Dumaguete, Philippines
    Apo Island Protected Landscape & Seascape

    Sanctuary

    Best months: Jan–Mar

    Protected Area

    Apo Island Protected Landscape & Seascape

    Why dive here

    With 496+ marine species recorded in the area - including barracuda, blacktip reef sharks, blue-spotted stingrays, bull sharks and octopuses - Sanctuary offers some of Dumaguete's richest diving. Water ranges 28-30°C, warmest June, July, October.

    Best timeJan–Mar
    WetsuitA 3mm shorty or thin full wetsuit
    Marine lifeBarracuda, Blacktip Reef Sharks, Blue-Spotted Stingrays, Bull Sharks and Octopuses · 496+ species recorded
    Water28-30°C · warmest June, July, October
    StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

    Sanctuary isn't about dramatic walls or huge pelagics. We think of it more as a super-sized muck dive, perfect for divers who love to go slow and really look. The bottom here is mostly sand and rubble, dotted with small bommies and patches of seagrass. You’ll find an incredible density of small, unusual critters if you take your time. We’ve had some cracking dives here, finding everything from flamboyant cuttlefish marching across the sand to ghost pipefish swaying in the seagrass. Our favourite memory is watching a pair of painted spiny lobsters scuttling out from under a rock, all vibrant colours and waving antennae. Keep an eye out for juvenile barracuda hanging motionlessly above the bommies. It's an easy dive, generally with mild currents, making it ideal for photographers or anyone who wants to spend an hour poking around. We’d suggest going in the morning; the light is softer, and the dive guides are often less rushed. Bring your macro lens.

    Today05:3617:3311h 58m daylightGolden hour 17:06

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    Conditions

    Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Sanctuary

    Sanctuary Ocean Conditions

    Monthly averages for Sanctuary, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (9.23, 123.47) (3km away)

    ExcellentGreatGoodFairPoor★Best monthsThis month

    October Averages

    Sea Temperature

    30°C

    86°F · Range: 29–31.3°C

    Air Temperature

    27°C

    81°F

    Wind Speed

    4.36 m/s

    8.5 knots

    Atmospheric Pressure

    1009.6 hPa

    Based on 4 years of monitoring data · Data sources: Open-Meteo marine data

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