A Complete Guide To The Apo Island Day Trip from Siquijor
Apo Island is known for its rich marine life and biodiversity and attracts snorkellers and divers from all over the world.
This complete guide will tell you everything you need to know for an unforgettable day trip from Siquijor, updated for 2024.
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A successful community-led initiative, the Apo Island Marine Sanctuary is an underwater gem waiting to be explored.
Known for its abundant fish and coral species, Apo Island is one of the best dive sites in the world.
Attracting divers, snorkellers, and environmental enthusiasts alike, Apo Island is also 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?
Coco Grove Beach Resort offers an amazing day trip from Siquijor Island, with everything included.
This is one of the best day trips we took in the Philippines and one of the best things to do in Siquijor.
In this post, I will cover everything you need to know about the Apo Island tour from Siquijor with Coco Grove, including how to book, what to expect and the cost breakdown.
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 organised 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. The meeting point is Coco Grove in Siquijor at 8 a.m.
When you set off, you will be taken to the Tambisan Port via minivan which takes about 15 minutes. Here you will board the yacht and embark on the 1 hour journey to Apo Island.
On the way back, you will depart from Apo Island at about 3 p.m.
When arriving back at the port in Siquijor, you can ask the minivan driver to drop you back at your hotel if that is more convenient than Coco Grove Resort.
How to get from Dumaguete to Apo Island
You can also book an Apo Island Private Tour From Dumaguete if this is more convenient.
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 this way, you will have to take a half-hour jeepney from Dumaguete to Malapatay Port, which is where the boats depart from.
Here, you can hire a boat for 3500 PHP ($61) for 3 people – this is for the round-trip.
When you arrive at Apo Island, you will pay the entrance fee (150 PHP) and additional fees for snorkeling, diving, a guide, and equipment.
Embrace jungle living and surround yourself with nature in these rustic treehouses.
Stay near all the main Siquijor tourist spots and enjoy your breakfast to the sounds of birds from your private balcony.
How to book the Apo Island tour from Siquijor
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 Beach Resort online for peace of mind.
Philippines Essentials Packing List
What to expect
The journey
The tour from Siquijor to Apo Island is fantastically organised from start to finish. 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.
Must Read: 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 snorkelling.
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.
Related: ULTIMATE SIQUIJOR TRAVEL GUIDE 2024: Budget & Itinerary
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 snorkelled, 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 favourite part.
After lunch, you have some time to chill and paddle before heading to the final snorkeling/dive spot.
Siquijor to Apo Island: Cost breakdown
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.
From traveling in style on the yacht there to lunch on Coco Grove’s private beach, the day was fantastically organised and the experience exceptional.
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 organise 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.
Visit the main Siquijor highlights including Salagdoong Beach, Cambugahay Falls, the Old Balete Tree, and Paliton Beach.
This full-day tour includes roundtrip transportation from Dumaguete, entrance fees, a private guide, and lunch.
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, hostels, and guesthouses.
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.
Need travel insurance? Small Girl Big Backpack readers get 5% off Heymondo Insurance when booking through this link. With 24/7 worldwide assistance, this is the best insurance for travelers.
Well, that’s it! This post has detailed everything you need to know about the Apo Island day trip from Siquijor with Coco Grove.
If you liked this post and you will be sticking around in Siquijor for a while, then feel free to check out the following –
- ULTIMATE SIQUIJOR TRAVEL GUIDE 2024: Budget & Itinerary
- How To Get To Siquijor Island 2024: A Step-By-Step Guide
- Top 13 Best Things To Do In Siquijor
- Kawasan Falls: The Complete Guide To Siquijor’s Best-Kept Secret
- Top 5 Most Beautiful Waterfalls in Siquijor
- Where To Eat: The Top 10 Best Siquijor Restaurants
- How To Get From Moalboal To Siquijor: Schedule & Fare 2024
