Staying overnight at Apo Island is definitely the way to go. You’re totally unplugged (electricity is only available from around 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. It’s enough to charge your camera batteries and power the blender to make some mango shakes (mmm, mango shakes) and refill the dive tanks. Other than that you’re on island time and your day is dictated by the rhythm of the day and the sea. I always stay at Liberty’s resort because of the welcoming, community vibe.

Apo Island Beach Resort: Visayan Getaway
It's the not safest thing to do on Apo Island, but climbing the famous 'Boluare Rocks' formation gives you a pretty epic view of the Apo coastline.

Apo Island Beach Resort: Visayan Getaway
The previous photo was shot from the top of this iconic rock formation (called Boluarte). It's a pretty straightforward ascent except for one section that forces you to lean back kind of precariously to hoist yourself up to the next ledge.

Apo Island Beach Resort: Visayan Getaway
I always stay at Liberty's Apo Island Resort. Liberty has been a good friend over the past (nearly ten years) that I've know her, and I always look forward to going back to Apo for a visit. There's a real community feel to Liberty's, and if you're there for lunch I'd highly recommend the double fish burger with fries and a mango shake. Island livin' doesn't get much better than that!

Apo Island Beach Resort: Visayan Getaway
No cars or motorbikes on Apo Island and the only way to get around is by boat. This is a view of Apo's very very blue 'Parking Lot'.

Apo Island Beach Resort: Visayan Getaway
The steep slopes of Mount Talinis in Negros form the backdrop for this photo of Apo's Boluarte Rocks.

Apo Island Beach Resort: Visayan Getaway
The view of Apo's 'Can-uran' dive site through the coconut palm trees lining the beach.

Apo Island Beach Resort: Visayan Getaway
Apo Island juts out of the depths of the Tañon Strait between Negros and Bohol. There's a whole lot of deep blue water between the white sand beach of Apo and the volcanic sand on Negros.

Apo Island Beach Resort: Visayan Getaway
The underlying geology of Apo Island is volcanic, though the limestone from millions of years of coral formation is also very visible.

Apo Island Beach Resort: Visayan Getaway
The sand on apo is actually made up of tiny bits of bleached, white corals.

Apo Island Beach Resort: Visayan Getaway
Small 'bangka' fishing boats line the shores of Apo waiting for a full moon and calm seas to catch fish for the Malatapay market on Negros.

Apo Island Beach Resort: Visayan Getaway
The view from the Boluarte Rocks looking north towards Negros Island.

Apo Island Beach Resort: Visayan Getaway
One of Apo's many fishermen heading out to sea for a night of fishing.

Apo Island Beach Resort: Visayan Getaway
Another view of Apo Island's coral sand beach.

Apo Island Beach Resort: Visayan Getaway
Apo Islanders were celebrating the Philippine Independence Day while I was visiting and there was no shortage of patriotism to be found.

Apo Island Beach Resort: Visayan Getaway
I love the way the beautiful turquoise colors of the shallow water transition to the electric cobalt of the deep Tañon Strait.

Apo Island Beach Resort: Visayan Getaway
The sunsets at Apo are usually epic, but this one was subdued and cloudy. Still like the 'blue' mood of this shot.

Apo Island Beach Resort: Visayan Getaway
For such a small island, the coastline of Apo is very dramatic. Most of the nearby islands are atolls with elevations just a bit above sea level. Apo has a lot more height.

Apo Island Beach Resort: Visayan Getaway
Another view of Apo's beautiful blue water.

Apo Island Beach Resort: Visayan Getaway
The larger dive boats that make the daily trip from Cebu anchor out at the edge of the reef, attached to special mooring buoys to prevent them from dropping anchor and damaging the coral.

Apo Island Beach Resort: Visayan Getaway
I randomly ran into my great friend Mia, she was at Apo for a dive trip with her folks so we had to celebrate with a San Miguel Pilsen.

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Tommy Schultz

Photographer, Writer, & Film Maker

Hi, my name is Tommy - thanks for visiting my site today. I've spent the past ten years capturing stories from around the world with my camera. I'm inspired by the ocean, working with creative people, and sharing what I've learned along the way. If you enjoyed this article and love travel / photography you should sign up for my free newsletter. If you need creative for your upcoming project, click here to learn how I can help you. If you want to learn how to share your own story in pictures / video, you can join my online photography course. If you'd like to connect with me, please say hi on Google+, Twitter, Facebook, or YouTube. If you're curious how / why I made the switch to being a full-time photographer, just click here.

Island Time on Apo: Getting Off the Grid at Liberty’s