Apo Reef can be found around 15 nautical miles (28 km; 17 mi) west of the nearest coast of the Philippine island of Mindoro. A series of coral reefs, spreading over an area of 34 square kilometres within the waters of Occidental Mindoro province in the Philippines, create the magnificent Apo Reef, the second largest contiguous coral reef system in the world and largest within the country. Dive Bangka anchored in front of Apo Island. The largest is Apo Island at 22 hectares (54 acres) with mangroves and beach vegetation. The Apo Reef was listed as a World Heritage Site by the Department of the Interiors (DENR) Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau (PAWB). Apo Reef is critical to turtles because it serves as a sanctuary for overfished species and it is home to several endangered species of sea turtles. Tubbataha reef lies in the middle of the Sulu Sea, approximately 50km southeast of Puerto Princesa City in Palawan, the most western province of the Philippines. Sablayan was derived from the word sablay, a Visayan term meaning wave convergence. It is one of the best known and most popular diving regions in the country, and is in the tentative list for UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The Apo Reef Natural Park consists of the three islands.The Apo Reef National Park centered around the reef was founded in 1996, and the reef is the largest reef system in . document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your email address will not be published. Sunset and sunrise watching at the lighthouse. Apo Reef was proclaimed as Protected Area under the category of Natural Park and it Surrounding waters as buffer zone by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. Department of Environment and Natural Resources, List of protected areas of the Philippines, List of World Heritage Sites in the Philippines, "United States Coast Pilot Philippine Islands", "Protected Areas in Region 4B Mimaropa", "Philippines bans fishing to revive biggest reef", "Sustainable Ecosystems and Community News: Philippines bans fishing to revive biggest reef", Apo Reef Natural Park Official Website (DENR), Travel Guide: Sablayan (Apo Reef/Pandan Island), https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Apo_Reef&oldid=1148538765. Waiting times can range from several hours to several days if you take the public boat. One way rate as of September 2022 is at Php 5,000.00. There are no stores in the island. Several species, including reef sharks, mobula rays, whales, dolphins, and dugongs, can be found in ARNP. It is now being protected 33 kilometers off the coast of Sablayan in Occidental Mindoro with the help of various initiatives. For other inquiries, you may contact Sablayan Tourism Office/Sablayan Tourist Information and Assistance Center) at the following: Hotline: 0998 546 5917/0917 170 6723Landline: (043) 458 0028Email: [email protected] account: Sablayan TourismFacebook page: Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro. THE Apo reef is the largest coral atoll-like reef in the Philippines and the second-largest contiguous coral reef in the world. 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. 868 that was issued in 1996. I'm a freelance tour guide and a blogger. The Apo Reef includes three islands: Apo Island, Cayos de Bajo (Spanish for keys of the bank), and Apo Menor. Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Protected Area Management Office (PAMO), Protected Area Management Board (PAMB), Local Government Unit of Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro, The Difference Between the MPAtlas and WDPA, Scientific Support for Fully & Highly Protected Areas, Sign On: Scientists Warning of an Imperiled Ocean, Support Protecting Californias Seamounts, Save the Oculina Coral Reef from Destructive Fishing. The Apo Reef, also considered as the second largest atoll-like reef in the Philippines comprises of two isolated coral reefs that are disconnected by a 30-meter deep channel. Best regards and God bless. [5] The islands are uninhabited. The Apo Reef Light, situated on the northeast part of the island, warns ship about the location of this navigational hazard. It is among the best spots in the island to watch the sunrise and sunset with the view of the whole island. It is surrounded by mangrove forests, and it is located in a shallow lagoon with a depth of 2 to 10 meters. Coron, Apo Reef, Sogod, and Tubbataha Reef appear to be the three best places I have not been to. The Tentative Lists of States Parties are published by the World Heritage Centre at its website and/or in working documents in order to ensure transparency, access to information and to facilitate harmonization of Tentative Lists at regional and thematic levels. Because it has such a shallow lagoon surrounded by mangrove forests, which serve as food, nursery, spawning, and breeding grounds for a variety of coastal and marine species, the area provides habitat for birds, turtles, and other creatures. Its diverse corals are approximately 34 sq. Apo Reef has three small islands, the largest of which is the 22-hectare Apo island. INDER 868, which established the category of Natural Park. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. What is Apo reef known for? You are free to choose a tour guide (which I believe you do not), but you will have to pay P750 in advance. The soft white sand and patches of fine corals, clearly visible through the. Flexing my Sawum Freedivers Mask and . It is a well preserved skeleton that lies 8-12 meters depending on the tides. The Apo Reef Natural Park is a popular diving destination and is also a popular tourist destination in the Philippines because of its natural beauty and accessibility to tourists. Apo Island serves as the campsite of the toursits who would visit the Natural Park. The trip takes more or less three hours. Banaue Rice Terraces: Mastering the Pronunciation, Banaue Rice Terraces: Unveiling the Majesty of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Where is Manila? A Comprehensive Guide to the Capital of the Philippines, Harlan Beach Resort in Boracay: Ownership and Management, Puerto Princesa to Boracay: Discovering the Distance. You may also want to visit these top tourist Dive Sites in the Philippines: Anne Elizabeth Gumiran, also known as Queenie, is a 20-something, full-time public school teacher, a part-time travel blogger and a freediver. The reef is divided by a narrow lagoon surrounded by a century-old mangrove forest and populated by some 285 species of marine species, including sharks, stingrays, and mantas and school of jack and snappers, tropical and crevice-dwelling moray, blemish and gobi and 500 coral species. 