Of course you do not need to be a diver to enjoy the charms of Apo Reef.

BBC: The undiscovered jewel of the Philippines

Also within the atoll-like reef system are picturesque islands that are mid-ocean pit stops for a variety of migrating seabirds, giving twitchers almost as much reason as divers to be excited about Apo Reef.

BBC: The undiscovered jewel of the Philippines

Better yet, daily early morning flights to San Jose, two hours south of Sablayan by bus or air-con minivan, mean you can leave Manila in the morning and be diving on Apo Reef the same day.

BBC: The undiscovered jewel of the Philippines

While tourism in the Philippines remains a trickle compared with Southeast Asian brethren like Thailand and Vietnam, and air links to western Mindoro are still infrequent, you should consider visiting now to experience the full effect of Apo Reef's untouched magnetism.

BBC: The undiscovered jewel of the Philippines