Apo Reef Natural Park
Apo Reef Natural Park is part of the Tentative list of Philippines in order to qualify for inclusion in the World Heritage List.
Apo Reef is the second largest reef in the world at a contiguous 34 sq. km, with three main islands surrounded by a shallow lagoon located in the Sulu Sea. Underwater, the atoll-like reef is considered as one of the “best” diving sites in the world with clear blue waters and 285 species of marine life. Above the waters are mangrove forest and beach vegetation that serves as food source and spawning ground of marine fauna and habitat of birds.
Map of Apo Reef Natural Park
Load mapThe coordinates shown for all tentative sites were produced as a community effort. They are not official and may change on inscription.
Community Reviews
Boj
Management success of Apo Reef Natural Park goes hand in hand with strengthing conservation partnership with all the coastal barangays of Sablayan municipality. In 2007, when the whole (or majority) of Apo Reef was categorized under Strict Protection Zone, i.e., a "no take zone," the fishing communities resisted, put pressure on management to relent and re-open former Sustainable Use Areas close to the reefs.
Now I believe the Sablayan locals are realizing the truth to "Healthy Reefs = Healthy Seas." This is the same lesson learned from Tubbataha: a well-conserved reef can provide increased fish catch.
Alvin D. Royeras
We visited Apo Reef last April 7, 2009. The place is fantastic! I didn't expect that there is such a great, beautiful and serene place in Occidental Mindoro because most of the attention were given to Oriental Mindoro. The lagoon is wonderful and the mangroves are awesome. The corals are indeed gigantic while the dolphins and giant sea turtles are common sights to behold. We would definetely go back there next year to once again experience that same thrill. Eventhough the travel is painstakingly long, it is still worth it...
Site Info
- Full Name
- Apo Reef Natural Park
- Country
- Philippines
- Added
- 2006
- Type
- Natural
- Categories
- Natural landscape - Marine and Coastal
- Link
- By ID
Site History
2006 Added to Tentative List
Site Links
Visitors
5 Community Members have visited.