APO REEF NATURAL PARK TRAVEL GUIDE 2024

For four years straight, the World Travel Awards has recognized the Philippines as the Asia’s Leading Dive Destination. Indeed, the country is a home to rich marine life not to mention that it’s a home to the center of center of Coral Triangle and the second largest contiguous atoll-type reef in the world. Among the dive sites that Philippines boasts and that you shouldn’t miss is that of Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro’s Apo Reef Natural Park.

About Apo Reef Natural Park

Apo Reef Natural Park is considered to be the largest atoll-type reef system in the Philippines and second largest in the world next to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. It is a home to a great marine biodiversity making it quite a diver’s haven. Wild pods of dolphins, white tip and thresher sharks, Hump-head and napoleon wrasse, barracuda, sting and manta rays, turtles, sea snakes, eels, parrot fish and a whole lot more will not only fascinate you big time but will gracefully swim with you as well, only a few shying away. A variety of colorful soft and hard coral species will also surprise you as you can see thousands of them right under the shimmering waters from above.

The park has three islands: Apo Menor, Cayos del Bajo and Apo Island, the biggest among three. Apo Island serves as the campsite of the toursits who would visit the Natural Park.

As a natural park, it is proclaimed to be a Protected Area under the supervision of Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). Personnel from the Philippine Army are also guarding the island 24/7. Thus, the Philippine Government’s agencies work hand in hand to take care of the reserve.

How to Get There

From Manila

By Air

1. Book a flight from Manila (MNL) to San Jose, Occidental Mindoro (SJI). Cebu Pacific has two regular flights daily from Manila to San Jose v.v.
2. From San Jose Airport, take a tricycle to the bus terminal.
3. Take a bus bound for Sablayan. The trip takes more or less three hours.
4. From Sablayan, coordinate with Sablayan Etourism Office or your contact boatman/ tour agency for the boat that will take you to Apo Island.

By Land

Option 1:

1. From Cubao, Buendia or Alabang, take a bus bound for Port of Batangas in Batangas City.
2. From the port, take a ferry bound for Abra de Ilog. Pay the terminal fee of Php 30.00. Below is the updated ferry fare to Abra de Ilog:

3. From Abra de Ilog, take a bus bound for Sablayan. Travel time is around three hours and fare is at Php 270.00 per way. You may also opt to take a van to be shared by 12 people. One way rate as of September 2022 is at Php 5,000.00.

4. From Sablayan, coordinate with Sablayan Tourism Office or your contact boatman/ tour agency for the boat that will take you to Apo Island.

Option 2:

You may opt to take a RoRo bus that travels from Sampaloc, Manila or Cubao to Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro.

From Coron, Palawan

1. From the Port of Coron, take a boat to San Jose, Occidental Mindoro. The Bunso Transport only sails every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
2. From the port of San Jose, take a tricycle to the bus terminal.
3. Take a bus to Sablayan.
4. From Sablayan, coordinate with Sablayan Tourism Office or your contact boatman/ tour agency for the boat that will take you to Apo Island.

From Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro

1. From Muelle or Balatero port, take a ferry to Abra de Ilog.
2. From Abra de Ilog, take a bus bound for Sablayan. Travel time is around three hours and fare is at Php 270.00 per way. You may also opt to take a van to be shared by 12 people. One way rate as of September 2022 is at Php 5,000.00.
3. From Sablayan, coordinate with Sablayan Tourism Office or your contact boatman/ tour agency for the boat that will take you to Apo Island.

Things to Do in Apo Reef Natural Park

1. SCUBA or Freediving
2. Snorkeling
3. Swimming
4. Sunset and sunrise watching at the lighthouse
5. Rafting and birdwatching at the lagoon
6. Picture taking at the rock formation
7. Milky Way and stargazing
8. Camping

Where to Go Around Apo Island

Apart from the treasure that lies underwater, a lagoon surrounded by mangrove forest, rock formation, lighthouse and pristine beaches can be explored in the island. More so, it is an island of glorious sunrises and sunsets as it will give you the best spots for such sight seeing. Hence, it will surely give you a wholesome experience as it is overflowing with life and beauty over and above the ocean.

Lighthouse

This 63-meter tall lighthouse is actually a 119-year old structure. It is among the best spots in the island to watch the sunrise and sunset with the view of the whole island.

