Dive site · access from Anilao, Batangas
Blackwater (Balayan Bay)
Anilao is the world's busiest blackwater hub; divers drift the water column at night beside a weighted, light-rigged downline.
- Depth
- 0–25m
- Current
- Mild
- Minimum level
- Advanced open water
- Access
- Boat
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The case for it
Why dive here
- Open-ocean night drift on a lit downline over deep water
- Larval fish, paper nautilus, blanket octopus and pelagic oddities from the diel vertical migration
Check before booking
What may rule it out
- Advanced open water certification is the stated minimum.
Access and timing
Plan this through Anilao, Batangas
Best overall months: Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May. Check the destination planner for operating season, wildlife and other matching sites.
Wildlife
Seen around Anilao, Batangas
rareoccasionalcommonly seenpeak seasondestination closed
These are destination-level records, not confirmed sightings at Blackwater (Balayan Bay).
Blue-ringed octopus
| 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 |
Flamboyant cuttlefish
| 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 |
Hawksbill turtle
| 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 |
Hairy frogfish
| 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 |
Mandarinfish
| 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 |
Nearby alternatives
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Sources & last checked
Checked July 2026
Research is source-backed, but conditions and fees should still be confirmed locally.
View 1 source and checking notes
- Blackwater Diving in Anilao - The Pelagic Unknown, Indo Pacific Images
Note on the data: Coordinates are approximate; not surveyed dive-site GPS.