Liquid Diving Adventures | All posts tagged 'Anilao'

Anilao, Philippines

18. Jan 2023 Liquid Diving Adventures Destinations, Anilao

A GUIDE TO ALL THINGS ANILAO

WHY DIVE ANILAO?

Credited with popularizing diving in the Philippines, Anilao is a haven for photographers and fans of macro life, critters, and blackwater dives. Anilao is on Luzon Island, three hours south of the capital, Manila. The municipality is covered in sprawling jungle and surrounding resorts with plenty of stunning greenery. Known for its diverse reefs, fish, critters, and nudibranchs, Anilao attracts divers to its crystal blue waters year-round.

ARRIVING AT ANILAO - HOW TO GET THERE

Visitors arrive at the Filipino- and English-speaking destination by first landing at Manila International Airport (MNL) and are usually met with a resort shuttle. The two- to three-hour ride from the airport brings guests to their resorts, liveaboards, and dive centers. Trips to Anilao are often combined with trips to Puerto Galera, Cebu, or Dumaguete.

DIVING IN ANILAO

A typical day in Anilao includes two morning dives before returning to the resort for lunch. Then, guests spend their afternoon at their resort relaxing poolside or exploring the jungle. After, there is an option for two late afternoon dives and one night dive. Night dives are considered a must in Anilao as they do not have strict time constraints and usually take place from house reefs. For guests looking for adventure, resorts can arrange blackwater dives.

Diving is made easy in the Filipino municipality—dive sites range from a 10- to 20-minute boat ride from most resorts. The healthy, colorful reefs keep divers in a state of awe, and the muck, blackwater, and night diving opportunities make them ready for more. Dives take place from bankgas, which are small boats that seat up to four divers and two to three crew members. The highly experienced crews keep divers safe while pointing out the vast marine life. Popular sightings include shrimp, crabs, nudibranchs, squid, cuttlefish, frogfish, pipefish, seahorses, wonderpus, blue-ringed octopus, and bobbit worms. With such unique experiences, Anilao is also beginner-friendly due to the often calm currents and shallow dive sites.

While Anilao is known for its small marine life, larger beings like jacks, turtles, and giant seahorses can be spotted. Sites like Manitit Point have strong currents that bring in larger life like reef sharks, hunting barracudas, and giant and bluefin trevally. In deep waters, there are rare sightings of small whale sharks.

With stunning jungles on land, guests also flock to the soft coral forests, which range from 70 to 130 feet deep. The untouched corals feature rare critters like seahorses and rhinopias.

TOP DIVE SITES

One of Anilao’s iconic dive sites is Twin Rocks, with vibrant life as shallow as 10 feet and as deep as 130. Photographers love this site for the macro life and wide-angle opportunities. Soft corals, jacks, jawfish, and more are just a few of the creatures spotted here.

Beatrice is popular with experienced divers who can brave the strong currents. With more wide-angle shots, Beatrice is known for swarms of anthias and stunning corals. Kirby’s Rock is another macro life mecca with a stunning wall and incredible visibility. For the muck diving fanatic, Secret Bay is a hot spot for mimic octopus, wonderpus, pipefish, and seahorses. Blackwater dive sites vary but spotting one-of-a-kind jellies, larvae, and invertebrates is a guarantee.

DIVE CONDITIONS AND WHEN TO VISIT

Waters are calm and warm year-round, ranging from 77°F to 81°F (25°C to 27°C) and a visibility of 40 feet to 50 feet (10m to 15m). The main season is from October to early June, with November and December as the peak. April and May tend to be the most crowded months for resorts. Monsoon season is in July and August, but dive sites can still be accessed.

WHERE TO STAY

Crystal Blue Anilao

Crystal Blue Anilao is set in the bay area and features accommodations for families, groups, and couples. Guests praise the resort for their dive facilities, which include a covered dive deck, rinse tanks, showers, camera rinse tanks, and a camera room.

Buceo Anilao

Buceo Anilao features a PADI-certified dive shop with Nitrox and air fills. The camera room includes eighteen workstations with air guns, rinse tanks, lockers, matted desks, and shelves. In addition to the iconic muck and macro diving Anilao is known for, Buceo brings guests to wreck and cave dives as well as weekly dive trips to Verde Island.

