Apo 29

Apo 29, also called Barracuda Hill, is a seamount within Apo Reef whose shallowest point sits at 29 metres, with the dive conducted between 25 and 40 metres on a rocky pinnacle rising from open-ocean depths. Because the minimum depth puts divers immediately into advanced territory, the site is classed as advanced to technical and requires strong current-management skills; Nitrox is recommended to extend bottom time at depth.

The seamount draws massive schools of barracuda numbering in the hundreds, grey reef sharks, occasional scalloped hammerheads, and rare thresher shark sightings. Hammerheads are most reliably encountered between November and March. Water temperature ranges from 26 to 30 °C across the year.

Currents at Apo 29 are strong and can be unpredictable, as is typical of outer seamount sites at Apo Reef. The standard dive plan involves descending to the pinnacle, holding position against the current — using a reef hook where needed — and watching the pelagic action unfold. Visibility is great, consistent with the site's exposure to open water.