Atmosphere House Reef South (30m/98ft)
Type: Marine Sanctuary - reef & macro
Step directly from the resort into one of the largest coastal sanctuaries in Dauin. Our house reef offers the chance to encounter a huge diversity of marine life. Encounter green turtles munching on seagrass in the shallows, or trevally and emperors scouring the reef in packs. For macro enthusiasts, discover critters like mantis shrimp, ghost pipefish, frogfish, flamboyant cuttlefish and hairy shrimp in the cracks and crevasses of the main reef. Head south to observe sea snakes hiding in the coral. Finish in the shallows amongst anthias and damselfish, with garden eels and razorfish in the seagrass.
Step directly from the resort into one of the largest coastal sanctuaries in Dauin. Encounter green turtles amongst the shallow seagrass, or trevally and emperors scouring the reef in packs. For macro enthusiasts, discover critters like mantis shrimp, ghost pipefish, frogfish, flamboyant cuttlefish and hairy shrimp. Head south to observe sea snakes hiding in the coral. Finish in the shallows amongst anthias and damselfish, with garden eels and razorfish in the seagrass.
Atmosphere Containers (30m/98ft)
Type: Marine Sanctuary - artificial reef & macro
In spring 2011, Atmosphere sank three shipping containers on the north side of the house reef, creating an artificial reef between 18 and 30 meters deep. Over time, corrosion has transformed the containers into stunning artificial reefs adorned with soft corals, hosting a variety of marine life such as nudibranchs, frogfish, shrimps, crabs, and a school of batfish. While exploring, don't focus solely on the containers; the sandy area harbours flamboyant and broadclub cuttlefish, blue-spotted stingrays, and pipefish. Additionally, careful inspection of a nearby small sea fan reveals the only pygmy seahorses along the Dauin coast.
In 2011, Atmosphere sank three shipping containers to creating an artificial reef. Over time, corrosion has transformed the containers into stunning artificial reefs adorned with soft corals, hosting nudibranchs, frogfish, shrimps, crabs, and a school of batfish. The sandy area harbours flamboyant and broadclub cuttlefish, blue-spotted stingrays, and pipefish. Additionally, careful inspection of a nearby small sea fan reveals the only pygmy seahorses along the Dauin coast.
Atmosphere House Reef – Mandarin and Night Dive (18m/59ft)
Type: Marine Sanctuary - reef & macro
Experience a captivating transformation during night dives at Atmosphere's house reef. Dive at sunset to witness the intricate mating rituals of mandarin fish at around 8 meters depth, providing stunning photographic opportunities. As darkness falls, nocturnal activities unfold—hermit crabs, cowries, and cephalopods like the bobtail squid and elusive greater blue-ringed octopus emerge. Large green turtles peacefully rest on soft corals. Atmosphere also offers "Fluoro Night Dives," using UV lights and mask filters to reveal the enchanting fluorescing marine life, showcasing vibrant colours emitted by corals, anemones, and crustaceans. It's a mesmerizing exploration of the reef's nocturnal wonders.
Dive the Atmosphere house reef at sunset to witness the intricate mating rituals of mandarin fish. As darkness falls, hermit crabs, cowries, and cephalopods like the bobtail squid and elusive greater blue-ringed octopus emerge. Large green turtles peacefully rest on soft corals. Atmosphere also offers "Fluoro Night Dives," using UV lights and mask filters to reveal the vibrant fluorescent colours emitted by corals, anemones, and crustaceans.
Mainit (20m/65ft)
Type: Drift, coral and macro
Mainit means hot in the local language. Towards the end of this exhilarating drift dive you'll see yellow patches of sand that are hot to touch. This is due to the nearby thermal hot springs. The sloping patchy reef can have some strong currents and has a school of pretty big barracuda's patrolling, as well as schools of Surgeonfish, Fusiliers and Yellow Snapper. Large Spanish Mackerel and Dogtooth Tuna can be seen here and in the sandy areas look out for Snake Eels and Stingrays.
Bulak ( 20m/65ft)
Type: Reef & macro
Just South of Mainit lies a macro haven with sea grass beds and a gradual sandy slope. Explore the muck to discover juvenile frogfish, tiny ornate host pipefish, spiny devilfish, and cuttlefish. Various nudibranchs forage for food on the sandy expanse, while diligent searching unveils pygmy squid, measuring no more than 1cm. This site promises diverse macro life, making it an ideal location for leisurely, immersive dives.
San Miguel (25m/82ft)
Type: Reef & macro
San Miguel boasts two distinct zones: a sandy slope rich in macro life and a charming shallow reef teeming with reef fish. The sandy area, often captivating enough on its own, features ornate ghost pipefish, cuttlefish and frogfish near the mooring block. Cephalopod enthusiasts will delight in potential encounters with mimic octopuses and tiny flamboyant cuttlefish hatchlings. Heading north to the reef reveals turtles, day octopuses, leaf scorpionfish, and ribbon eels. The safety stop in the shallow seagrass area might unveil common seahorses. Divers sometimes forego the reef, captivated by the diverse marine life on the sandy slope.
San Miguel boasts two distinct zones: a sandy slope rich in macro life and a charming shallow reef teeming with reef fish. The sandy area features seahorses, ornate ghost pipefish, cuttlefish and frogfish near the mooring block. You may even encounter mimic octopus and tiny flamboyant cuttlefish hatchlings. Heading north to the reef reveals turtles, day octopus, leaf scorpionfish, and ribbon eels.
Ero’s Point (25m/82ft)
Type: Reef & macro
Ero’s Point has a great combination of macro and reef fish species. A natural coral reef is located in the centre of this site stretching from approx. 10 to 22 meters. Extending from this reef to the north and the south, are two large sandy bottom areas with a few coral patches and sea fans. It is here that photographers and macro lovers prefer to spend their time while searching for seahorses (thorny seahorses are most commonly seen), ghost pipefish, nudibranchs, flamboyant cuttlefish and frogfish.
Ero’s Point has a great combination of macro and reef fish species. A natural coral reef is located in the centre of this site stretching from approx. 10 to 22 meters. Extending from this reef are two large sandy bottom areas with a few coral patches and sea fans. Here, spend your time searching for seahorses (thorny seahorses are most commonly seen), ghost pipefish, nudibranchs, flamboyant cuttlefish and frogfish.
Lipayo (20m/65ft)
Type: Artificial reef & macro
Explore the Lipayo sanctuary, a seahorse lover's paradise featuring a vast artificial reef of car tires and a sprawling natural reef. The artificial reef of car tires, adorned with vibrant hard and soft corals, usually hosts a school of yellow snappers. Transitioning into the reef sanctuary, reaching a depth of 20 meters, reveals flamboyant cuttlefish, thorny seahorses, mantis shrimp, ghost pipefish, and nudibranchs. Conclude your dive in the seagrass beds, where encounters with dragon sea moths, shaded batfish, and frogfish await.
Lipayo is a seahorse lover's paradise featuring a vast artificial reef of car tires and a sprawling natural reef. The artificial reef of car tires, adorned with vibrant hard and soft corals, usually hosts a school of yellow snappers. The reef reveals flamboyant cuttlefish, thorny seahorses, mantis shrimp, ghost pipefish, and nudibranchs. Conclude your dive in the seagrass beds, where encounters with dragon sea moths, shaded batfish, and frogfish await.
Sahara Reef & Sahara Deep (30m/98ft)
Type: Reef & macro
Explore Sahara’s gently sloping reef, teeming with yellow snapper, fusiliers, and sweetlips hanging out over lettuce coral. Shallow areas reveal turtles, shrimpfish, and pufferfish, with marbled groupers cautiously retreating into the reef. Discover blue-spotted stingrays and comets under coral ledges. Despite its modest size, the reef boasts diverse marine life, enhanced by new artificial structures like a Bangka boat wreck. The surrounding sandy slope, ideal for critter hunting, features rocks, mooring blocks, and ropes hosting frogfish and flamboyant cuttlefish. Sahara promises a rich underwater experience, blending natural beauty with artificial reef attractions.
Explore Sahara’s gently sloping reef, teeming with yellow snapper, fusiliers, and sweetlips hanging out over lettuce coral. Shallow areas reveal turtles, shrimpfish, pufferfish and marbled groupers. Discover blue-spotted stingrays and comets under coral ledges. There’s also an abundance of artificial reef structures including a Bangka boat wreck. The surrounding sandy slope features rocks, mooring blocks, and ropes hosting frogfish and flamboyant cuttlefish.
