The second largest coral reef in the world, Apo Reef is located in the South China Sea, about 20 kilometers off Mindoro Island’s west coast. With incredible walls along its outer edge, and beautiful lagoons inside its sheltered inner regions, the reef covers an area of more than 34 square kilometers. Here, you’ll find manta rays, sharks, sea turtles, and many other creatures. There are countless dive sites, many of which are yet to be named, plus there are more than 20 named favorites within the confines of the Apo Reef Marine Park. These six are just some of the best. Let’s take a closer look.
Shark Ridge
Besides the black and white tip reef sharks you’ll find at the aptly named Shark Ridge site, you’ll often encounter manta rays here as well. Beginning at a depth of about 10 meters, the ridge is washed by a strong current and is peppered with shallow caves and overhangs where you can find groupers, lobsters, and moray eels, along with thousands of other creatures. After sloping to a depth of 25 meters, the ridge transitions to a wall, plummeting away into the depths below. Watch for turtles!
Hunter’s Rock
A submerged island with its top located about 10 meters beneath the surface, Hunter’s Rock is home to a splendid array of marine life. The best time to visit is between June and July, when the Banded Sea Kraits, a type of harmless sea snake, come to breed by the thousands against a colorful backdrop of coral and sponges. Besides these sleek creatures, you’ll find a wealth of tropical fish and many other reef dwellers. Like other nearby sites, Hunter’s Rock is subject to very strong currents and is not suitable for inexperienced divers.
Apo 29
Rising up from the seabed 50 meters below the surface, Apo 29 is a seamount with its top located at a depth of 25 meters. As it is subject to swift currents, and as there is a long blue water descent, the site is suitable for experienced divers only. Once atop this huge underwater mountain, you can simply sit back and enjoy the show. With thresher sharks and various reef sharks, along with the occasional group of hammerheads, plus manta rays and thousands of schooling pelagic fish, it offers endless excitement. The sharks here are not quite as shy as they are in other nearby places; be sure to practice safe shark diving protocols and watch your buddy’s back.
Merope Rock
An excellent site with a strong current that attracts large pelagics, including tuna, trevally, barracuda, and sharks, Merope Rock features splendid coral and sponge growth and is home to all kinds of reef fish and other colorful creatures. While the top of the rock is situated at a depth of 15 meters, the wall on the eastern side drops away to hundreds of meters below, providing an excellent view into the endless blue.
Apo Island
Located just to the west of the main reef structure, Apo Island features soaring walls covered in swathes of soft coral and sponge, which create a splendid backdrop for photos. You’ll find lots of turtles grazing along the wall and resting among the ledges, along with manta rays soaring through the water, and an incredible array of other marine life in every shape, size, and color imaginable. As there are several spots to dive around the island with depths ranging from 10 to 50 meters, this is a popular site for all divers, particularly since it is possible to encounter hammerheads.
Binangaan Dropoff
An amazing wall that eventually drops away into the abyss 900 meters below, the Binangaan Dropoff is best known for its scalloped hammerheads and manta rays. With strong currents and cool upwellings from below, the site is neither for the inexperienced nor for the faint of heart! Those who do make the dive will be rewarded with the sight of splendid gorgonians and other corals, where huge groupers and moray eels, big schools of snapper, and bumphead parrotfish can be seen. Watch for turtles and tuna, too.
At its best between November and May, Apo Reef can be dived year-round, although seas are rougher and there is more rain between June and October. There are no resorts nearby, and all diving is done via liveaboard or special safari charter from Pandan Island, 20 kilometers away. If you hope to dive here, be sure to plan well in advance, and work on your physical fitness level before your visit – these dives are mostly challenging; but the rewards are well worth the effort it takes to prepare.