Explore Anilao

Diving in Anilao is an enchanting experience for divers seeking a unique underwater adventure. Nestled in the Batangas region on the island of Luzon, Anilao was once a hidden gem known mainly to local Filipinos. Its close proximity to Manila makes it a convenient weekend getaway, drawing divers to its warm, calm waters teeming with marine life. Although lacking in pristine white beaches, Anilao more than compensates with its vibrant coral reefs, diverse critters, and world-class macro photography opportunities. The waters of Anilao are a treasure trove of biodiversity, with around 40 dive sites including renowned spots like Sombrero Island, Maricaban Island, and Cathedral. These sites are easily accessible via short boat rides, offering divers the chance to explore stunning underwater landscapes. The region is famous for its rich reefs and unexpected critters like nudibranchs, shrimp, and the elusive blue-ringed octopus. Anilao is a paradise for underwater photographers and offers dive courses for all levels. Whether you're a beginner or an advanced diver, Anilao promises captivating night dives and thrilling drift dives.

Courses and Events

Try Scuba

The SSI Try Scuba program is the best way to try scuba diving for the first time. You will be in confined water and well looked after by your instructor, so you can enjoy those first unforgettable breaths underwater and experience the magic of scuba diving. At the end of this short course, you will have earned your SSI Try Scuba recognition card and undoubtedly want to go diving again. Endless scuba diving adventures are waiting for you and this course is where it all begins. Start today!

11 February +58 More
EUR 50.30
PHP 3,500.00

Scuba Skills Update

It is easy for dive skills to get rusty and to lose confidence when you have not dived for a while. With the SSI Scuba Skills Update, we will get you back in the water and diving with ease in no time. This scuba refresher course allows you to review and practice scuba skills you learned in your Open Water Diver program, under the guidance of an SSI Professional. This is a great course to take just before a dive holiday, so you spend less time worrying about your skills and more time admiring the marine life. If you are a non-certified Open Water Diver student, a Scuba Skills Update is ideal for practicing your dive skills before your open water training dives. With no fixed course duration, you can take your time and focus on the skills you need help with.

11 February +39 More
EUR 43.10
PHP 2,999.00

Open Water Diver

This globally recognized certification program is the best way to begin your lifelong adventures as a certified scuba diver. Personalized training is combined with in-water practice sessions to ensure you have the skills and experience required to become truly comfortable underwater. You will earn the SSI Open Water Diver certification.

11 February +38 More
EUR 359.28
PHP 25,000.00

Dive Activity

Diving in Anilao

Anilao diving is famous for its muck diving. Muck diving is a bit of a misnomer, usually the seabed is not “mucky” as such, but it can be sandy or silty and it can refer to almost any dive where you spend your time with your head buried in the seabed rather than looking up! One of the things that makes Anilao muck diving so impressive is the warm, volcanic sands which are very nutritious. Something that muck diving lovers will love about Anilao is the biodiversity. Nudibranch, shrimp and interesting fish and other beasties like bobtail squid and stargazers can be found burrowed in the seabed here.

Reef diving is also popular here as the corals are so healthy and so varied. They have such vibrant colours, even 30m below, that you will scarcely believe your eyes. Some of the sites provide moderate to strong currents if the conditions are right, so you can drift serenely over the reefs, enjoying the abundance at every turn.

The ocean conditions are usually calm here. This makes the area perfect for beginner dive courses from one of the many dive resorts. Liveaboards also commonly pass this way and moor for several days. These trips often take in other local sites like Coron, Apo Reef and Puerto Galera.

Top Wildlife Sightings in Anilao

Anilao diving is famous for its muck diving. Muck diving is a bit of a misnomer, usually the seabed is not “mucky” as such, but it can be sandy or silty and it can refer to almost any dive where you spend your time with your head buried in the seabed rather than looking up! One of the things that makes Anilao muck diving so impressive is the warm, volcanic sands which are very nutritious. Something that muck diving lovers will love about Anilao is the biodiversity. Nudibranch, shrimp and interesting fish and other beasties like bobtail squid and stargazers can be found burrowed in the seabed here.

Reef diving is also popular here as the corals are so healthy and so varied. They have such vibrant colours, even 30m below, that you will scarcely believe your eyes. Some of the sites provide moderate to strong currents if the conditions are right, so you can drift serenely over the reefs, enjoying the abundance at every turn.

