apo island: budget and suggested itinerary

SUMMARY OF OUR TRIP
Date: February 28, 2015
Number of Pax: Two (2) persons
Travel Time: 
  • Approximately 30 to 45 minutes by bus from Dumaguete City to Zamboanguita
  • Approximately 30 minutes by boat from Malatapay Port to Apo Island
Budget: ~P2,000 per head
Length of Stay: 2 Days, 1 Night
Accommodation: Ronor's Lodging
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Picture
Noontime sky in Apo Island

suggested itinerary:

Day 1: February 28
8:00 AM - Breakfast at Gabby's Bed and Breakfast (great ambiance!)
9:30 AM - Ride tricycle going to Ceres bus terminal; ride ordinary bus en route to Bayawan
9:50 AM - ETD from Ceres bus terminal for Zamboanguita
10:30 AM - ETA at Zamboanguita; walk towards Malatapay port
11:10 AM - ETA at Malatapay port; look for travellers heading for Apo Island to share a boat with; buy water
11:20 AM - ETD from Malatapay port to Apo Island
11:50 AM - Arrival at Apo Island; pay island entrance fee; check-in at Ronor's Lodging; freshen up/shower
2:00 PM - Grab lunch and mango shake at Liberty's Lodge Restaurant
4:00 PM - Roam around the island
5:00 PM - Catch the sunset at the viewdeck/lighthouse; spend time by the beach
6:00 PM - Electricity in the island is turned on; time to charge your batteries!
8:00 PM - Dinner at Liberty's Lodge Restaurant; reserve your seat in boat going back to Malatapay the next day
9:00 PM - Start bed time early if you want to be asleep before lights out
9:30 PM - Lights out!

Day 2: March 1
5:00 AM - Rise and shine; change to your beach/swimming attire
5:30 AM - Start ascend to lighthouse/viewdeck to catch the sunrise; or lounge by the beach
6:15 AM - Inquire at tourist center on where to rent snorkelling gears; rent snorkelling gears
7:00 AM - Snorkel (the earlier your snorkel, the better chances you have of seeing sea turtles)
10:00 AM - Go back to Ronor's Lodging for free breakfast
10:45 AM - Pack-up!
11:30 AM - ETD from Apo Island to Malatapay port
12:00 PM - ETA at Malatapay; grab lunch in a carindera near port
1:30 PM - Walk back to highway; wait for jeepneys/buses heading for Dumaguete City
2:00 PM - ETD Zamboanguita to Dumaguete City
2:45 PM - ETA Dumaguete City

breakdown of expenses

Transportation
  • Tricycle to Ceres bus terminal: P9
  • Bus fare from Dumaguete City to Zamboanguita: P56 (ordinary bus)
  • Boat ride from Malatapay port to Apo Island: P300
  • Boat ride from Apo Island to Malatapay port: P300
  • Jeepney fare from Dumaguete City to Zamboanguita: P20
  • TOTAL: P685/pax

Food
  • Bottled water from Malatapay port: P40
  • Lunch: P300 (for 2)
  • Dinner: P330 (for 2)
  • Shake: P100
  • Refreshment/shake after snorkelling: P100
  • Lunch at Malatapay port: P60
  • TOTAL: 615/pax

Accommodation
Other Expenses
  • Island entrance fee: P100
  • Snorkelling gear: P200
  • Souvenir T-shirts: P250 each (for adult size)
  • Souvenir magnets: P50 - P100 (depending on size)
  • Sarong: P250
  • Usage of toilet at Malatapay port: P5

*For budget travellers, check out my Cheapest Way to Experience Apo Island.

notes:

  • If you are on a budget, you can refer to my entry on the Cheapest Way to Experience Apo Island.
  • You can also refer to my Apo Island Travel Guide for other important notes.
  • Since there are only a few resorts and homestays in the island, you better book your accommodation ahead of time. Refer to my list of Resorts and Homestays in Apo Island.
  • If you are in a hurry, better ride the ordinary Ceres buses as they get loaded with passengers faster. There are also airconditioned buses if you would like a more comfortable ride.
  • If you have a smartphone, turn on your GPS and monitor your location in a map (e.g. google maps, apple maps, waze, etc.). Not all the time will your conductor remember to drop you off at Zamboanguita so you should know when and where exactly to get off.
  • Passenger/commuter boats in Malatapay port travel to Apo Island only at 2:00 PM onwards. If you arrive at Malatapay port in the morning, chances are you'll need to hire a private boat for P2,000. Better if you search for other travellers to split the cost with.
  • These private boats are usually small outriggers. If you use these kind of boats during amihan season (between January and March), prepare to get wet and when I say wet, I mean really wet! 'Yong tipong you might as well wear your swimsuits and goggles. We were dripping wet from head to foot when we got to the island. Other seasons are more likely to give you calm seas.
  • Charge your cellphones and cameras between 6:00 PM and 9:30 PM since this is the only time electricity is available in the island.
  • Globe Telecom has a weak signal in the island during our visit. Hope it will improve later on.
  • Book your return to the island ahead of time through Liberty's Lodge to reserve a P300 seat in their boats. They also accept passengers who are not checked-in their resort.
Picture
Locals and tourists waiting for the "public" boat to Malatapay Port. Water is also being transported to the island from mainland through these boats.
Picture
Outside Ate Nor's lodging. Bathrooms are shared and all rooms at the 2nd floor have their own balconies. She also serves free breakfast of rice and egg to her guests.

what are other destinations outside apo island?

  • Manjuyod Sandbar
  • Bais Dolphin Watching
  • Oslob Whale Watching
  • Sumilon Island

If you are planning to visit other places near Apo Island or around Dumaguete, please check out my suggested itinerary of Oslob-Bais-Apo Island in 6 days.
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