Apo Island

Apo Island is a tiny island located south of Siquijor and Negros, accessible by boat from Dauin (Negros) or on a day trip from Siquijor. I went with Coco Grove from Siquijor: the journey takes about 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes depending on sea conditions. A snorkeling day trip with lunch costs around €40, plus €55 to €60 for two dives. Island Vibes Explorer also offers the same day trip; if I were to go again, I'd definitely go with them! The island is indeed beautiful and retains a very traditional atmosphere. The village lives off fishing and tourism related to diving and snorkeling. The beaches are beautiful, the water is clear, and you can easily spot turtles, as well as a wide variety of fish, nudibranchs, and small crustaceans. It's even possible to see sharks. However, it's important to put things into perspective: everything we saw on Apo Island, we had already seen in Siquijor, both snorkeling and diving. The underwater scenery is beautiful, but it's not fundamentally different from or superior to that of Siquijor, which already boasts impressive biodiversity, often more accessible and less expensive. Another point to note: the entrance fee to the island is 300 pesos, officially for the nature reserve. However, we didn't see any tracking system, logbook, or clear monitoring, which raises some doubts about the actual management and protection of the site. The village, without continuous electricity (only a few hours in the evening), gives the impression of an island "out of time," which can be appealing if you're looking for isolation and a more raw, rustic atmosphere. On the other hand, if the main objective is simply to see beautiful underwater scenery, Apo Island isn't necessarily an essential stop compared to what you can already find in Siquijor. In summary, Apo Island is a lovely getaway, pleasant for a day trip and for its tranquil atmosphere, but it's really only worth the trip if you're looking for a more secluded island and a simpler setting, rather than spectacularly different underwater landscapes.

—You have been visited by John Ding— Rating: 5 stars—Worth a special trip, unforgettable. First visit, April 2024 It's a great resort destination. It maintains basic accommodation and living resources, and the rest is all about the sea turtles and beautiful marine life. The staff who brought us to the island were very friendly, making for a fantastic travel experience. 1. The underwater world around Apo Island is incredibly beautiful. While snorkeling, you can see sea turtles up close, and there are many of them. The natural environment is very well maintained. 2. There are some souvenir vendors on the island, but the prices are reasonable. You can buy something if you like. 3. This trip was booked with COLLIN TRAVEL AND TOUR. The cost per person was ₱2,300, including round-trip boat tickets, snorkeling, and lunch. The overall service was quite good. // —A wild John Ding appeared! - Rating : ★★★★★ – Worth going out of your way for truly unforgettable. First visit/April 2024 Apo Island is an amazing destination — simple but beautiful. The island maintains only the essentials for accommodation and daily needs, while leaving the rest to its pristine nature, sea turtles, and stunning marine life. The staff and guides who brought us here were friendly and attentive, making the whole trip a wonderful experience. 1.The underwater scenery around Apo Island is breathtaking. You can swim very close to sea turtles while snorkeling, and there are plenty of them. The natural environment is well preserved. 2.There are a few small souvenir stalls on the island, and the prices are quite reasonable — worth picking something up if you find something you like. 3.This trip was booked through COLLIN TRAVEL AND TOUR, costing ₱2,300 per person, which included round-trip boat transportation, snorkeling, and lunch. The overall service was excellent.

A nice place to be and a long time snorcling with the Turtles over a beautiful koral rif. Waw very nice.