940, Prices may change without prior notice, coordinate with Sablayan Tourism Office. 868, dated September 6, 1996. Tinangkapaan Island is the smallest isle of the ARNP. Apo Reef is the Jewel of Mindoro," said former Sablayan Mayor Godofreido Mintu over a seafood dinner the night before. [3] Politically, the reef lies within the jurisdiction of the Province of Occidental Mindoro in Region IV-B of the Philippines and more specifically of the Municipality of Sablayan. From Abra de Ilog, take a bus bound for Sablayan. When was Apo Reef declared a protected area? Apo's huge area has been protected since 1996 as the Apo Reef Natural Park. It is located in the province of Occidental Mindoro, about 30 kilometers from the town of Sablayan. It can be quite visible in the dry season in the 40m range, but it drops dramatically in the rainy season to 20m range. You can buy at the main land before sailing. Tubattaha is by far the best hotel in this country. Visitors to the reef are required to pay a fee, which goes towards the maintenance and protection of the reef. Visitors will be able to explore Apo Island for the first time since it reopened to the public. People come here for recreation, as well as to enjoy a sporting vacation (scuba diving, snorkeling, bird watching, dolphin watching, reef cruising, kayaking, lagoon rafting, and turtle monitoring are all excellent activities in the calm waters of the islands). Get to the Lighthouse and see the picturesque view of the island. Apo Reef is a coral reef in the Philippines located off the coast of Occidental Mindoro province in the Mindoro Strait. The sole responsibility for the content of each Tentative List lies with the State Party concerned. Now steps have been taken to protect the Apo Reef. Apo Reef is a coral reef system in the Philippines situated on the western waters of Occidental Mindoro province in the Mindoro Strait. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. The Apo Reef, also considered as the second largest atoll-like reef in the Philippines comprises of two isolated coral reefs that are disconnected by a 30-meter deep channel. The Apo Reef was declared a protected area in 1996 under Presidential Proclamation No. As of September 2022, below are the important park fees: Since DIY tours or trips are not allowed in the province, we booked our Apo Reef Tour with Lagaw Mindoro. People flock to these islands for recreation or just to enjoy a sporting vacation (scuba diving, snorkelling, bird watching, dolphin watching, reef cruising, kayaking, lagoon rafting and turtle monitoring are best enjoyed in the calm waters of the islands). By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. (@maygumangan). Halcon is one of the countrys toughest mountains with its rugged terrains and steep slopes, often made more difficult by the unpredictable weather. Take a bus bound for Sablayan. It is possible to stay overnight in tents subject to certain conditions. The effects of years overfishing, lethal chemical pollution, destructive coral mining, sedimentation and climatic change had been detrimental, resulting in acidification, coral bleaching and ocean warming. Now steps have been taken to protect the Apo Reef. The Conservation of Priority Protected Areas Project (CPPAP), which is being funded by the Global Environmental Facility (CEF) forms part of this phase. Apo Reef is known for the big stuff- groupers, snappers, tuna, jackfish, manta rays, white tip sharks and turtles. Bancurro in Naujan. Barracudas are a common sight, as are rays, tuna, groupers, and many other fish. Below is the updated ferry fare to Abra de Ilog: From the Port of Coron, take a boat to San Jose, Occidental Mindoro. Scuba diving and snorkeling in Apo Reef area are exceptional due to the quality of the flora, the fauna and the clarity of the water and white sand. A good place to catch sharks in the Philippines is Apo Reef. From there, you can take a boat to Sabang Beach, which is the jump-off point for trips to the reef. There is no power source nor electricity in the island. 3. After arriving at San Jose International Airport, take a 2-hour drive to Sablayan, the nearest town to the Apo Reef Natural Park. We'll help you learn everything you need to know about Philippines. [1] This 63-meter tall lighthouse is actually a 119-year old structure. More than 3,500 species of fish, coral, mollusks, and other sea creatures live in the Great Barrier Reef, making it one of the most diverse marine ecosystems on the planet. Reef fish and other marine species can breathe easier with the introduction of a fishing ban around Apo Reef, the largest coral reef in the Philippines and the second largest contiguous reef in the world after the Great Barrier Reef. The Apo Reef, also considered as the second largest atoll-like reef in the Philippines comprises of two isolated coral reefs that are disconnected by a 30-meter deep channel. Throughout the year, the ocean water temperature ranges from 25 to 29 Celsius. It is approximately 34 miles long and 3.5 miles wide. 4 Where is the Apo Reef Light in Sablayan? The largest is Apo Island at 22 hectares (54 acres) with mangroves and beach vegetation. 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. Although most of the areas of the Reef are submerged, three beautiful islands: the Apo Island, Apo Menor and Cayos del Bajo mark it on the surface. Apo Island is separated from Apo Reef by a narrow, deep channel. Apo Reef is just of the coast of Mindoro, Philippines, so the following data is for Mindoro. Property names are listed in the language in which they have been submitted by the State Party. Apo Reef is a relatively unknown natural beauty, even for seasoned travellers to the Philippines. [12] All people accessing Apo Reef need to pay an environmental fee. The two other islands are Apo Menor or Binangaan, which is a limestone rock formation with a few vegetation, and Cayos del Bajo which is a coralline rock formation with no vegetation. Apo Reef is a tropical atoll formation that is roughly triangular in shape. From Abra de Ilog, take a bus bound for Sablayan.