Dive site · access from Dauin
Apo Island Marine Sanctuary
The strictly protected core of Apo Island, with high coral cover and reliable green and hawksbill turtles feeding in the shallows; diver numbers are capped each day.
- Depth
- 5–25m
- Current
- Mild
- Minimum level
- Open water
- Access
- Boat
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The case for it
Why dive here
- No-take sanctuary since the 1980s
- Green and hawksbill turtles
- Dense hard-coral garden
Check before booking
What may rule it out
- Conditions can change. Confirm depth, current and access with a local operator.
Access and timing
Plan this through Dauin
Best overall months: Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May. Check the destination planner for operating season, wildlife and other matching sites.
Wildlife
Seen around Dauin
rareoccasionalcommonly seenpeak seasondestination closed
These are destination-level records, not confirmed sightings at Apo Island Marine Sanctuary.
Bigeye trevally
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | occasional |
| February | occasional |
| March | occasional |
| April | occasional |
| May | occasional |
| June | occasional |
| July | occasional |
| August | occasional |
| September | occasional |
| October | occasional |
| November | occasional |
| December | occasional |
Blue-ringed octopus
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | occasional |
| February | occasional |
| March | occasional |
| April | occasional |
| May | occasional |
| June | occasional |
| July | occasional |
| August | occasional |
| September | occasional |
| October | occasional |
| November | occasional |
| December | occasional |
Flamboyant cuttlefish
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | commonly seen |
| February | commonly seen |
| March | commonly seen |
| April | commonly seen |
| May | commonly seen |
| June | commonly seen |
| July | commonly seen |
| August | commonly seen |
| September | commonly seen |
| October | peak season |
| November | peak season |
| December | peak season |
Hawksbill turtle
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | occasional |
| February | occasional |
| March | occasional |
| April | occasional |
| May | occasional |
| June | occasional |
| July | occasional |
| August | occasional |
| September | occasional |
| October | occasional |
| November | occasional |
| December | occasional |
Hairy frogfish
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | commonly seen |
| February | commonly seen |
| March | commonly seen |
| April | commonly seen |
| May | commonly seen |
| June | commonly seen |
| July | commonly seen |
| August | commonly seen |
| September | commonly seen |
| October | commonly seen |
| November | commonly seen |
| December | commonly seen |
Nearby alternatives
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Sources & last checked
Checked July 2026
Research is source-backed, but conditions and fees should still be confirmed locally.
View 1 source and checking notes
- Apo Island Dive Guide, Philippine Dives
Note on the data: Coordinates are approximate; not surveyed dive-site GPS.