faspselib.denr.gov.ph · Official
Protected-area registration, entry limits, gear rules, and visitor fees.
Dive Spot Guide•
Baluarte
Volcanic Apo Island reef with bubbles and bommies.
Local operator required
Boat access and protected-area registration make a local Apo Island operator the normal way to dive Baluarte.
Boat-entry Apo Island reef with moderate current, bubble vents, and coral bommies; a guide-led day dive for divers comfortable with moving water.
About Baluarte
Baluarte is a boat-dived Apo Island reef with a volcanic signature on the island's western coast. Bubble streams rise from the seabed, coral bommies break up a sloping reef, and a small wall adds structure without making the site feel technical. Divers come here for steady reef watching, current-aware buoyancy, and encounters with turtles, sea snakes, trevallies, and other reef life.
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Research Estimate At Baluarte
Conservative baseline from public research. No community dives logged yet.
VisibilityVisibility: 20m
AccessModerate entry effort
CoralHealthy coral
Aquatic LifeGreat variety
FacilitiesBasic facilities
Crowd / PopularityFew visitors
CurrentModerate current
Where Is Baluarte?
This spotNearby spotsExplore nearby spots on the map
Community sourced coordinates.
Baluarte Planning Details
Depth range, seasonality, and planning context.
Reported Depth
18m - 35m
Depth Note
Published guides place the route around 18m average, with max depth reported between 22m and 35m depending on line and conditions.
Best Season
November to May, when seas are calmer and visibility is usually most reliable.
Typical Conditions
Boat-entry volcanic reef with bubble vents, coral bommies, and a small wall; ordinary conditions are moderately flowing and reasonably clear.
Safety & Access At Baluarte
Hazards, restrictions, and access requirements.
Key Hazards
Strong currentDangerous wildlife
Safety Notes
Garden eels are described as facing the current, and sea snakes are present; divers should be comfortable in current and maintain awareness around wildlife.
Access Restrictions
Protected-area registration and designated entry and exit points apply; plan the dive through a local operator inside the Apo Island sanctuary rules.
Legal Notes
Apo Island Protected Landscape and Seascape rules regulate visitor numbers, ban spear guns, restrict gloves except for approved research, and collect visitor and dive fees.
Local Intel For Baluarte
Community notes to help plan your visit.
Scuba Diving
Best as a controlled reef dive with good buoyancy and time to work around the bommies, wall, and bubble vents.
Freediving
Not a primary freedive site; the boat-entry setup and current make scuba the better fit.
Snorkeling
Snorkelling is better reserved for calmer Apo Island spots; Baluarte itself is mainly a scuba stop.
Wildlife at Baluarte
Species commonly reported at this site, with direct links into their wildlife guides.
Recent Logged Visits At Baluarte
Community dive logs and visit reports for this site.
Dive Spot Log Averages At Baluarte
Average conditions based on logged dives & visits.
Conditions
Avg. Visibility20m
Activity
No dive activity logged yet.
