Philippines Guide
For Travelers, Expats and Pinoys
Anilao, Diving Options in Batangas
When it comes to finding the perfect diving spot, the Philippines has a great many and on top of this list is Anilao in the province of Batangas. This dive spot is recognized as one of the favorite hangouts of people looking for a weekend getaway. Being just a couple of hours away from the national capital of Metro Manila, it is a suitable spot alternative for city residents who want to take a dip in its resorts or engage in scuba diving or snorkeling. Aside from its world-class amenities, Anilao is home to the biggest contingent of various marine life species, including more than 90% of coral species and a huge number of nudibranch.
Diving in Anilao reached its peak during the early years of the 80’s when divers from different parts of the world discovered the place and started diving the area extensively. However, the diving place was still due for development during that time. Aside from that, Anilao was affected by dangerous style of dynamite fishing by the local residents. Consequently, foreign divers began to look for other dive sites in the Philippines, such as Tubbataha or Palawan. However, slowly but surely, Anilao is getting back on its feet after local efforts to preserve natural wildlife went into full swing.
Dive sites in the area are perfect for beginners as well as expert divers. Local 
and foreign divers can look forward to comfortable temperatures throughout the year. The customer service is exceptional and commonly the local personnel will take care of the itinerary of their clients. Dive sites in Anilao offer affordable prices and are truly a worthwhile diving experience.
At some dive sites, beginners don’t like to indulge in scuba diving for fear of getting into situations they can’t handle, but Anilao offers several alternatives in the nearby resorts lined-up on the coast. Some of the more popular dive sites in Anilao include Cathedral and Twin Rocks. Both provide a guarantee of an enjoyable diving experience for beginners and experts alike.
Although designed as a resort and diving site, Anilao likewise offers other amenities for customers who are not inclined to diving. Visitors can look forward to spa and massage treatments. Snorkeling is a very popular alternative to diving.
Situated on the northeast area of Anilao is Lake Taal, where majestic Taal Volcano, the world’s smallest volcano, is located. Residents from this city can likewise tour this natural wonder which has another lake within the volcano’s crater. Guests could even consider going on a hiking trip towards the slope of Taal Volcano. Finally, there are other diving alternatives which visitors can delve in outside Lake Taal.
So when looking for dive spots in the Philippines, always consider Anilao; you won’t be disappointed.
[Tags]Diving, Anilao, Philippines, Dive Site, Batangas, Diving in Anilao, Divers[/Tags]
Balicasag Island, A World Class Dive Site
Not too many dive sites in the world can offer about $40 for two dives. Like most dive sites in the country, Balicasag Island, in the Philippines, can offer this great service and add to it many wonderful locations.
Balicasag Island, Philippines, is a flat island four kilometers southwest of the Duljo Point off what is known as Pangalo Reef. The sandy coraline beach of Balicasag Island is a site to behold making it ideal for vacationers. The whole of Balicasag Island can be toured in a day.
Balicasag Island is fringed by a narrow reef about nine to 49.5 meters wide, one of the many reasons why Balicasag Island is a favorite destination of many foreign and local divers. Other than this, the locals exhibit the homegrown Filipino hospitality that makes visitors come back again and again.
You will find hard coral covering the submarine cliffs’ tops and sponges and gorgonians at the base. The Balicasag Island is also home to a huge community of fish.
Here are some interesting places you can check out when you visit Balicasag Island.
Diver’s Haven is a dive site that features a grand array of fish and marine life. Because of the many features of this dive site, it becomes a place of bliss for many divers who visit Balicasag Island.
Another interesting dive site in Balicasag Island is called the Turtle Point. This dive site is located on the eastern side of the island. It features caves about 60 to 75 meters down. The dive site is called Turtle Point due to the fact that the place is a haven for turtles. They make the caves their own lair to hide from perceived hazards.
Located on the southwest side of Balicasag Island is the Cathedral Wall. This dive site is a section of a wall that has many recesses where divers can explore. You may need to bring a torch to have a grand view of the marine life. Reef fish, sponges, and big jacks can be found here along with other forms of marine life.
The north side of Balicasag Island is covered with thick coral forming a kaleidoscopic multi-colored reef full of an assortment of tropical fish. This dive site is amply called the Royal Garden.