While Anilao itself doesn’t have much outside of diving and watersports, the resorts keep guests busy with karaoke, bars, spa treatments, and pools.

Ready for your Anilao adventure? Book with us today!

The Best Diving in the Philippines

6. Mar 2021 Liquid Diving Adventures Dive Destination Info, Dive Travel News, Philippines, Remote & Untouched Dive Locations

The Best Diving in the Philippines

The Philippines is an excellent destination to fit any diver’s needs. The Pacific waters have it all: dive sites fit for new and advanced divers, great sights for macro and wide-angle photographers, and anything from wreck diving to blackwater diving. Not only that, but the land is stunning with white sandy beaches and dense jungles. Here are some of the top destinations in the Philippines for divers.

Malapascua Island, Cebu

Malapascua Island is a small island located just north of Cebu’s mainland. Malapascua’s waters are unique as they are the only waters where thresher sharks roam daily. The sea is part of a marine park and divers are able to watch the sharks be cleaned by the schools of fish. The sharks lurk in the early morning to avoid direct sunlight, so divers often start their day before the sun rises. As divers travel to the Monad Shoal, they will get to watch the sunrise over the calm waters. The island is also home to plenty of macro marine life such as nudibranchs, seahorses, scorpionfish, and more that are perfect for macro photography. Photo courtesy of Hugh Ross.

Dauin, Dumaguete

Located in the province of Negros Oriental, Dauin is ideal for photographers and lovers of macro life. Underwater creatures often seen include seahorses, pipefish, nudibranchs, blue-ring octopuses, mandarin fish, and more. Not only that, but there is a unique collection of experiences that will be sure to excite any visitor such as muck diving and pristine coral reefs. Diving in Dauin is great all year long with the dry season lasting from December to May and the wet season lasting from June to November. Dauin is famous for its often cheap, always luxurious beachfront resorts. Photo courtesy of Dumaguete.com

Puerto Galera

As a vibrant town with diverse waters, Puerto Galera is perfect for any level of diver. The diving experience can vary greatly — ranging from canyons to wrecks to muck diving and just about everything in between. The location is also perfect for macro and wide-angle photographers alike due to the coral reefs’ rich biodiversity. Some of the reefs are even considered to have the most biodiversity in all of Asia. The town is also home to plenty of dive schools that are perfect for beginnings and advanced divers looking to expand their skills. Guests have just as much to explore on land as they do in the water as there are stunning mountains and waterfalls to explore. Guests are often able to see creatures such as nudibranchs, frogfish, seahorses, cardinalfish, and more. Photo courtesy of Asia Divers.

Subic Bay, Luzon

Nestled just about 100 kilometers away from Manila Bay is Subic Bay on Luzon Island. The bay has a history of serving as one of the largest US Naval Bases in Asia and is thus home to more than 20 interesting shipwrecks. These wrecks are unique due to the volcano Mount Pinatubo that has coated the wrecks in ash. The USS New York is perhaps one of the most well-known wrecks in Subic Bay due to its pristine condition and canons. The ship is only available to explore during select times due to its proximity to the pier. For technical divers and divers experienced in deep water diving, the F-4 Phantom wreck is a dream. At 45 meters deep, the plane is often teeming with fish in the calm waters. Diving in the bay is great all year round but is ideal during the November to May dry season for greatest visibility. Photo courtesy of Arizona Dive Shop, Philippines.

Tubbataha Reef

World Heritage Site

With the most biodiversity in Asia, divers can encounter 600 species of fish and 360 species of coral in the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park. Tubbataha is the largest marine park in the Philippines at 970 square kilometers. Guests can only experience the lively waters on a liveaboard during the calmer months of March to June. Diving experiences often include wall diving as well as exploration of the two atolls, Jessie Beazley Reef, lagoons, and coral cays. Perhaps the most exciting experience from exploring the park is the chance to see large marine life such as whale sharks, tiger sharks, and manta rays. Photo courtesy of Philippine Tourism USA.

