The best thing about our Apo Reef trip was the opportunity to just chill in one place without worrying about moving to the next destination. It's about getting lost in the moment, relaxing under the sun. It reminded me of what Tim Robbins' character in The Shawshank Redemption would do once he experienced boundless freedom. Feeling the fine white sand as I lay down, feeling the rays of the sun kiss my skin while humming Weezer's "Island in the Sun"—that sounds like what island living is all about.
Mystical, Maniacal, Reefer Madness at Apo Reef
"When you're on a holiday, you can't find the words to say. All the things that come to you. And I wanna feel it too... No, no, we'll never feel bad anymore..."
Despite a lengthy two-hour boat trip across open water, we arrived on the island feeling energized and eager to spend time away from the real world. After setting up our camp, we napped to recover our fatigued bodies. Waking up before lunch, we set out to explore the rest of Apo Reef. We climbed the white lighthouse, kayaked through the thick mangrove forest, and watched our boat-mates—a quartet of scuba divers—heading out to sea to explore Apo Reef's world-famous underwater treasures.
Unbound Freedom on Island Time
Apo Reef is an absolute haven for scuba divers. As a non-diver, I wasn't able to witness that deep-sea spectacle firsthand. But that never dampened my spirit—I found immense solace in the pure tranquility that reigns over the island. If I stayed here for a month, I just might write a kick-ass novel before loneliness and madness set in—or perhaps the overwhelming natural beauty surrounding Apo Reef would actually improve my mental health. Looking around, I strongly suspect the latter would happen.
An Untouched Marine Sanctuary & Super-Moon
Apo Reef is stationed by a dozen members of the Philippine Navy and Philippine Park Rangers. As a protected maritime national park, it is safeguarded against environmental abuse. The trees and mangrove forests remain pristine and undisturbed. Here exists a magical convergence of Earth's varied lifeforms both above and beneath the surrounding ocean.
Yachts and live-aboard vessels traveling from distant resorts all the way from Coron, Palawan stop by Apo Reef so divers can explore the surrounding marine waters. Some anchor near the shore to camp overnight, while others simply lounge on their boats.
In our case, we were tent-bound for two glorious days. We cooked meals, lounge around, slept, and traded banter. It was a wonderfully lazy existence—a much-needed reprieve from the fast-paced corporate rat race back in Manila.
A weekend at Apo Reef was exactly what my imaginary therapist would have prescribed. By nightfall, the Super-Moon made its grand appearance. It looked as though a glowing eye opened in the sky without blinking, showering the otherwise pitch-black island with brilliant, neon-like moonlight. It was downright mystical.
Rejuvenation & Snorkeling the Shipwreck
I was exhausted from the long trek from Manila the previous day: a three-hour bus ride to Batangas Port, a two-and-a-half-hour ferry to Abra de Ilog, another two-hour bus ride to Sablayan, a 10-minute tricycle ride to the beach, and finally, a two-hour boat trip out to Apo Reef.
My mind was ecstatic, even if my body demanded rest. Surrounded by great companions—Gael, Marcos, and Darwin—we woke up rejuvenated the next morning as the sun replaced the Super-Moon. Feeling recharged, we explored Apo Reef one last time, snorkeling at a nearby spot where a sunken shipwreck rested 20 to 30 feet below—shallow enough to be clearly visible through our masks.
That underwater sight eased our envy of the scuba group. Just a bit, though—we pledged that we'd return to Apo Reef someday with oxygen tanks and dive suits of our own. Diving in Apo Reef remains an unchecked item on my bucket list, but it was still a remarkable weekend spent away from home.
Planning your own expedition to Occidental Mindoro's marine gem? Check out our complete Apo Reef Travel Guides & Series:
