TRAVEL: Apo Island - Swimming with Turtles

by - 10:43 PM


Before the summer ended last May, we were able to squeeze in a trip to Dumaguete. On our second day there, we ventured off to Apo Island, Dauin, Negros Oriental, which is known as a good dive spot and is also famous for the sea turtles. To get there, you need to drive 1-2 hours from Dumaguete proper until you reach the drop off point where you can park your car, and ride a pump boat to the island. Fortunately, one of our friends lives in Dumaguete and booked the boat beforehand.

Being used to soft, white sand beaches (See my Boracay post here.), and island hopping, I was a bit surprised to find that the sand here was topped with a lot of small stones. Expecting a normal cottage, I was also surprised to find a lone makeshift wooden hut. The local folk were kind enough to offer use of their bathroom but the place and the bathroom water didn't really smell so good (according to my friend) so I didn't bother entering. They also offered to buy and cook our food for a price but we would then have to buy a very large fish so we decided to just order food from the nearby resort.
Along with the rest of the items that surprised me, I also wasn't prepared for all the large rocks and corals we would be encountering. Lol. You just cannot tread these waters without proper beach footwear - which the majority of us did not have. However, the guides came prepared with life jackets, snorkels, and footwear for rent - each for P100. (So yes, the jacket + snorkel + footwear cost me an additional P300.) DEFINITELY bring your own beach shoes if you come here!
All of those unexpected things were of no matter to me. Off we were to a new adventure! I've never been swimming with large sea turtles before so imagine the excitement when our guides spotted the turtles and led us towards them. We saw a mama turtle and a baby turtle. The baby turtle was camera shy and kept swimming quickly away before you could even get near it.
This area is protected by the government. You're not allowed to step on the corals or touch the turtles or else you will be charged with a fine. It was comforting to see that the guides actually took this law seriously and watched us to make sure we obeyed. However, the mama turtle actually kept swimming wherever she pleased, not caring if she'd accidentally hit humans. Haha.
I'm not much of a swimmer so this was as close as I could get. If I ever get the chance to swim with turtles again, I will definitely ditch the life jacket (for a short while) so I can get just a liiiiiitttle bit closer..
 
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42 comments

  1. UnknownOctober 3, 2014 at 11:01 PM

    Thanks for sharing this place! I would love to go here. :) The turtle is so cute.
    Visit my blog? We can follow each other via gfc and bloglovin if you want, just leave me a comment!

    Sammie
    sammiethestargirl.blogspot.com || Bloglovin

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  2. UnknownOctober 4, 2014 at 1:10 AM

    Wow!!!! What an amazing experience!!!! I wish I could do that!!! Amazing. Would you like to follow each other on GFC?! Let me know and follow me on my blog, I will follow you right back on both GFC and Bloglovin!
    xx
    Annie
    www.the-lostangeles.blogspot.com

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  3. UnknownOctober 4, 2014 at 1:24 AM

    These were such nice photographs! I hope you had a great time!

    www.beyondthevelvet.co.uk

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  4. PrncszTffnyOctober 4, 2014 at 2:39 AM

    Beautiful pictures!



    http://shopaholicoverhere.blogspot.nl/

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  5. TyanaOctober 4, 2014 at 3:09 AM

    That looks like so much fun!!

    check me out

    xx
    tyana
    theluxedition.blogspot.com

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  6. BlogOctober 4, 2014 at 5:32 AM

    Amazing photos!

    xo, Britnee
    The Model Cachet

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  7. UnknownOctober 4, 2014 at 4:22 PM

    Beautiful!

    Making Magic

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  8. Lyosha VarezhkinaOctober 4, 2014 at 10:53 PM

    so beautiful! thanks for sharing stunning views!

    Lyosha
    Inside and Outside Blog
    P.S. would you like to follow each other?

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  9. Kylie R.October 4, 2014 at 11:56 PM

    Wow! Great photos! The location looks so beautiful <3

    http://www.thestylishbipolar.com

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  10. the chilicoolOctober 5, 2014 at 1:58 AM

    Great photos!
    Alessia
    THECHILICOOL
    FACEBOOK
    Kiss

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  11. Cristina - Memories of the PacificOctober 5, 2014 at 5:30 AM

    Oh wow!! What an amazing experience! :)

    http://memoriesofthepacific.blogspot.com.es/

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  12. Selvaggia CapizziOctober 5, 2014 at 6:20 AM

    what a beautiful beautiful place and I love turtles!
    Don't Call Me Fashion Blogger
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  13. UnknownOctober 5, 2014 at 7:14 AM

    Beautiful place, awesome photos!!!


