DIVING
Diving
SABLAYAN, PHILIPPINES
Gustav's Place Diving Resort
Our on-site dive centre is PCSSD accredited and DAN Business registered, offering organized snorkeling and diving trips ranging from one day to multi-day dive safaris. We specialize in scuba diving adventures to the world-famous Apo Reef, the second largest coral reef in the world and one of the top ten most fascinating reefs globally. Gustav’s Place is also the closest dive centre to the Pandan Coral Islands, just 2.5 km away in the South China Sea, where you can encounter majestic sea turtles, manta rays, and vibrant marine life along the way.
"GABRIELA"
OUR DIVE BOAT-GABRIELA DIVE SAFARI
Experience comfort and safety aboard our fully equipped dive boat, ideal for day trips or multi- day dive safaris to explore the best dive sites around Apo Reef and Pandan Island.
WORLD FAMOUS
APO REEF
Dive into the world-famous Apo Reef, the second largest coral reef in the world and one of the top ten most fascinating reefs globally, teeming with marine life and breathtaking underwater scenery.
TROPICAL PARADISE
PANDAN ISLAND
Just 2.5 km from the resort, Pandan Island is a marine paradise. Swim with sea turtles, manta rays, and discover vibrant coral gardens in the crystal-clear waters of the South China Sea.
ON SITE
OUR DIVE SHOP
PCSSD accredited and DAN Business registered, our dive shop offers expert guidance, equipment rental, and organized dive and snorkel trips for all skill levels.
SECOND LARGEST REEF IN THE WORLD!
APO REEF
Apo Reef is the largest coral reef in the Philippines! It spreads over an area of 34 square kilometres, making it the second largest connecting coral reef in the world. The clear blue waters of the channel are teeming with 285 species of colourful marine life, including tropical aquarium fish, snappers and the crevice-dwelling moray. It is one best dive spots in the world, attracting hordes of divers all the year round. The soft white sand and patches of fine corals, clearly visible through the crystal blue waters, is truly an entrancing sight to behold!
ABOUT
LOCATION-GUSTAV'S PLACE & APO REEF
Gustav’s Place is perfectly situated in Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro, serving as the ideal gateway to Apo Reef and nearby marine attractions, just minutes from Pandan Coral Island.
UNIQUE
MARINE SPECIES
Encounter an incredible variety of marine life including sea turtles, Napoleon Wrasse, reef sharks, manta rays, and vibrant tropical fish, making every dive a breathtaking experience.
SUNSETS
OVERNIGHT
Extend your adventure with comfortable
accommodations at Gustav’s Place. Stay in fully equipped rooms or cozy
bungalows and enjoy a private beach just steps from your door.
EXPLORE
DIVING
Explore world-class dive
sites with organized trips, guided by experienced instructors. From beginners
to advanced divers, enjoy snorkeling and scuba diving in pristine waters full
of colorful coral and marine life.
APO REEF TRIPS: IMPORTAND INFORMATION
- Departure & Arrival: Trips to Apo Reef depart directly from Sablayan Pier, where clearance and manifests are handled by the coastguard. Departure and arrival times can be confirmed on site.
- Day Trips: Diving tours typically start early in the morning and return by late afternoon.
- Diving Equipment Included: Fins, mask, wetsuit, weights, tanks, BCD, and regulator.
- Snorkeling Equipment Included: Fins and mask.
- Overnight Trips: Accommodation is on the boat, sleeping on the deck.
- Diver Requirements: Only certified divers are allowed to dive at Apo Reef. The in-house dive instructor determines whether you are eligible to dive.
APO REEF TRIPS: BOOKING PROCESS, BOOKING CONDITIONS CONFIRMATION
- To confirm your booking, a 50% deposit must be paid one week before your trip. This serves as your final confirmation.
- This policy helps prevent cancellations that may affect the trip package price.
Payment
- Your deposit confirms your participation in the trip.
- The remaining balance is payable upon arrival at the resort or before the trip day.
- Present your Booking Receipt with the Booking Reference and a valid
Passport/ID.
- Guest details on the receipt must match the identification presented.
- Account details for payment will be provided upon booking.
Cancellation
- Payments are non-refundable within 7 days of your booked trip.
- Deposits cover document preparation, entrance fees, and environmental
- fees, which are non-refundable once paid to Apo Reef National Park.
- Refunds are only issued if Gustav’s Place Beach & Dive Resort cancels the trip due to unexpected events (e.g., storm or gale warnings).
Data Privacy
- Guest information is strictly confidential and used only for trip permits and documentation.
- No data will be shared with third parties without the guest’s explicit consent.
APO REEF TRIPS: BOOKING PROCESS
Apo Reef Trip Schedule Inquiry
Apo Reef Trip Pre Reservation (one request per person)
APO REEF: DIVE SPOTS
There are 19 dive spots around Apo Reef, enough to dive many days, we offer you a choice here. Which dive spots we visit also depends on various factors, such as weather, high tide, low tide and of course on the training of the divers. Not everyone is allowed to dive everywhere.
Ego Wall (depth 5-40m): At the North West corner of Apo Island, you’ll find this impressive dive site, watch out for big Pelagics, schools of Midnight snapper and Unicorn fish, even Giant Trevally can be seen in large numbers.
Mabuti Wall (6 – 35m): Mabuti Wall is the perfect place to see Black Tip Reef sharks and Titan Trigger fish. Expect to see large moray eels along the wall. There are some overhangs where you can discover White tip sharks. Some of the common reef fish you can see include Moorish idols, Porcupine fish and the Peacock grouper.
Shark Airport (3-30m): Here you can see many white tip reef sharks resting on the sand, expect to see a dozen of sharks on a good day. Watch eagle rays in the deep, there are also some nice schools of Blue Stripped snappers on the reef edge, sometimes even mating pairs of cuttlefish.
Aladin (5-40m): Another wall dive at the northern part of the reef surrounding Apo Island. Perfect to experience a unique light ambience at late afternoon dives. Groups of bump head parrotfish visit the shallow part of this site frequently.
Shark Ridge (10-35m); A spectacular reef based on the outer reef; shallows start at 5m before the wall drops very deep. There are sand channels along the wall with some coral outcroppings covered in gorgonian fans. Look out for the Bridled Angel fish and Long Nose Hawk fish around the fans. There are some beautiful Stag Horn coral gardens which are home to schools of Damsel fish. Many chances to see White Tip sharks along the wall, there are even large schools of Jacks and Tuna off in the sea.
Apo 29 (30-40m): Apo 29 is for advanced divers only, the top of the reef is at nearly a 30m and is a great nitrox dive. You can expect to see a large school of Barracuda and the shark life can be exciting. Take care of your air and deco time on this advanced dive!
