Apo Island

By joy

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The West Beach with the Rock

The South Side

Apo Island is an island sanctuary located in the Philippines. The island was declared as a sanctuary to preserve the natural beauty and to ensure that overfishing does not destroy the marine life. Although small, its various facets attract different types of tourists and show the beauty of the island.

Geography
The island is hilly with lots of green shrubs dotting its landscape. The northernmost tip of the island has a very large white cliff while its surrounding waters are very deep -- perfect for diving and snorkeling. Marine life is abundant even at 1 foot away from the cliff's edge. The west side boasts soft white beaches and spectacular caves and rock formations.

Sanctuary
The southern part of the island is a dedicated sanctuary. Stepping on corals is prohibited, and snorkelers are required to use life vests and other forms of floating equipment. Various colorful and vibrant fishes can be seen in the sanctuary.

Boat tours
It is also possible to view the Apo by boat. Tourists can circle the island and view its many faces. Boat tours tend to approach its north face and proceed to the east face then down to the south where the marine sanctuary is located. The west side is where the pristine white beaches are located.

Tip: Bring a waterproof camera with you.


Getting to Apo Island requires a bit of planning but once in the area, the boat rides are fairly inexpensive. From Manila, catch a plane to Dumaguete City where you can rent a van to get to Zamboanguita, just 30 km away. From Maluay of Zamboanguita, charter a boat to Apo Island, about 30 minutes away.




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