Apo Island, at Last!!!

Place: Apo Island and Marine Sanctuary
Date: April 5,6 2012

I have heard a lot of good facts about this island. This has been a smashmouth from among trippers and backpack travellers to Dumaguete City and of course, among my family. Apo Island is a world known haven for divers. It is one of the best place in the world for scuba diving, snorkeling and some other water activities. In fact, it is cited by an international travel magazine as one of the top diving sites in the whole world.

According to some readings I made, a huge effort was made to encourage locals to stop illegal method of fishing sometime in the 1980s and maintain a small portion of the area for marine reserved (where fishing is not allowed). The locals adopted this concept and through the years, has been very successful. It has been noted that it is the first community-driven marine sanctuary preservation area in the country and has become a role model for those communities who wants to adopt the concept. Now, Apo Island fascinates not just the tourists and alike for water activities but the fact that indeed people can be empowered to preserve Mother Nature. And what does Mother Nature gives back, a ravishing place and of course, an alternative source of income for the locals. 

Boat Ride to Apo Island

To get to the island, you must rent a boat ride in Malatapay Market. This Market is located in Zamboanguita, a municipality after Dauin. This is also another must visit place when in Negros Oriental especially during Wednesdays (a separate post is made kindly click the Malatapay Market link to know more of this market). A drive to this market will take you about 20 minutes by a private vehicle but if you opted for a public vehicle, you can access it by riding a Tirgen Bus near Robinsons Place Dumaguete. Just let the driver or conductor know to drop you off at this market and look for these signs on the road.

on the right side of the road coming from Dumaguete City

on the left side of the road coming from Dumaguete City

Going back to my own story, I was surprised when I met Ninong Raul and Antie Dolly. They were waiting for us at the highway to ride the jeep. It was just a 5minutes ride until we reached the Malatapay Market. Well every driver knows where this place is so you wont have to worry just keep reminding the driver so as he'll not forget. It was Thursday when we went there so therefore the market was deserted. And I was expecting it since this market only opens every Wednesday. 

Empty Malatapay Market

We reached our destination but unfortunately the boat used for the locals was already full. Many locals at that time went to Apo Island because the Barangay Island is celebrating it's fiesta. Their patron saint is San Vicente Ferrer and it's feast is celebrated on the month of April. 

And so we waited for a few minutes until finally a medium sized boat arrived. For the benifit of those people who wanted to know the price range for the boat rentals, I took this photo on the registration counter in Malatapay. Yes, this may just be a small port but they have a coast guard and a protocol to write the names of the passengers who will be crossing the sea and leaving for Apo Island. Accordingly, this has to be done in order for them to have a list when any eventuality happens (capsized boat or lost passengers) Buyag!

For the price above posted on the boat posts, you are going to privately rent the boat depending on your group size and they will service you back and forth. That seems to be a pretty good deal since the boat will wait for you while you enjoy the island and bring you back to main land Negros in the late afternoon.

our Boat Ride

I was a bit afraid of the ride for several reasons. (1) I do not know how to swim, what if the boat will capsized or something?! (2) learned that my grandfather (from my father side) died while fishing on this area  (3) the recent unfortunate incident (boat capsized) that happened last year on the same occasion (Apo Island Fiesta) and (4) the exage description of wave turbulence of my relatives. That was all in my mind during the boat ride, but it turned out to be fun. I mean the fun in Apo Island starts during the boat ride. It was as if I was riding a horse while the boat braved through the strong water currents. And the stories were true after all, you are expected to get wet so bring an extra clothes to change once you arrived on the island. Another tip, sit on the back so as to avoid water splash. Czarene and I were actually lucky when we were seated at the back and we were least affected by the sea wave splash. Last, all valuable electronics and personal items must be wrapped by a plastic bag but anyhow the boatmen will have it secured inside their box. It was a total of about 45minutes (thrill) ride to the island and I felt relieved when we were about to dock.

I was really thrilled when we were getting closer. Finally, I saw the famous rock formations of the Apo Island and the one that is so popular is the Baluarte. I also saw in person the two famous resorts in the island. The one that the locals call it canopy is the Apo Island Beach Resort that is perfectly located on an exclusive cove separated by a huge rock formation that made the entrance so unique and cute. Liberty Lodge Resort has also an exquisite structure along the slope of the mountainous island endowed with coconut trees.

Baluarte

locals call it canopy

Once you arrived, you will be asked to go to the Registration Office near the chapel . A fee will be collected from the visitors and the amount will go to the maintenance and improvement of the island. Anyhow, for the schedule of fees refer to this link Schedule of fees in Apo Island.

It was, on my part, a fortunate trip since we have a relatives living there so we have a place to stay for the night. And the town is celebrating their fiesta that day so that means the costs for foods will be slash from our budget. But anyhow, if you have a limited budget for the exclusive hotels here in the island, the locals offer their house for rent as I saw several advertisement post on the Village. But let it be known that the island has no electricity 24 hours a day. They switch off the power at night. So expect a dark starry starry night on the island. That means, another exciting activity can be done at night (Stargazing while lying on the white sands). I loved the sunset that the island offered to us that day. Below is the picture of that scenery I took. Also, there is a limited water supply in the island since they get their water from the mainland. There were public communal shower stations (a deep well) on the village where everyone goes for the daily showers. I actually had fun here and experienced how the locals bathe. I used an improvised dipper(a cut gallon) that was tied up with a rope and threw it down the well and pull it up.

Sunset in Apo Island

There were some things I noted during my stay in the island. The locals were very friendly and that they greet people whom they meet along their way even though they do not know them personally. Foreigners, as well, were very comfortable in the island that they confidently leave their things anywhere without fear of getting it lost/stolen.

Marine Sanctuary: Closed

The following day (April 6 2012, Good Friday), the group woke up early and went to the nearby beach directly. It was sad to note that the Marine Sanctury is temporarily closed that day because of that recent typhoon that hit Mindanao and some parts of Visayas that the marine life was disturbed. Accordingly, the locals are still doing some efforts to maintain the sanctuary before it will be open again

But anyhow, the Marine Sanctuary according to my cousin offers the best sea scenery in the island. There you can find all sorts of fishes that came close to you even in shallow waters. Sea Turtles (Pawikan) are commonly found in this area. In fact, they have their own Nesting Zone. Some locals told me that one time when they transferred the eggs to a protected area, the eggs never hatch. So instead, they just leave the eggs where they were laid and just put some sign (twigs around the area) so as to let the people know that there are eggs below. Below is the photo that my friend took when he was snorkeling on the island.

But the underwater scenery on the part of the beach that we snorkeled that day is also noteworthy to mention. I was able to see personally two sea turtles feeding on some sea grasses. That was actually my first time to be on that kind of depth but I got the courage to swim further because I was accompanied by my ninong. I felt really happy and complete that even though I did not swim on the sanctuary at least I still had that opportunity to watch live sea turtles in the wild. There was one time when I saw one sea turtle looking at me as if he was puzzled to swim towards me.

A must have in Apo Island
1. Snorkeling gear like goggles, life vest, underwater camera
2. super strength SPF lotion
3. comfortable long sleeves clothes, hats and eyewear

There is one thing I would like to stress out if you plan to go to Apo Island.

 

The message on the picture says it all. You are not allowed to take corals, shells, stones or the like from Apo Island as souvenirs. You are not allowed to leave all your trash on the island, so bring it back to the main land. You are not allowed to kill any live creatures on the island. You are not allowed to swim without the life vest so as to avoid stepping on the corals. You are not allowed to wear gloves when snorkeling or diving. So be a responsible tourists anywhere especially in Apo Island, otherwise you will end up in trouble.

Back to Main post, click the link Tsada sa Dumaguete.