Rock Point West
A steep coral slope on the south-west of Apo, usually combined with Rock Point East around the island's southern tip, where the soft corals are some of the most stunning on Apo. Turtles, sea kraits, jacks and, with luck, frogfish.
Rock Point West is a steep coral slope on the south-western side of Apo Island, with a huge amount of marine life. We like to dive it together with Rock Point East, going from West to East or East to West depending on which way the current is pushing. It is one of the sites that shows why Apo Island’s reef is so well known.
The dive
The maximum depth is around 28 metres. The slope is steep and densely covered in coral, so there is something to look at at every depth. The southern tip of Apo sits between the two Rock Points, and it is probably the best area on the island for soft corals: the colours are absolutely fantastic, and this is one of the favourite dives for many of our guests.
What you might see
- Stunning soft corals around the southern tip, and hard corals in great variety
- Banded sea kraits, lots of them in season, hunting through the coral
- Jacks in the open water off the slope
- Marbled groupers in the larger holes and overhangs
- Hawksbill and green turtles, both species on the same dive
- Spanish mackerel, big ones, passing by quite often
- Frogfish, which blend in so well that finding them is the game
When to dive Rock Point West
We visit Apo Island all year, weather permitting, with water temperatures of about 25 to 29°C. See when to dive Dauin and Apo Island.
Who it suits
Most certified divers when the water is calm; when the current runs, divers who are comfortable in current. Advanced Open Water certification lets you use the full depth.
Our tip
Learn to tell the two turtles apart: hawksbills have a pointed beak and overlapping shell plates, greens a rounder head and smoother shell. Here you can often compare them on one dive.
Good to know
- We don’t plan Rock Point as a drift dive, but the current can rip here. From Rock Point West it can push south, straight off the island, which is not where we want to go, so when the current is strong we take a more conservative route. Follow your guide’s plan on the day.
- Apo Island is a protected marine area. The sanctuary fee is included in our day-trip price.
- Keep a safe distance from sea kraits and never touch turtles.
- Its neighbour Rock Point East adds a wall to a similar slope.
Dive Rock Point West with us
We visit Apo Island on full-day boat trips from Dauin, with three dives, lunch and sanctuary fees included. Which sites we dive depends on the day’s conditions. See our Apo Island day trips, or build your dive trip.