A Complete Guide To The Apo Island Day Trip from Siquijor

Dreaming of swimming with sea turtles?

In this guide, I’ll reveal everything you need to know about the Apo Island Day Trip from Siquijor, the best way to explore this underwater gem.

Known for its abundant fish and coral species, Apo Island is a world-famous dive site and one of the best places to swim with sea turtles in the Philippines.

But what if you don’t want to make the trip from Dumaguete?

With Coco Grove’s all-inclusive day trip from Siquijor, exploring Apo Island and its underwater wonders has never been easier.

Having done this trip myself, I can confidently say it’s one of the best experiences I had in the Philippines—and a must-do while visiting Siquijor.

Keep reading as I reveal everything you need to know to plan your Apo Island adventure, including firsthand tips and what to expect.

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Apo Island Day Trip From Siquijor: Overview

If you don’t have time to read the whole guide, below is a quick summary.

Where is Apo Island located?

Apo Island is located about a 1-hour boat ride from Siquijor. The map below shows the location of Apo Island, as well as its Beach Resort where you will have lunch.

I have also highlighted the location of Coco Grove Beach Resort in Siquijor as this is the meeting point for the tour.

How to get to Apo Island from Siquijor?

The best way to get from Siquijor to Apo Island is to take the organized tour run by Coco Grove Beach Resort.

Taking the tour with Coco Grove is totally hassle-free as your transport there and back is included in the price.

This is what your itinerary will look like –

• Meet at Coco Grove at 8 AM (location here)
• 15-minute drive to Tambisan Port by minivan
• The boat from Siquijor to Apo Island takes about 1 hour
• Departure from Apo Island at about 3 PM

Tip: on your way back, ask the driver to drop you at your accommodation if that’s more convenient than returning to Coco Grove

How to get from Dumaguete to Apo Island

You can also book an Apo Island Private Tour From Dumaguete if this fits in better with your travel plans.

This tour includes roundtrip transportation, entrance fees, and lunch – it costs 3750 PHP ($67).

You can also opt for a DIY tour from Dumaguete. Taking a DIY tour is usually one of my top tips to save money traveling.

However, in this instance, a DIY tour isn’t much cheaper and the experience is not half as special as with Coco Grove.

If you do choose a DIY tour, here are the steps you’ll need to follow –

• 30-minute jeepney from Dumaguete to Malapatay Port
• Hire a boat for 3500 PHP ($61) for 3 people – this is for a round trip
• Pay the entrance fee at Apo Island (150 PHP) + additional snorkeling/diving fees

How to book

To book your day trip to Apo Island from Siquijor, simply head to the Coco Grove Resort a few days before to reserve your spot.

Whether you’re snorkeling or diving, there has to be a minimum of 15 people for the tour to go ahead.

If you’re not going to be in Siquijor a few days before, you can book through Coco Grove Resort online for peace of mind.

What to expect

The day trip to Apo Island from Siquijor was one of my favorite days on my two-month trip to the Philippines.

The tour is fantastically organized from start to finish and well worth the money.

The journey

You will make the 1-hour journey to Apo Island in style on Coco Grove’s yacht.

The yacht is spacious and glamorous, with space to sit either inside or outside. Coco Grove also provides clean towels and fresh drinking water on the way there.

On the way back, they treated us to beer and snacks such as fruit, nuts, and crisps. This was all included in the price.

Recommended: Top 13 BEST Things To Do in Siquijor

Apo Island snorkeling with turtles

If you want to see sea turtles in the Philippines, then a day trip to the Apo Island Marine Sanctuary will not disappoint.

When you arrive, you will be instructed to leave your belongings at Apo Island Beach Resort’s private beach.

Don’t worry, this is linked to Coco Grove and your stuff is safe with the staff.

You will be split into small groups or pairs and assigned a guide, who will be your eyes and ears on the lookout for marine life below the surface.

You are also provided with a snorkel and water shoes if you don’t have your own.

I was blown away by how many turtles we saw and the trip exceeded my expectations.

The green sea turtle is a notable species protected by the sanctuary and we got to see about 7 in total when snorkeling.

It was so tranquil to see them grazing in their natural habitat and a real once-in-a-lifetime experience.

On top of that, it was some of the most vibrant coral I’d ever seen and we got the chance to see so many fish and even water snakes!

The guide was super knowledgeable and pointed out all the different species of starfish, sea cucumber, plants, and fish.

Apo Island diving

Coco Grove also offers diving trips at Apo Island.

The divers and the snorkellers depart on the same boat and form part of the same trip, but split when arriving at the island.

Although we only snorkeled, we heard that diving was such an incredible experience. As one of the best dive sites in the world, the biodiversity in the turquoise waters is unmatched.

As the island is volcanic, you also have the chance to swim through the bubbles coming up through the sand.

The deep canyon walls and unique rock formations provide a dramatic backdrop for your dive.

Coco Grove offers both fun dives and scuba dives. You can contact them for their latest prices here.

Have you packed your Reef Safe 98% Organic Sunscreen?

Lunch

You will eat lunch outside on the private beach – this is included in the price.

The view and atmosphere whilst you eat are truly idyllic, as you have the whole beach to yourselves.

The lunch is buffet style with generous portion sizes. There is such a variety of food that there is something for everyone to enjoy. The assorted fruit plate was my favorite part.

After lunch, you have some time to chill and paddle before heading to the final snorkeling/dive spot.

Total cost

The price for the day trip to Apo Island and snorkeling with turtles was 2735 PHP ($48) with everything included.

This was one of the pricier things we did on our trip to the Philippines, but it was worth every penny.

Being able to swim so close to so many turtles was a real once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Related: ULTIMATE SIQUIJOR TRAVEL GUIDE: Budget & Itinerary

Where to stay in Siquijor

The best area to stay in Siquijor is San Juan.

This is the main tourist hub and where you will find all of the main bars, restaurants, and hostels.

Stella’z Guesthouse

Best low-budget option with a choice of dorms or private rooms, centrally located in San Juan.

Each room comes with an aircon, a mini-fridge, a kettle, and a hot shower. Each room also has a private terrace area with a table and drying rack. Reasonable scooter rental.

Prices start from $7.00 for a shared dorm and $29.00 for a private room per night.

Mandala Tribe Treehouses

One of the most unique and one-of-a-kind accommodations in Siquijor. A great option for couples.

Embrace jungle living in these rustic treehouses surrounded by nature. Excellent location near Paliton Beach and all the main Siquijor tourist spots.

Treehouses come with an outdoor shower, air conditioning, and a little balcony. Breakfast is included and served on a little tray to your door each morning.

Private cabins start from $60 per night.

Coco Grove Beach Resort

The best luxury Siquijor resort. Centrally located in San Juan on 800 meters of private beach.

A choice of native-style cottages or villas set in lush gardens or on the beachfront. Amazing sunset views.

The resort has three swimming pools, a beachfront restaurant and bar, and a spa. Coco Grove offers many amazing tours and recreational activities.

Prices start from $100.00 per night.

FAQs

What is Apo Island known for?

With over 650 species of fish and over 400 of coral, Apo Island is famous for its abundant marine life.

The Apo Island Marine Sanctuary is also a heartwarming success story. After fishermen noticed a decline in fish stocks, they began a community-led initiative to protect the marine ecosystem.

Almost completely led by local fishermen, the Apo Island Marine Sanctuary has not only boosted the biodiversity of fish and corals but is also vital to the livelihood of the locals.

Apo Island now attracts both divers and environmental enthusiasts from all over the world and ecotourism has become a new economic driver of the community.

Entrance fees are used to fund the marine protected area and the priority is to conduct tourism in a sustainable manner.

As with most destinations in the Philippines, the WiFi in Siquijor can be a little patchy and unreliable. For a stress-free trip, I would suggest getting a data plan with an Airalo eSIM.

Can you sleep on Apo Island?

If you are interested in Apo Island accommodation overnight, you can book through the Apo Island Beach Resort.

This resort is the sister of Coco Grove and is where you will have lunch as part of the tour. If you decide to stay overnight at the resort, simply let the staff know at Coco Grove when booking.

They will then organize your transport back to Siquijor the following day for you. You will stay in one of the cottages on the hillside of the private cove overlooking the ocean.

Where to see turtles in Siquijor?

While Siquijor isn’t as famous for sea turtles as nearby Apo Island, there are still a few spots where you might get lucky. Here are the best places to try –

• Tubod Beach & Marine Sanctuary
• Tulapos Marine Sanctuary
• Salagdoong Beach

If swimming with turtles is a priority for you, a day trip to Apo Island from Siquijor is your best bet—it’s one of the most reliable places in the Philippines to encounter these incredible creatures in their natural habitat.

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Apo Island Tour from Siquijor: Final Thoughts

A day trip to Apo Island is one of the best things to do in the Philippines.

The chance to snorkel alongside sea turtles and explore vibrant coral reefs in one of the world’s top marine sanctuaries is a true bucket list experience.

With everything conveniently organized by Coco Grove Beach Resort, it’s the perfect addition to your Siquijor itinerary and a highlight of any trip to the Philippines.

If you have taken this trip yourself, or you’ve got any helpful tips, I would love to hear from you – leave a comment or reach out to me on Instagram or Pinterest!

Planning your Philippines trip?

With so many amazing islands to explore, how do you decide where to visit? For inspiration, itinerary ideas, and dream destinations, check out the following –

1-Month Philippines Itinerary – the ideal backpacking route exploring popular destinations & off-the-beaten-path spots

Top 10 Best Places To Visit in the Philippines – your ultimate guide to the best destinations to suit every type of traveler