I grew up in a beautiful island where we live 10 minutes bike-ride away from the beach. But truth be told, I don't know how to swim. I've developed a certain animosity towards swimming after an unfortunate pool incident back when I was taking my swimming class in college. (For some mind-boggling reason though, I passed the class.)
When I started traveling and got the chance to see the best beaches in the Philippines, I've been handicapped not to cross the borderline of the shore and the sea unless a life-jacket is strapped around me. And since swimming and I aren't exactly friends, I've always thought that I couldn't enjoy surfing, snorkeling, diving and some other water activities.
Despite this, I feel so drawn to the sea that it has become my refuge each time I feel high or low (emotionally). Just recently, I have fallen in love with diving and snorkeling. Here's what I learned, I don't need to be a pro swimmer to dive and snorkel. I only need proper gears, do proper breathing and get a full sense of adventurous spirit. :)
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| Magnificent dawn with the stillness of the sea and the changing hues of the sky |
I've been to some diving and snorkeling spots in the country, but I guess the underwater treasures of Apo Reef and Pandan Island are two of the best that we have. I found myself frolicking in its massive and diverse underwater garden when I went there, and found everything to be very satisfactory.
Apo Reef Natural Park is the largest atoll-like reef in Asia. Some of its dwellers include colorful fishes, schools of jacks, snappers, stingrays, manta rays, sharks, barracudas, crevice-dwelling moray eels and gobies amid gardens of soft and hard corals. Also, the 29-hectare Apo Island is a nesting ground for hawksbill and green sea turtles while the other two islets near it are home to migrating birds and some resident birds like the endangered Nicobar Pigeon. *Information from Sablayan Municipal Tourism Office*
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| The crystalline blue-green waters greeted us as we pushed towards the island |
For those planning a trip, it is a must to contact and get help from the Municipal Tourism Office of Sablayan. Here's a link on how to get from Manila to Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro. The staff could arrange your transportation and assign guides and cook. They also offer rentals for tents and snorkeling/diving gears.
From Sablayan Sea Port, it takes about 2hrs boat ride going to Apo Island. According to our guide, on some fine and lucky days, playful dolphins could trail from behind the boat. It would have been an awesome visual treat but unfortunately, we weren't so lucky during the trip.
Once in Apo Island, we got our accommodation ready. And by that I meant, tents. Yes, we were there to camp. There are no hotels or cottages for overnight stay so I highly suggest you bring your own tents, mats or hammocks. For food, we bought provisions from Sablayan Public Market and sought the help of our guides to cook our meals since we didn't bring utensils with us. *The cooking was good by the way.* :)
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| One fine day in Apo Reef |
For a certain fee, we got to enjoy the reef by signing up for a 1-hr introduction to diving course. I got lucky to have about 40-minute assisted dive! My first ever!
In summary, we spent most of our time in the island out in the sea, snorkeling, diving, and just swimming to our heart's content!
Other activities that could be done there include trail walk along the mangrove area leading to the lagoon and the lighthouse. I would also suggest waiting for the sunset and sunrise atop the lighthouse. The view of the vast expanse of the clear blue waters in contrast to the verdant mangroves below the lighthouse is superb!
In summary, we spent most of our time in the island out in the sea, snorkeling, diving, and just swimming to our heart's content!
Other activities that could be done there include trail walk along the mangrove area leading to the lagoon and the lighthouse. I would also suggest waiting for the sunset and sunrise atop the lighthouse. The view of the vast expanse of the clear blue waters in contrast to the verdant mangroves below the lighthouse is superb!
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| This is a view of the lighthouse seen from the lagoon |
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| Apo Reef Lighthouse |
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| The mangroves and the lagoon as seen from the lighthouse |
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| Bamboo path walk along the massive mangrove area |
Our group also had bonfire and let off eight wish lanterns under the beautiful and starry November sky. FYI though, we used a tray to hold the flaming twigs and woods. I’d highly suggest using a tray when doing a beach bonfire instead of directly starting the fire on the sand. Let’s love and protect our beaches. :)
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| Our tiny version of "Tangled". True that it could be magical to see the lanterns flickering up in the air. But this is one activity that could be regulated for environmental reasons. Maybe, it would be better to use eco-friendly wish lanterns in the future. |
One of the best memories I took home from this trip is the chance to see and play with the amazing underworld creatures. It made me realize how fabulous our world is, up and under. :)
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| A souvenir photo from the underworld |
Side Trip: Before heading back to Sablayan, our group decided to stop by Pandan Island for a closer encounter with sea turtles and manta rays. And we were never disappointed. I had the chance to chase four sea turtles and a manta ray. The experience is one for the books! I would definitely recommend passing by this island on your way to or from Apo Reef.
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| As dusk creeps silently in the island |
Fees (Overnight stay):
Boat from Sablayan to Apo Island VV - P7,500 (7 pax)
Boat from sablayan to Pandan Island VV -P800
Food catering/labor- P750
Tour guide- P750
Equipment Rentals
Snorkels - P100
Tent - P300
Entrance Fee (per pax)- P225
Contacts:
Municipal Tourism Office
Buenavista, Sablayan, Mindoro Occidental 5104
Website: www.sablayan.net
Email: amazingsablayan@yahoo.com
Contact numbers: 0929-428-0431, 0915-995-3895
Landline: (043) 458-0028