Anilao, Batangas

Famous for its muck diving and blackwater diving, Anilao is an ideal destination for those looking to get up close and personal with the smallest of critters. Macro photographers will love swimming through the pinnacles, walls, and coral gardens to get the perfect shot. Some of the critters include elusive subjects such as the Ambon scorpionfish, Bobbit worms, and stargazers. The best time to dive in Anilao is from October to June, and April and May are considered to be the peak of the season. However, diving is available all year long with colder temperatures from December to March and rainier weather from July to September. The location is extremely convenient as it is just two hours away from Manila and has access to all of the dive sites from Balayan Bay, Batangas Bay, and Maricaban Island. Photo courtesy of Mike Batrick / Crystal Blue Resort.

Bohol, Central Visayas

Located in the Central Visayas region, Bohol is an island most well-known for its coral reefs and the unique Chocolate Hills. The Chocolate Hills are perfectly rounded hills that turn brown during the summer, leaving them to look like drops of chocolate amongst the dense green jungle. However, the land isn’t the only distinct quality of the island as it is also known for some of the best diving in the world. Divers can find both hard and soft coral along the stunning coral reefs or find large marine life such as the blacktip shark. Certain dive sites, such as those found off of the nearby Balicasag Island’s shore, are perfect for more advanced divers. There are strong currents with steep walls and even hammerhead sharks from December to January. Although Bohol itself is a popular tourist destination, Anda is the perfect spot for visitors who want to experience the amazing Bohol dive sites and be set away from busy tourist life. Diving in Bohol can be done all year long but is best from January to May. Photo courtesy of Dive-Bohol.com.

Atlantis Resort Dumaguete Welcome Back - 35% Savings

10. Feb 2021 Liquid Diving Adventures Dive Destination Info, Philippines, Travel Specials & Deals

Atlantis Resort

Dumaguete, Philippines

Welcome Back - 35% Savings

Book a 2021 vacation and take 35% Off the normal rate for deluxe accommodations, delicious meals and up to five world class dives per day! Book Worry Free with the ability to reschedule your vacation for up to 18 months at the same rate.

Deposit 50% within 7 days of your booking, the remaining 50% is due 60 days prior to arrival if the country is open to tourism
Or
If the country is not open to tourism 60 days prior to arrival, you can reschedule the same vacation during the next 18 months at no additional charge for accommodations, meals and diving, subject to availability.

Guests may cancel up to 1 week before their arrival date with no penalties.
Cancel 2-7 days prior to arrival - 20% Cancellation Charge
Cancel 24-48 hours - 80 % Cancellation Charge
Cancel less than 24 hours - 100% Cancellation Charge
Cancellations will be given a credit, net of the cancellation charge, toward a future booking at either of our land based resorts or liveaboard to be utilized within 12 months. Offer expires March 31, 2021

Atlantis Resort Puerto Galera Welcome Back - 35% Savings

10. Feb 2021 Liquid Diving Adventures Dive Destination Info, Philippines, Travel Specials & Deals

Atlantis Resort

Puerto Galera, Philippines

Welcome Back 35% Savings

Book a 2021 vacation and take 35% Off the normal rate for deluxe accommodations, delicious meals and up to five world class dives per day! Book Worry Free with the ability to reschedule your vacation for up to 18 months at the same rate.

Deposit 50% within 7 days of your booking, the remaining 50% is due 60 days prior to arrival if the country is open to tourism

Or
If the country is not open to tourism 60 days prior to arrival, you can reschedule the same vacation during the next 18 months at no additional charge for accommodations, meals and diving, subject to availability.

Guests may cancel up to 1 week before their arrival date with no penalties.
Cancel 2-7 days prior to arrival - 20% Cancellation Charge
Cancel 24-48 hours - 80 % Cancellation Charge
Cancel less than 24 hours - 100% Cancellation Charge
Cancellations will be given a credit, net of the cancellation charge, toward a future booking at either of our land based resorts or liveaboard to be utilized within 12 months. Offer expires March 31, 2021.

Magic Resorts - Philippines

2. Apr 2017 Liquid Diving Adventures Dive Travel News, Philippines

Diving is great in the Philippines...! Book a trip to Magic Island or Magic Oceans Resorts. We have some great packages...! Contact us for a discounted deal to the Philippines.

