Travel-World Photography   

Apo Reef

Apo Reef is located South of Mindoro island, while the Coco Beach Resort is located on the North side. The origin is volcanic, and there is a actually a caldera which is filled by the ocean. Then the coral growth developed, as well as the vegetation on the dry land. Today, Apo Reef is natural park, and where it is only permitted to approach with smaller boats.

 

The reef is a famous spot for snorkeling and diving, because the reef fall-off to deeper waters is quite steep, thus forming a very good spot to watch the reef fish life.

Apo Reef

Apo Reef

Map of Apo Reef. We landed on the South side

Apo Reef

Apo Reef

The Natural Park sign

Apo Reef

Apo Reef

Good rules to remember!

Apo Reef

Apo Reef

First view of Apo Reeef on approach

Apo Reef

Apo Reef

The beach line and the transmitter/observation tower

Apo Reef

Apo Reef

A small island next to reef shows the volcanic character of the area

Apo Reef

Apo Reef

Our landing site

Apo Reef-09

Apo Reef-09

Our landing site having very shalllow water

Apo Reef

Apo Reef

Our three combinded tenders/life boats

Apo Reef

Apo Reef

The beach was really pristine and desolate

Apo Reef

Apo Reef

The sand was made of tiny bits of corals, causing it nice and not warm to walk on

Apo Reef

Apo Reef

The only building structure (except for the tranmitter tower) on the island used for official work

Apo Reef

Apo Reef

The first snorklers in the water

Apo Reef

Apo Reef

A "sea animal" approaching!

Apo Reef

Apo Reef

Turned out to be my wife!

Apo Reef

Apo Reef

Corals I
On Apo Reef the corals were more colorful than we had seen before

Apo Reef

Apo Reef

Corals II

Apo Reef

Apo Reef

Corals III

Apo Reef

Apo Reef

Corals IV

Apo Reef

Apo Reef

Corals V

Apo Reef

Apo Reef

Corals and fish

Apo Reef

Apo Reef

More fish

Apo Reef

Apo Reef

Nice and blue fish

Apo Reef

Apo Reef

Corals and fish III

Apo Reef

Apo Reef

Corals and fish IV

Apo Reef

Apo Reef

Corals and fish V

Apo Reef

Apo Reef

Narrow and wide striped fish

Apo Reef

Apo Reef

A big one

Apo Reef

Apo Reef

And even more fish

Apo Reef

Apo Reef

Very nice blue fish

Apo Reef

Apo Reef

Tiny blue fish near the atoll falloff

Apo Reef

Apo Reef

Loners swimming toward the deep

Apo Reef

Apo Reef

A mid-sized tortoise swam into view

Apo Reef

Apo Reef

After having been up for air, diving towards the deep, with air bubbles trailing

Apo Reef

Apo Reef

A scuba diving group getting ready

Apo Reef

Apo Reef

The only hut providing shade

Apo Reef

Apo Reef

Relaxing after the first swim

Apo Reef

Apo Reef

A trail through the lush forest

Apo Reef

Apo Reef

Strange plant growth pattern in the sand

Apo Reef

Apo Reef

Looking up for coco nuts

Apo Reef

Apo Reef

Another beach view

Apo Reef

Apo Reef

Relaxing in the water

Apo Reef

Apo Reef

The transmitter/observation tower

Apo Reef

Apo Reef

View from the top towards the Coco Explorer at anchor offshore

Apo Reef

Apo Reef

The vegetation is covering the volcanic rock

Apo Reef

Apo Reef

Back on board for return to the ship

Apo Reef

Apo Reef

We were offered "moonshine"!

Apo Reef

Apo Reef

On the way back to Coco Explorer

Apo Reef

Apo Reef

The sun is setting behind Apo Reef

Apo Reef

Apo Reef

The lead boat operator with the setting sun behind

Apo Reef

Apo Reef

Good food waiting us after a long day

Apo Reef

Apo Reef

Salads of every kind

Apo Reef

Apo Reef

The crew formed an orchestra

Apo Reef

Apo Reef

And more crew joined in singing

Apo Reef

Apo Reef

Sweat was pooring off the poor guy

Apo Reef

Apo Reef

And the whole party ended up singing!