Apo Island Travel Guide 2025: Budget, Itinerary, and How to Get There

As one of Asia’s richest marine biodiversities, Apo Island is a must for people who want to explore the best underwater wonders of the Philippines. In this Apo Island Travel Guide, I wrote step by step how to get there, the latest fees, and what you can do in the island.

Apo Island is a 72-hectare volcanic island with less than 1,000 residents. Being one of the world’s best dive sites, diving and snorkeling are popular underwater activities. From hammerhead sharks to manta rays to green sea turtles to healthy coral reefs, Apo Island boasts diverse marine life and is worth considering in every diver’s itinerary.

Apo Island boats — Boats dock on the shores on Apo Island

Things You Should Know About Apo Island

Apo Island is different from Apo Reef. The latter is located west of Occidental Mindoro.

Over 650 species of fish and over 400 species of corals (Philippines has over 450 documented corals) have been documented around Apo Island.
There are more than 60 sea turtles, 13 barracudas, and a few groupers, among others have been recorded here.
As of the 2020 census, there are about 1,000 residents in the island. You can imagine how tranquil and undeveloped it is.

Walking is the only way to get around the island.
You can DIY your visit to Apo Island.

Where is Apo Island located?

Located off the coast of the southeastern tip of Negros Island, Apo Island is part of Dauin, Negros Oriental. However, you can access the island through Malatapay Wharf in Zamboanguita, Negros Oriental. More details on how to get there later.

Apo Island Travel Guide — An aerial shot of Apo Island

If you are still gearing up for your trip to Dumaguete, here’s a range of travel guides to help you plan your trip:

Best Time to Visit Apo Island

The Philippines has generally good temperatures throughout the year, but the weather is best during the dry season from December to March. April and May are the hottest and most humid months, so for many people the 33°C (91°F) to 51°C (124°F) heat index may be unbearable.

Apo Island’s waters are usually calm throughout the dry season, making for excellent snorkeling and diving conditions. Nevertheless, you cannot discount visiting from May to October, as its surrounding trees display their most vibrant hues during the rainy season.

How to Go to Apo Island

Whether you are coming from Manila, Cebu, Bohol, or Siquijor, the best way to the island is through Dumaguete City.

➡️From Dumaguete

Take a 30-minute jeepney ride from Robinsons Place Dumaguete (see map) to Malatapay Port in Zamboanguita. Alternatively, you may also take a bus from Ceres Liner Terminal (see map) to Malatapay Market. The fare is 15-25 PHP (~0.25 USD).

If you are coming from your hotel in Dumaguete or the port, just take a tricycle to these terminals. Each ride can cost 50 PHP (~1 USD) for the entire trip.

Upon arrival at Malatapay Port, take a boat to Apo Island. The port serves passengers daily from 7 AM to 4 PM. The smallest boat can accommodate up to 4 people and costs 3,500 PHP (~51 USD). You will divide this to all passengers.

You may also charter a private boat at the port for 3,000-10,000 PHP (~51-171 USD), depending on the number of passengers.

➡️From Siquijor

From Siquijor, take a 45-minute ferry from Siquijor Port to Dumaguete Port. This costs 350 PHP (~7 USD) for fastcraft ferries and 200-234 PHP (~4.5-5 USD) for regular ferries.

From Dumaguete Port, follow the above instructions on how to get to Apo Island from Dumaguete.

👉Get your Siquijor to Dumaguete ferry ticket!👈

➡️From Bohol

From Bohol, catch a 2-hour ferry from Tagbilaran Port to Dumaguete Port. This costs 900 PHP (~15.5 USD).

From Dumaguete Port, follow the above instructions on how to get to Apo Island from Dumaguete.

👉Get your Tagbilaran to Dumaguete ferry ticket!👈

➡️From Cebu

From Cebu City, take a 5-hour ferry from Cebu City Port to Dumaguete Port. This costs 480 PHP (~8-32.5 USD), depending on the type of ferry. There are also direct flights from Cebu to Dumaguete if you like to cut down to travel time to 1 hour.

Alternatively, you may take a 7-hour bus ride from Cebu South Bus Terminal to Dumaguete City. This costs 500 PHP (~8.5 USD), including the bus fare and ferry ticket from Bato Port to Tampi Port. Outside the port, take a multicab and bus going to Dumaguete City.

From Dumaguete Port, follow the above instructions on how to get to Apo Island from Dumaguete.

