Get a quote from Safety Wing. Ride the bamboo raft and experience the tour around the mangrove forest. They can leave really bad bites if youre not careful. Better yet, daily early morning flights to San Jose, two hours south of Sablayan by bus or air-con minivan, mean you can leave Manila in the morning and be diving on Apo Reef the same day. Apo Reef is best for divers. Monday to Fridays 9:00AM to 6:00PM However, the operators in Sablayan are low quality. I am thinking of going on to El Nino for diving also after apo reef, what is the best and easiest way to get between. As a beach lover, I have high standards when it comes to tropical beaches and the shores of Apo Island deserve a high rank in my list. This area is deep and best fitting for freedivers, especially if you want to see the animals up close. Apo is so raw untouched by commercialism . It has venomous, long spines that cover its body. They staged a two-night concert at the Meralco Theater on July 15 and 16 . To get to Apo Reef, you can fly into either Puerto Galera or San Jose Airport. This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Tell the driver youll get off at Sablayan. But more than its striking scenery, both inland and underwater, Sablayan takes pride of its people with the rich culture of the indigenous Mangyans and the inborn hospitality of Sablayeos. If like me, you are looking for ways to fly less, the Philippines is a great option to do so. Pandan Island Beach Resort Corporation in Pandan Island, just a short boat ride from the mainland offers accommodations and various amenities and activities. The boat trip takes a few days. This trip to Apo Reef had so many highlights! But I run, I dive, I bike, I swim, I trek, I love and I blog. Besides Tubbataha Reef in Sulu Sea, Apo Reef is one of the most famous dive sites in the Philippines. Afterwards, we took a dip in the beach. Because the boat fare is fixed at Php 7,500, go there in large groups (10 pax or up). Notify me of follow-up comments by email. 1300H 1430H: Arrival in Apo Reef/Setup Camp/Prepare Lunch/Lunch No need to get back to land. Take the RORO ferry bound for Abra de Ilog Port in Occidental Mindoro (travel time: 1.5 - 2 hours depending on sea condition). Below is the updated ferry fare to Abra de Ilog: 3. This website accepts forms of advertising, sponsorship, paid insertions, affiliate links or other forms of compensation.As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. The best months to visit Apo Island Scuba Diving Philippines . Heres my experience on our 3 days trip to Apo Reef Natural Park and Pandan Island. GrumpyThumper 1 yr. ago. Address: P. Urieta St. Buenavista, Sablayan Just nothing over-the-top. It is bordered by three islands which marks as its surface; Apo Island, Apo Menor which consists of Binangaan Island and Cayos del Bajo Tinangkapang. Ultimate Travel and Dive Guide to the Philippines, Philippine Packing List: What to Bring to Your Dive Trip, hotel in Sablayan Occidental Mindoro via Agoda.com, Coral Cay Conservation: Scuba Diving Scholarship in the Philippines, Scuba Diving in Anilao, Batangas, Philippines: Complete Guide. Its surrounding islands shine with their white sand on waters teeming with vivid and superb marine life. Will it require another payment for the permit? First, you take a direct bus from Manila to Pilar. And the biggest green sea turtle Ive ever seen in my life showed up in their house reef! 1630H 1800H: Wash up in Eco-Tourism Complex 1030H 1330H: Apo Reef to Pandan Island 1430H 1600H: Explore Pandan Island/Swim/Snorkel/Photo Ops The shoot will be on March 5-8, 2016. * Boat Dispatcher Contact No: 09354800071. For more information, please visit their website at www.pandan.com. The other way is by taking a bus ride which is 2-3 hours going to Batangas Pier. But to make sure theres another group visiting Apo Reef, contact the Sablayan Tourism Office at the number I provided above. Dive shops charge it, but I haven't seen anyone on the island or anywhere else collecting it, so I am not even sure where it goes. km. From Manila, it takes about 3 hours from the Jam bus terminal to reach Batangas Pier, and it costs between 190 and 220 PHP (about 3-4). Underwater photographers travel from all over the