In the mid-1960's, a whole coral reef was transplanted onto a large rock formation close to the shore. Contrary to popular belief at the time that the adventure would fail, the coral has flourished. As a result, diving has developed and is at the forefront of the industry in the Philippines to this day. Visibility is good and the opportunities for photography are excellent. Unfortunately, as the area has developed, so some of the more negative aspects of this have become evident.

 

In particular, dynamiting, collection of corals and shells and over fishing are just some of the challenges that Anilao and Batangas must face. Luckily, these are being addressed. Most of the best dives are actually found around the islands of Sombrero and Maricaban, a short boat trip away from Anilao. Anilao, Batangas is a VERY popular spot for diving and snorkeling.  It is known worldwide.  The waters are teeming with marine life, plenty of corals and amazing diversity of fishes.  It is hard to imagine that this beautiful place is just about 3 to 4 hours from Manila.

The northwest shore of the Calumpang Peninsula, from Anilao to Bagalangit, is lined with plenty of good resorts that cater primarily to divers.  From any of the resorts, you can rent a boat for island hopping or arrange for a dive tour and visit the superb diving spots, coves, and islands like the Sombrero and Maricaban islands.

 

Other Characteristics: 

 

It is not only ideal for poking around and observing marine life but also outstanding for macro photography. Multi-hued crinoids are prolific. The variety of nudibranchs is unmatched. Night dives are especially nice and often reveal unusual creatures like sea hares, sea goblins, catfish eels, ghost pipe fishes, blue-ringed octopuses, mandarin fishes, and snake eels.

 

The area’s best known dive site, Cathedral, is two large mounds with a cross in between at 50’. It is a well established fish feeding station. Covered with corals, the site is spectacular at night. Sombrero has a shallow wall of about 60’ with some good coral growth; offshore but nearby are Beatrice Rock and Bajura. Schools of triggerfishes and sometimes jacks and surgeons swim by, and they appear to have the market on anthias.

 

One of the prettiest dives in the area, Sepok has nice coral gardens and a vertical wall. Devil’s Point Twin Rocks, Coral Gardens, and Mainit are shallow dives with a wide array of invertebrates, especially nudibranchs. Bonete, Arthur’s, and Koala offer good dives for novices, with most to see above 50’. There is a good selection of hard and soft corals, anemones, and clownfishes, and goblinfishes at Arthur’s.

 

 

From Manila, take the South Luzon Tollway from Nichols or C-5 entry all the way to the south end.   At the end of the tollway, take the exit that points to Lucena and drive along this main road until you reach the Calamba boundary.  About 1.5km from the boundary of Calamba, turn right and take the Star Tollway (Batangas Expressway) up to the Batangas/Lipa exit.  Upon exit, head westward towards Batangas City.

1.2km from the tollway exit is the Fernando Airbase and about 2.5km from the airbase, there will be a junction the leads to Cuenca.  Head for Cuenca then Alitagtag then head towards (but not all the way to) Sta. Teresita.  About 1.5km from Alitagtag Municipio you will see the welcome arch of Sta Teresita.  Do not enter Sta Teresita, but instead, turn left, follow the (shortcut) road toward San Luis.  This 1km shortcut road will hit the national highway.  When you reach the national highway, turn left southward to Bauan.

Right before the bridge before Bauan town proper, turn right at the junction that leads to Mabini, follow the road for about 8.5km until you see a triangular Y junction.  Turn to the right (northeast) towards Anilao.  This 1.5km winding road will end at a busy marketplace cum jeepney terminal.  This is Anilao proper.  200 or so meters before reaching this marketplace, there is a road to the left that goes to barangay Solo, Bagalangit and San Teodoro.  Take this road and from here and up to Bagalangit (8km), you will see all the resorts.

 

 

Sombrero Island - 8m.-25m./26ft.-82ft. in depth, about 15 minutes from the resort, visibility is from 10m.-25m./33ft.-82ft., with slight to moderate current that flows from any direction but occasionally no current. Sombrero Island is named after the shape of it's Island means (hat). This is one of the best location for beginner divers, under water photographer and generally for all divers.

 

It has thousands of different kinds of fauna, lots of nudibranch where sometimes you see them when they actually mating, lots of small caverns on the drop off side that inhabited by thousands of Red Toothed trigger fish, some grouper, Black Lion fish and lots of annteas.On the mid water by the drop off side you will see schools of Rainbow Runner, Surgeon fish, Red Fusilier and some Gigantic Puffer fish.

 

Malajibomaoc - Only 140 km south of Manila, Anilao's proximity makes it a popular destination for weekend diving trips. Even excursions are ideal in this southern town where resorts are situated within short boat rides to excellent dive sites. Diving is mainly in coral slopes and shallow gardens among sandy patches. Choose from any of the 24 dive sites between the coast of Anilao and Maricaban Island. The most popular site is the Cathedral (average of 60 ft.), a roofless cavern with a blessed cross flanked by two large sea mounts. Ideal diving season is from November until May.

 

Ligpo Island -  There is a cave on the east side and an undersea mount on the west side which gets deep. On the eastern side, you can expect to encounter all the usual reef fish. When there is a current, various pelagic species appear from the depths on the western side. It is a good night time dive at neap tides with lots of moray eels, catfish and squid. 

 

Cathedral - New coral has been seeded and the site is now teeming with fish. It is the most popular site in The Philippines. It resembles a roofless cavern, consisting of two large sea mounts with a small cross planted at 15 meters. When there is current, you will be surrounded by feather stars and inflated soft corals everywhere. In addition, there are plenty of colourful sponges and nudibranches, hydroids, sea squirts, Feather Duster Worms and algae, with christmas-tree worms in the coral. Fish looking for a quick feed include the smaller angelfish, butterflyfish, wrasse, triggerfish, Moorish Idols, damselfish, pufferfish and surgeonfish. You'll also encounter parrotfish and hawkfish, blue sea stars, sea cucumbers, barrel sponges and anemones with clownfish.

 

Eagle Point - Only 140 km south of Manila, Anilao's proximity makes it a popular destination for weekend diving trips. Even excursions are ideal in this southern town where resorts are situated within short boat rides to excellent dive sites. Diving is mainly in coral slopes and shallow gardens among sandy patches. Choose from any of the 24 dive sites between the coast of Anilao and Maricaban Island. The most popular site is the Cathedral (average of 60 ft.), a roofless cavern with a blessed cross flanked by two large sea mounts. Ideal diving season is from November until May.

Koala - Location at South of Eagle Point, Access in 10 min by banca, Conditions: Generally calm with a medium current. Visibility can reach 65 ft. Average depth: 60 ft, Maximum depth: 80 ftA gradual slope from 30-80 ft, Koala is a good dive for novices with soft corals, stony corals, some big boulders, small reef fish and anemones with clownfish.

 

Arthurs rock and point - Location: Off the small point south of Koala, Access: 15 min south by banca, Conditions: General calm with little current, although it can get up to medium. Visibility can reach 65ft, Average depth: 33 ft, Maximum depth: 70 ftSimilar dive to Koala, these two sites gradually slope from 16 to 70 ft, offering small coral heads on sand, plenty of small reef fish, sponges, feather stars, soft corals, hydroids and anemones with clownfish.