time. So make sure to beat the time.

If you are going diving in Apo Island, it is better for you to bring your own gear such as, snorkel and mask if you have any, but if you have not, do not worry, there's an establishment here where you can rent the gear out. Also, bring your camera to capture every precious moment while you are on the island. Don't forget to bring a waterproof lotion for the protection of your skin.