7 Islands Reef, Diving (NDC) - Apo Reef
Seven Islands Reef at Apo is one of those sites we always try to hit, especially if we’re feeling a bit adventurous. It’s not just a gentle drift, this place has character. We’ve had dives here where the current really picked up, zipping us past schools of fusiliers so thick they momentarily blot out the sun. Keep an eye out for those big Oriental maori wrasse, they’re almost always cruising around the deeper sections, and if you’re lucky, a flash of blue from a Blue-finned Rock Cod ducking into a crevice. We love the slightly chaotic energy here. It’s not a site for absolute beginners if the current is running, but for experienced divers who enjoy a bit of movement, it’s a real treat. We’ve found some quirky stuff tucked away in the corals, like the Rosy Frogfish, perfectly camouflaged, almost invisible until you’re right on top of it. It’s a site that rewards a slow, observant pass, even with the current pushing you along.
- Location
- Apo Reef, Philippines, Southeast Asia
- Coordinates
- 11.984477, 120.230860
- Type
- reef
Best Time to Dive in Apo Reef
The warmest water temperatures in Apo Reef occur in June, averaging 30.3°C. The coolest conditions are in February at 27.8°C.
Monthly Water Temperatures
- January: 28.1°C
- February: 27.8°C
- March: 28.2°C
- April: 29.1°C
- May: 30.1°C
- June: 30.3°C
- July: 29.9°C
- August: 29.6°C
- September: 29.7°C
- October: 29.8°C
- November: 29.5°C
- December: 29.2°C
Nearby Dive Sites in Apo Reef
- Agnay Sanctuary (reef)
- Agpanabat Caves Canyons (cave)
- Agpanabat Sanctuary (reef)
- Akitsushima (wreck)
- Akitsushima (wreck)
- Aladin
- Alad North
- Alad Sanctuary Garden (reef)
- Alad South
- Apo 29
- Apo Island - South (Mabuti) - 25m
- Apo Menor
- Apo Reef (reef)
- Aqualife Divers Academy
- Ariara Boothouse - 5-15m (shore)
Nearest Dive Centres to 7 Islands Reef, Diving (NDC)
Marine Life in Apo Reef
Home to 181 recorded species including 171 reef fish, 5 seagrass & algae, 2 other, 1 whales & dolphins, 1 hard corals, 1 clams & mussels.
Notable Species
- Species code: Ea (Enhalus acoroides) - Seagrass & Algae
- Wrasse (Labroides dimidiatus) - Reef Fish
- Blue-finned Rock Cod (Cephalopholis microprion) - Reef Fish
- Rock Cod (Cephalopholis boenak) - Reef Fish
- cymodocea (Cymodocea rotundata) - Seagrass & Algae
- Orange-lined Triggerfish (Balistapus undulatus) - Reef Fish
- Bristle-toothed Surgeonfish (Ctenochaetus striatus) - Reef Fish
- Two-spot Bristletooth (Ctenochaetus binotatus) - Reef Fish
- Sunburst Butterflyfish (Chaetodon kleinii) - Reef Fish
- Blackspot Surgeonfish (Acanthurus nigrofuscus) - Reef Fish
- Ghost Cardinalfish (Nectamia fusca) - Reef Fish
- Bandcheek wrasse (Oxycheilinus digramma) - Reef Fish
- Banded Goatfish (Parupeneus multifasciatus) - Reef Fish
- Telescopefish (Epibulus insidiator) - Reef Fish
- Kihikihi (Zanclus cornutus) - Reef Fish
- Red Sea Butterflyfish (Chaetodontoplus mesoleucus) - Reef Fish
- Scarlet wrasse (Pseudocheilinus evanidus) - Reef Fish
- Banded Toby (Canthigaster valentini) - Reef Fish
- Angel abu polos (Centropyge vrolikii) - Reef Fish
- Blue-scaled wrasse (Cirrhilabrus cyanopleura) - Reef Fish
Recommended Packing List for 7 Islands Reef, Diving (NDC)
Based on average water temperature of 29.3°C, currents 8 cm/s.
- Shorty or Rashguard - warm 29°C water needs minimal exposure protection
- Mask - essential for every dive
- Fins
- BCD - buoyancy compensator
- Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
- Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
- Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
- Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
- Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories