experience apo island the cheapest way possible7 ways on how to experience and enjoy Apo Island without having to spend so much
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Noontime sky in Apo Island
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Apo Island, so far, is my second most favourite beach in the Philippines, next to El Nido. Who wouldn't love swimming with sea turtles in waist-deep water? Who wouldn't like to see one of the most gorgeous sunsets in the Philippines? Most people I've met and chatted about Apo Island have this notion of Apo Island being very expensive. Well, yes, accommodation and food can be very expensive but it can also be cheap if you'd like it to be. During my visit in February 2015, I spent P1,645 for an overnight stay, including food, accommodation, boat rides and entrance fees. Here are some important tips that would help you keep a tight budget in the island.
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lunch at malatapay: P45
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tip #1: skip the tricycle
Once you get off the bus in Malatapay, chances are tricycles will be around the highway waiting for passengers going to the port area. If you can manage a 5-8 minutes walk in the heat of a noontime sun, then you'll survive without a tricycle. Just tell them that you are okay to walk down to the port. From where the bus from Dumaguete City dropped you off, just cross to the other side of the road. You will see a smaller road leading down to the beach/port area. Just walk straight until you get to the port. This is also the road where the famous Malatapay Market is during Wednesdays. Unfortunately for me, I went to Apo Island on a Sunday.
Helius anchored at Apo Island
Locals and tourists waiting for the "public" boat to Malatapay Port. Water is also being transported to the island from mainland through these boats.
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tip #2: wait for hercules or heliusHercules and Helius are the two outriggers going in and out of Apo Island that charges only P300 per head. Private outrigger boats would cost you P2,000 or more per trip and some of them can only accommodate up to 4 pax. P2,000 may not be that bad if you have money or if you are travelling in a group but for a lone traveller like me, I wouldn't pay P2,000 for a 20-minute boat ride without anyone to split the cost with. Besides, during amihan season, the sea can get very choppy and when the boatman says you will get wet, you will get wet from head to foot. Hercules and Helius are relatively bigger boats so you'll have higher chances of not getting soaked.Â
On another note, make sure there are no loose items and nothing that can't get wet with you. Ask the boatman to keep all your non-waterproof belongings in the boat cabin. Underneath these outrigger boat are large spaces to hide your stuff nice and dry. Coming from the mainland, just wait for Hercules or Helius to get to Malatapay port. Most of the time, they would accept passengers only in the afternoon, say 2:00 pm but see if you can get lucky in the morning. In case you are being asked by private boats, just tell them that you have a tight budget and that you are waiting for the P300 boat. Locals there are quite understanding and will not harass you if you are firm with your decision. From Apo Island, you can get access to Hercules or Helius from Liberty Lodge. Just look for Ate Pinky, who is usually stationed at the reception of the resort and ask if there are vacant seats on the boat going back to Malatapay. I would have to say that Ate Pinky is one of the nicest persons I've talked to in the island. She's very accommodating even to those who have not checked in their resort. |
tip #3: have lunch somewhere elseFood in Apo Island can be very expensive. Even the very small carinderia or the homestays charge P150 for a very simple lunch -- one fried fish and rice. I can't really say there is none in the whole of the island but as far as I've explored, there is no cheap meal there. The best option you have is to grab lunch at the carinderias in Malatapay before you head for the island. Since the "public" boats only come in in the afternoon, you'll have time to eat lunch before getting on the boat. The Wednesday market in Malatapay also offer cheap goodies which you can eat for lunch.Â
For me, I had a quick lunch of fried fish and rice for P45 pesos in Malatapay. The following day, I also had lunch in the same carinderia costing P60 for tinolang isda with rice and a piece of ripe mango. Clean service water is also available in the store. |
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tip #4: buy bottled water ahead
Similar to food, water is also not cheap. In fact, the fresh water that guests and locals bathe in does not come from the island but are fetched and bought from Malatapay. I did not bother asking but I assume that drinking water is very expensive. I bought a liter of bottled water in Malatapay for P40. You can probably buy an even cheaper one from Dumaguete City.
tip #5: rent masks and fins from locals
Nothing from personal experience but I have heard from one of the guests I chatted with that rentals of masks and fins are cheaper when you get it from the locals. Kuya Cesar who owns one of the private outrigger boats have masks and fins to rent out. His wife is usually stationed near the entrance of the local church selling T-shirts and souvenirs so you can ask about Kuya Cesar from her. I guess you can just ask any locals in the area (or the ladies selling souvenirs) where you could rent masks and fins. They know everyone in the island and would know who to refer you to. Mine costs P100 for a set of mask and snorkel and another P100 for fins. If you need a life vest, that would cost another P100.
Just to note, tourism is the key livelihood of the locals in the island. A lot of families would own boats, masks, snorkels, fins and vests. They work on a rotation-basis so whoever is assigned on a Monday will only be able to offer their boat and rental services on a Monday. This gives all the families equal chances of doing business and to minimize any unfriendly competition.
Just to note, tourism is the key livelihood of the locals in the island. A lot of families would own boats, masks, snorkels, fins and vests. They work on a rotation-basis so whoever is assigned on a Monday will only be able to offer their boat and rental services on a Monday. This gives all the families equal chances of doing business and to minimize any unfriendly competition.
tip #6: stay at homestays
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You have the option to do a day tour of the island to save on lodging costs but there are many reasons why you should stay for the night:Â
If you would like to stay in the island overnight, homestays are your key to keeping your budget intact. Liberty Lodge and Apo Island Resort also offer dormitory-type of accommodation but they are still much more expensive than homestays. I stayed with Ate Nor who owns a small lodging business called Ronors Lodging. You can contact her at 0915-775-2422. |
A magnificent sunset in Apo Island
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.
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tip #7: pancit for dinner
If you are staying for the night, then you don't have a choice but to have dinner in the island. The cheapest I had so far was the P100 pancit canton. I'm not talking about Lucky Me's pancit canton. This is the real pancit canton with lots of sahog. You can buy this from Liberty's Lodge while enjoying a nighttime view of the sea. If you don't mind spending another hundred bucks, you can try their mango shake which is only available when there is electricity in the island.
destinations near Apo island
- Apo Island Lighthouse
- Oslob Whale Watching
- Sumilon Island
- Manjuyod Sandbar
- Bais Dolphin Watching
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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