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If you have dived in Anilao, Batangas before, please share your experiences: Dive spots you would recommend, which Dive Center you used, Fishes & Diving, Visibility, Currents, etc. Please post your comments in the section below, by doing so you will help fellow divers to plan their next trip
Anilao is a Marine Protected Sanctuary. It is the best spot in the Philippines for underwater macro photography. Compared to the rest of the world, it is normally ranked for Muck Diving in the top 3 at Third position after the Lembeh Strait in Indonesia and Mabul Island in Malaysia.
Here you will find vibrant and colourful Nudibranchs and a huge variety of Critters like Crabs, Shrimps and Cuttlefish. It is not rare to observe the rather strange looking Hairy Frogfish, Blue-Ringed Octopus as well as Mimic Octopus and Rhinopias. Mantis Shrimp, several species of Gobies and Bobbit Worms are also common encounters. The best place for muck diving is Secret Bay also known as Mainit Muck. This is also a great spot for an exhilirating night dive ;-).
The reef life is thriving and usually quite shallow allowing longer bottom time for Photographers and a perfect spot for Snorkellers to explore. You can have a look to these wonderful underwaters pictures taken in Anilao.
You can also observe Pelagic fishes such as Barracudas, Jacks and Trevallies as well as Reef Sharks which can be spotted in dive sites like Mainit Point.
There is a great variety of wonderful hard and soft Coral too and the conservation efforts are proving to be working well!
There about 40 dive sites around Anilao with the most famous being Sombrero Island, Maricaban Island, Cathedral and Mapating. They are all reachable by a short boat ride.
You can also explore this underwater world on a Liveaboard trip that generally combines the Coron Wrecks, Apo Reef and Anilao. I usually use this website to book in advance my Liveaboards in the Philippines as they usually have the lowest rates I find. I like it because they have an easy booking system.
If you like, there are also day trips available from Anilao to Verde Island for great Wall Diving and even to Puerto Galera.
In this page you will find more detailed information about scuba diving in 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.
Best time to dive in Anilao, Batangas
Diving Season
It is technically possible to dive all year round. However there are certainly better periods than others:
- The main diving season in Anilao runs from early November to May.
- In July, August and September it is the rainy season and there can even be Typhoons! The sea is usually choppy and the visibility quite poor.
- The Water is colder in January and February with temperatures going down to 22°C and 24°C on average.
- The peak season and also the best time to dive is during April and May. Dive sites can get crowded during weekends at this time of the year. November is also a very good time to explore Anilao.
The visibility is about the same from November to May and you can expect about 15m and even 20m in a good day ;-).
Top liveaboards in Anilao, Batangas according to divers reviews
Scuba Diving conditions
The conditions on many dive sites are easy and ideal to learn scuba diving. However, there can be strong currents at several places like Mainit Point.
Water Temperature: A chilly 24°C on average from November to February and 27°C from March to May.
Currents: Gentle in most of the local dive sites ideal for training – can be strong in certain places.
Visibility: The visibility ranges from 3m to 20m depending on the season and the tide. During the Rainy season (July to September), the visibility is usually poor.
Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jayvee/5567326508/
Snorkelling in Anilao, Batangas
It is easy to snorkel off the shore right in front of most of the resorts. The resorts can also arrange a Snorkelling Day tour for you on a boat to show you the best spots around Batangas.
Diving 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.
Photos Anilao, Batangas
Travel Guide
Now that you know all about the underwater world, you might want to start planning your scuba holiday! Check out our Anilao, Batangas Travel Review for information about how to get there, activities and excursions, where to stay, and more.
Diving Reviews for this region
Dive spots reviews in Anilao, Batangas
Liveaboard Reviews in Anilao, Batangas
I have experience snorkelling at Marikaban Island, went to sepok, mapating, sombrero and i had so much fun that i’ve visited the island forth times already but it still continously amazed me for the new experiences…this is really great place to snorkell or dive maybe in the future ill learn how to dive. But for now ill still recommend this place to every friends i have who enjoys marine life!!
I have been diving in Anilao for many years. My favourite dive site is Bahura and Beatris. Just beautiful. I have seen sea turtles and small reef sharks. There are many different fish in Anilao. Definitely a must go to when you are around Manila. It is only a 2 1/2 hour drive from the city.
As an instructor living and working in SE.Asia for many years and the last 3 years in the Philippines, if you want to pay for some of the most expensive diving in the world go to Anilao. There is nothing at Anilao that you can’t see across the water at PG or other locations in the Philippines but it will cost you 4 times as much in Anilao. Boat charges then charged for a guide then charged for the air then pay for your weights too. Not a place for big or overweight divers. Go to Dauin/Apo island or Bali or anywhere else rather than Anilao. Transport expensive to get you to and from your resort. It is only an expats dive location for groups of divers that live in Manila and want to dive at the weekend.
Wow. Been diving All over the Philippines for 18 years. You simply need a trusted operator. They will charge whatever a foreigner will pay!
I pay same or less than PG, Bohol, Apo, etc. It was the same for me since 2007.
Martin your spot on .Went there last dec for macro did find the subjects . But the over all state of reef and i use that term vary loosely was well not there. would never go back like you said there are better places in the Philippines, also dove PG, Bohal /Anda .Anda might not have as many macro subjects but over all better vis better walls better soft coral etc been diving every year since 1973 .off to Bali again this year.
Dived in Anilao in Nov, 2015 and thought it was amazing!! The water was very clear, saw amazing creatures – lots of nudibranchs, frog fish, and countless fish, mantis shrimp, crabs, seahorses as well as beautiful coral, crinoids, etc, etc. It was the best diving I have experienced.
I am a scuba diving aspirant, looking for a great site to learn a scuba diving course or a certification and explore marine life. Are there courses in Anilao for me? Cost, duration? I am looking to do this in second half of November.
My first dive in the Philippines was in Anilao and been diving in lots of places in the Philippines , each dive site in the Philippines (P.I.) has its own characteristics. I would recommend anilao. If there is a way for you to email me personally I could give the specific people that I can recommend to help you if you’re interested in anilao and to start you’re scuba lessons. am sur they will be willing to help you.
Hi Ed. I’d like to ask for your contacts in Anilao Batangas. I am planning to dive on my birthday this December 8. I’d really love to experience the beauty of the world underneath the waters. Hoping you’d reply to my message.
Thank you very much.
The guys name is Dennis Corpuz
+63 920 716 dcorpuz88 @ yahoo.com.ph
Tweeter @anilaocritters
If you’re having a hard time contacting him try aquaventure resort mabini anilao batangas, they could give you other contact numbers for him and his brother who are also dive guides. If still having problem getting him let me know ill contact him for you. Happy birthday and enjoy