world to hope to catch the perfect shot of a butterfly nudibranch or a sashimi shrimp in hopes of winning their next photography competition. Website: www.sablayanadventurecamp.com, Country Wood Resort And Hotel 9150524088 / 09662794488 Location of Ceres Bus Terminals:Ceres Marikina Terminal (Metro Manila) BFCT East TerminalCeres San Jose Terminal (Occidental Mindoro) Brgy. Although there are showers and toilets, the water is salty. I have sailing blogs comments that the entrance fee is one thing 2500p/person but then you get smacked with 350p mooring fee /day and a further 3500p/person to scuba dive. Address: Sitio Busaran, Poblacion, Sablayan The funds are used to protect the area. Cebu Pacific has regular flight to San Jose from Manila, travel time takes 45 minutes. We visited the Apo Island lighthouse, a 110-foot white tower that offers an overlooking view of the island. This blog post is brought to you by Rome2rio. Still, the underwater photographers come in numbers for the staggering biodiversity in its sheltered inner bays. The room is good for 4 people. 2200H: Departure from Pasay to Batangas Port, 0030H: Arrival in Batangas Port Own or manage this property? Reasons to Visit the Philippines Ps. Address: Poblacion, Sablayan You can bring your own tent or rent one from the Sablayan Tourism Office during registration. Hi. The itinerary is subject to change without prior notice. ASAP. How to get in the island? Turning Apo Reef into a marine park has paid off and made it into a scuba divers paradise. Beautiful coral, huge schools of fish, crystal water and occasional pelaics. If you enjoyed this post, subscribe to WAD Newsletter to receive the latest posts directly to your inbox. Romblon is the place to come if you own an underwater camera and a macro lens. I imagined its what the views are like using a drone. * Entrance Fee is included in our liveaboard pricing. If youre into underwater photography, this would be the perfect place to take out your wide-angle lenses. This sheer wall dive has got a few interesting cuts to explore, the wall has a lot of sea fans, colorful sponges and soft corals. From San Jose, you need to get to Sablayan which is a 2-hour ride from the airport. Yes pack size is a good remnant, It's probably even better than quantity if you are rolling your maps for quant and vaaling them. Option 1: From Cubao, Buendia or Alabang, take a bus bound for Port of Batangas in Batangas City. For Marine Sanctuary Tour via Glass Bottom Boat first trip (7 am) and second trip (8 AM) book at least a day before. How much is the Entrance fee? It's in the eyes. I did a bit of a background check and learned hes organized several trips in the past with Pentagon. How cool is that? Bus Fare is approximately Php1000 all the way to San Jose. But hey, for some it's worth it. Apo Island is also a nesting ground for sea turtles. Many of our tanks were missing O-rings, and several regulators had large leaks. However, not all places are the same in the Philippines, and apparently, Donsol is the spot where you can expect to swim with whale sharks in a more ethical way. Travel, car ferry, drive. Even hammerhead sharks and whale sharks have been spotted here on occasion. 1800H 1900H: Dinner E: [emailprotected], Hi, may CR po kaya doon and water? Always the eyes. That narrow strait might be why Puerto Galera is known for its currents and hence some pretty epic drift dives, but the strong tidal currents only happen during certain phases of the moon. When I first visited Apo Reef in 2014, I opted to stay in Pandan Island with my dive buddy, Jem. Standard Rates for 2018: Keep in mind that everything about this trip is basic and simple. Would like to know how much is the permit for foreign diver? Apo Reef and Pandan Island (Sablayan, Mindoro): Travel Guide + 3 Days Itinerary Last updated on: March 13, 2023 At the beginning of this year, my friend Peng invited me for a DIY trip to Apo Reef and Pandan Island in Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro. Be careful to differentiate Apo Reef from Apo Island in the Visayas. Alternatively, at Batangas Port, you can already ride a bus (Dimple Star) to Abra de Ilog. Just got back from a long day trip to Apo Reef with Dugong Divers. These