⌛ Apo Diving in July

I am planning on diving Apo Island sometime around the first two weeks of July, someone mentioned that it was not a good time of year due to the sea conditions, is this correct ?

I checked out some of the dive companies (Atlantis, Pura Vida, Thalatta-big fancy schmancy resorts it seems) operating out of Dauin, I could not find any rates listed for day trips to Apo Island. Are these considered special trips depending on who asks for them in advance.

I do not really want to stay on the island due to limited accomodation. If I stay in dumaguete is it easy to get to the jumping off point for Apo Is. early in the morning ? For day trips to the island do most dive operators run out of Dauin or Malatapay ?

Sorry for the all the questions, I did go through the forum for these answers but didn't seem to find the info I was looking for.

Thank you.

 

Hello,

welcome to DI. July is ok with Apo. It is a small Island and there is always one from wind and waves protected side. The Apo Daytrips w/ 2 or 3 dives usually starting at 8 am in the morning, returning around 4.30

If you stay in town I can recommend the Adventure-diveshop.

If you look from that link to his webpage, you will also find some package deals w/ accommodation and diving. How long are you planning to stay here in Duma. You should not miss out on some of the local critter-dives.

cheers for now

Rhoody

 

Planning on being there for 3 days. To be honest my interest in critters/muck diving is zero, I prefer gliding over healthy coral reefs and vibrant marine life, not probing for some almost invisible 2 inch ghostfish etc. (apologies to all you macro enthusiasts but not my thing).

I haven't dived in quite a while so will need a refresher. Mikes diveshop seems just what I need, the accommodation not so much.

Is july typically windy in that region ?

Thanks for the advice rhoody.

 

July is usually still ok, but can be windy and rough sometimes.
Wherever you decide to dive, tell them what you wanna see. Many guides here are proud to show you the 2 inch stuff.
A refresher is a good idea if you haven't dived a long time. Or at least a easy dive to start with, doing some easy skills and make a great Coral-dive if everything works good. (At least I do that always if my divers don't dive for a longer time.) Anyway, send Mike a mail and tell him regards from DI and me... Maybe we see around when you are down here, or even dive together...
Hotel Palwa
is also a good place to stay. central, clean rooms from 800 peso on. Central in walking distance to everything. But there are plenty of other options in Dumaguete.

cheers

Rhoody

 

Diving rate for Apo

I paid 1050 pesos per dive in Apo with Easy diving (Thalatta), plus diving fee in the national park.

 

healthy coral reefs and vibrant marine life.... i would recommend diving coconut or rock point depending on conditions....save coconut until after you get the rust off as it is a more technically difficult dive with a strong current near the end