APO island: A piece of paradise

CEBU, Philippines - Over 650 species of fish and 400 species of corals, gentle sea turtles that live not too far away from the shore ready to greet tourists, a school of clown fish where kids can find Nemo and see him live in flesh, and most of all, the priceless peace and quiet synced with the soothing sound of rolling waves from the tranquil sea.

It's all in Apo Island, a small, peaceful piece of paradise found off the southeastern tip of Negros Oriental, roughly 25 kilometers (or more than an hour away) from Dumaguete City.

Of late, the place has become a diving and snorkeling destination and an ideal vacation getaway for both local and foreign tourists. This can be credited to the undying efforts of around 500 to 600 families who live on the island.

No wonder diving magazine Sport Diver declared the island as one of the 100 top diving spots in the world. But believe it or not, these efforts originally were not for the tourists.

"People in the island have the heart to protect the environment not for tourists, but because they want to have improved lives and to have better fish catch," Rene Juntereal, dive shop manager of Apo Island Beach Resort and an avid diver himself, told The FREEMAN.

True enough, the island's status of being a tourist favorite only came in second, because Apo Island is mainly a marine sanctuary now widely recognized by the world's scientific community. The plan was initiated by Silliman University marine biologist Angel Alcala sometime in the late 1970s. Eventually the sanctuary caught the attention of foreign tourists, especially the so-called "Clownfish City" located at the southeastern part of the 12-hectare paradise.

From either taking a bus, boat or plane to Dumaguete City, the easiest route to this destination is a bus or jeepney ride from the capital to the Malatapay Market in Zamboanguita, known for its delicious servings of fish tinola. After getting off the market, you can ride a motor boat to Apo, which takes around 30 minutes. Be sure to secure your valuables such as cameras and cellphones because there is a big possibility that you will get wet during the ride.

A big rock formation, called "The Rock," greets visitors upon arriving at Apo Island. There are 11 different diving spots around the island where you can see beautiful corals and different species of fish and turtles. But if you are not up for some scuba diving, you can always opt for snorkeling and still see the beauty of Apo Island's underwater world from just a few feet away from the shore.

Trekking is another activity that the island offers. There's the Eco-Trail, a 45-minute trek from the lagoon avenue to the view deck on the southern tip of the island, or the Lighthouse Trek, which takes you to the highest point of Apo where you can see both a modern solar-powered lighthouse and an old abandoned one.

If you plan to stay a night or two in Apo Island, there are a number of hotels and beach resorts there. Rene recommends the Apo Island Beach Resort, which is situated in a secluded cove.

As for the locals in the island, Rene said: "They're used to tourists, so they are very friendly. They'll leave tourists, especially foreigners, on their own, unlike in Boracay where the locals sometimes hassle visitors."

Apo is also known for its delicious seafood, ranging from the traditional kinilaw to exotic dishes made from certain types of sea cucumbers.

What makes Apo Island a must-go for a vacation? "It's the fact that it's still real," Rene said. Apo Island is covered by strict marine regulations that keep it from being exploited by business. The natural beauty of its underwater world and the warm hospitality of the locals toward tourists make one's stay in Apo hard to forget.

Pack your bags now and spend a day or two in Apo Island! (FREEMAN)