Starfire Resort - Apo Reef

Starfire Resort is one of those places that, even in Apo Reef, makes you sit up and take notice. What we love about it is the sheer density of the small stuff, particularly if you’re into molluscs. You’ll spend a lot of time with your face pressed close to the reef, spotting Snowball Chama and those enormous Bear Paw Clams. We’ve even seen the rare cloth-of-gold cone snail here, which is a real treat if you know what you’re looking for. The site is a macro photographer’s dream, with plenty of intricate coral formations perfect for hiding a two-toned pygmy squid or a stout red shrimp. Visibility is generally excellent, often 20 metres plus, making it easy to spot the subtle colours of a bicolor nudibranch against the rock. Keep an eye out for Gilbert’s Synaphobranchid Eel poking its head from crevices. We’d suggest going slow, really taking your time along the reef face. This isn't a site for rushing; it’s for savouring the details. You'll want to bring your keenest spotter skills and perhaps a magnifying glass for your camera, because the real show here is in the tiny.

Location
Apo Reef, Philippines, Southeast Asia
Coordinates
11.951796, 121.930480

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

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 Starfire Resort

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 Starfire Resort

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