Sanctuary
Protected Area
Apo Island Protected Landscape & Seascape
Why dive here
With 554+ marine species recorded in the area - including barracuda, blacktip reef sharks, blue-spotted stingrays, manta rays and mobula rays (devil rays) - Sanctuary offers some of Visayas's richest reef diving. Water ranges 28-31°C, warmest May, June, October.
Sanctuary, somewhere in the Visayas, is a reminder that sometimes the best dives aren’t about sheer size or pelagic thrills. We love how intimate it feels here, like a perfectly curated aquarium where every creature is posing for a portrait. The real stars are the smaller things, of course. We're talking about the Pictus Blennies, darting between the coral polyps, and those delightful little Northern Bicoloured Triplefins. Keep an eye out for the Common Dragonets, too; they're often a bit shy but worth the wait. Our favourite time to drop in is late morning, after the initial rush, when the sunlight filters down, making the colours pop. It’s an easy dive, mostly shallow, so you can really take your time scrutinising every crevice. We’d suggest moving slowly, perhaps just covering a small section thoroughly rather than trying to see it all. This site is perfect for photographers, or anyone who just wants to chill and truly observe the smaller residents without worrying about strong currents or deep deco stops. The Black Sea Cucumbers are surprisingly photogenic, if you're into that sort of thing.
Typical Sanctuary Dive Profile
Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.
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 (10.3, 124.07) (19km away)
October Averages
Sea Temperature
31°C
87°F · Range: 29.5–32.2°C
Air Temperature
24°C
76°F
Wind Speed
3.27 m/s
6.4 knots
Atmospheric Pressure
1010 hPa
Based on 4 years of monitoring data · Data sources: Open-Meteo marine data
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