Hiking in Apo Island

GPS waypoint: 09°04'40.08"N 123°16'09.19"E
Location : Apo Island, Dauin (municipality), Negros Oriental (province), Philippines

Hiking
Hiking isn't the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word Apo Island. But a hike around the island's perimeter offers stunning view that takes your breath away.

Lighthouse
The first stop is usually the lighthouse. The jumpoff is at Liberty's Dive Resort where a concrete flight of steps take you up to an exhausting height. There is construction going on at the top. You see a partial view of the waters but nothing great.

View Point 1
From the lighthouse, there is an obscure trail that takes you to Cogon Village. There is a short segment of the trail that takes you to a steep slippery path with not much to hold on to afterwhich you find yourself in Cogon. You see a more established concrete path that connects to the other village, but that path serves as junction to the first view point. Just follow it up until you see the white cross (there are many such white crosses). You are now on the view point with more than 180° view of the surrounding waters covering the northern part of Negros Oriental, Cebu and Siquijor. I'm not really sure if there is a name to this viewpoint. Best time to arrive there is 5pm - it's still hot but a tree offers shade. Chill out and enjoy the view.

View Point 2
Descend from View Point 1 and resume the trek off the concrete path. It will take you to another junction to View Point 2. I didn't take this route as I was already running out of daylight. Coming back takes you to the main Poblacion.

Ending Thoughts
An afternoon stay on the View Point is a must-experience in Apo Island (in addition to all the dives). Bring a picnic mat, chilled wine and be mesmerized by the panoramic scenery.

--- Gigit (TheLoneRider)
YOGA by Gigit | Learn English | Travel like a Nomad | Donation Bank

Reader Comments:

Apo Island, Dauin, Philippines

dive spots

• Coconut - drift dive, school of Trevali, big fish
• Cogon - drift dive
• Mamsa
• Boluarte
• Largahan
• Chapel - wall dive
• Katipanan
• Rock Point

homestay / dive shop

•  Mario Scuba Diving and Homestay
  dive shop and accommodation
  Apo Island, Dauin, Negros Oriental, Philippines

Apo Island FYI / Tips

• Apo Island boasts of having the freshest fish on your plate - avail of it!
• even though a marine sanctuary, fishing is still allowed in Apo Island, providing livelihood to the locals - but controlled fishing
• electricity is only from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm
• internet is painfully slow and intermittent when on
• public eating areas are hardly available except from resorts where guests are checked-in
• drinking water is still sourced from the mainland

Apo Island Cost Index

• $44 medium boat ride from Malatapay to Apo Island up to 4 people, roundtrip (Php 2000/boat)
• $66 big boat ride from Malatapay to Apo Island up to 8 people, roundtrip (Php 3000/boat)
• $22 open water dives (average, Php1000/dive)

How to get there from Dumaguete:

• take a tricycle and ask to be dropped-off the jeep terminal going to Zamboanguita (the terminal is near Robinson's Plaza) - P8.
• at the terminal, board the next jeep for Zamboanguita. Just tell the driver to drop you off at the Malatapay Market. P20, 42 minutes.
• upon disembarking at Malatapay, walk towards the beach until you come upon the pier office. This is where you sign up for a boat ride. They're organized here with posted rates.
• get onboard the pumpboat and enjoy the boat ride. For 4 people, P2000 return. For 8 pax, P3000 return, 40 minutes. (rate as of Nov 2011)

Apo Island Blogs:

• Goodbye Apo Island Apr 23, 2017
• Freediving Certification Course in Apo Island with Jean-Jacques Gautier of Plongeurs du Monde Apr 11-22, 2017
• Scuba Diving in Apo Island Apr 13-23, 2017
• Teaching Yoga in Apo Island Apr 10-22, 2017
• Hiking in Apo Island Apr 17, 2017
• Revisiting Apo Island Apr 10, 2017
• Scuba Diving Apo Island with Mario's Scuba Diving and Homestay June 14-17, 2015
• Apo Island with Amanda Ackiss Aug 3-4, 2012
• Sunrise Dive, Apo Island Aug 21, 2011
• Free Diving at Mamsa Point, Apo Island Aug 20, 2011
• Open Water Diver Certification in Apo Island with Mario Pascobello May 15-19, 2011
• Back to Apo Island - Mar 26, 2011
• Apo Island with Bianca and Gianne - Oct 14, 2010
• Skin Diving at Apo Island - Apr 17-18, 2010

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