sites are identified to have the best corals and sightings for pelagics and turtles! what cities and why? Contact No: +639086315495 and +639086964803. Its never too early to start planning, right? You need to contact the Sablayan Tourism Office for inquiries and booking. I dont have wings so I cant fly on my own. Itwas very fun and memoreable place to us. Among the snorkeling areas around the island, a favorite of mine is the coral wall in front of the lighthouse. By checking Rome2rio, my go-to online tool to find alternatives to flying, I found two possible itineraries, a cheap one and a fast one: Just a little bit further after Anilao, Puerto Galera is another incredible dive site in the northern Philippines. This is really a place to dive, not snorkel but be advised you need to have your PADI certification in order to dive here. Ride a bus bound for Sablayan in Mindoro Occidental which may take around 3 hours. During my trip to Apo Reef in February 2019, I dived with one of the owners, Albert.This dive trip was organized by a Manila-based scuba diver- Jeru Cajapin. If you wish to dive with Jerus group, you can contact him via his Facebook account. Sometimes I blow my budget on eating! My Scuba Diving GearRegulator: Scubapro MK25 Evo, C300 and C200 2nd StageBCD: Aqualung AxiomMask: TUSA M-212 Freedom CeosSnorkel: TUSA SP-170 Platina Hyperdry IIBooties: Poseidon Pink Dive BootsFins: ProblueWetsuit: SeavengerVest Hoodie: Scubapro Hybrid Hooded VestDive Watch: Suunto D4i NovoDive Knife: Aqualung Blunt Tip KnifeDive Leggings and Rash: Blue Adaptation Coral Sea FanMy Underwater Camera GearUnderwater Camera: Canon G7X Mark IIUnderwater Camera Housing: Fantasea FG7XIIVideo Lights: Big Blue AL1200XPUnderwater Action Camera: GoPro Hero9360 Camera: Insta360 X3> Canon G7X Mark II full review> Insta360 X3 underwater camera review> Scuba diving camera recommendations for beginners.Dive InsuranceDivers Alert Network (DAN). The top of the reef is at nearly a 100ft and is a great nitrox dive. It reminded me of the long coral wall Ive snorkeled at in Tomia Island in Southeast Sulawesi. Find your way to Balatero Port in Puerto Galera. Address: Punta, Poblacion, Sablayan There are buses from Cubao, PITX and Sampaloc, Manila going straight to San Jose, Occidental Mindoro that pass through Sablayan. Go to the bus station in Sampaloc (every company has its own bus station in Sampaloc) and take a bus with destination San Jose, Mindoro. You will be staying on the island itself where there is no cell signal. We came all the way down through Mindoro (takes a couple of days) to go to Apo after hearing it is such a great dive site (Which it emphatically is). At night, lay out a mat on the beach and enjoy the most spectacular night sky. There are sand channels along the wall with some coral outcroppings covered in gorgonian fans. We saw several alien looking corals , They're gigantic , alive and amazing. Apo Island, not to be confused with the one near Dumaguete, is the largest of these three. This might be a better option if you are traveling as a group or concerned with all your luggage and scuba gear. Getting Around Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful. Thank you. She is a PADI Rescue Diver with a goal to dive in all the best places around the Philippines. There is no signal in the island and no electricity. @media(min-width:0px){#div-gpt-ad-diverbliss_com-narrow-sky-1-0-asloaded{max-width:580px!important;max-height:400px!important}}if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'diverbliss_com-narrow-sky-1','ezslot_15',714,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-diverbliss_com-narrow-sky-1-0'); I recommend visiting the lighthouse on the island. Yes. She shared some invaluable pointers on what I should expect. There were table corals and other types of corals, fishes such as parrotfish, mameng (humphead wrasse) and other types of fish Im not familiar with. Donsol is not so close to Manila, but you can reach it without taking a ferry. South Corner- Top reef is a mixture of hard coral formations with sand patches. Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner. 10 Things to Do in the Philippines, Legal Documents If you go to Apo Reef, plan to go diving. Contact: +639214049242, Sablayan Adventure Camp Beach Resort It is important that you ask the driver to drop you off in Sablayan town proper if you are taking this route. How do I get to Apo Reef? Several trails lead to the sum. The wall is sloping down to 150+ ft, there are some ledges perfect for White tip sharks to rest. If youre on a budget or wanting to go around Sablayan, you can book for a hotel/ hostel in Sablayan. Going to Apo Reef, tours are managed and controlled by the local government of Sablayan, Contact No: Globe: 0917-170-6723 Smart: 0998-546-5917 Landline: (043) 458 0028. You can catch the 3:00 or 15:00 ferry from Caticlan and arrive 3 hours later in Bulalacao. You can also coordinate with the tourism office to hire a cook(s), depending on how many you are in a group. 1900H: Socials, Bonfire, Lights off, 0500H 0630H: Call time/Watch Sunrise/Prepare Breakfast The marine park consists of 3 islands, namely, Apo Island, Apo Menor and Cayos del Bajo. Besides, you dont have a choice anyway since there is no cell signal in Apo Reef! Food is brought in from the mainland. As my past trips had always been to farms or pool resorts, Id forgotten the way my body floats in the ocean. Ten years later, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) submitted the reef for consideration as a World Heritage Site to UNESCO.Today, visitors accessing the Apo Reef need to pay an environmental fee of Php2,380 for locals and Php2940 for foreigners. If yes, please kindly contact and inform the person below. Coron Palawan, Philippines The tourism office assigns the boat & tour guide(s) that will accompany you in Sablayan. Take the bus from Paranaque Integrated Terminal Exchange to Batangas Port. RoRo Bus like Dimple Star Bus in Cubao (Quezon City), Sampaloc (Manila) and Alabang (Muntinlupa) has trips to San Jose, Occidental Mindoro. How long does it take to go to Batangas? You may also opt to stay in the resorts and hotels in mainland Sablayan. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. From sloping reefs to walls, colourful coral reefs to muck sites, and wrecks to deep caverns, theres a little bit of everything in Anilao. Ara. I just wanted to pay, show up, dive and let the organizers do the rest. Required fields are marked *. And any scuba diver should experience this paradise. She likes beaches, snorkeling trips, and relaxing staycations (preferably with bath tubs!). . Alight at Batangas City Pier, then board the RoRo boat to Abra de Ilog. This is a spot where an unknown freighter has sunk a long time ago. Apo Reef Natural Park consists of 3 islands, namely, Apo Island, Apo Menor and Cayos del Bajo. Maybe the pandemic has disrupted some of the lines, but it would be interesting to double-check the situation again nearer to my trip. Christmas gatherings here and there, but I cant, A must when in Dubai! @media(min-width:0px){#div-gpt-ad-diverbliss_com-netboard-1-0-asloaded{max-width:728px!important;max-height:400px!important}}if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'diverbliss_com-netboard-1','ezslot_18',704,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-diverbliss_com-netboard-1-0'); Of course, you can also book directly with Pentagon Dive Center. When we arrived at Apo Island, the first thing I noticed is the beach. Contact us for budget multi-day liveaboard diving to Apo Reef, the best of the Coron wrecks & diving with dugongs. Often acclaimed as one of the best dive sites in the Philippines, Anilao is an excellent place for all levels of divers and offers a bit of everything for freshly open water certified divers like experienced underwater photography enthusiasts. I need to visit this island. Scuba Diving Apo Reef Natural Park in Occidental Mindoro with Pentagon Dive Center Sablayan. @media(min-width:0px){#div-gpt-ad-taraletsanywhere_com-netboard-1-0-asloaded{max-width:336px!important;max-height:280px!important;}}if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'taraletsanywhere_com-netboard-1','ezslot_25',801,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-taraletsanywhere_com-netboard-1-0'); Are you into snorkeling and freediving? Apo 29- This sea mount is for advanced divers only.
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