A convective polymerase chain reaction apparatus includes a tube, a temperature control unit, at least one light source and a sensor. The tube includes a cavity used to contain a reaction solution. The reaction solution has a liquid level measured from a bottom of the cavity to a top surface of the reaction solution. The temperature control unit is disposed adjacent to the tube for controlling the temperature of the reaction solution. The at least one light source provides a light beam passing through an incident portion of the tube to excite the reaction solution emitting a fluorescent light. The incident portion is located at a height greater than ½ of a liquid level. The sensor is adjacent to the tube for detecting the excited fluorescence. The light beam has an incident direction forming a non-straight angle with a long axis of the tube.