How old is the Apo Reef?

Prior to its declaration as a protected area, Apo Reef was first officially declared a “Marine Park” by then Philippine president Ferdinand Marcos in 1980. This was followed with the local government of Sablayan declaring the reef a special “Tourism Zone and Marine Reserve” three years later.

How many species live in the Apo Reef?

Diverse marine life at Apo Reef Apo Reef is home to more than 400 varieties of hard and soft corals. These rich waters are also a haven for 385 species of fish.

What animals live in Apo Reef?

Apart from shoals of fish, there are holothurians, sea urchins, crinoids, sponges, sea squirts, brittle stars, worms, snails, nudibranches, octopus, clams, squid, giant clams, coconut crab and rare shells. All the inhabitants together enhance the stunning beauty of the Apo Reef Natural Park.

What ocean is the Apo Reef in?

Sulu Sea
Location, size, short history of the Marine Park The Grand Apo Reef, also considered as Apo Reef Natural Park (ARNP) lies 15 miles west of Sablayan in the Occidental Mindoro province. The Reef spans a total of 27,469 hectares within the Sulu Sea (this also includes 11,677 hectare protective buffer zone.

Why is Apo Reef important?

Apo Reef is the largest among the three islands. It has a shallow lagoon with a depth of 2 meters to 10 meters surrounded by mangrove forest which serves as source of food, nursery and spawning ground of several coastal and marine species of fauna and sanctuary of birds. Its diverse corals are approximately 34 sq. km.

How do I get from Manila to Apo Reef?

There is no direct connection from Manila to Apo Reef. However, you can take the train to Cubao LRT, take the walk to Manila Cubao Jam Liner, take the bus to Batangas Pier, take the walk to Batangas, take the car ferry to Abra de Ilog, then take the travel to Apo Reef.

What is being done to protect the Apo reef?

Reef fish and other marine species can breathe easier with the introduction of a fishing ban around Apo Reef, the largest coral reef in the Philippines and the second largest contiguous reef in the world after the Great Barrier Reef.

What is being done to protect the Apo Reef?

What is the climate of the Apo Reef?

Current sea temperature in Apo Reef The average water temperature in Apo Reef in winter reaches 28°C, in spring 29°C, in summer the average temperature rises to 30°C, and in autumn it is 29°C.

How do I get to Apo Reef?

Nearest airport to Apo Reef is located in San Jose, Occidental Mindoro. There are regular flights from Manila which will take roughly 45 minutes. You may take a tricycle from the airport to the bus station. Ride a bus bound for Sablayan in Mindoro Occidental which may take around 3 hours.

What is a famous reef?

The most popular Barrier Reef is Australia’s Great Barrier reef that is the largest reef system in the world. The other popular barrier reef is the Belize barrier reef which is the second largest in the world stretching from Mexico along the coast of Belize to the Bay Islands of Honduras.

Where is the Apo Reef located?

Apo Reef is a coral reef system in the Philippines situated on the western waters of Occidental Mindoro province in the Mindoro Strait .

What are the coral islands in the Caribbean?

Some Caribbean islands are coral islands formed from shells and marine animals skeletons. These islands belong in the older group of Caribbean islands. Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, Barbuda, Antigua etc. belong to this group. They practically represent a low laying plateaus composed of billions, if not trillions,…

How old is the Apo Reef? Prior to its declaration as a protected area, Apo Reef was first officially declared a “Marine Park” by then Philippine president Ferdinand Marcos in 1980. This was followed with the local government of Sablayan declaring the reef a special “Tourism Zone and Marine Reserve” three years later. How many…