Apo Reef
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Why dive in Apo Reef?
BEST SEASON
Featured Animals 14
- Unlikely
- Likely
- Very likely
Variable Frequent sightingsBlacktip Reef Shark
Carcharhinus melanopterus
A small, agile requiem shark recognized by the distinctive black tips on its dorsal, caudal, and pectoral fins. Commonly found patrolling shallow coral reefs and lagoons, it is one of the most frequently encountered reef sharks in the Indo-Pacific.
BEST SEASON
Diurnal Frequent sightingsBumphead Parrotfish
Bolbometopon muricatum
The bumphead parrotfish is the largest species of parrotfish, known for the characteristic hump on its head. They are predominantly herbivores, grazing on coral reefs by scraping off algae and live coral, and are often seen in large schools.
BEST SEASON
Variable Frequent sightingsGiant Trevally
Caranx ignobilis
The giant trevally (Caranx ignobilis) is a large, powerful predatory fish found throughout the tropical Indo-Pacific region. Known for its steep head profile and robust body, it can reach up to 170 cm in length and 80 kg in weight. This apex predator feeds primarily on fish, but also consumes crustaceans and cephalopods, often hunting in solitary or small groups, though juveniles form schools.
BEST SEASON
Crepuscular Great Hammerhead Shark
Sphyrna mokarran
The great hammerhead is the largest hammerhead species, recognizable by its wide, flat head and tall, curved dorsal fin. As a migratory apex predator, it uses its unique head for enhanced sensing and pinning down prey.
BEST SEASON
Diurnal Frequent sightingsGreen Sea Turtle
Chelonia mydas
The green sea turtle is a large marine reptile distinguished by its heart-shaped carapace and a single pair of prefrontal scales.
BEST SEASON
Variable Frequent sightingsGrey Reef Shark
Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos
The Grey Reef Shark (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos) is a medium to large-sized requiem shark, common in Indo-Pacific coral reefs and adjacent waters. Characterized by its grey body and a distinctive broad black band on the trailing edge of its caudal fin, it is a fast and agile predator. These sharks are known for their social daytime aggregations, which disperse at night for individual hunting.
BEST SEASON
Diurnal Frequent sightingsHumphead Wrasse
Cheilinus undulatus
The Humphead Wrasse is one of the largest reef fish, identifiable by a prominent hump on its forehead and thick fleshy lips. It is a protogynous hermaphrodite, meaning individuals are born female and some transition to males later in life. This carnivorous species plays a crucial role in coral reef ecosystems by preying on hard-shelled invertebrates and toxic animals like the crown-of-thorns starfish.
BEST SEASON
Diurnal Frequent sightingsOcellated Eagle Ray
Aetobatus ocellatus
The Ocellated Eagle Ray, also known as the Whitespotted Eagle Ray, is a large ray characterized by a dark greenish-grey to black dorsal surface covered with numerous white spots, and a white underside. It possesses a flattened, diamond-shaped body, a prominent snout, and a long, whip-like tail armed with venomous spines. This species primarily feeds on hard-shelled invertebrates, such as mollusks and crustaceans, which it crushes with its specialized dental plates.
BEST SEASON
Diurnal Pelagic Thresher Shark
Alopias pelagicus
The Pelagic Thresher Shark is recognizable by its extremely long caudal fin, which can be as long as its body and is used to stun prey. It is an active, fast-swimming carnivore found in tropical and subtropical open ocean waters, often near the surface but capable of diving to considerable depths. This species exhibits ovoviviparity and is unfortunately classified as Endangered due to overfishing and slow reproductive rates.
BEST SEASON
Variable Frequent sightingsReef Manta Ray
Mobula alfredi
The Reef Manta Ray (Mobula alfredi) is a large filter-feeding ray found in tropical and subtropical waters, primarily around coral reefs and coastal areas. Known for its pelagic lifestyle, it feeds on zooplankton and exhibits complex social behaviors, often forming aggregations at feeding or cleaning stations. This species is listed as Vulnerable due to threats from overfishing and its slow reproductive rate.
BEST SEASON
Cathemeral Frequent sightingsScalloped Hammerhead Shark
Sphyrna lewini
The Scalloped Hammerhead Shark is a large, migratory shark easily recognized by the central indentation on its hammer-shaped head. These sharks are found globally in warm temperate and tropical coastal and oceanic waters, often forming large schools around seamounts and islands. They are primarily nocturnal foragers, feeding on a diverse diet of bony fishes, cephalopods, crustaceans, and smaller sharks and rays.
BEST SEASON
Diurnal Frequent sightingsWhale Shark
Rhincodon typus
The whale shark is the largest fish in the world and a gentle filter feeder.
BEST SEASON
Nocturnal Frequent sightingsWhitetip Reef Shark
Triaenodon obesus
The Whitetip Reef Shark is a slender, medium-sized shark easily identified by the distinctive white tips on its dorsal and upper caudal fins. Primarily nocturnal, it spends its days resting in caves and under ledges on coral reefs and hunts at night for bony fishes, crustaceans, and cephalopods. These sharks are generally social, often found in groups during the day, but can hunt individually or cooperatively.
BEST SEASON
Nocturnal Frequent sightingsYellow-lipped Sea Krait
Laticauda colubrina
The Yellow-lipped Sea Krait often returns to the same small beach for weeks at a time, using land as a safe spot to rest, digest and shed before heading back out to hunt eels on the reef. It surfaces with just its nostrils showing like a tiny snorkel between dives and is famously calm around careful divers.
BEST SEASON
More marine life 48
Barred Thicklip WrasseHemigymnus fasciatus
Bigeye TrevallyCaranx sexfasciatus
Blue-Ringed OctopusHapalochlaena spp.
Bluespotted CornetfishFistularia commersonii
Brownbanded Bamboo SharkChiloscyllium punctatum
Chambered NautilusNautilus pompilius
Clark's AnemonefishAmphiprion clarkii
Disco ClamCtenoides ales
Dogtooth TunaGymnosarda unicolor
Dusky BatfishPlatax pinnatus
Emperor AngelfishPomacanthus imperator
Flamboyant CuttlefishMetasepia pfefferi
Garden EelHeterocongrinae
Giant MorayGymnothorax javanicus
Giant Oceanic Manta RayMobula birostris
Giant clamTridacna gigas
Glider FlyingfishCheilopogon atrisignis
Golden SpadefishPlatax boersii
Great BarracudaSphyraena barracuda
Jenkins' WhiprayPateobatis jenkinsii
Latticed ButterflyfishChaetodon rafflesii
Leaf ScorpionfishTaenianotus triacanthus
Longtail Butterfly RayGymnura poecilura
MandarinfishSynchiropus splendidus
Mimic OctopusThaumoctopus mimicus
Moorish IdolZanclus cornutus
Ocellaris ClownfishAmphiprion ocellaris
Oriental SweetlipsPlectorhinchus vittatus
Ornate Ghost PipefishSolenostomus paradoxus
Painted FrogfishAntennarius pictus
Palette SurgeonfishParacanthurus hepatus
Peacock Mantis ShrimpOdontodactylus scyllarus
Pennant CoralfishHeniochus acuminatus
Potato GrouperEpinephelus tukula
Pygmy SeahorseHippocampus bargibanti
Ribbon EelRhinomuraena quaesita
Round Ribbontail RayTaeniurops meyeni
Silvertip SharkCarcharhinus albimarginatus
Spot-fin PorcupinefishDiodon hystrix
Tawny Nurse SharkNebrius ferrugineus
Tentacled FlatheadPapilloculiceps longiceps
Thorny SeahorseHippocampus histrix
Threadfin ButterflyfishChaetodon auriga
Titan TriggerfishBalistoides viridescens
Tomato ClownfishAmphiprion frenatus
Yellow Longnose ButterflyfishForcipiger flavissimus
Yellowfin TunaThunnus albacares
Zebra SharkStegostoma tigrinum
Where is Apo Reef
South China Sea · Philippines
Frequently asked questions about Apo Reef
When is the best time to dive in Apo Reef?
The best time to dive in Apo Reef is from November to May. In those months the water is between 26°C and 31°C.
What marine life can you see diving in Apo Reef?
Divers can encounter 62 species in Apo Reef. Highlights include Blacktip Reef Shark, Bumphead Parrotfish, Giant Trevally, Great Hammerhead Shark, Green Sea Turtle, and Grey Reef Shark.
When can you see the Reef Manta Ray in Apo Reef?
The Reef Manta Ray is most often seen in Apo Reef from November to June.
When can you see the Scalloped Hammerhead Shark in Apo Reef?
The Scalloped Hammerhead Shark is most often seen in Apo Reef from November to March.
When can you see the Whale Shark in Apo Reef?
The Whale Shark is most often seen in Apo Reef from March to May.
What is the water temperature in Apo Reef?
Water temperature in Apo Reef ranges from 26°C in February to 31°C in April.
What wetsuit do I need to dive in Apo Reef?
Most divers wear a 3 mm wetsuit in February, when the water drops to 26°C, and a rash guard or a 1–3 mm shorty in April, when it reaches 31°C.
What is the visibility like when diving in Apo Reef?
Visibility in Apo Reef ranges from 15 m to 50 m. The water is clearest from March to April.
What are the currents like in Apo Reef?
Divers in Apo Reef can expect moderate or strong currents, depending on the month and the dive site.
What can you see on a night dive in Apo Reef?
After dark, Apo Reef reveals nocturnal species such as Whitetip Reef Shark, Yellow-lipped Sea Krait, Brownbanded Bamboo Shark, Chambered Nautilus, Giant Moray, and Leaf Scorpionfish.
Where is Apo Reef located?
Apo Reef is a dive destination in Philippines, in the South China Sea.
Every answer is built from the conditions and sightings data we keep for Apo Reef. Spotted something that looks off?
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