I imagined waking up to a dream where I was a junky man in my past life. My veins stabbed with abandon by thin needles. In time's and my own passing, my earthly body reduced to ash—and grew to become a forest. That surreal scenario I played in my mind a long time ago vividly reminded me of the dense mangrove forest at Apo Reef.
Apo Reef: The Mangrove Forest
It sure doesn't resemble a junky man's arms, because the mangrove forest is nourished by a thriving eco-system. Life of all forms blossoms on this largest atoll reef in the Philippines. Spread over a massive 34 square kilometers, it is not only a premier haven for scuba divers and beach campers but also serves as a crucial habitat to a countless variety of marine species and a migratory sanctuary for different types of birds.
A Thriving Atoll Ecosystem
The dense mangroves surround a tranquil lagoon which can be accessed by walking over a short trail and onto a few meters of a man-made bamboo bridge. This path leads up to a small jetty docked with rustic bamboo rafts. The rafts are traditionally maneuvered by pulling a thick rope tied to the opposite end of the lagoon, and another rope stretches across toward a separate dock leading directly to the Apo Reef lighthouse.
As you walk over the bamboo bridge, you'll hear the tweaking sounds and a lively medley of bird songs echoing from the canopy. Soon, you will notice the intricate branches of the mangrove forests intertwining like sets of arms spread in a continuous, complex embrace. The natural formation creates an abstract image, almost as if an artist's brush was stroked across a canvas like a madman—but with brilliant bursts of ecological creativity.
A Raft Ride Through the Lagoon
The experience of riding over a raft in this forested mangrove was just one of the many wonderful moments I had in Apo Reef—so memorable that I decided to blog about this specific ecosystem separately. It's incredibly fitting, though, as the mangrove itself serves as the vital "mess hall" and nursery for marine fauna and birds who fly effortlessly above, occasionally making diving stances from the air into the pool of the lagoon, mimicking a nimble fighter jet.
As our guide pulled the rope to move our raft, gentle riptides appeared on the steady water below. As the green-colored forest thickened and neared darkness, the vibe instantly replicated the atmospheric tension of a Stephen King novel.
In a ridiculously written B-movie, an alligator might suddenly burst out of the water and eat us alive. Fortunately, we were not starring in a bad horror movie. Instead, we were cruising peacefully over the lake's glass-like water, surrounded by absolute natural delight.
Everything seemed to conspire brilliantly to create a spectacular setting: from the deeply rooted, winding branches to the thick tropical foliage and the calmest lagoon water ever. The raft ride was short but incredibly smooth. It reminded me how beautifully the world was created, and how, like every part of our own bodies, these ecosystems shouldn't be injected with poison, but instead nurtured and cared for to guarantee their longevity.
The View from the Lighthouse
After successfully docking on the other side, we walked a short distance toward the Apo Reef Lighthouse. We climbed up a few dozen steep steps and were instantly greeted by an incredible, sweeping aerial view of the lagoon and the expansive mangrove forest below.
I guess the last photograph says it all. I'm glad we're not in a horribly written B-movie, and I could not have been gladder to have spent my weekend fully immersed in the raw, natural wonders of Apo Reef.
Planning your own expedition to Occidental Mindoro's marine gem? Check out our complete Apo Reef Travel Guides & Series:
