As with the eastern side of the island Occidental Mindoro is a diving paradise offering several ‘unexplored’ atolls, beautiful white sand beaches, islands and islets rich in marine life, coral gardens and mysterious caves. It is also home to one of the Philippines secret hideaways: the Apo Reef, the waters of which teem with over 500 species of marine life and luxuriant coral growth. In this part of Mindoro you will also find the Mount Iglit-Baco National Park which is a sanctuary for the tamaraw, a rare buffalo, which can only be found here. Festival lovers may also note that the town of San Jose celebrates ‘Saknungan’, a 3 day thanksgiving festival notable for its street dances and parades.