This dive site, Chapel Reef, earns its name from the Catholic Chapel distinctly visible on Apo Island from the surface. The dive initiates with a gentle slope adorned with scattered coral bommies, gradually transitioning into a steeper incline that culminates in an impressive wall. This wall is a true natural labyrinth, featuring an abundance of nooks, crannies, cracks, crevices, and caverns, all beautifully exposing overhangs.
The reef thrives with life, hosting a rich diversity of both soft and hard corals that grace its structures. It is home to an abundance of marine vertebrates, a wide array of fascinating invertebrates, and various marine reptiles. Divers exploring the blue should remain vigilant, as thresher sharks have been recorded passing by this area, offering a thrilling opportunity for an encounter.
The optimal time to visit Chapel Reef, and Apo Island generally, is typically during the Philippine dry season, which spans from November to May, offering the best overall diving conditions. The site's varied topography makes it exceptional for both wide-angle photography of its dramatic reef structures and detailed macro photography of its smaller, intricate inhabitants. Freedivers will also find the accessible depths and diverse underwater landscape highly rewarding.
