For most types of travelers, a remote peninsula in the Filipino province of Batangas would be well off the beaten path. But for divers who want to see some of the most mesmerizingly colorful and unique-looking macro life in the ocean, the waters of Anilao are paradise.
Seabed explorers and underwater photographers have several dive resorts to choose from here, but one of the most popular is Buceo Anilao Beach & Dive Resort. Located on a steep beachfront hill at the secluded tip of the peninsula, Buceo Anilao is a small resort with just 23 rooms. Accommodations are more than comfortable, and while the beachfront isn’t great for swimming, amenities like swimming pools, massages, and local land activities provide plenty to do topside.
Furthermore, visitors will love that Buceo Anilao is a true family affair, with one of the owners, Dave Santos, working as a general manager, his wife Paz functioning as the resident artist, and their son Dood handling marketing.
Buceo Anilao is a dive resort in Batangas Province, Philippines.
After a 2.5-hour ride south from Manila, guests will hop on a quick boat ride for the final few minutes, as this resort is not accessible from the road. With the lush jungle on one side and vast diving grounds between islands on the other, this place is all about nature, with underwater biodiversity that attracts divers from around the world.
Buceo Anilao Diving: Tiny Creatures and Unlimited Life
While still on the main Philippine island of Luzon, Buceo Anilao is in a rather remote spot but is not terribly difficult to reach. It’s best to let the resort arrange a driver for your pickup from the Manila airport and drive the 2.5 hours south toward the small city of Batangas. The final stretch will be a 5-minute boat ride—the only way to reach the resort, and a grand way to be welcomed.
You may see some bangkas coming and going from the resort’s beach on your way in. These are traditional Filipino wooden outrigger boats, and you’ll be diving from them during your stay.
While the traditional boats add a unique element, it’s the thriving underwater biodiversity that will leave you in awe. While there’s a wreck or two, it’s the 50+ muck and reef spots that host the most interesting life. Seahorses, octopuses, and nudibranchs are just a few must-see residents.
Nudis for Days
In fact, there are more than 600 types of nudibranchs living underwater in Anilao, and these tiny treasures are the attraction that helped put Anilao scuba diving on the map. These minuscule sea slugs are infinitely colorful. They eat what they find on the seafloor, which influences their appearance for camouflage.
A common method to spot them, especially at the Secret Bay dive site, is to kneel calmly in the sand and simply keep your eye on one spot, waiting for something to wiggle.
Photographers will want to have their macro lens ready, not just for the nudibranchs, but also for other macro megastars like pygmy seahorses, gobies, frogfish, blue-ringed octopus, giant clams, clownfish, and more. Big animals aren’t as prevalent, but sea turtles, barracudas, and some lemon and blacktip sharks may appear.
Diving Buceo Anilao
There’s something for everyone at Buceo Anilao, with sites ranging in depth from less than 10 feet to 70 feet (3 to 20 meters) with mild to moderate currents. Novice divers have plenty of spots to choose from, while experts will have a number of challenging options as well, including blackwater dives. Water temperature is consistently in the 80s F (close to 30 C), but a 3mm wetsuit is useful for staying comfortable.
Guests can pre-book a set number of dives or go with an unlimited diving package for up to four dives per day. Check the board at the dive shop each morning to find out what sites each boat is visiting that day, then simply write your name under the trip you want to join.
If you’d rather skip the boat for the day, a muck site just offshore makes it possible to dive from the beach. While more than 50 sites are included in dive packages, two special ones—Verde Island and Puerto Galera—incur a small extra charge for the further distance. These famed dive spots are renowned for vast swathes of thriving coral and have been referred to as some of the best dive sites on the planet, so it’s worth the trip.
The Philippines’ diving season is mainly between October and May, when the weather is more predictable, but it can take place year-round. The summer months are more prone to typhoons, however, and temperatures can be much higher.
When you’re not underwater, the resort is the perfect place to relax and recharge. Buceo Anilao is small and intimate, with just 23 rooms, and falls somewhere around mid-range on the budget-to-luxury spectrum. The comforts and amenities here are certainly a step above basic, but this is a place that’s first and foremost for diving, so don’t expect a land-based luxury holiday.
Two swimming pools are perched on the resort’s hillside, with a deep one for dive training and a standard one for lounging. Guests can take in the panoramic views of the sea and islands from one of the chaises. The beach below is a bit rocky and not great for swimming, so the loungers are the prime spot for chilling after your dives.
For additional relaxation, a small spa is located at the top of the hill. Resort staff can arrange for massages with an ocean or sunset view, or in the privacy of your own room. The traditional technique, called hilot, is something between Swedish massage and shiatsu.
Photographers will appreciate the camera room, with 22 workstations, electrical outlets, shelves, cabinets, and air guns, plus plenty of space to lay out equipment. Buceo Anilao occasionally hosts photography competitions or workshops with experts as well.
Rooms are scattered among the small buildings on the hillside, so note that yours may require walking up and down some stairs to access. The three categories include Standard, Sea View Superior, and Sea View Deluxe Cabana. All room types offer air conditioning, private bathrooms, hot water, and breakfast.
Standard rooms are located near the pool and are the only type to offer one double bed, but they are the smallest in size and do not offer balconies. Sea View Superior is slightly larger, with one twin and one double bed, while Sea View Deluxe Cabanas are the biggest of all, with one twin bed plus two doubles.
Buceo Anilao’s restaurant serves traditional Filipino specialties along with some international favorites in both buffet and à-la-carte styles. The fresh seafood and local catch of the day are always top hits. Dining packages are available for purchase with your room reservation.
The Sunset Bar is the place to be for drinks, music, and a good time. Guests gather here at the end of the day to enjoy the panoramic view with a cocktail or a bottle of famous San Miguel Beer and share photos and stories about their dives of the day.
There are a number of land activities nearby to enjoy on a dry day. The spectacular views and cooler temperatures of Tagaytay are just an hour away, as are its famous Taal Volcano and the massive lake that surrounds it. These are ideal spots for trekking, and guided excursions are available from Buceo Anilao. Hidden Valley, Los Baños Hot Springs, and Pagsanjan Falls are other serene spots in southern Luzon reachable from Anilao.
The Verdict on Buceo Anilao
If you’re a diver in search of fascinating sea life, awesome macro photography opportunities, and traditional Filipino hospitality, Buceo Anilao Beach & Dive Resort is an excellent choice.
Guests rarely leave Buceo Anilao disappointed. The plethora of dive spots, great guides, and nearly-guaranteed chances of seeing something awesome keep loyalists coming back (as does the free Nitrox for repeaters). In short, this is a spectacular place to see the macro critters of your dreams.
The rooms, leisure amenities, food, and drink at Buceo Anilao perfectly complement the dive experience, all adding up to a dive holiday you won’t soon forget.
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