Apo Island

The place in a few words

Apo Island is a small island off the coast of Negros in the Philippines, known for its marine sanctuary, protected since the 1980s. Thanks to the local community's involvement in preserving the coral reefs, the island is home to impressive marine biodiversity, including many green sea turtles. From Siquijor, several operators offer day trips, generally including a boat crossing, several snorkeling sessions and lunch. It's quite a touristy activity, but a great opportunity to see turtles in their natural habitat.

What we loved

We won't pretend otherwise: the Apo Island excursion is quite touristy and closely supervised. As soon as you arrive, local guides take charge and accompany you into the water, leaving little freedom to explore on your own. That's understandable in a protected marine sanctuary, but it does take away some spontaneity. Thankfully, once you're in the water, you quickly see why so many people visit! We'd rarely seen so many turtles in one place. They were everywhere, sometimes just a few metres away, and we spent a wonderful time watching them. Even after swimming with turtles elsewhere in the Philippines, it's an experience we never get tired of.

Our tip

Book your Apo Island trip early in your stay on Siquijor! Departures aren't necessarily offered every day and often depend on having enough passengers to fill the boat. We had to postpone twice before finally making it! Once there, most visitors stay near the beach with their guides. If you're a confident swimmer, say so upfront and ask whether you can move a little farther from the groups, within the permitted areas. That's where we enjoyed watching the turtles more peacefully. We also recommend bringing your own mask and snorkel instead of using shared equipment. Allow around 1 to 1.5 hours by boat each way from Siquijor, especially worth knowing if you get seasick.