Diving in Anilao
Anilao is on the south-east coast of Luzon's and is well known as place of birth of the philippine Scuba-diving scene. During the last 20 years it has lost it's leading position to the other well known tourist destinations all over the philippine archipelago. Anilao is only a two hour drive from Manila. The location is ideal for Manila and Makati expats to spend a weekend away from the big city and relax and do some great dives. The infrastructure of the region in now well developed and Anilao is easy to reach. There are plenty of accommodation and resorts for budget-travelers. The people in Anilao are very friendly and helpful, but coming from Manila you have to slow down your own pace.
The coral garden in shallow waters are very healthy and colorful at most sites and nice for snorklers.
Diving consists mostly of coral slopes, steps or small drop-off's and shallow coral-gardens among sandy patches. There are crinoids everywhere and a huge variety of nudibranches can be found everywhere. Colorful typical reef-fish and millions of Crinoids completing the marine-life around Anilao.
As many of the dive-spots are along the
Maricaban Strait, divers should check the tide-tables to avoid too strong currents. As most dives are done from the local outrigger-boats (banca) it is not that big problem. A SMB is mandatory that the boat can find you and pick you up after surfacing at the end of your dive.
Because of this currents Whitetip and Blachtip-Reefsharks are quite common in the waters around Anilao. As most photographers are looking for macro and have their camera set up for all this critters you rarely get a shot of the big stuff there...
Some of the dive-operators in Anilao offer a fixed rate for tanks, weights, guide and boat. That makes Anilao very valuable for groups and families. The obvious advantage of a local guide is his knowledge about the conditions. The guides there ale fantastic to find all the macro stuff like nudibranches or frogfishes.
The dive-rates are in general below the philippine average. Anilao can be dived around the whole year. The best visibility is from November until May. If you are planning a longer dive vacation in the Philippines you should put Anilao on your schedule.
Some famous divesites around Anilao:
The Cathedral – Mainit Point – Beatrice Rock – Kirbys Rock – Hot Springs