Magic Island Resort

FROGFISH BONANZA

The Philippines is already very well known for frogfish, but just lately the sightings keep on coming. From large gray and green ones, to tiny little bright orange ones, the variety is quite astounding. After a dive to Pescador one diver's comment was “they’re hanging off the walls everywhere”. Take a look at some of these very special and unique creatures of the deep. Interesting fact; frogfish have an expanding stomach and can eat a fish twice its size in one gulp, they also have a voracious appetite and will even eat other frogfish. Good thing they don’t grow too big!

Magic Resorts - Philippines

12. Jul 2015 Liquid Diving Adventures Philippines

Magic Resorts - Philippines

MAGIC ISLAND and MAGIC OCEAN

Just opened in July, the new Magic Ocean Dive Resort is ready for your visit.

MAGIC ISLAND RESORT - Moalboal, Philippines

We'll take you to the most beautiful diving spots in Moalboal, Philippines. Walk from the dive centre straight into the water for a dive by day or night on our fabulous house reef. We also offer a variety of PADI courses. he resort features ten spacious cottages for two persons. Five of the cottages are big enough for an extra bed if it's needed. All of the cottages have everything you need for a relaxed holiday including air-conditioning, a fan and a hot shower. Every one has a private veranda with seating and either a sea or swimming pool view. We are offering special 7 night rates and 13 night rates also available (13 nights, 10 dive days).

MAGIC ISLAND SPECIAL OFFER 7 NIGHTS

Transfer Cebu airport - resort – Cebu airport
7 nights stay Superior de Lux cottage with aircon and breakfast
7 days full board
5 days unlimited diving
Special offer USD 1195 (SAVE USD 315 pp)

MAGIC OCEAN RESORT - Anda, Bohol, Philippines

On July 1st 2015 our new resort will open in Anda, on the super green island Bohol. 16 bungalows are hidden in a lush green surrounding. Relaxing or diving, at Magic Oceans everything is possible. Magic Oceans Resort offers bungalows that are detached and have flower gardens all around. The balconies are big and cosy with bamboo seats and a towel rack and offer amazing views of sea and land. The energy saving air-conditioning is super-silent. Inside the bungalows you’ll find native style furniture including a king size bed and a single bed which can be used as a sofa. The cabinets include a safe for your valuables and a fully stocked mini bar and coffee and tea set. The desk has a good light above it so you can easily fix your camera. We are offering special 7 night rates and 13 night rates also available (13 nights, 10 dive days).

MAGIC OCEANS SPECIAL OFFER 7 NIGHTS

Transfer Tagbilaran, Bohol - resort – Tagbilaran, Bohol
7 nights stay Superior de Lux cottage with aircon and breakfast
7 days full board
5 days unlimited diving
Special offer USD 1250 (SAVE USD 325 pp)

Aiyanar Beach & Dive Resort - Anilao, Philippines

8. Oct 2014 Liquid Diving Adventures Dive Show Specials, Philippines, Travel Specials & Deals

Anilao is one of the most popular diving destinations in the Philippines. Strategically located in Mabini, Batangas, only 2-3 hours drive from Metro Manila, Anilao is known to be home to the beginning of a majority of the diving population in the Philippines. Divers who take their open water course in Manila or in any location within Luzon most likely have their first taste of real open water in Anilao. In addition, it's accessibility to Manila makes it a favourite among weekend warriors and excursionists.

Decades ago, Anilao was merely a secret haven for locals. Today, resorts line the coast of Mabini catering to a myriad of clientele. It is a town built upon the love of diving. As such, development in Anilao strictly abides by the rules of conservation and sustainability. Locals proudly hold that Anilao has been a protected marine area since the 1970's, and are determined to keep it pristine.

For those with a keen eye and a love for critter photography, Anilao delivers critter diving that rivals the best critter diving in the world. Sites such as the more recently discovered "Secret Bay", and the Anilao classic "Basura" offer critter diving that equals the shores of Dauin, and even Lembeh in Indonesia.

