Sanctuary
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.
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.
Nearest Dive Centres to Sanctuary
Dive shops near Sanctuary
KIM’S DIVE RESORT
Apo scuba
Easy Diving Dauin
Sea Explorers - Dauin
Atmosphere Resorts
Elcielo Resort
Reviews for Sanctuary
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)
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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