    Cultureandtrend Blog

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  14. UnknownOctober 5, 2014 at 11:28 AM

    That sounds like such an amazing experience! Your pictures are so beautiful :)
    Btw, I'm also a fashion/beauty blogger. would you like to follow each other on bloglovin? Let me know!

    Suzy
    pret-tea.blogspot.ca

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  15. AnonymousOctober 5, 2014 at 4:35 PM

    What a beautiful photos! It looks like the most perfect place and it sounds like an amazing experience to swim with turtles!

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  16. saraHOctober 6, 2014 at 8:50 AM

    Aw, swimming with turtles, how wonderful!

    Our Life is Beautiful

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  17. UnknownOctober 6, 2014 at 1:52 PM

    Your trip sounds all in all enjoying! Na e-excite po tuloy akong mag island hopping din :)

    - architecturalf.blogspot.com

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  18. katherine louOctober 6, 2014 at 2:13 PM

    These photos are so awesome! I love snorkeling and I love your underwater photos! Thank you so much for sharing!

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  19. JaneOctober 6, 2014 at 6:30 PM

    Beautiful pictures and it looks so much fun!
    xo, Jane
    http://www.fitfabfunmom.com

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  20. LineOctober 6, 2014 at 11:49 PM

    Wow how nice! Beautiful pictures :D

    xoxo Line
    guldstjernen.blogspot.com

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  21. TyanaOctober 7, 2014 at 4:07 AM

    Thanks for the lovely comment your blog is adorable

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  22. Alysa MadisunOctober 7, 2014 at 6:25 AM

    i love turtles! wonderful pictures :)
    xo
    alysadaily.blogspot.com

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  23. ImogenOctober 7, 2014 at 3:58 PM

    Wow what an experience and you sure got some fantastic pictures.

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  24. LenyaOctober 8, 2014 at 12:37 AM

    Spectacular pics. Thx for sharing with us.
    xox
    Lenya
    FashionDreams&Lifestyle

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  25. Gems - Fashion Well DoneOctober 8, 2014 at 2:58 AM

    Oh wow, that looks like a dream come true. It certainly would be for me :)
    Lovely pictures, it looks like paradise.

    Gems x
    Fashion, Well Done

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  26. UnknownOctober 8, 2014 at 9:50 AM

    Aww those turtles are so cute! I'm totally that person in a life jacket all the time lol

    — Michelle | MXP STYLE

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  27. UnknownOctober 8, 2014 at 10:54 AM

    Lovely pictures hun, how cute are those turtles xx
    Jess x
    www.momentsofbeautywars.blogspot.co.uk

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  28. ClaireOctober 9, 2014 at 1:54 AM

    These photos are so amazing!

    God bless,
    XO, Claire
    Http://www.littlemissfashionqueen.blogspot.com

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  29. ElizabethOctober 9, 2014 at 2:24 AM

    Swimming with turtles seems like a dream, but I am a big ole' wuss and would never have taken my jacket off lol. Seriously though, what an experience!

    http://lamentinglizzie.blogspot.com

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  30. @belmelangeOctober 9, 2014 at 11:52 PM

    Amazing place, lovely pics!

    http://bellemelange.net/blog/

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  31. Madame galiashOctober 10, 2014 at 2:13 AM

    so cute !!! :)

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  32. Putri ValentinaOctober 10, 2014 at 3:31 AM

    Looks fun!

    WWW.PUTRIVALENTINALIM.BLOGSPOT.COM

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  33. UnknownOctober 10, 2014 at 5:22 PM

    The place is really beautiful and looks like a really great location to relax! Thanks for the recommendation.

    Prudence
    www.prudencepetitestyle.wordpress.com

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  34. Vanessa CilibertoOctober 10, 2014 at 7:34 PM

    wow, the water is so beautiful!

    TheVogueWord
    TheVogueWord

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  35. UnknownOctober 10, 2014 at 8:37 PM

    Wow, beautiful photos! so cute!! <3

    if you like, visit my blog on www.nissimendes.ch
    New post inspired by Divergent on http://nissimendes.ch/dauntless-be-brav/

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  36. jeanne christineOctober 12, 2014 at 10:43 PM

    Followed you. ;)

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  37. christine funk photographyNovember 28, 2014 at 12:20 AM

    i want to travel! now! ^^ love your pics...

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  38. UnknownJanuary 30, 2015 at 10:29 AM

    This looks like such a lovely place to go! I love turtles so swimming with them would be such a great experience!

    ReplyDelete

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