Anilao is a top scuba diving destination for muck and macro diving, alongside the vibrant reefs of neighbouring Verde Island. Conveniently located near Manila, in the Batangas Province, this hotspot is a favourite among enthusiasts of small marine life.
Scuba diving in Anilao is very popular among underwater photographers, and for good reasons. Anilao dive resorts are often equipped with expansive camera rooms, including Buceo Anilao Dive & Beach Resort with dedicated works stations, electric points, air guns and lockers giving each their own space. This area of Southeast Asia is a hotspot for rare critters, coral gardens, and great visibility, Anilao provides macro photographers a variety of dive sites for a range of subjects. Secret Bay is one of the best dive sites for macro photography for its range of unusual and rare marine life.
On the other side of the coin to coral reefs, muck diving is a draw for many divers. On the sandy and rocky seabed lives a plethora of benthic marine life such as juvenile frogfish and flamboyant cuttlefish, wonderpus and coconut octopus, ornate and robust ghost pipefish. The dive guides in Anilao have keen eyes and ensure a wonderful time finding your desired critter.
With over 50 dive sites to choose from, most within a half hour boat ride from the shore, Anilao's iconic coastline has some of the most accessible diving in the Philippines. Anilao muck dive sites, such as Anilao Pier, are known for muck dives and macro critter, hairy frogfish and mimic octopus are often seen here. Secret Bay, also known as Mainit Muck, is arguably the most famous muck dive site in Anilao. This site is spectacular with mantis shrimp, gobies, wonderpus octopus and nudibranchs while at night the cephalopods come out to play; squid, octopus, and cuttlefish.
On the southern tip of the peninsular, two underwater, coral-covered pinnacles have created a dive site known as Twin Rocks. The nutrient rich waters of the Verde Passage bring schools of jacks and barracuda while on the pinnacles are anemones, clown fish, blue ribbon eels, and countless nudibranchs covering the healthy reefs. Sombrero Island, just north of Verde Island's and accessed by day trips, has walls of stunning large gorgonia and other soft corals, in addition to abundant macro life and sponges. As the reef is exposed to strong currents, this dive site is suited to experienced divers. Eagle Point is another potentially deep dive with fast currents and hard and soft corals that host diverse marine life such as turtles and trigger fish with great visibility.
Night dives in Anilao are an underwater photographer's dream. Known as a top blackwater diving destination, this type of dive is regularly conducted. Divers head out in the dark, over deep water, where lights are suspended over the abyss below to emulate the moon's glow. What seems like alien life rises up the water column to greet divers. It's possible to see fish larvae and juveniles, jellyfish, worms, squid, and octopus.
Blackwater diving can also be conducted in shallow water which is known as bonfire diving, usually in less than 20 metres of water with little to no current. This is the easy method and a good introduction to blackwater diving for many divers, it can also be combined with a regular night dive. For advanced divers, blackwater diving can be conducted on a wall with current, where lights are suspended pointing towards the open ocean. Dive guides will keep close eye on all as this is an exhilarating experience.
Anilao is just over three hours drive from Manila Airport, with such easy access it's an ideal stop on any island-hopping itinerary. Closer still, just an hour or so over the Verde Island Passage, is Puerto Galera where reefs have rich marine life and healthy corals. The dive destinations of Anilao and Puerto Galera are commonly combined as no domestic flights are involved, and the two provide everything a diver could want. Water visibility is good throughout the year in both locations, although rain can be more prevalent during late summer and early autumn.
Divers who are interested in macro and muck diving maybe be interested in pairing Anilao with Dumaguete. We have created the Philippines Muck and Macro Diving Discovery trip just for you! This suggested itinerary encompasses the best muck and macro diving the Philippines has to offer. Mimic octopus, ghost pipe fish, frogfish and nudibranch galore!
Anilao works well as a stopover either to or from the South Pacific. As Manila acts as a hub to reach Palau, Micronesia, and Yap, breaking up the lengthy journey with a stop in Anilao allows for a gentle adjustment to travelling and time zone changes.
Anilao is known as the birthplace of scuba in the Philippines, leading to a well-established dive community in the Batangas Province. There are dive resorts to suit all level of comfort and budget. Most resorts have their own house reef and will offer a minimum of two dives per day, with extra night dives and blackwater dives on request. Camera rooms are common as the area entices underwater photographers, while swimming pools are a given. Scuba diving courses are readily available, from learning to dive to more advanced courses such as Nitrox to increase dive time limits. Payments in resort vary between US dollar, euro and Philippine peso.
Some liveaboards do venture into these waters, but it's infrequently. Those that do will visit dive sites at Anilao and nearby Verde Island, home to Apo Reef, offering a rich marine life and diverse corals. The dive sites of Puerto Galera are also usually visited on the same sailings, known for reef sharks and eagle rays. Typically, Anilao dive resorts access similar dive sites compared to the liveaboards, excluding Puerto Galera.
Our collection of Anilao dive holidays can be tailor-made to suit your exact requirements and dates. There are a range of dive resorts which access the best dive spots Anilao has to offer. The main diving season is November through to May, however Anilao dive sites can be a top diving destination all year round. Simply contact our dive specialists, who are happy to help.
Discover the two best muck and macro diving areas in the Philippines! This itinerary splits the time between Anilao and Dumaguete for the ultimate critter spotting, macro photography and muck diving holiday. Find Out More about Philippines Macro & Muck Diving Discovery
Within easy reach of Manila, Buceo Anilao Beach & Dive Resort is filled with Filipino hospitality. Muck and macro diving reveals the wonderfully unusual, and nearby coral reefs have wide biodiversity. Find Out More about Buceo Anilao Beach & Dive Resort
Solitude Acacia Resort is a slice of elegant tranquillity with world-class diving. Nestled in Anilao, this resort features contemporary design, sunset vistas, and opportunities to explore Luzon’s interior. Find Out More about Solitude Acacia Resort