The ocean conditions are usually calm here. This makes the area perfect for beginner dive courses from one of the many dive resorts. Liveaboards also commonly pass this way and moor for several days. These trips often take in other local sites like Coron, Apo Reef and Puerto Galera.

Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content

Shutterstock-Shane Myers Photography

Green Turtle
336 Sightings
J
29
F
23
M
33
A
29
M
31
J
31
J
34
A
21
S
24
O
24
N
26
D
31

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 200

Alamy-WaterFrame

Moray Eel
331 Sightings
J
29
F
30
M
20
A
24
M
24
J
41
J
32
A
33
S
22
O
35
N
8
D
33
Shutterstock-Ed Jenkins

Hawksbill Turtle
142 Sightings
J
15
F
17
M
5
A
3
M
5
J
10
J
7
A
4
S
5
O
15
N
19
D
37

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 300

Alamy/Reinhard Dirscherl

Octopus
104 Sightings
J
5
F
9
M
3
A
7
M
12
J
23
J
13
A
12
S
2
O
7
N
5
D
6

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 600

iStock/ultramarinfoto

Wrasse
100 Sightings
J
2
F
12
M
1
A
7
M
0
J
9
J
15
A
12
S
12
O
15
N
13
D
2

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 27

iStock-Global_Pics

Barracuda
86 Sightings
J
7
F
10
M
4
A
3
M
7
J
14
J
24
A
3
S
4
O
7
N
0
D
3

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 28

Udo Kefrig

Clownfish
735 Sightings
J
55
F
73
M
65
A
55
M
57
J
71
J
69
A
64
S
42
O
78
N
34
D
72

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 130

Shutterstock_Krzysztof Odziomek

Butterfly Fish
488 Sightings
J
32
F
42
M
32
A
37
M
29
J
61
J
52
A
52
S
29
O
47
N
28
D
47

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 90

Shutterstock-Rich Carey

Angelfish
461 Sightings
J
23
F
46
M
42
A
33
M
38
J
53
J
38
A
39
S
38
O
44
N
32
D
35

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 12

iStock/cinoby

Lionfish
377 Sightings
J
29
F
33
M
41
A
20
M
15
J
39
J
34
A
36
S
22
O
39
N
30
D
39
Show More

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 130

AdobeStock-JirinaVFR

Pufferfish
352 Sightings
J
27
F
51
M
29
A
22
M
7
J
51
J
22
A
31
S
17
O
29
N
26
D
40

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 100

iStock-burnsboxco

Parrotfish
332 Sightings
J
24
F
35
M
30
A
21
M
28
J
56
J
32
A
28
S
24
O
28
N
11
D
15

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 40

iStock-wrangel

Triggerfish
327 Sightings
J
31
F
31
M
24
A
20
M
15
J
59
J
22
A
40
S
13
O
27
N
24
D
21

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 8

Alamy-Reinhard Dirscherl

Bannerfish
303 Sightings
J
17
F
30
M
14
A
21
M
6
J
51
J
33
A
37
S
24
O
30
N
18
D
22

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 3000

SSI-Peter-Schinck

Nudibranch
299 Sightings
J
28
F
16
M
29
A
26
M
38
J
32
J
16
A
24
S
8
O
43
N
27
D
12

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 3

Shutterstock_Leo Lorenzo

Trumpetfish
273 Sightings
J
17
F
20
M
34
A
15
M
8
J
37
J
36
A
39
S
8
O
32
N
12
D
15

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 85

iStock-mirecca

Surgeonfish
192 Sightings
J
9
F
10
M
3
A
15
M
10
J
32
J
21
A
24
S
16
O
26
N
9
D
17

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 150

Shutterstock-aquapix

Sweetlips and Grunts
151 Sightings
J
5
F
5
M
8
A
7
M
8
J
34
J
19
A
23
S
10
O
11
N
9
D
12

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 250

Shutterstock-Henry_and_Laura_Whittaker

Grouper/Basslets
141 Sightings
J
17
F
16
M
11
A
6
M
0
J
18
J
12
A
20
S
15
O
9
N
15
D
2

