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ANILAO, BATANGAS, PHILIPPINES

Anilao, Batangas is the name of two barangays in the Philippines: Anilao Proper and Anilao East. They are located in the municipality of Mabini, Batangas, which is south of Manila on the large island of Luzon.

Anilao is about three hours from Manila and is popular with divers and snorkelers. The waters surrounding the area are teeming with marine life, plenty of corals and amazing diversity of fishes. The northwest shore of the Calumpang Peninsula, from Anilao to Bagalangit, is lined with local resorts that cater primarily to local tourists. Although the beach at Anilao is not recommended for swimming, thatched bamboo rafts, rustic cabins and picnic cabanas are available for rental at local resorts. From these resorts, you can also rent a boat for island hopping and visit the diving spots, coves, and islands like the Sombrero and Maricaban islands.

Anilao is one of the best-known diving spot in the Philippines. It is a world renowned location among underwater photographers for its unique macro life. Dive sites in the area include walls, drop-offs, coral gardens, and hot springs. The superb diving and amazing marine life of Anilao have made it a popular spot. The best month to dive is December thru June. There are twenty five different dive sites in the area to explore that will fascinate both the novice and tech divers to underwater photography.

The dives sites and resorts are actually scattered all over the several barangays of Mabini (Solo, Bagalangit, San Tedoro, etc) and across to the island of Maricaban. Anilao is the name that caught up in the diving community because, years ago, Anilao was the only jump-off point to the dive sites.

DIVE SITES

CATHEDRAL
A marine sanctuary and considered as the best known feeding station in Anilao. Approximately 69ft/23m off Bagalangit Point lay two large mounds that look like a roofless underwater amphitheater with a cross in between. Former President Fidel Ramos planted the cross in 1983. It used to be barren but it is now fully overgrown with corals. Moorish idols, parrotfish and other reef fish dwell in these areas.

SOMBRERO ISLAND
If you need a drift dive, Sombrero Island is the dive for you. Acquiring its name from the appearance of a white sand beach at low tide this shallow wall (100ft/30m) is for coral lovers.

BAHURA
Diving consists of slopes, small drop-offs. Shoals of triggerfish, jacks and surgeons swim by on a regular basis and Anthias are abundant. Currents are strong.

SEPOK
A dive site with beautiful coral gardens and a vertical wall with a wide variety of marine life. It is normally an easy dive. The shallow part of the dive teems with a profusion of small reef fish while the wall has the bigger fish and pelagic visitors.

MAINIT POINT (Hot Water Point)
A favorite dive site with most of the Divemasters, the shallows boast heaps of Nudibranchs and hard coral where the depths host ribbon eels, mantis shrimp and a ripping current. This dive has everything to offer – even the occasional shark. During your surface interval you can buy eggs from the local village and boil them in the natural hot springs.
 
MAPATING (Shark Cave)
This is a challenging dive for experienced divers. The submerged rock is surrounded by a fairly shallow area, which ends in a series of drop-offs descending to about 60ft/20m and more. There is a great variety of marine life including sharks and pelagic fish. Current is strong most of the time.

LAYAG-LAYAG
There is an extensive coral formation on a shallow steep slope. Currents are extremely strong, so choice of slack water and neap tides is necessary. A recommended area for experienced divers. The coral teems with marine life and often has good visibility.

TWIN ROCKS
Divers are usually dropped off by the remains of a capsized barge on a gradual slop. After seeing the giant clams and getting used to the school of following batfish you make you way toward the twin rocks. It is not uncommon to find frog fish, mushroom coral pipefish or a blue spotted sting ray in attendance as well!

CULEBRA (BONITO) ISLAND & MABALAHIBONG MANOK ISLAND
A marine sanctuary that has patches of coral heads on sandy slopes. Currents are very fierce. Shallow ledges with a good concentration of soft and hard corals surround both islands. Malajibomanoc has an underwater hot spring that sends streams of bubbles from 40ft/13m to the surface. Whenever Taal Volcano increases activity, this area does also. Fish life is abundant in this area.
 
LIGPO ISLAND
The Island sits on the west side of Ligpo Point and is visible across the bay from Outrigger. It is possible to circumnavigate the entire landmass in just one dive. Small reef fish and occasional pelagic fish emerge from nearby depths. Corals of different types and huge gorgonians abound the area.
 

RESORT PROPERTIES