Secret Corner (25m/82ft)
Type: Macro
Explore a challenging yet rewarding dive site, best enjoyed during slack tide due to strong currents. The seemingly ordinary sandy slope reveals treasures like several species of octopus (mimic, coconut, mototi, wonderpus, blue-ringed octopus), hairy frogfish, ghost pipefish, common seahorse, flamboyant cuttlefish, and various shrimp. Occasional debris adds intrigue. With unpredictable currents, this site is ideal for experienced photographers and dedicated macro enthusiasts. Optimal encounters, especially during octopus season (October-December), make it a must-visit for those seeking diverse marine life in a dynamic underwater environment.
Explore a challenging yet rewarding dive site, best enjoyed during slack tide due to strong currents. The sandy slope reveals several species of octopus (mimic, coconut, mototi, wonderpus, blue-ringed octopus), hairy frogfish, ghost pipefish, common seahorse, flamboyant cuttlefish, and various shrimp. Typically, the best encounters are during octopus season between October and December.
Ceres (25m/82ft)
Type: Artificial reef & macro
On the northern side of the famous ‘Cars’ area, we have a small macro heaven with a sandy slope and an artificial reef made of tyres and mooring blocks. The macro life is similar to Cars with the chance to encounter ambon scorpionfish, hairy frogfish, thorny and common seahorse, stargazers, painted, clown and ocellated frogfish, and flamboyant, pygmy and broadclub cuttlefish. During certain times of the year when currents encourage the growth of seagrass on the shallow sandy plateau, you can often see green turtles munching away.
Ceres is a small macro heaven with a sandy slope and an artificial reef made of tyres and mooring blocks. Encounter macro including ambon scorpionfish, hairy frogfish, thorny and common seahorse, stargazers, painted, clown and ocellated frogfish, and flamboyant, pygmy and broadclub cuttlefish. During certain times of the year you can often see green turtles munching away on the seagrass.
Cars (30m/98ft)
Type: Artificial reef & macro
Dauin's renowned Cars dive site is a haven for macro photographers and critter enthusiasts. Start at 5 meters on a sandy plateau, discovering seahorses, frogfish, stargazers, cuttlefish, and more. The slope extends to 30 meters, revealing small cuttlefish, ghost pipefish, flamboyant cuttlefish, and frogfish amidst debris. The artificial reef features car wrecks, oil drums, and a cement mixer covered in coral, attracting moray eels, juvenile emperor angelfish, and vibrant lionfish. The shallows offer diverse marine life, despite not being conventionally "pretty." Cars provides a dreamlike underwater experience with its cryptic critters and submerged artifacts.
Dauin's renowned Cars dive site is a haven for macro photographers and critter enthusiasts. Start at 5 meters on a sandy plateau, discovering seahorses, frogfish, stargazers, cuttlefish and more. The slope extends to 30 meters, revealing small cuttlefish, ghost pipefish, flamboyant cuttlefish, and frogfish amidst debris. The artificial reef features car wrecks, oil drums, and a cement mixer covered in coral, attracting moray eels, juvenile emperor angelfish, and vibrant lionfish.
Dauin North (25m/82ft)
Type: Marine Sanctuary - reef
This reef is situated close to Dauin’s public beach and you will often find snorkelers in the shallows. It’s a gentle sloping site with a healthy hard coral reef, leading down to deeper areas dominated by soft corals. Turtles are often present on this vibrant reef alongside a variety of anthias, parrotfish, scorpion fish, anemonefish and much more. Large potato groupers have their home here as do batfish, broadclub cuttlefish, day octopus and rabbitfish. In the shallows we often find leaf fish hiding in the coral.
Dauin North is a gentle sloping site with a healthy hard coral reef, leading down to deeper areas dominated by soft corals. Turtles are often present on this vibrant reef alongside a variety of anthias, parrotfish, scorpion fish, anemonefish and much more. Large potato groupers have their home here as do batfish, broadclub cuttlefish, day octopus and rabbitfish. In the shallows we often find leaf fish hiding in the coral.
Dauin South (25m/82ft)
Type: Marine Sanctuary - reef & macro
A sandy channel separates Dauin North from Dauin South and just like its other half, Dauin South is a healthy coral reef comprised of hard and soft corals. There are two large groups of garden eels, one in the shallows and one at 20 meters, with the eels reaching at least 1 meter in length. The reef has a few resident turtles and is also known for its many giant clams, nudibranchs and big marbled groupers. Blue ribbon eels are also frequently found here.
