Picture a little white sand beach on an isolated island, hemmed in by rocks at the foot of a wooded cliff. This is Apo, a haven for lovers of solitude and, of course, for divers who are on the site of the fabulous coral reef.

The cove is accessible by a narrow passage on the beach through the cliff, and as the resort has only eight cottages, you are assured of complete privacy. You have a choice between the cottages on the beach or the slighly elevated ones overlooking the sea. All are made of bamboo and nipa with wooden floors and wicker furniture, but differ slightly in style.

The largest, known as The Residence, is perched high on a cliff and is the home of the owner, an Australian, who lives here only occasionally.

It is a circular house, devoid of windows, opening directly onto the trees and the sea. It is furnished with antique Philippine furniture: a planter’s armchair, a bench, tables and a sideboard, sculpted and decorated with assorted objects.

The Lower Triton, also circular and built directly on the beach at the foot of the cliff, is the most pleasant of the cottages. It has a nice terrace with sliding capiz panels and two lounge chairs. Upper Triton is an elevated cottage on the beach while Surf I and Surf 2 are smaller semi-detached cottages also on the beach.

On the beach, composed of white coral debris, are plastic lounge chairs and nipa parasols. The comfort of Apo Beach is basic — there is no electricity; the bathrooms are cramped and can, during the dry season, lack water. For this purpose, two buckets of water are distributed per day. This can be quite inconvenient if you have small children. Apart from this minor shortcomings, this beach resort is really a heavenly spot, which you would like to keep secret. As it is on the dive site of Apo itself, it is very convenient to stay here if you are mainly interested in diving and snorkeling.

How to get there

By air and land, 75-minute flights on Air Philippines or Cebu Pacific from Manila to Dumaguete, 30 minutes by vcar from Dumaguete airport to Malatapay pier to Apo Island.

Rates:

• Golden Cowrie(2) PHP 3,200.00
• Lower Triton(2) PHP 2,700.00
• Surf 1 & 2 (2) PHP 2,600.00
• Upper Triton (2) PHP 2,500.00
• Family Residence (2) PHP 2,500.00
• Dormitory PHP 800.00
• Extra Person PHP 600.00

Dive Rates:

• Package A

Complete scuba dive gear, tanks, weight, dive guide, boat transfer
1 boat dive – PHP 1,400.00
1 beach dive – PHP 1,300.00

• Package B

Inclusive of tanks, weight, dive guide, boat transfer (only for boat dive)
1 boat dive – PHP 1,100.00
1 beach dive – PHP 1,000.00

• Transfers:

Dumaguete Airport to Dumaguete Pier – PHP 400.00

(one way; per vehicle)

Dumaguete Pier to Malatapay Pier – PHP 1,400.00

(one way; per vehicle)

Dumaguete Airport to Malatapay Pier – PHP 1,600.00

(one way; per vehicle)

Round trip boat transfer from Malatapay Pier to Apo Island – PHP 4,000

Amenities & Services:

•  diving and snorkeling
• hike up to the lighthouse
• walk through the local village
• visit to the Marine Sanctuary
•  Natural spring water
• dive shop