Conditions referenceSeason, water and visibilityBest Nov–May · Mild current · 25–30°C (coldest Jan, warmest May)
- Current
- Mild
- Water temperature
- 25–30°C (coldest Jan, warmest May)
- Visibility
- 5–22m: Reef sites reach roughly 15-22m in the dry season (best March-May); muck sites are silty and often 5-15m by design.
- Experience
- Most sites are shallow (10-20m) with mild currents and suit Open Water divers.
01 · Marine life
What you may see
Sightings are never guaranteed. The bars show typical likelihood by month.
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | commonly seen |
| February | commonly seen |
| March | commonly seen |
| April | commonly seen |
| May | commonly seen |
| June | commonly seen |
| July | commonly seen |
| August | commonly seen |
| September | commonly seen |
| October | commonly seen |
| November | commonly seen |
| December | commonly seen |
Commonly seen poking from the sand and rubble at Twin Rocks and other sites, both blue adults and black juveniles.
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | commonly seen |
| February | commonly seen |
| March | commonly seen |
| April | commonly seen |
| May | commonly seen |
| June | commonly seen |
| July | commonly seen |
| August | commonly seen |
| September | commonly seen |
| October | commonly seen |
| November | commonly seen |
| December | commonly seen |
Anilao is one of the richest nudibranch areas on earth, with hundreds of species documented; found year-round on nearly every macro dive.
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | occasional |
| February | occasional |
| March | occasional |
| April | occasional |
| May | occasional |
| June | occasional |
| July | occasional |
| August | occasional |
| September | occasional |
| October | occasional |
| November | occasional |
| December | occasional |
Regularly found on muck sites and night dives, emerging after dark; small and easily missed without a spotter.
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | occasional |
| February | occasional |
| March | occasional |
| April | occasional |
| May | occasional |
| June | occasional |
| July | occasional |
| August | occasional |
| September | occasional |
| October | occasional |
| November | occasional |
| December | occasional |
A prized macro subject on black-sand muck sites, more frequently reported in the cooler months.
02 · Dive sites
Dive sites worth knowing
A starting point, not a ranking. Conditions decide what works on the day.
The Pier (Anilao Pier)
A shallow, easy muck dive that is a favourite for night macro and beginners.
3–12m · Mild current
Basura
Basura: Classic black-sand muck slope (the name means 'garbage').
4–20m · Mild current
Beatrice Rock
Beatrice Rock: Sloping reef and boulders with swarming anthias.
10–27m · Moderate current
See all 7 dive sites
03 · LogisticsGetting there and costsModerate. Fly to MNL. Typical trip $–$$.
Route overview
Moderate
Reachable but with some friction: a 3h overland transfer.
Airport options
MNL
Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Manila)
Main international airport for the region; reach Anilao by private van (~2.5-3.5h) or bus to Batangas plus jeepney/tricycle
Typical trip cost
$–$$
under $2,000 to $2,000–4,000
Per person, excluding international flights.
- Land-based and affordable by regional standards.
- Fun dives commonly run roughly PHP 1,800-2,500 (~$30-42) each; accommodation ranges from budget rooms around $25 to photography-focused resorts (Crystal Blue, Aiyanar, Eagle Point) at $150-250+ per night.
- A 7-day dive-and-stay package typically sits under $2k budget-to-mid-range, reaching the low $$ band at premium resorts.
Permit or park fee
What you pay
As of early 2026, roughly PHP 150 (~$2.50) per day per municipality
diving both Mabini and Tingloy waters is about PHP 300 (~$5) per day. Mabini issues waterproof wristbands.
How it works
No dive permit beyond local marine-park fees; diving is through licensed resorts and operators.