Just like its other half, Dauin South is a healthy coral reef comprised of hard and soft corals. There are two large groups of garden eels, one in the shallows and one at 20 meters, with the eels reaching at least 1 meter in length. The reef has a few resident turtles and is also known for its many giant clams, nudibranchs and big marbled groupers. Blue ribbon eels are also frequently found here.
Marina Point (25m)
Type: Reef & macro
Discover a hidden gem boasting vibrant marine life. Encounter mesmerizing Coleman shrimp, elusive rambutan crab, and camouflaged leaf scorpion fish. Witness the elegant ribbon eel weaving through the underwater landscape. Explore patches of reef adorned with big boulders, coneheads, and barrel sponges, providing a diverse habitat. Amidst this underwater tapestry, various nudibranchs add a splash of colour.
Ginamaan (20m/65ft)
Type: Artificial reef & macro
Explore this artificial reef made of sunken car tires, perfect for photographers and macro enthusiasts. Starting at 13 meters and sloping to 20 meters, carefully navigate among the tires to find favourite critters or observe marine life. Encounter pipefish, nudibranchs, juvenile frogfish, filefish, scorpionfish, various crabs, and shrimps. Heading back into the shallows, spot critters on the sandbank. Lucky divers may even glimpse blue-ringed octopuses, flamboyant cuttlefish, ornate ghost pipefish, and thorny seahorses.
Carefully navigate through this artificial reef made of sunken car tires to find your favourite critters, including pipefish, nudibranchs, juvenile frogfish, filefish, scorpionfish, various crabs, and shrimps. Heading back into the shallows, keep an eye out for critters on the sandbank. Lucky divers may even glimpse blue-ringed octopuses, flamboyant cuttlefish, ornate ghost pipefish, and thorny seahorses.
Richard’s Point (25m/82ft)
Type: Macro
A sandy slope with a few scattered coral patches, this is another great macro site suitable for photographers and critter lovers. Nudibranchs, pipefish, frogfish and cuttlefish all fight for the diver’s attention along with many seahorses. Tiger shrimp and flamboyant cuttlefish have been sighted here and nobody will ever forget the one time when two mating blue-ringed octopus were spotted. Check the shallow seagrass area for seahorses and pipefish.
Masaplod North (25m/82ft)
Type: Marine Sanctuary - reef & macro
Masaplod North, among Dauin's oldest marine sanctuaries, is known for its large school of yellow snapper. Seagrass beds in the shallows host green turtles, leading to a sloping sand channel flanked by rubble and reef. Nudibranch enthusiasts will delight in up to 10 species in one dive. The northern area features expansive acropora branching coral, accompanied by a school of sweeper fish. Cruise the reef's length, checking off critters on your list, in this rich and varied dive site renowned for its marine diversity and vibrant underwater scenes.
Masaplod North is one of Dauin's oldest marine sanctuaries, known for its large school of yellow snapper. Seagrass beds in the shallows host green turtles, leading to a sloping sand channel flanked by rubble and reef. Nudibranch enthusiasts will delight in up to 10 species in one dive. The northern area features expansive acropora branching coral, accompanied by a school of sweeper fish.
Pyramids (27m/89ft)
Type: Artificial reef & macro
Named "Pyramids" for its scattered metal pyramid structures at 15-25 meters depth, this site hosts a unique array of marine life. Thorny seahorses cluster around the pyramids, accompanied by sawblade shrimp hiding in the black coral, tiger shrimp, razor shrimp, arrow crabs, candy crabs, giant frogfish, and ghost pipefish. Shallow areas feature fallen tree trunks, rocks with radiant sea urchins, and schools of juvenile fish. This site is prone to currents, so make sure to dive it in good conditions.
Blue House (20m/65ft)
Type: Reef & macro
Blue House is a gentle sandy slope with a large patch of reef at around 20 meters. Here you’ll find critters who like the soft coral and colourful sponges, such as candy crabs, orangutan crab, tiger cowries and many types of shrimp. The sand will hide flounders, baby frogfish, cuttlefish, ghost pipefish and spearing mantis shrimps. A dive site with generally very little current, it is excellent for photographers.
Masaplod South (25m/82ft)
Type: Marine Sanctuary - reef & macro
Explore the diverse underwater world at Masaplod South, starting with shallow seagrass beds and a sandy slope. The reef, beginning at 8 meters, features scattered hard and soft corals around occasional boulders—ideal for macro enthusiasts of all skill levels. Witness black coral bushes, ghost pipefish, nudibranchs, ringed and banded pipefish, juvenile emperor angelfish, leaf scorpionfish, shrimpfish, and frogfish. Abundant shrimps and crabs enhance the marine spectacle. Masaplod South (or Sur) is also one of the dive sites where crab-eyed gobies can be found.
