Reef/WallMarine Protected Area

Apo Reef Natural Park

Depth: 5–35 mLevel: Advanced Open WaterNovember-May

The second largest contiguous coral reef in the world, according to the usual reference. Its isolation keeps it in good condition and leaves it almost exclusively to liveaboards.

Depth

5–35 m

Recommended level

Advanced Open Water

Average visibility

30 m

Protection status

Apo Reef Natural Park, declared in 1980; some 34 km² of reef

UNESCO designation

On the Philippines' Tentative List — NOT inscribed as a World Heritage Site

Did you know?

BEWARE OF A COMMON MIX-UP: several diving sources state that Apo Reef has been a World Heritage Site since 2006. It has not: it is on the Philippines' Tentative List, which is the step before nomination, not inscription. Nor should it be confused with Apo Island, a community marine sanctuary in Negros Oriental that is a completely different site.

Sources consulted: SeaCrush; thesea.org; philippinedives.com; DAN World

Location

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