A dive site you can’t afford to miss is the Black Coral Forest. You can actually have the rare opportunity to swim through the black coral that abounds in this part of Balicasag Island. Black coral is rarely found on a shallow 90-foot depth.
Balicasag Island is an hour and ten minutes away from Manila to Tagbilaran or Cebu by air. You can get to Balicasag Island from Cebu through Bohol via a connecting bridge and get to Alona beach, which is the jump off point. Accommodations on the island are usually worth Php 2,500, an average price for accomodations in the Philippines. Take note that prices can change without notice.
Balicasag Island is the location of the best dive sites in this part of the Philippines. The place offers rare experiences that anyone can afford even on a tight budget.
[Tags]Diving, Philippines, Dive Sites, Scuba, Balicasag, Bohol, Divers, Philippines Diving, Island, Reef Fish, Coral[/Tags]
Nasugbu, a Dive Paradise Near the City of Manila
Planning to get out of the town and relax in a place with a beautiful scenic natural ambiance? Why don’t you try going to Nasugbu, Batangas? Nasugbu is one of the closest diving destinations from Manila. You can drive to Nasugbu for about a couple of hours (that is if you don’t encounter any traffic).
Nasugbu faces the magnificent South China Sea. It has a great dive site with plenty of sea creatures. Who would ever realize that there are dive sites close to the Philippine’s capital.
One of the dive spots in Nasugbu is Blue Holes, which is made up of three sinkholes. While in Blue Hole, expect to find different kinds of fish like angelfish, damselfish, sweetlips, parrot fish and large groupers.
Other than the diverse species of fish in Blue Holes, you can also find different kinds of coral such as barrel sponges, gorgonians, and anemones. If you are lucky you can even catch the sight of Hawkbill turtles and some species of pelagic fish.
Another dive spot in Nasugbu is Pink Wall, diving to a rocky bottom going in to a small cave. It will lead you to a wall covered with vast amount of soft pink corals. You will be left breathless by astonishing pink corals surrounded by abundant species of fish. The approximate depth of this dive spot is from 20 to 90 feet.
Fuego point is one popular dive spot in Nasugbu. The interesting characteristic of Fuego point is that it’s shaped like a horseshoe. Fuego point is divided to two parts namely the north side and the south side.
The south side has an interesting deep. Diving to a 110 feet with the corals along with the large angelfish, large grouper and remoras.
The north side is mostly gaining popularity not only to foreign divers but also to local divers as well. Its has a beautiful scenery of walls and canyons.
If you’re looking for stingrays you should go to the Coral Garden. Normally you can see these stingrays covered in sand. Coral Garden is also one popular site in Nasugbu. The name is taken from a tight hug of a variety of corals scattered all over the sandy bottom.
These are only a few of the many dive spots in Nasugbu, Batangas. It’s easy to find an inn or a resort to spend the night in Nasugbu making it ideal for weekend trips and holidays. If you are looking for a weekend get away or a good place to spend a holiday break, then come to Nasugbu, Batangas for a great time under the waves.
Experience a Weekend Diving Trip in Anilao
Anilao is a town in Batangas that is a famous destination for weekend trips, especially for diving. Many resorts in Anilao offer great diving packages to excellent dive sites in the area. There are about 24 dive sites in Anilao. Among these dive sites are the following listed below.
The Cathedral – This dive site is a marine sanctuary in Anilao. The Cathedral has two big mounds where a cross was planted in between these mounds. The dive site looks like an underwater roofless amphitheater. The Cathedral is a famous dive site in Anilao where many types of reef fish can be found.
The Sombrero Island – This dive site is a drift dive in Anilao. The name of the island is derived from its appearance during low tide, shape like a hat or sombrero – a local term. The Sombrero Island is a good dive site for coral lovers.
The Mainit Point or Hot Water Point – This is a dive site in Anilao that has everything to offer. Hard corals, nudibranches, ribbon eels, and mantis shrimp are among the marine life that can be found in the Mainit Point. Occasionally, sharks can be found in this dive site. This dive site also has natural hot springs where you can boil eggs in them.