Masaplod South starts with shallow seagrass beds and a sandy slope. The reef, beginning at 8 meters, features scattered hard and soft corals around occasional boulders. Witness black coral bushes, ghost pipefish, nudibranchs, ringed and banded pipefish, juvenile emperor angelfish, leaf scorpionfish, shrimpfish, and frogfish. Shrimp and crabs are everywhere, and if you’re lucky you may spot crab-eyed gobies.
Atmosphere House Reef North (30m/98ft)
Type: Reef
A short boat ride will take you to the Northern part of the Atmosphere House Reef. This is an easy dive with a lot of marine life and a colourful reef that starts in the shallows. Our speed boat will drop you off & depending on the tide there’s the option to enjoy the drift back to right outside Atmosphere resort. The main reef is a large expense of pulsating soft corals with intermittent hard corals and rubble areas. Keep your eyes peeled for giant groupers and turtles, moray eels, harlequin shrimps, mantis shrimps and sea snakes.
The Northern part of the Atmosphere House Reef is an easy dive site with a lot of marine life and a colourful reef that starts in the shallows. Depending on the tide there’s the option to enjoy the drift back to right outside Atmosphere resort. The main reef is a large expense of pulsating soft corals with intermittent hard corals and rubble areas. Keep your eyes peeled for giant groupers and turtles, moray eels, harlequin shrimps, mantis shrimps and sea snakes.
The Pier (15m/49m)
Type: Macro
A proper muck dive, this dive site consists of sand, rocks and rubble only. Due to its proximity to a small river mouth, it has attracted many critters which make it worthwhile despite its lack of colourful reef. Nick-named “frogfish city” by some of the Atmosphere Dive Masters, there is a great variety of small painted and clown frogfish in different colours, squat lobsters, common seahorses, nudibranchs and if you’re lucky, perhaps even blue-ringed octopus, mimic octopus or wonderpus.
Airlac’s (20m/65ft)
Type: Macro
Sandy slope, seahorses (common and thorny), frogfish, sheep nudi on seagrass, octopus, emperor shrimp, hairy squat lobster, blue spotted stingray, ornate and halimeda ghost pipefish, hinge beak shrimp.
Embark on a captivating dive along a sandy slope, encountering a multitude of macro species including common and thorny seahorses, colourful nudibranchs, frogfish, emperor and hinge beak shrimp, hairy squat lobsters, and ornate and halimeda ghost pipefish. Keep your eyes peeled in the shallow seagrass areas for one of our guests’ favourite critters – the Shaun the Sheep nudibranch. and glide alongside blue-spotted stingray and charming sheep nudibranchs on seagrass. Marvel at the intelligence of octopuses and the intricate beauty of emperor shrimp and hairy squat lobsters. Glide alongside blue-spotted stingrays, and discover the ethereal ornate and halimeda ghost pipefish. The underwater spectacle includes the fascinating hinge beak shrimp. This site promises a dynamic blend of marine life against the sandy backdrop, making it an ideal spot for divers seeking a diverse and visually stunning underwater experience.
Dive into a captivating sandy slope teeming with macro wonders. Keep your eyes peeled for common and thorny seahorses, colourful nudibranchs, frogfish, emperor and hinge beak shrimp, hairy squat lobsters, and ornate and halimeda ghost pipefish. Glide alongside blue-spotted stingrays and search for octopus hidden in nooks and crannies. Once in the seagrass, look closely for one of our guests’ favourite critters, the Shaun the Sheep nudibranch.
Thalatta (25m/82ft)
Type: Artificial reef & macro
The whole site if full of great macro species, whether you head to the artificial reef or to the sandy channel next to it. Harlequin and banded coral shrimp, frogfish and moray eels are common on the large concrete structure, while juvenile sweetlips, cardinal fish and ringed pipefish can be seen in and around a sunken truck. The sand and rubble channel are home to thorny seahorses, porcupine and boxfish.
Acqua Dive (25m/82ft)
Type: Artificial reef & macro
With several small artificial reefs formed by items such as car tyres, pipes, toilets and steel frames between 10 – 25 meters, this site is a lot of fun for macro lovers cruising from one structure to another. Divers can often see thorny seahorses, wonderpus, peacock mantis shrimp, different species of crabs and nudibranchs at this site. If lucky, at 20-25 meters you may also encounter a school of jacks!
