Apo Island Marine Sanctuary
Apo Island's marine sanctuary was badly damaged by typhoons and is closed to divers while the reef recovers. New corals are growing and schools of juvenile jacks swim in the protected area.
The marine sanctuary on the south-east side of Apo Island is one of the best-known marine protected areas in the Philippines. Set up in the 1980s with the island’s fishing community, it became a model for community-led reef protection around the world, and it is a large part of why Apo Island’s reefs are as rich as they are today.
What happened
Typhoon Sendong in December 2011 and Typhoon Pablo in December 2012 destroyed most of the coral reef in the sanctuary; surveys by the Coastal Conservation and Education Foundation recorded coral damage of 99%. The sanctuary has been closed to divers ever since, so the reef can recover.
What is happening now
- Closed to divers for reef recovery
- New corals growing: coral is spawning and settling in the sanctuary
- Schools of juvenile jacks in the protected water, a sign that the area is working as a nursery
Why it matters
Apo Island is part of the municipality of Dauin, and the island’s sanctuary inspired the chain of marine protected areas along the Dauin coast. Dauin now has ten, and the community-managed model that started here is the reason the diving in both places is so good. Read more in our guide to diving in Dauin.
Good to know
- The sanctuary itself is closed, but Apo Island’s other dive sites are open and in excellent condition.
- Sanctuary and visitor fees paid by divers and snorkellers help fund the island’s reef protection.
Dive Apo Island with us
Apo Island’s other dive sites are open. We visit on full-day boat trips from Dauin, with three dives, lunch and sanctuary fees included. Good first choices are Katipanan for turtles and Largahan for its wall and volcanic bubbles. See our Apo Island day trips, or build your dive trip.