Apo Reef
Discover the Untouched Beauty of Apo Reef – Dive Into Mindoro’s Underwater Paradise!
Discover the Untouched Beauty of Apo Reef – Dive Into Mindoro’s Underwater Paradise!
Covering around 34 square kilometers, Apo Reef is the biggest coral reef in the Philippines and ranks as the world’s second-largest connected reef system after the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. It’s a massive, beautiful reef full of life and color, attracting nature lovers and divers from all over.
Apo Reef is made up of two separate coral reefs with a 30-meter-deep channel between them. This channel’s clear, blue waters are packed with marine life—about 285 species, including tropical fish, snappers, and the sneaky, crevice-hiding moray eel. It’s an underwater playground for divers and snorkelers.
Known as one of the world’s top diving destinations, Apo Reef pulls in crowds year-round. The soft, white sandy bottom and vibrant coral patches are visible right through the clear water, making it a dream for anyone with a love for the ocean.
Apo Reef and the waters around it are protected as part of the Apo Reef Natural Park, which sits roughly 33 kilometers off the coast of Sablayan in Occidental Mindoro. Established in 1996, it’s managed by the Philippines’ Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and is even on the list for potential UNESCO World Heritage status.
Most of the reef is underwater, but three islands—Apo Island, Apo Menor, and Cayos del Bajo—poke up above the surface. These islands are chill spots with pristine views, where you can hear birds singing and the water gently rippling. People come here to relax, dive, snorkel, bird-watch, kayak, and even spot dolphins and sea turtles.