Frank’s Point (20m/65ft)
Type: Macro
A sandy slope with a rocky reef and many anemones, photographers and macro lovers come to this site in search of frogfish, ghost pipefish, different species of nudibranchs, shrimps and crabs. Other common critters include; scorpion fish, anemone fish, filefish, porcupinefish, moray eels and groups of garden eels spreading across the deep side of the slope (20–25m).
Malatapay (25m)
Type: Macro
Explore a gentle sandy slope hosting a diverse underwater spectacle. Encounter a variety of nudibranchs, the elusive mimic octopus, ornate ghost pipefish, vibrant flatworms, thornback cowfish, stick pipefish, emperor shrimp, painted frogfish, crinoid squat lobsters, and the intriguing white-eyed moray. Commensal shrimp add to the richness of marine life in this underwater haven, making it an ideal site for divers seeking a captivating and visually stunning experience against the sandy backdrop.
Basak (30m/98ft)
Type: Reef & macro
Descend through the blue to this macro site, spend your time amongst rocks and rubble searching for frogfish, shrimp and ghost pipefish while keeping an eye out into the blue for any passing pelagics! Slowly wind your way up the steep sandbank searching for flamboyant cuttlefish, thorny seahorses and flounder. Finish your dive, like many others, in amongst the seagrass beds searching for sea moths, nudibranchs and sea cucumbers.
Guinsuan North (25m/82ft)
Type: Macro
Guinsuan is another site which can be split into two dives. Dive in and head north for a muck dive, search across the sandy slope for snake eels, frogfish, and occasionally a beautiful but deadly blue-ringed octopus. This site is often visited on Wednesdays as part of a two-tank dive trip where guests are offered the chance to spend the surface interval at the local Malatapay market.
Guinsuan South (18m/59ft)
Type: Reef
Head to Guinsuan south for a beautiful colourful shallow (max 16 meters) reef system where your eyes land on something new at every glance. From schools of bannerfish, green turtles, ribbon eels, scorpionfish, sweetlips, mating nudibranchs and even the large Spanish dancers (if you’re lucky). Anthias are especially common here. Typically done as a one-way dive, feel free to cruise along the reef with a gentle current.
APO Island
Cogon (30m/98ft)
Type: Reef
Cogon is named after the Filipino 'cogon' grass that lines the hillside in front of the dive site. Known for its exhilarating currents it is therefore only recommended for advanced divers with drift diving experience. Navigate with the reef on your right, gliding past sloping reefs adorned with vibrant soft corals and sponges. Encounter the renowned school of big-eyed trevally, creating a mesmerizing whirlpool effect. Drift over a sandy channel, finding refuge from the current while observing playful fish above. As the dive progresses, ascend to shallower depths, where colonies of table corals reach out for sunlight.
Cogon is named after the Filipino 'cogon' grass that lines the hillside in front of the dive site. Known for its exhilarating currents it is therefore only recommended for advanced divers with drift diving experience. Navigate with the reef on your right, gliding past sloping reefs adorned with vibrant soft corals and sponges, and encounter schools of big-eyed trevally like whirlpools. As the dive progresses, ascend to shallower depths, where colonies of table corals reach out for sunlight.
Mamsa Point (30m/98ft)
Type: Reef
Mamsa is the local word for 'Jacks' and a large school of Jacks can often be seen at this dive site as well as Cogon and Coconut. Again, prone to strong currents, this can also be a drift dive for the more experienced diver. Starting on a steep slope the topography is quite unique as it turns into a host of underwater boulders which later joins a steep wall covered in soft corals.
Kan-Uran (20m/65ft)
Type: Reef
Descend into the depths of a steep sloping reef with mild to moderate currents. Marvel at the diverse coral formations, including staghorn, table, black, and brain coral. Navigate through the vibrant marine community featuring pyramid butterfly fish, purple anthias, midnight snapper and elusive raggy scorpionfish. Spot the rare orangutan crab and the day octopus. This site promises a thrilling dive, adorned with unique coral formations and a rich array of marine life.
Rock Point East (25m/82ft)
Type: Reef
Rock Point East is located on the south eastern tip of Apo Island. The dive site has beautiful underwater topography, with a staggered slope and coral pinnacles. Dive in here on a good day and you could be swimming in an aquarium with incredible visibility and an abundance of colourful reef fish swimming around you. End your dive at the tip of the island where rock east meets rock west and numerous green turtles gather to be cleaned by numerous small fish feeding on the algae building up on the turtle’s carapace (shell).
