Diving Destinations in Anilao Batangas
Anilao, Batangas is a very popular spot for diving. Located south of Luzon Island and approximately 140 km. ayaw from Manila. The short journey time from Manila and the quality of the diving makes this a very popular destination for those seeking a break from the capital. It has a wide variety of diving choices, from novices to instructors where you can see different species of corals, big pelagic fish or rare to find critters where on every dive you will surely be satisfied.
There are about 24 interesting diving spots between the coast of Anilao and Maricaban Island. The most popular site is the Cathedral. Also Sombrero Island, Maricaban and Bonito Island. Some of the creatures you can see here are damselfishes, pelagic fishes, groupers, sharks, sea cucumbers, moral eels, sea urchins, nudibranches, sponges, and algae in the corals.
Famous dive sites:
The Cathedral: A Marine Park Sanctuary that is 20-30m in depth. It is the most popular site in The Philippines where you can see colourful sponges and nudibranches, hydroids, sea squirts, feather duster Worms and algae.
Maricaban Island: This dive site has a depth of 6-37m.
Bonito Island: A marine sanctuary that has patches of coral heads on sandy slopes and this dive site has a depth of 18-24m.
Mapating Rock: This site is also known as sharks' reef that is 20-40m in depth. This is a challenging dive for experienced diversdue to its strong current.
Sombero Island: Ideal dive site for those who want a drift dive.
Mainit Point: A favorite dive site with most of the Divemasters which has a depth of 15-30.
Layag-Layag: A recommended dive site for experienced divers. It has a depth of 10-18m.
Beatrice Rock: This diving site has 14-27 m depth and the current can be strong.
Koala: This is a good site for novices with a gentle slope from 9-24m.
Ligpo Island: This dive site has 20-30m depth were corals of different types and huge gorgonians abound the area.
How to get there:
Anilao is just a two-and-a-half hour drive south of Manila. Take a bus from Pasay City going to Batangas. From there, take a jeepney ride from P. Burgos St. to the little town of Mabini and take another jeepney ride to Anilao which takes about 20 mins.