The Mapating or Shark Cave – This dive site in Anilao is a challenging one even for experienced divers. Strong water current prevails in the Mapating. A great variety of sharks, pelagic fish, and other marine life are rich in this dive site, which has a series of drop-offs.
The Twin Rocks – This is a dive site that has a capsized barge wreck. The giant clams, batfish, frogfish, and mushroom corals are among the things that you can find in the Twin Rocks in Anilao. Some blue spotted stingrays are also present in this dive site in Anilao.
The Ligpo Island – This is a dive site in Anilao that can be circumnavigated in just one dive. The Ligpo Island is also a good dive site for coral lovers where different types of corals can be found including large gorgonians. Various reef fish and sometimes, pelagic fishes can be seen swimming nearby in this dive site.
The dive sites mentioned above are just some of the wonderful sites in Anilao, Batangas. Anilao is about two-and-a-half hours away from Manila, Philippines. Buses traverse daily in this route from Manila to Anilao.
Anilao, Batangas is a wonderful place to go for weekend diving trip with its plenteous dive sites around. It is truly invigorating and refreshing when you visit the various dive sites in Anilao.
Wreck Diving at Black Island
One of the popular wrecks in Philippines visited by diving enthusiasts is the Black Island Wreck. The Malajon Island, one of the islands in the Calamianes group of Islands, is also known as Black Island because of its black rocks.
Coron, Busuanga Island and the Calamianes Islands (site of Black Island) are collectively known in the Philippines as the Calamianes group of Islands. They are the northern islands of Palawan. Busuanga Island, the main island of the Calamianes group of Islands, is about an hour and 20 minutes by air from Manila, Philippines.
Busuanga Island is in between the Sulu Sea and South China Sea. The most spectacular nature scenes of the Philippines are found on Busuanga Island. Here you’ll find underwater and land caves, huge limestone cliffs, jungles, rivers, hot springs, and mangrove swamps.
On September 24, 1944, Busuanga Island became a witness of World War II. The US Navy conducted an aerial bombardment of Japanese support vessels and cargo in the waters of this island. A number of shipwrecks were kept secret in the waters of this island. Busuanga Island now has become a sanctuary of the diverse species of marine life that make these wrecks their home.
The wreck lies right off the Black Island beach, right in front of a stranded ship at shore. Malajon Island is on the west side of Busuanga Island. Getting there will require a three to five hour boat ride. You can spend the night in the small resorts in the area while diving in Black Island Wreck and other wrecks along the way.
The Black Island Wreck is a small converted tanker designed to carry specific fuels. These fuels were placed in isolated tanks to replenish the fuel supply of the land-based depots. These tankers were from the Japanese Imperial Army.
The Black Island Wreck is a great dive site for wreck diving novices because of the shallow depth. The wreck’s depth starts at 21. 32 meters is the deepest point with a 20 meter visibility The dive site is also perfect for undersea photographers and night divers. The wreck has plenty of fish who make their home in it.
There is also a huge diversity of marine life on the Black Island Wreck. You can find large scorpionfish as well as lionfish on this site. You’ll be fascinated by the schools of batfish, trumpetfish, and sweepers that share their habitat. Emperor angelfish and six-banded angelfish are also live around the Black Island Wreck. Sponges, hydroids, and crinoids are also found here.
You will have a beautiful dive experience in the clear waters of Black Island Wreck near Busuanga Island.
A Glimpse of El Capitan Wreck Dive in Subic Bay
Wreck Diving is one of the many exciting activities that a tourist can venture in when visiting the former American naval base of Subic Bay. Its cool waters is home to various wreck diving sites that can make a trip truly worthwhile. Among the many wreck dive sites in Subic Bay, the El Capitan is one of the more popular destinations.
Located near the internal channel marker of Ilanin Bay in the Philippines, the El Capitan Wreck Dive Site is one of the most breathtaking venues in Subic Bay. It is a small freighter weighing 3,000 tons and measuring about 130 meters in length. The vessel crashed below Ilanin Bay. Its stem lies just 5 meters below the surface while its bow is situated 20 meters depending on the tide.
The El Capitan Wreck Dive in Subic Bay is ideal for shallow diving and is usually the second dive in a package. The descent to the wreck dive site begins at 18 meters, where divers can swim through the reception area. Likewise, they will be treated to a scintillating view of the tropical fish varieties located in this area.
