DIVE THE INCREDIBLE WATERS OF ANILAO
For muck and blackwater, there is no better place to venture than Anilao – just be sure to bring your super-macro lens!
LOCATED IN THE Batangas region of the main island of Luzon, about two and a half hours southwest of Manila, Anilao has been a favourite diving spot among the locals for more than half a century and is widely believed to be the place where diving first took off in the Philippines.
Originally located near the mouth of the western bank of the Anilao River, this was where the town derived its name and like other coastal towns in the area, Anilao was first founded by a group of fishermen during the Pre-Spanish period. Additionally, these fishermen would dock their boats in the thick mangrove forests in the swamp that bordered the mouth of the river, as it provided good shelter for their fishing boats during typhoons.
A quieter and much more laid-back destination amongst the islands of the Philippines, Anilao has so much beauty, above and below the surface, and is truly the perfect destination for the die-hard water babies out there. But as well as having some excellent beaches and water sports on offer, Anilao is also coveted as one of the top places in the world for muck diving and underwater macro photography.
A trip to the Philippines is never complete without a dive expedition and where better to dive than in the place where diving is believed to have first taken off! This pioneering destination has more than 20 known dive sites
(with many more still being discovered), and is the best place for muck diving and blackwater diving – a paradise for macro underwater photographers.
Three popular sites to visit include:
SECRET BAY
Also known as “Mainit Muck”, this famous dive site was named Secret Bay as divers who visited the area found the site abundant with critters and wanted to keep the location secret, but of course, word eventually got out about the teeming marine life. Secret Bay is now one of the most popular sites in Anilao. This site is great for underwater photography and night diving.
TWIN ROCKS
Another popular site, Twin Rocks features two huge rocks underwater that sit about a metre apart from each other, which are completely covered with corals and fish life. Here, divers can encounter juvenile turtles and yellow snappers. This site is another haven for underwater photographers.
“This pioneering destination has more than 20 known dive sites (with many more still being discovered)”
BEATRICE ROCK
One of the dive sites in Anilao that also offers wide-angle photography opportunities, Beatrice Rock is known for its incredible underwater beauty. The site features a series of small drop-offs and two massive coral formations. The average depth of this site is 14 metres, making it well suited to beginners.
As a diver, when you think about diving in Asia, you probably think of diving in Southeast Asia. Your mind’s eye takes you to the incredible islands of Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines. And you’re not wrong: There’s just so much to explore in the region and with thousands of islands and islets to discover, the dive opportunities are absolutely endless. However, with popularity comes, well, crowds. Visiting Southeast Asia’s most famous dive spots means sharing the sea with increasing numbers of divers. So, where in Asia do you find awesome diving without the masses? One answer is, look east.
Home to China, Japan, Korea and Taiwan, East Asia is one of the most underrated, undiscovered, and enthralling dive destinations on the continent. Many know these countries for their natural wonders, high-tech cities, and rich cultures, but overlook them as potential dive destinations.
So, in this East Asia Edition of Asian Diver Scuba101, we introduce you to this mesmerising underwater world less dived. From swimming with big animals in Japan to discovering the lost Lion City of China, the (dive) world is your oyster! There is so much untapped potential in this region, so if you’re ready, flip the page and discover the hidden gems just waiting to be found.
“The ocean stirs the heart, inspires the imagination, and brings eternal joy to the soul.” – Robert Wyland, American marine life artist