The Tourist Gaze

What’s coming will come, and we’ll meet it when it does.

-Hagrid

Sometimes life surprises you. I didn’t expect to be here in Apo Reef, but sometimes, the universe just works its magic. I had booked a tour through a Facebook group, but when Cess, the organizer, told me that the batch was full, I resigned myself to joining a later tour. But then, a group backed out a few days before the trip, and I got in. Talk about luck!

I’ll be honest, this post isn’t easy for me. My brain’s been in a bit of a creative slump (writer’s block, anyone?). But I can’t just leave it at a photo dump—Instagram can handle that. So, let me give you a bit of context about Apo Reef, one of the Philippines’ most incredible marine destinations.

Apo Reef is a sprawling coral reef system located 28 kilometers off the coast of Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro. As the world’s second-largest contiguous coral reef system, it spans 34 square kilometers, just behind the legendary Great Barrier Reef in Australia. Home to a rich diversity of marine life, it’s a must-see for divers and underwater enthusiasts.

Despite its beauty, Apo Reef remains relatively untouched by mass tourism, mainly because of its remote location. To reach the island, you’ll need to travel via a series of buses and ferries:

• From Sablayan, it’s a 3-hour boat ride to Apo Island, the largest of the three islands within the reef.

• From Manila, take a 3-hour bus ride to Batangas Port.

• Then, hop on a 2-hour ferry ride to Abra de Ilog, followed by a 3-hour bus ride to Sablayan.

But this is worth it, especially if you’re into diving, freediving, or even snorkeling. It’s hailed as one of the world’s best diving spots, and the hype is real. Highlights of this trip include being halfway near a sunken ship and being an arm’s length away from a sea turtle. Too bad I didn’t have an underwater camera.

Apo Reef isn’t cheap, but if you’re a fan of diving, snorkeling, or freediving, it’s totally worth the effort. Depending on the activities you choose, expect to spend between PHP 4,000 (USD 75) to PHP 10,000 (USD 200) for an overnight stay, including diving sessions.

Why do people make the trip despite the cost and difficulty? Well, it’s hailed as one of the world’s best diving spots, and the hype is real. Here are a couple of highlights from my trip:

• The sunken ship: Halfway down, I was lucky enough to see a sunken ship—a surreal and exciting moment.
• The sea turtle: I was within arm’s reach of a friendly sea turtle, a moment I’ll never forget. Sadly, I didn’t have an underwater camera to capture it.

If you’re into underwater adventures, this place is definitely worth visiting.

Make sure to bring underwater gear, especially a GoPro or a waterproof camera. You’ll want to capture the magic, and trust me, it’s hard to capture the experience otherwise.