Apo Island My Apo Island Experience

Hi newbie,

Just like to ask, if I decide to stay overnight, will the boatman wait for me the next day with no extra charge?

Thanks!

Chris

 

When are you going to dive there?
I am also very curious of going there too, and i would want to snorkel there because of what i have heard, it's really beautiful there!
I am not sure about diving because i don't have such equipments.
Still a student here and is very interest of visiting the place.
Of what i have heard, Apo Island, getting there and stuffs like fees/etc, is just very cheap compared to other snorkeling/diving sites BUT it doesn't have the accomodation the other sites offer. For example, I've been recently to Palawan, and it wasn't THAT great compared to Apo (said a friend who was with me during the trip and she was to Apo before) BUT the accomodation, tourist assistance and etc is very great but the underwater/marine life is NOT as beautiful as what Apo offers, although the problem in Apo (what she said) is that once you're there, it's your choice what to do there. No one will "this is that and that is that". You will have to take care of yourself.
I don't know (and she doesn't know) how Apo is governed these days, they could be different now.
And she said, there was no place for you to stay. There was like a mini-inn but no water or electricity, etc.
And she said, it's already more than enough if you just visit for a day. You just have to be very early (like being there by 6 am so you can leave by 2pm or if you wish, could be later than that). Well, that's how they did their trip there.

She said it was just really cheap for what Apo has to offer and everyone must grab that chance before the people who runs Apo get their heads big and charge more in the future.

And also, this is what i have heard from a foreign friend (and he's actually pissed off about it) that a foreign guy would have a different rate of cost to a local guy! (even not a local guy as long as a filipino tourist!)
Yes, that's insane! ARe you a foreigner? Well, just be careful about that!
Of course, they will ask more from the foreigners thinking that they richer and have more money. (which majority is true BUT NOT ALWAYS true. geesh, poor foreign tourists).

Anyway, i'm really planning to snorkel and visit and see the beauty of Apo. But i do not know when as i don't have a companion or a buddy to go with. And summer classes have started so it got harder. Anyway, you enjoy and keep me posted. I might learn/know something from your experience/trip.

kudos! :D

-Ric

 

Chris, the boatman wikk not stay overnight. (unless you pay his time, food and accommodation). But there are daily multiple boats going. If you go alone and are not into Scuba Diving, there are not many reasons to stay a few days on the Island

 

@chris_dizon, the boat fee that you will pay is good for round trip already so yes, you can be sure of a boat ride back to town with no extra charge. I suggest that if you plan to stay overnight, contact Kuya Robin so that he can help you with everything you need - boat, meals, tours, etc. I am in no way connected to him. It just happened that he was the tour guide assigned to us when we went there for a day trip.

@Jopliniac, they give discounts only to locals who live in Apo island. hehe. Sometimes they only pay Php100 for the boat ride (or hitch with other tourists for free). Filipino tourists get to pay the same rate as foreign tourists. In some cases, when one is a solo traveler, he/she can hitch a ride with other travelers, either they split the cost of the boat fare or sometimes the boatman will charge him/her Php300.

But yes, in general I agree foreigners get charged more than locals. It happens in other countries, too and not only here in the Philippines. :D

Overnight accommodations go as low as Php 500 per night only. When I was planning my itinerary way back, I thought there were only 2 accommodations in the island - apo island resort and liberty. When I arrived there, my tour guide Robin showed me around so I get to see other guesthouses nearby and that is how I found out about the 500-peso accommodation. Electricity runs only from 6pm-9pm.

Maybe your friend didn't get a tour guide and just went all by herself? I remember when we arrived there, we were ushered to the visitor/information counter to pay the entrance fee (Php100/pax), marine sanctuary fee (Php50/pax) and we were asked if we want to rent a lifevest (php100), snorkel mask, etc and if we also want a tour guide. There is no fixed rate for the tour guide. It is up to you on how much you're willing to give as tip.

Oh btw, i've heard that the Marine Sanctuary is still closed due to typhoon damage. It might take a long time for its recovery so anyone planning to go to Apo island won't be able to snorkel on that part of the island. Sad :(