👉Get your Cebu to Dumaguete ferry ticket!👈

➡️From Manila

From Manila, the best way to get to Apo Island is fly from Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) to Dumaguete City. This takes 1.5 hours.

From Dumaguete, follow the above instructions on how to get to Apo Island from Dumaguete.

👉Check Manila to Dumaguete flights!👈

Apo Island Fees and Boat Rental

Here are the different fees upon entering Apo Island:

Entrance fee: 100 PHP (~2 USD)
Entrance fee for locals from Negros Oriental: 25 PHP (~0.45 USD)
Environmental fee for local tourists: 100 PHP (~2 USD)

Environmental fee for foreign tourists: 300 PHP (~5 USD)
Turtle guide fee: 300 PHP (~5 USD)
Diving guide fee: 200 PHP (~3.5 USD)

Snorkeling guide fee: 300 PHP (~5 USD) for 4 pax
Snorkeling gear rental: 100 PHP (~2 USD)
Life vest fee: 100 PHP (~2 USD)

For the boat packages, please refer to the photo below:

Apo Island Fees — Boat fees from Malatapay Wharf to Apo Island

Apo Island Opening Hours

Apo Island is open throughout the day, allowing you to tailor your visit to your satisfaction. Without any defined hours of operation, you may enjoy the island’s beauty from sunrise to sunset.

Do note that boats going to Apo Island start at 7 AM, while boats from Apo Island leave at 2-4 PM, depending on sea conditions.

If you wish to stay overnight, there are only a few accommodations on the island—Mario’s Scuba Diving and Homestay, Elnor’s Homestay, Liberty Lodge, and Apo Island Beach Resort.

Apo Island Itinerary

There are not a lot of activities you can in Apo Island. Your itinerary will mostly be composed of scuba diving, freediving, and snorkeling, depending on your purpose.

Scuba Diving

Apo Island is hands down one of the best dive sites in the Philippines. From schools of large pelagic fish, manta rays, and reef sharks to hard and soft corals and nudibranchs, you’ll find them all here.

Some of the best dive sites in Apo Island include Cogon Point, Rock Point East, Marine Sanctuary, Chapel, Kan-uran, and Largahan.

Cuttlefish in Apo Island, Negros Oriental

Sarcopython or mushroom coral in Apo Island, Negros Oriental

Sarcopython or mushroom coral in Apo Island, Negros Oriental.jpg2 — Sarcopython or mushroom coral in Apo Island, Negros Oriental

Spectacled box crab in Apo Island, Negros Oriental

Sawblade shrimp and Green feather star crinoids

The accommodations in Apo Island have dive shops too and they can best guide you where to go. Whether you are a licensed diver who’s looking for recreational diving or someone looking to secure a dive license, these accommodations can help you out.

Alternatively, there are many dive shops in Dauin as well. One of the your fun dives would include a trip to Apo Island.

Snorkeling

There are many snorkeling spots around Apo Island. Turtle Point is one of the most popular where a bunch of turtles hang out. This is the only place I know that has so many turtles in one place.

For context, I’ve done snorkeling many times on Panagsama Beach in Moalboal and the maximum number of turtles I have seen in one session is two.

The turtle guide fee is 300 PHP (~5 USD).

Hike Habagat Trail to Apo Island View Deck

In addition to diving and snorkeling, you can also hike the Habagat Trail, which leads to the Apo Island View Deck. This gives you a good view of a portion of the island.

Hike Apo Island Lighthouse

Another hike spot in Apo Island is the Lighthouse located on the northern side.

The hike leads you through green landscapes and rewards you with breathtaking views at the summit. It’s like seeing Apo Island’s natural beauty from a new perspective.

Angling

If you like angling, there are angling spots around the island, including the one south of Apo Island View Deck. Ask your hotel about it.

Where to Stay in Apo Island

Mario’s Scuba Diving and Homestay (Check room rates!)
Elnor’s Homestay (Check room rates!)

Apo Island Beach Resort (Check room rates!)
Liberty Community Lodge and Dive Resort (Check room rates!)

Your Ultimate Dumaguete Travel Guide

That’s a wrap for this Apo Island Travel Guide. I hope you are as excited to visit the island as much as I am to go back soon. The island’s marine wonders, tranquil vibe, and stunning scenery are definitely exciting.

If you’re still gearing up for your trip to Dumaguete, check out our range of travel guides: