Anilao

The closest dive destination to Manila, world-famous for macro life, with nearby island beaches and ridge hikes for an easy weekend trip.

Anilao lies on the western shore of a peninsula in Mabini, Batangas province, on Luzon in the Philippines, facing Balayan Bay and the Verde Island Passage. About 120 km from Manila, it is the closest dive destination to the capital and is often called one of the birthplaces of Philippine scuba diving. Marine biologists have dubbed the Verde Island Passage the "center of the center of marine shore fish biodiversity," and Anilao is world-renowned for macro diving: hundreds of nudibranch species, pygmy seahorses, frogfish, octopus and all kinds of shrimp and crabs draw underwater photographers from around the globe, and its night and blackwater dives are just as famous. The area divides into three parts: resorts and dive sites (Twin Rocks, Cathedral Rock, Arthur's Rock and more) along the west coast of the Mabini peninsula, mostly 10–20 minutes by resort boat; Maricaban Island across the water, home to Tingloy town, with deeper sites such as Sombrero Island, Beatrice Rock and Sepok Point as well as Masasa Beach; and on land, Mt. Gulugod Baboy, climbed for sunrise and panoramic bay views. The best season is November to May, with calm seas and good visibility, and the water is warmest Mar–May; June–October is southwest monsoon and typhoon season, when rough seas often halt boats. Getting there: drive or hire a car from Manila via the STAR Tollway, about 2.5–3.5 hours; by public transport, take a bus to Batangas City Grand Terminal, then a jeepney to Mabini and Anilao Port; for Tingloy, an outrigger boat from Anilao Port takes about 30–45 minutes. Accommodation is mostly dive resorts, usually with three meals and dive packages included; weekends fill up with Manila visitors, so book ahead. Plan on 2–4 days, longer for divers. Most dive sites are in marine protected areas that charge a small environmental fee, and touching or collecting marine life is strictly prohibited.

Top sights

• Twin Rocks Marine Sanctuary – Anilao's most popular dive site, where two rocks and a wreck attract dense schools of fish. Suitable for beginners and macro photography.
• Sombrero Island – A small island shaped like a Mexican sombrero, the signature sunset silhouette of Anilao, with flourishing coral and giant sea fans at the…
• Masasa Beach – A white-sand beach on Maricaban Island with clear, shallow water ideal for snorkeling. It is a popular getaway for Manila residents for wee…
• Cathedral Rock Marine Sanctuary – One of the Philippines’ earliest marine sanctuaries, with two underwater reef mounds shaped like a cathedral and a cross placed by divers.
• Mount Gulugod Baboy – A grassy ridge shaped like a pig’s spine, about 525 m high, with summit views over Balayan Bay, Batangas Bay and Maricaban Island.
• Beatrice Rock – A reef dive site off Maricaban Island, known for wall diving, large fish schools and occasional encounters with big fish.
• Sepoc Point – A cluster of dive sites at the northwest tip of Maricaban Island, with dense coral on the Sepoc Wall. Nearby Sepoc Beach is a stop for isla…
• Verde Island – The namesake small island of Verde Island Passage, hailed as a center of marine biodiversity and famous for the fish schools at “The Pinnac…
• Arthur's Rock – A shallow reef site on the west coast of the Mabini Peninsula, with gentle currents and rich marine life, ideal for night dives and beginne…

Where to eat

• Altrove Pizzeria Anilao – A rare open-air Italian restaurant in Anilao, with well-regarded wood-fired pizza, served under trees and beside the po…
• OMG Grill – The best-known local eatery in Anilao outside the resort restaurants, famous for chocolate-cured pork belly and Batanga…