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 40

iStock-Hoatzinexp

Jackfish
128 Sightings
J
3
F
15
M
15
A
11
M
22
J
18
J
8
A
8
S
7
O
4
N
11
D
6

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 3400

Shutterstock-Shane Gross

Shrimp
116 Sightings
J
12
F
6
M
3
A
16
M
7
J
7
J
2
A
12
S
3
O
21
N
5
D
22

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 50

istock-atese

Frogfish
107 Sightings
J
12
F
7
M
7
A
8
M
11
J
16
J
5
A
13
S
4
O
10
N
5
D
9

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 350

Alamy-Andre Seal

Damselfish
92 Sightings
J
1
F
4
M
6
A
8
M
4
J
20
J
15
A
10
S
8
O
5
N
2
D
9

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 30

Shutterstock-s_a_j

Sand Eel
89 Sightings
J
1
F
13
M
8
A
5
M
6
J
8
J
11
A
4
S
12
O
8
N
2
D
11

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 25

AdobeStock_Vladimir Wrangel

Boxfish
88 Sightings
J
1
F
6
M
4
A
7
M
2
J
19
J
3
A
15
S
8
O
4
N
2
D
17

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 60

iStock-Global_Pics

Soldierfish
82 Sightings
J
1
F
14
M
4
A
5
M
3
J
14
J
4
A
19
S
4
O
4
N
6
D
4

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 110

iStock-Rainer von Brandis

Snapper
81 Sightings
J
1
F
5
M
4
A
0
M
4
J
10
J
11
A
12
S
6
O
10
N
11
D
7

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 7000

iStock-Michael Zeigler

Crab
76 Sightings
J
2
F
3
M
3
A
12
M
8
J
5
J
1
A
7
S
5
O
17
N
4
D
9

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 250

iStock-Miguel-Angelo-Silva.

Scorpionfish
71 Sightings
J
1
F
8
M
9
A
3
M
1
J
15
J
9
A
13
S
2
O
5
N
4
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 90

Shutterstock-Levent Konuk

Goatfish
70 Sightings
J
0
F
4
M
3
A
2
M
4
J
10
J
11
A
17
S
5
O
2
N
8
D
4

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 80

iStock/Extreme-Photographer

Stingrays
52 Sightings
J
12
F
4
M
1
A
5
M
2
J
0
J
7
A
3
S
9
O
1
N
5
D
3

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 15

Shutterstock-Hans Gert Broeder

Garfish
44 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
1
A
3
M
1
J
10
J
20
A
4
S
0
O
2
N
1
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 20

iStock-stephankerkhofs

Porcupinefish
44 Sightings
J
1
F
15
M
2
A
0
M
3
J
4
J
1
A
5
S
4
O
7
N
2
D
0

The best Months to dive in Anilao

Diving in Anilao is available all year round. However, due to its location in the typhoon belt, it is subject to seasonal changes in the weather which can affect your holiday and the diving conditions.

The dry season is from November to June; rainfall is minimal and the winds are low. This means that diving conditions are generally good due to calm waters. May and June tend to be the warmest months with water temperatures regularly hitting 29oC.

December to February are the coldest months, with water temperatures sometimes reaching 25oC and necessitating a full length 3mm at a minimum for most divers. Though this is distinctly chilly, it does create the best conditions to see all the rare macro critters, not only do they thrive in the cold, but rarer creatures come up from deeper waters.

The rainy season runs from July - October. Though there can be long spells of fine weather, there can also be prolonged storms and typhoons which can disrupt diving. Directly following a storm, macro life may spend a few days hiding from the turbulent conditions in the shallow water. It tends to be quieter too - the dryer months have many tourists, especially at weekends and on holidays like New Year and Easter.

Dive Centers

Club J Dive Resort

Brgy Sanjose,Mabini,Batangas, 4202 Batangas, Luzon - PHL

Aquaventure Reef Club Anilao

Sitio Looc, 4202 Batangas, Luzon - PHL

Anilao Bo Hotel and Eesome Dive, 아닐라오 보 호텔-이썸 다이브

Anilao Bo Hotel, 4202 Mabini, Batangas, Luzon - PHL

O2 DIVE RESORT

Sitio Punta Bagalangit, 4202 Batangas, Luzon - PHL

ARA RESORT & DIVE CENTER, 아라리조트 & 다이빙리조트

Sitio Talisayan, 4202 Batangas, Luzon - PHL

BEYUL DIVE RESORT, 베율 다이브 리조트-베르데 섬

San Agapito Beyul Dive Resort Verde Island, 5203 Batangas, Luzon - PHL

Marine Paradise Dive Center, 마린 파라다이스 다이브 센터

Solo, Mabini, 4202 Batangas, Luzon - PHL

Dive Sites

Anilao Bo Hotel & Beach Resort, 4202 Mabini, Batangas

Anilao Bo Hotel House Reef (★4.6)

