Dumaguete to Apo Island — Sea Turtle Diving

Apo Island, a tiny volcanic islet off the coast of Negros Oriental, is home to one of the most successful community-run marine sanctuaries in the world, and one of the best places on the planet to dive and snorkel alongside green and hawksbill sea turtles. Departing from the Dumaguete area, you cross the Bohol Sea to reach reefs protected since 1985, where destructive fishing has long been banned.

The result is extraordinary: over 650 species of fish and around 400 species of hard coral, with resident turtles grazing on seagrass and algae so reliably that encounters happen on virtually every trip. Many of the turtles feed in water just a couple of metres deep, so even snorkellers get face-to-face moments with these gentle giants, while divers explore vibrant coral slopes and walls humming with reef life.

With calm, clear water and a thriving, well-managed reef, Apo Island offers a magical day out that proves what marine conservation can achieve. It suits divers and snorkellers of all levels and is one of the highlights of any trip to Negros.