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If you have been to Anilao, Batangas before, please share your experiences, ideas and feedback (Hotel, Excursions, General Feeling,…) in the comments section below, by doing so you will help fellow travellers to plan their next trip
Anilao is a resort destination popular on the weekends as a relaxing getaway for people from Manila. Over the last decade it has also become a famous and popular diving destination in the Philippines, and for good reason. Anilao offers the best Macro Underwater Photography opportunities in the Philippines and is also one of the best places in the World to observe rare Critters and other strange small underwater creatures.
In this page you will find practical information to plan a scuba diving trip to Anilao, Batangas:
Table of contents
Where to stay?
I usually use this website to book in advance my hotels in Anilao, Batangas as they usually have the lowest rates I find. I like it because it's free to cancel and change the dates.
Accommodation in Anilao is mostly high class diving resorts. It is not really a destination if you are looking for cheap, basic accommodation.
Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jlgavino/4811878231/
Activities and excursions in Anilao, Batangas
Anilao is primarily a diving destination and a place to relax in the resorts on the weekends for people living in Manila. In Anilao, the beaches are rocky and it is not possible to swim there. For the non divers, there are other activities such as:
- Try Windsurfing or Jet Skiing
- Go on a day trip for Island Hopping
- Go on a Snorkelling day tour or just in front of your resort
- Enjoy a spa and a massage in your resort
- Visit the Lake Taal
- Hike on the superb Volcano
Best time to visit Anilao, Batangas
- The dry Season runs from November to May
- The rainy season is from June to September/October. In July, August and September there is also the risk of Typhoons.
- The hottest month is May and the coldest is February resulting in water temperature being around 24°C.
Health and Safety
If you are planning an upcoming dive trip or travelling to Anilao, Batangas, it is a really good idea to invest in travel insurance for scuba diving, because you never know what could happen and when you might need it (because accidents do happen!). I recommend this diving insurance as they offer worldwide coverage and focus on providing scuba divers a quality insurance and medical assistance service.
Where is Anilao, Batangas located in the world?
Anilao is located in the Batangas Province on Luzon Island. It is only 140km from Manila, making this area a popular weekend destination for people living in there.
See the map below.
Anilao Map
How to get to Anilao, Batangas?
- It takes about 3 hours to drive there from Manila depending on the traffic.
- If you don’t have a car, you can take the bus to Batangas from the Buendia Terminal. After stopping in Mabini, you can reach your resort by jeepney in 20min.
- If you arrive from abroad you can ask your dive resort to come pick you up at Manila Airport.
- If you are already in Puerto Galera, you can also reach Anilao by speed boat in 60min.
Getting Around
For short trips, it best is to go by Tricycles. If you want to visit the surrounding Batangas area, the best way is to rent a car with a driver for a day trip. Otherwise you can use the jeepneys that follow a fixed route.
Anilao, Batangas Photos
Scuba diving
You will find all information about sea life, best time to visit, top dive spots, etc. in our review: Anilao, Batangas Diving
Diving Reviews for this region
Anilao, Batangas
The best place in the Philippines for Macro Underwater Photography! A must dive for muck diving and macro photographers. Thriving biodiversity and superb coral.
Liveaboard Reviews in Anilao, Batangas
Diving resorts in this area
Hello,
I’m really hoping I can set up a dive in Anilao, but I’m not sure what I can pull off. I have open water diver certification but have not done a dive in over a year and those were check out dives. I also do not have my certification card with me. I have two days in the Philippines before I must fly which means I have only one day to dive and my flight to Manila arrives at 5 am that day. Do I have any chance of getting a dive in?
Hello Dave. I think it is going to be quite complicated in your case ;-). it is better you visit Manila I think!
Dave,
I stayed in Manila by the Buenido Bus termial and i rented a van round trip for 3000 pesos that took me to Anilao and back to Manila. Do Mainit point and Twin Rocks and you wont be disapointed. The current can be kinda strong at Mainit but just stay in the hip pocket of the dive master and you will be ok.
Whenver you get a chance to dive, do it!!!!
Mainit Point and Twin Rocks are great dives. The schools of Jacks at Twin Rocks is awesome to dive in. I am trying to talk the wife into living there as she is Filipina and i am from the USA.
Greetings from Japan… my missus and I are planning for a dive trip to Anilao in August 2013… rainy season, no doubt, but that is the only time we have… if you do not mind, can you please let me know where the picture of the two cottages in your blog was taken?
Hello! I am planning to visit anilao by the mid of september (15.09 to 19.09). Could you give me some further advice if this would be a good idea for diving, due to the rainz season? Many thanks
Hi!!
im planning to go at anilao for family vacation..
may i know where we can stay?? do you know any cheaper inn or rooms to stay with?thank you
Aloha Julian,
Want to take my Advanced Open Water PADI, this Feb. Which would be better place, Bohol or Anilao? Will visit both regardless, just a matter of which comes first. From Web surfing, Dive and Trek seems like a good place for Anilao.
thanks,
Howard