To end my 2014 travels, my last stop was Apo Reef. Located 3 hours by boat from Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro province, it is the second largest coral reef sanctuary in the world and the largest in the Philippines. It wasn't easy going there due to the 3 hour boat ride but totally worth it because of the blue waters and the pristine powder white sand of the Apo Reef island.
Upon arriving in San Jose, we went to the bus station that will take us to Sablayan. From there, we took a tricycle to Sablayan Tourism Office where they also arranged for the boat we would rent. Had lunch and bought other supplies and food for the night's dinner before taking our 3 hour boat ride to Apo Reef Island.
 |
| Official Welcome! |
 |
| We're not the only ones in the island |
 |
| Sunset view |
We didn't swim though, we just explored the beach and the watch tower on the island.
 |
| Watch tower, view from below |
 |
| View from above the scary stairs of the tower |
 |
| Lagoon on the island |
We headed back to the camp for dinner. It was almost nightfall by then when we got back. Day 1 was spent mostly on traveling to the island. Next day is a long day ahead of us, Island hopping!
 |
| I promise you that the sand is really white and powdery. |
 |
| Sunset... |
 |
| Sunset hitting the beach... |
| Day 1: Manila - San Jose Mindoro: APO REEF | |
| 5:00 AM | NAIA 4, Check In |
| 6:05 AM | ETD Manila |
| 7:00 AM | ETA San Jose Mindoro |
| 7:15 AM | Tricycle Airport to Filoil |
| 8:00 AM | Bus San Jose to Sablayan |
| 12:00 PM | Arrival at Sablayan Tourism Office |
| 1:00 PM | Departure for Apo Reef |
| 4:00 PM | Arrival at Apo Reef, register, set up Camp |
| 6:00 PM | Departure for Lighthouse |
| 6:40 PM | Arrival at campsite |
| 7:00 PM | Dinner |
Morning of our Day 2 was first spent on exploring the lagoon we saw yesterday. Mangrove trees surrounded the area.
 |
| The way to the lagoon |
 |
| Lagoon..too bad we couldn't stay longer |
We spent less than an hour going to and exploring the lagoon and then going back to the beach. We encountered some "minor setbacks" that I would have loved to forget. If you're going to rent a boat, make sure the people in the boat that you are with don't have some psychological or egotistical issues. :)
We left the island I guess around mid-morning to do some snorkeling and island hopping.
 |
| Loner fish |
 |
| Couples! |
 |
| Giant clams |
 |
| Flowery-looking corals |
Our last stop was Pandan Island. We checked-in late in the afternoon. The rooms were native and quite homey. I did some more swimming and some snorkeling...
 |
| Picture is not that clear but that is a Pawikan :) |
 |
| Upper left you can somewhat discern a lion fish |
Buffet dinner on the Pandan Island Resort was delish! Yeah, that's how I remembered it. Day 2 was very tiring and stressful because of some "minor inconveniences" but that didn't let it dampen my day. :)
| Day 2: APO Reef | |
| 6:30 AM | Watch Sunrise/Breakfast |
| 7:30 AM | Hike to lagoon |
| 8:30 AM | Camp |
| 9:00 AM | Snorkel, Dive |
| 12:00 PM | Lunch |
| 2:00 PM | Breakcamp |
| 2:30 PM | Departure from Apo Reef |
| 5:30 PM | Arrival at Pandan Island |
| Check-in Pandan Island Resort |
Third day was half day for chilling in Pandan Island and half day of travel to San Jose for next day's flight to Manila.
 |
| Cloudy day then light showers :( |
 |
| Pretty... |
 |
| Last glimpse of the island's corals |
 |
| Resident Parrot |
It was about afternoon when we arrived in San Jose and checked-in to Sikatuna Beach Resort. It's also a short ride to San Jose airport.
 |
| Sunset view from Sikatuna Beach Resort |
 |
| Sunset view from Sikatuna Beach Resort |
 |
| Desserts for the night! |
| Day 3: Pandan Island | |
| 6:00 AM | Breakfast |
| 7:00 AM | Pandan Island, Sight Seeing |
| 12:00 PM | Lunch |
| 2:00 PM | Travel to Sablayan |
| 2:30 PM | Tricycle to Bus Station |
| 3:00 PM | Bus (Sablayan to San Jose) |
| 6:00 PM | Tricycle to Accommodation |
| Check in Accommodation |
| Dinner |
Day 4 is our last day and then back to work. :)
| Day 4: Manila Bound | |
| 5:45 AM | Check Out |
| 6:30 AM | Check In Airport |
| 7:40 AM | ETD San Jose Mindoro |
| 8:30 AM | ETA Manila |
Expenses: This is for a group of 6
| Day 1 | Per Group | Per Person |
Tricycle from Airport to Bus Terminal
(Another option to walk down main road to get
standard tricycle about 10/person) | | 50 |
| Bus/Van from San Jose to Sablayan | | 150 |
| Boat to Apo Reef (two way) | 8500 | 1416.67 |
| Apo Reef entrance fee | | 225 |
| Tent for three persons (2 tents) | 600 | 100 |
| Snorkel Set | | 150 |
| Fins | | 100 |
| Life vest (free of charge) | | |
| Apo Reef Guide (for 8 persons) | 1000 | 166.67 |
| food: 150/per meal * 3 = 450/person | | 450 |
| -> lunch and dinner day 1, lunch day 2 | | |
| | |
| Day 2: | | |
| Pandan Island Accommodation: 2 Budget Rooms @ 800/night | 1600 | 266.67 |
Dinner buffet: Pandan Island Requirement for
guests staying at least one night | | 470 |
| | |
| Day 3: | | |
| Breakfast on Pandan Island | | 220 |
| Lunch on Pandan Island | | 200 |
| Transfer from Pandan Island to Sablayan | 450 | 75 |
| Tricycle to Sablayan Bus Terminal (30 for 3ppl) | 60 | 10 |
| Dimple Star bus to San Jose | | 150 |
| San Jose terminal to hotel | | 15 |
Sikatuna Beach Hotel: 2 Twin Bed Rooms @ 1350/room
and 2 extra beds @ 300/each | 3300 | 550 |
| Dinner | | 150 |
| | |
| Day 4: | | |
| Transfer to airport: Free courtesy of resort | | |
| Approx Total: | | 5000 |
No comments:
Post a Comment