Shark Encounter - Apo Reef

Shark Encounter at Apo Reef is one of those sites we always make time for. It’s not just the sheer number of sharks, though you’ll certainly find those; it’s the sense of being truly out in the blue. We drop in, often with a decent current pushing us gently along, and drift a wall that just drops away into the abyss. It feels limitless. The name isn’t just marketing. White-tip reef sharks cruise the reef edge, often in groups, and we’ve seen grey reef sharks patrolling deeper. We particularly love watching the triangular butterflyfish darting through the coral, their bright yellow contrasting against the deeper blue. Keep an eye out for the cleaner mimic, too; a tiny fish but fascinating to observe. Visibility here is usually excellent, giving you long sightlines for spotting those bigger pelagics further out. We'd suggest getting here early in the morning, before the dive boats from Coron arrive, for a quieter experience. It’s an advanced drift, so be comfortable with current and negative entries. You’ll spend most of your dive just watching the show unfold.

Location
Apo Reef, Philippines, Southeast Asia
Coordinates
12.670777, 120.554306

Marine Protected Area: Apo Reef Natural Park

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

Nearest Dive Centres to Shark Encounter

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

Recommended Packing List for Shark Encounter

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