Anilao

Anilao is a stretch of coast in Batangas province, usually two and a half to three hours by road south of Manila. It is one of the best-known macro destinations in Asia. Photographers come for the nudibranchs, which appear in a huge range of colours and shapes, and for frogfish, seahorses, octopus and pygmy seahorses on sea fans.

There are around fifty dive sites, and most are 10 to 30 minutes by small boat from the resorts. Many are sheltered slopes and muck sites with little current, which suits Open Water divers and anyone who wants long, slow dives. The exposed points in the Maricaban Strait are different. Sites such as Beatrice Rock and Mainit Point can have strong current, so they suit Advanced divers who are comfortable in moving water. Anilao is also known for blackwater night dives, where divers hang over deep water to look at drifting larval animals.

Water is usually 27 to 29°C from about mid-March to the end of the year, but it can drop to around 23 to 26°C from January to March, so a 5 mm suit is sensible then. Visibility is often around 10 to 15 m and can be better on the outer reefs.

The main season runs from about October or November to May, and January to May usually brings the least storm risk. June to September is the southwest monsoon and typhoon season. Diving continues, but rain reduces visibility and storms can cancel days, so leave flexibility in your plans.