The house reef right in front of the Anilao Bo Hotel is a great dive spot for finding macro life at any time of day. There are so many macros inhabiting this place that you shouldn’t have to struggle to find them. It is the best site in Anilao that photo divers love because there is no current.
Aquaventure Reef Club, 4202 Batangas

Aquaventure Ship Wreck (★4.7)

Opposite Aquaventure Reef Club. A blue buoy shows the line. Huge amount of fish living inside the wreck. The wreck sits at 35 mts. 2 other wreck heading back to the shore. One is an SUV and the other is an old helicopter. Follow the white buoy. The staff at Aquaventure are really helpful.
Anilao Bo Hotel & Beach Resort, 4202 Mabini, Batangas

Dive n Trek (★4.2)

Dive-n-Trek consists of natural rock and sand. The distance from Anilao Pier is only 10 minutes. All divers, from beginner to advanced, can enjoy diving here. There is little to no current at this site.
Anilao Bo Hotel & Beach Resort, 4202 Mabini, Batangas

Ligpo Pinnacle (★4.1)

Located just off Ligpo Island, Ligpo Pinnacle is protected by the Bauwan Marine Sanctuary. Most divers use the diving operation conducted at Anilao Pier to reach this dive site. The site is 20 minutes away from Anilao Pier by Philippine traditional boat. This is a great wall dive with depths of 12 to 35 meters.
Aquaventure Reef Club, 4202 Batangas

ARC Tamaraw FX Artificial Reef (★4.7)

SUV / wreck .Ideal training site for all kinds of courses: scuba, freediving and snorkelling. Easy swim out from ARC lower parking lot. Beach access with booties recommended, possible only during Amihan, not Habagat. Gentle sandy slope.
Scubapro, Stephen Frink

Dari Laut (Wreck) (★4.4)

Considered as the only real wreck dive in Anilao. It is an open wreck that used to be a barge that was turned into a floating resort that operated in the area during the 1970s.
Mares

Mainit (★4.3)

For experienced adventurers, the current-swept reefs of this site form a triangle abundant in large fish, sea fans, and corals. Its unique geography makes it accessible all year round but can be challenging due to the strong currents, down currents, upwellings, and depth.
Aqualung

Twin Rocks (★4.3)

A favorite among local divers, this site is named after the twin rocks that are found here. It offers a great reef that houses a good number of critters and marine life.
Mares, Predrag Vuckovic

Bahura (★4.3)

Bahura Kanto, one of the popular advanced sites in Anilao, is a must-go. It features a sloping reef with a tip/corner where current is usually strong. One must be familiar with managing currents and drift diving. On the other side of the corner, there is a small hole in the wall at 15m.
Scubapro

Batok (★4.5)

Behind Sombrero Island, Batok features a sloping reef and a wall that starts at 12 metres, both decorated with lush corals and diverse marine life.
Mares, Janez Kranjc

Beatrice Rock (★4.4)

Situated at the back of Sombrero Island, this site is an underwater hill that has an abundance of vivid colors and schooling fish. Aside from the blue water ascent, divers may also experience the roaring current that it is known for, making this site a bit challenging.
Mares, Janez Kranjc

Eagle Point, Anilao (★4.5)

Sanctuary dive site with wall diving, fast currents depending on time, tide and season. Deep dive.. turtles are very common at this area. Many different species of anemone and clown fishes.
Mares, Janez Kranjc

Cathedral (★4.4)

This dive site is home to an underwater landmark cross that was installed by none other than former Philippine president Fidel V. Ramos. The cross is situated between two big rocks at around 18m/60ft. and is decorated with soft corals.
Aqualung

O2 Dive Resort House Reef (★4.8)

The real name if this site is Bagalangit Wall Reef. Descend and keep ther wall on your right and you can surface right outside Aquaventure Reef Club.
Mares, Janez Kranjc

Pier Uno House Reef (★4.1)

This dive site is on the reef right in front of Pier Uno Dive Resort. Starts with a sandy bottom; then as you move to the northeast, there are some corals and rocks. Further northeast is a sunken jeepney and a guardhouse beside it.