Aiyanar Beach and Dive Resort is our latest addition to the list of fin-tastic resorts in the Philippines. Our dive buddies at the resort are offering us a great discount package for the DEMA Dive Show taking place in Las Vegas November 19-22, 2014. We have a variety of packages including stays from 5 to 14 nights, with or without meals, and either 2 dives or 3 dives per day. Our typical 7 night package, full board meals and 12 dives is discounted to $1400 per person double diver occupancy.

If you love the macro or the majestic, Anilao has a dive site to fill your camera with photos. Book a trip to the Philippines…!

Thalatta Beach Resort - Underwater Photos

16. Sep 2014 Liquid Diving Adventures Philippines, Underwater Photography

Thalatta Beach Resort - Philippines

We Get You Here…!

Underwater Photographs

El Galleon Dive Resort

15. Mar 2014 Liquid Diving Adventures Philippines, New Dive Resorts, Travel Specials & Deals

Asia Divers and El Galleon Dive Resort - Puerto Galera, Philippines

Asia Divers and El Galleon Resorts are located in Puerto Galera on the North East tip of Mindoro. Puerto Galera was originally a fishing community. Then in the 1980s, the Philippines Government discovered just how many species of fish and corals there are here and declared the entire area a Marine Reserve. Once a thriving fishing village, Puerto Galera soon became the premier scuba diving destination in the Philippines.

It was around this time that the El Galleon resort came into existence along with Asia Divers who have been catering for top class vacations ever since. The El Galleon resort is a premier diving resort just a couple of hours South of Manila, providing unashamed luxury at prices that most Westerners would expect to pay for a two star hotel. Hotel rooms in the resort start for as little as $56 a night.

The diving here is unquestionably the best of anywhere in Oriental Mindoro and some would say all the Philippines or Asia.

If you are looking for a beach vacation then come to El Galleon, the jewel of the Philippines, where the resort staff will do their very best to spoil you.

If you like to scuba dive, then let us tell you right away that our resort is smack in the middle of a marine reserve, created and protected by the Philippines government.

If you are looking for a romantic resort, this really is where y ou will experience the magic of the Orient. It's hardly surprising then that we are so popular with honeymoon couples here in the Philippines.

Our dive facility here in Puerto Galera is less than two years old and there is nothing like it in Asia! We have a huge private diving platform with a large pontoon at the end of it. No other dive shops or resorts in the area have this. Boats can easily dock on the pontoon making it easy for divers to get on and off the boats. Each diver has their own crate in the dive shop to store their gear. There are showers, rinse tanks, towels and drinking water right there. We also have a dedicated camera room with computers available for use and a rinse tank specifically for cameras. The dive deck has a lot of space, so even when the shop is busy you never feel crowded. It’s a very relaxed feeling, and you know that you’re being well looked after by the experienced diving guides and crew who are always there to help you with anything you may need.

We have some fin-tastic package prices with poolside rooms starting at $68 per night double occupancy, boat dives are $32 each, half board meal package is $30 per person per day. Add this up and two divers can get a package for $1535 for 7 nights, meals and 10 boat dives. Transportation from Manila is $310. Contact us for availability…and ask for our agent's discount on this package.

Photos and text courtesy of El Galleon Dive Resort and Asia Divers!

Deep Blue Seafari - Untouched Diving - El Nido, Palawan, Philippines

2. Nov 2013 Liquid Diving Adventures New Dive Resorts

Yep folks, the stories are true. The Philippines has some superb scuba diving, very friendly people, good food, and photo opportunities that won't quit above and below the water. And El Nido in Palawan offers some very untouched dive sites. Our buddies and owners of Deep Blue Seafari are offering us some fin-tastic package for exploring the underwater world near Palawan. And the can even get you to the amazing Tubbataha Reef onboard the M/V Sakura. Join Jose and Diana, the owners of Deep Blue Seafari will welcome you to El Nido and treat you to beach BBQs, camping on an exotic tropical island, and dive sites including Coron, Paglugaban Cave, and Tubbataha Reef.

If beach camping is not your style, comfortable accommodations are available at Cauayan Island Resort, Golden Monkey Cottages, and El Nido Garden Resort. Our 4-day, 3-night dive packages with 14 dives start at $685 USD, accommodation packages and meals are extra. Contact us for resort and dive package availability.