Aquanaut Dive Center - Apo Reef
The team at Aquanaut Dive Center are the folks we always recommend when someone asks about diving Apo Reef. They operate from El Nido, which is a common misconception, so make sure you're clear on the journey. They specialise in trips out to Apo, and honestly, that's what you're there for. What we love about Aquanaut is their dedication to getting you out to the good stuff. Apo Reef is a proper pelagic playground, and Aquanaut consistently puts you in front of the action. We've had phenomenal dives with them, seeing schools of barracuda so dense they create a shimmering wall, and white-tip reef sharks cruising along the drop-off. Keep an eye out for grey reef sharks, too, especially around the deeper pinnacles. Their instructors really know their stuff, particularly when it comes to navigating Apo’s often robust currents. We’ve found their briefings to be thorough, detailing exactly what to expect from each site, which is crucial here. If you're looking to push your skills, they offer a good range of specialties, and we’d suggest their Deep Diver or Enriched Air courses to really maximise your time on Apo's walls. We've done a few trips where the current was ripping, but their boat handling and dive leadership always felt safe and in control. A top choice for serious divers heading to Apo.
- Location
- Apo Reef, Philippines, Southeast Asia
- Coordinates
- 11.181553, 119.391620
- Phone
- +63 9062 059 029
- Website
- http://www.aquanautelnido.com/es/
- Certification Agencies
- PADI
- Courses
- PADI Discover Scuba, PADI Open Water Diver, PADI Advanced Open Water Diver, PADI Rescue Diver, PADI First Aid, PADI Divemaster, PADI Fluorescent Diving Specialty, PADI Deep Diver Specialty, PADI Enriched Air Specialty, PADI Peak Performance Buoyancy Specialty, PADI Project AWARE Specialty, AWARE Coral Reef Conservation Specialty, Emergency Oxygen Provider Specialty
- Air Fills
- Air, Nitrox
- Languages
- Spanish, English
Dive Sites Near Aquanaut Dive Center
Aquanaut Dive Center provides access to 15 dive sites in Apo Reef.
- 7 Islands Reef, Diving (NDC) (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
Other Dive Centres in Apo 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
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 Marine Life
- 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
Recommended Packing List for Apo Reef
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