15-30m
    Apo Reef, Philippines
    DENR Antique, BFAR Antique, Office of the Provincial Agriculture (OPA) Antique and Rare Inc.

    Channel Steps

    Best months: Oct–Feb

    Protected Area

    DENR Antique, BFAR Antique, Office of the Provincial Agriculture (OPA) Antique and Rare Inc.

    Why dive here

    With 176+ marine species recorded in the area - including giant moray eels, sea turtles, sperm whales, lionfish and pufferfish - Channel Steps offers some of Apo Reef's richest drift 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
    CharacterDrift dive · max 15-30m
    StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

    Channel Steps lives up to its name, a series of descending terraces creating a natural channel for passing pelagics. We’ve seen white-tip reef sharks patrolling the drop-offs and schools of jacks swirling in the blue. It’s a drift dive, often with a decent current pushing you along, so it’s best suited for divers comfortable with that. Visibility is usually good, making it a solid choice for a relaxing, fish-filled exploration.

    Typical Channel Steps Dive Profile

    5m10m15mSafety Stop0m15m max~50 min estimated bottom time

    Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.

    Safety Notes

    Drift dive - carry a surface marker buoy (SMB) and stay with your group. Brief the current direction before entry.

    Always perform a 3-minute safety stop at 5m before surfacing.

    Today05:4217:3711h 55m daylightGolden hour 17:09

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    Conditions

    Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Channel Steps

    Channel Steps Ocean Conditions

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

    ExcellentGreatGoodFairPoor★Best monthsThis month

    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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