Mangrove Forest

Lagoon

Rock Formations

Nearby Attraction: Shipwreck

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by May Gumangan ?? (@maygumangan)

Apo Reef Natural Park Important Rates and Fees

Due to the pandemic, the LGU did not implement any increase on the 2020 Apo Reef Natural Park Fees. As of September 2022, below are the important park fees:

DESCRIPTION	CONDITIONS	RATES (in Php)
3 GT and below	Per boat per visit	430.00
3.1 GT to 20 GT	Per boat per visit	780.00
21 GT to 100 GT	Per boat per visit	1,130.00
101 GT to 200 GT	Per boat per visit	1,680.00
201 GT and above	Per boat per visit	2,245.00
Visitor Entry Fees
DESCRIPTION	CONDITIONS	RATES (in Php)
NON-DIVING
Sablayeno	Per person per visit	120.00
Local Tourist	Per person per visit	390.00
Foreign Tourist	Per person per visit	780.00
Tour Guide	Per person per visit	265.00
DIVING
Local Tourist	Per person per visit	2,380.00
Foreign Tourist	Per person per visit	2,940.00
Dive master	Per person per visit	265.00
*Per visit – equivalent for 48 hours or less from time to arrival
Other Park Fees Exclusive of the Entrance Fees
DESCRIPTION	CONDITIONS	RATES (in Php)
Filming/ Video Taping	Per day	3,456.00
Filming for the production of movies and commercials	Per day	6,912.00
Kiosk/ Bed Room Rental	Per day	1,500.00

Since DIY tours or trips are not allowed in the province, we booked our Apo Reef Tour with Lagaw Mindoro. Below are their rates:

Things you Need to Know Before Visiting Apo Reef Natural Park

1. The coast guards in Sablayan are very strict as regards the number of persons per boat depending on its type and size.
2. There is no power source nor electricity in the island. Bring power banks for your gadgets.
3. Bring Insect repellent especially the ones for sand mites.
4. Bring reef-friendly sunscreen.
5. There are toilets and bathrooms but the water in the island for accommodation is salty. They do not have any fresh water nor tanks for such.
6. Bring lots of food, snacks and water. There are no stores in the island. You can buy at the main land before sailing.
7. There is no network signal in the island.
8. Bring your tripod! It is the best place to get a milky way and starry night snaps!
9. Never miss the sunset at the lighthouse.
10. If you do not have any diving nor snorkeling equipment, you can rent from the main land (i.e.: Mylits Restobar, tourism office Php 150.00 – Php 200.00)
11. If you’re gonna visit the rock formation, make sure that you’re gonna be in foot wears with thick soles as the rocks may pierce right through it. Rocks in there can cut skin way too easily.

3 Days 2 Nights Apo Reef Suggested Itinerary

DAY 1: Arrival
7:00 PM – ETD Cubao/ 8:00 PM ETD Pasay
10:00 PM – ETA Batangas port (buy tickets, pay terminal fees)
10:45 PM – Boarding
11:00 PM – ETD to Abra de Ilog
2:00 AM – ETA Abra de Ilog port
2:30 AM – ETD to Sablayan
5:30 AM – Sablayan
5:40 AM – Breakfast
6:45 AM – ETD to Apo Reef
9:00 AM – ETA Apo Reef
9:00 AM – free time, beach
12:00 NN – lunch
1:30 PM – dive, dive, dive
5:00 PM – sunset watching at the lighthouse
7:00 PM – dinner
8:00 PM – socials
10:00 PM – lights off

DAY 2: Beach, Lagoon, Rock formation Lighthouse and Dive
5:30 AM – Watch the sunrise
6:30 AM – breakfast
7:30 AM – lagoon
9:30 AM – dive, dive, dive
12:00 NN – lunch
2:00 PM – dive, dive, dive
5:00 PM – sunset at the beach on near the rock formation
7:00 PM – dinner
8:00 PM – socials
10:00 PM – lights off

DAY 3: Ship wreck diving (Pandan Island, optional) Home bound
5:30 AM – rise and shine
6:00 AM – break camp
7:00 AM – breakfast
8:00 AM – Picture in Apo Reef sign/ depart
8:40 AM – Ship wreck diving
10:00 AM – Return to main land
11:30 PM – wash up/ lunch
2:30 PM – ETD to Abra de Ilog
4:45 PM – ETA Abra de Ilog/ board
5:00 PM – ETD to Batangas Port
8:00 PM – ETA Batangas Port
11:00 PM – Home Sweet Home

Occidental Mindoro Travel Requirements

1. As of March 2022, the Occidental Mindoro Tourism has prohibited Do It Yourself (DIY) trips. They are encouraging the tourists or travelers to coordinate at least one week before their scheduled trip to any of a DOT-accredited tour operators or Municipal Tourism Office in the province.
2. Register to S-Pass at least 72 hours prior to travel date.
3. Prepare copies of accommodation and tour booking.
4. For fully vaccinated tourists: vaccination card and a valid ID with signature. For non-vaccinated: valid ID and a 48-hour valid negative RT-PCR test result.

Apo Reef Natural Park Contact Details

• For travel updates in Sablayan, Oriental Mindoro, contact Sablayan Tourism Office.
• For organized tours to Apo Reef, you may contact Ms. Angie Urieta or Lagaw Mindoro Travel and Tours.

You may also want to visit these top tourist Dive Sites in the Philippines:

• Best Dive Sites in Batangas 2022
• Coron Palawan Budget Travel Guide 2022
• 2022 Bohol DIY Travel Guide (Travel Requirements, Itinerary + Budget)
• CAMIGUIN DIY TRAVEL GUIDE 2022 (Itinerary + Budget)