Rock Point East has beautiful underwater topography, with a staggered slope and coral pinnacles. Diving here can be swimming in an aquarium with incredible visibility and an abundance of colourful reef fish swimming around you. End your dive at the tip of the island where rock east meets rock west and numerous green turtles gather to be cleaned by numerous small fish feeding on the algae building up on the turtle’s carapace (shell).
Rock Point West (25m/82ft)
Type: Reef
Rock Point West is located on the south western tip of the island. Here, a steep slope descends towards a plateau. Keep the reef on your left and head towards an interesting ragged rock formation that reaches up to the surface. Large broadclub cuttlefish and black-banded sea kraits are often seen amongst the reef here. If the current allows, turn the dive once you meet the turtle cleaning station or carry on round the island’s tip and nip into rock east for the last few minutes.
Katipanan (25m/82ft)
Type: Reef
Katipanan is named after the small cowrie shells often seen on this site. It is situated on the south western side of the island and is typically an easy and beautiful dive site with little or no current. A steep slope covered with hard and soft coral levels off around 25-30 meters and can be dived in the direction of Rock Point West or towards Chapel Point. Hang out around 15 meters while looking out for turtles cruising above your heads or chill out in the shallow coral gardens.
Chapel Point (25m/82ft)
Type: Reef
Adjacent to Apo Island's main village, this dive site offers a diverse underwater landscape. Beginning on a steep white sandy slope, it converges with the area's sole wall, plunging to depths of 40+ meters. The wall features hidden electric clams, a captivating swim-in cave, and numerous nooks. Ideal for both shallow and deeper dives, the site boasts sea fans, soft corals, anemones, and vibrant hard coral gardens. Explore the wall for nudibranchs, sea snakes, turtles, and large predatory fish. Conclude the dive admiring some of South East Asia's healthiest reefs!
Chapel point begins as a steep white sandy slope, then it converges with the area's sole wall, plunging to depths of 40+ meters. The wall features hidden electric clams, a captivating swim-in cave, and numerous nooks. Ideal for both shallow and deeper dives, the site boasts sea fans, soft corals, anemones, and vibrant hard coral gardens. Explore the wall for nudibranchs, sea snakes, turtles, and large predatory fish.
Baluarte (20m/65 feet)
Type: Reef
Dive into the tranquillity of a gentle coral reef, beginning at the chapel with a small overhang. Explore diverse coral formations, including staghorn, cabbage, conehead coral heads, and the unique broccoli. Encounter marble groupers, elusive day octopuses, swift chevron barracuda, and camouflaged stonefish. Glide alongside graceful green and hawksbill turtles, witness the distinctive yellow nose-banded sea krait, and marvel at the presence of giant frogfish and elegant batfish. This site promises an array of marine life amidst vibrant coral formations.
Largahan (18m/59ft)
Type: Reef
Largahan is a beautiful and diverse dive site with an unusual amount of macro life for Apo Island, such as nudibranchs, flatworms and frogfish to look out for. In one area, volcanic bubbles come out of the sand, shimmering as they catch the sunlight. The sand, which is usually white in Apo Island, is dark in many areas of Largahan. Spend your time leisurely swimming around the reef, coral bommies and over the gleaming sand.
Coconut (30m/98ft)
Type: Reef
Like Cogon, this dive is for the experienced diver who likes a fast drift. Due to its location on the north western tip of the island the currents can be fierce and exhilarating – up and down currents are not uncommon and divers might find themselves in something resembling a washing machine. Enjoy the ride above the reef whilst looking out into the blue for a large school of big-eyed trevally (jacks) which can gather in their hundreds. End the dive in the shallows, protected from the current where the fish life and colorful reef life is extraordinary.
Like Cogon, this dive is for the experienced diver who likes a fast drift, as the currents can be fierce and exhilarating – divers might find themselves in something resembling a washing machine. Enjoy the ride above the reef whilst looking out into the blue for a large school of big-eyed trevally (jacks) which can gather in their hundreds. End the dive in the shallows, protected from the current where the fish life and colourful reef life is extraordinary.
Sumilon
Reef with reef sharks
Siquijor
Reef/Wall
The Geopeter Wreck (Technical diving only)
