Apo Reef, Philippines
    El Nido Managed Resource Protected Area

    Cave

    Best months: Oct–Feb

    Protected Area

    El Nido Managed Resource Protected Area

    Why dive here

    With 176+ marine species recorded in the area - including giant moray eels, sea turtles, sperm whales, lionfish and pufferfish - Cave offers some of Apo Reef's richest cave diving. Water ranges 28-30°C, warmest May, June, July.

    Best timeOct–Feb
    WetsuitA 3mm shorty or thin full wetsuit
    Marine lifeGiant Moray Eels, Sea Turtles, Sperm Whales, Lionfish and Pufferfish · 176+ species recorded
    Water28-30°C · warmest May, June, July
    CharacterCave dive
    StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

    The "Cave" site at Apo Reef isn't what most divers picture – it's less a cavern and more an impressive overhang, a proper wall dive that dips down into the blue. We've often found ourselves hovering here, scanning for some of the smaller, more unusual residents. Think pygmy gobies, particularly the Yellow-red and Blackbelly, tucked into crevices, or a well-camouflaged Rosy Frogfish clinging to a sponge. It’s a spot where patience pays off; the big stuff moves past, but the real show is often in the details, like spotting a Jebb's Siphonfish swaying in a crack. For those who enjoy a slower pace and have a keen eye, it's a rewarding drift.

    Safety Notes

    Overhead environment - never enter without proper cave/cavern training, redundant equipment, and a guideline.

    Today05:5217:4811h 56m daylightGolden hour 17:20

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    Conditions

    Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Cave

    Cave Ocean Conditions

    Monthly averages for Cave, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data + Copernicus Marine (EU) - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (12.33, 121.06) (26km away)

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    October Averages

    Sea Temperature

    30°C

    86°F · Range: 28.1–31.3°C

    Current Speed

    3.16 cm/s

    Direction: E (108.4°)

    Chlorophyll-a

    0.049 mg/m³

    Very clear (oligotrophic)

    Salinity

    32.63 PSU

    Based on 4 years of monitoring data · Data sources: Open-Meteo marine data + Copernicus Marine (EU)

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