A close-up dive with different kinds of fish and turtles? Sign me up!
A little volcanic island off the southeast coast of Negros Oriental, Apo Island is well-known for its healthy marine sanctuary, colorful coral gardens, and sea turtles that visit the island all year round. It is located around 30 kilometers south of Dumaguete City and is governed by Barangay Apo, Dauin. With more than 650 fish species and 400 coral species found in its pristine waters, the island is a must-visit location for eco-tourists, divers, and snorkelers.
As a result of local stewardship and scientific cooperation, Apo Island is also hailed as one of the first and most prosperous community-managed marine parks in the Philippines.
The Sanctuary of Apo Island
Though not a nesting site, Apo Island serves as a critical feeding ground, primarily for female green and hawksbill turtles. The island’s shallow reefs and algae-rich waters offer ideal conditions for grazing, resting, and shell-cleaning, and thanks to 30+ years of marine sanctuary protection, these turtles thrive without fear of poachers or habitat destruction.
The Protectors
The real heroes are the residents, dive guides, and marine wardens who’ve protected Apo Island since the 1980s. With support from Silliman University and the DENR, the community established the Apo Island Marine Sanctuary which is one of the Philippines’ earliest and most successful no-take zones.
Groups like ASIERGA (Apo Island Snorkeling Equipment Rental & Guide Association) formed in 2010, now serve as frontline stewards that educate tourists, enforce eco-guidelines, and monitor turtle behavior in coordination with DENR and dive associations.
What They Do
They brief visitors on ethical snorkeling and diving practices and monitor turtle populations and reef health. They also report illegal fishing and destructive activities to help prevent the deterioration of the marine environment.
By promoting reef-safe tourism and sustainable livelihoods they truly embody the title of being the guardians or protectors of the sanctuary. The Collaboration with DENR and dive associations to enforce sanctuary rules
Hatchling Advocacy & Education
While hatchlings aren’t released on Apo Island itself, the “Guardians of the Hatchlings” concept reflects a broader movement across the Philippines where local communities protect nesting beaches, educate youth, and support hatchery programs. Apo Island’s success as a community-based sanctuary has inspired hatchling protection efforts in true nesting grounds like Turtle Islands (Tawi-Tawi) and Apo Reef (Mindoro), where hatchery programs and youth education initiatives thrive.
So if you’d like to learn more about the turtles and how their environment is protected, come on down to Apo Island
