This reef is accessible off of one of the Explorer Fleet Liveaboards. With 5-day trips out to the reef throughout the year divers have some of the clearest waters of the Philippines available to them. This reef has seen lots of change, from pristine conditions to extensive damage from reef bombing; Apo Reef is now slowly recovering its brilliance.

This 155, 827- hectare atoll-like reef is located 20 miles (32km) west of Occidental Mindoro and is divided by a narrow channel into 2 lagoon systems (north and south). This channel runs from east to west and its depth varies from 5.9 ft (1.8m) to 90 ft. (27m). A brilliant white sand bottom, numerous coral formations and patches of branching coral are evidence throughout the area.

Some 385 species of fish are in residence in the general area, including sharks, stingrays, eagle rays, mantas, tuna and schools of jacks and snappers, as well as swarms of vividly hued reef fish. Lots and lots of turtles! Coral species number around 400-500 and three ships have also been known to have found their final resting place amongst the marine inhabitants of this reef.

The northern edge of the lagoon has magnificent drop-offs, with gorgonians and sea fans dominating an underwater landscape literally awash with impressive coral formations.