Apo Island

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Apo Island is a small volcanic island, seven kilometers off the southeastern tip of Negros Island in the Philippines. It is belong to the municipality of Dauin, Negros Oriental. The Island is home to almost eight-hundred people, mainly fishermen and has since 2002 become a popular dive site and snorkeling destination with tourists.

It is one of the World's best known Community Organized Marine Sanctuary's, and as such it has been well documented, by the Global science community. The project was started in the early 80's. It is home to over six-hundred-plus documented species of fish and estimated to have over four-hundred species of corals.

An area was established as fish sanctuary where all fishing activities are prohibited to allow the stocks to recover. Although at the start it met some resistance, the strategy was slowly accepted by the local people. After undergoing some training, the local fishermen were deputized to be the coastal law enforcer and became an active partner in the management of the coastal resources.

The declaration of the Apo Island as a Protected Landscape and Seascape on August 1996 and the support of the barangay council and municipal officials, strengthened the awareness of the residents of the island regarding the importance of conserving the marine resources in the area.

As a protected area under the National Integrated Protected Areas System, Apo Island is being administered by the Protected Area Management Board composed of representatives from national and local government, the community, and non-government organizations.

The community was the first to notice and admit that their fish catch has increased while their fishing time has decreased after the establishment of fish sanctuary in the island. At present, fishing activities are reduced to sustainable levels, illegal and destructive fishing practices diminished, and fish habitats protected and managed.

Apo Island is one of the undiscovered wonders of the Philippines partly due to the on-going and extensive environmental protection programs. These programs ensure that dive sites such as “Clown Fish Apartments” keep their inhabitants.

Apo Island is primarily a diving destination. However, if you are interested in drying out for a day there are some other interesting activities that you can do in the island. From trekking to the lighthouse, visiting the lover's beach or going to Malatapay Market during a Wednesday for some cultural exposure you are bound to find activities to keep you interested.

The beach here is just great, it is all beautiful corals that must have been in the works for thousands of years, Anybody would love to own a piece of property like this.

The sand on Apo Island is like small rocks and coral pieces, it is fun to sit in it and find all sorts of shells and weird looking corals.

The ideal time for visiting this island is of course on summertime, also it is good on the months of May and September for usually it is the calmest months.

One problem that you might face is water shortage. Water is very precious in Apo Island. The water for drinking and cooking are all being bought from the town of Zamboangita , 35 minutes by boat. For showers, or washing of clothes, water is from the deep well at the center of the island. But don't you worry, local officials and people there are doing the appropriate actions to overcome this difficulties. But still, Apo Island is a beautiful and unique place in the Philippines.