Divers will know that they have arrived at the El Capitan Wreck Dive site once they have chanced upon a beautiful little bay which is covered by most of the vessel’s components. From there on, one would wonder why such a wreck can be located near the surface.
The hull of the vessel is now in bad shape as most of the wreckage are now scattered in various places. The El Capitan Wreck Dive site is now blessed with rich variety of marine life and provides some excellent opportunities for picture taking using the natural light passing through the holes of the once immense structure.
The huge structure is now gone. The hull is now buried under 2 centimeters of ash and sand from the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo. But nonetheless, the El Capitan Wreck Dive in Subic Bay can still provide an outstanding view with the wide array of marine life and provides an opportunity for a convenient swim through within the rays of light that shines down on the holes of the side of the wreckage. The El Capitan Wreck Dive is likewise excellent for snorkeling enthusiasts.
So for people who are looking for an activity that will make their trip to Subic Bay an exciting one, the El Capitan Wreck Dive site is a greatly recommended venue.
Subic Bay: Home of the Great Wreck Dive Sites
The Philippines is rich with great and exciting dive sites. Various species of sea plants, sea creatures, and corals are abundant within the various dive sites found anywhere in the Philippines. Subic Bay is one of the famous dive sites in the Philippines.
Aside from the various species present at sea like corals, dolphins, sharks, stingrays, turtles, fishes, and other more, Subic Bay has other dive sites to offer. Many wreck dive sites surround Subic Bay. The wreck dive sites in Subic Bay are mostly remains of the World War II event. There are about 30 wreck dive sites in Subic Bay and also 30 reef dive sites.
Subic Bay is located in Olongapo City. From Manila, Philippines, the place is about two hours away. Subic Bay is considered as the nearest place for reef and wreck diving from Manila. Along the coastline of Subic Bay, many dive centers and resorts are present that are only minutes away from the different reef and wreck dive sites of the place.
The wreck dive sites that are in Subic Bay consist mostly of vessels from the World War II era such as huge battleships, sea patrol boats, supply ships, antique steam ships, landing amphibians, crashed planes, submarines, and a lot more. Many incidents of ship sinking are happening in Subic Bay during the post-war time adding more ten ships to the wreckage collection.
It is also believed that Spanish ships are also found among the wreckage in Subic Bay. The San Quintin vessel, which is a warship during the Spanish-American War, can be found in the wreck dive sites in Subic Bay. A Spanish galleon of the 16th century and also a Chinese Junk ship are among the wreckage that can be found in the wreck dive sites in Subic Bay.
The remains of the USS New York can be found at the depth of about 27 meters in one of the wreck dive sites in Subic Bay. The USS New York was built in Philadelphia in 1891 that is about 116 meters long. During the Spanish-American War, this battleship was very useful and was sunk intentionally in Subic Bay in December 1941 so that the Japanese will not capture the ship.
In one of the wreck dive sites in Subic Bay at the depth of 34 meters, there lies an LST ship that is about 80 meters long. This ship is a large ship tank that is amphibious and used by the US Coast Guard to deploy troops. There is also a naval ship named El Capitan that was launched in the 1917.
The wreck dive sites in Subic Bay are more than sights to behold underwater. These dive sites are also instruments in unfolding some parts of the Philippine History.
A Grand Dive Site at Anilao, Batangas
Perfect diving and snorkeling for an amazing view of the sea underworld… This is what a grand dive site in Anilao, Batangas is all about.
Anilao boasts of an azure sea teeming with fish life and coral formations along with an abundance of diving spots. A glimpse into waist-deep crystal clear waters shows a microcosm of the spectacular sea world beneath.
Anilao is a three-hour travel from Buendia, Makati (where one can take a bus to Batangas), passing through the Mabini, Bauan terminal. From there, a ride to the Mabini dock area is available, and finally another ride (special trips are available) to Anilao diving spots.
For good diving spots, a short raft trip to deeper waters is recommended. Rented rafts and small boats for this purpose are available in Anilao. As one goes farther into the bay, this dive site reveals more fish and other sea creature havens and undulating coral reefs.
Macro photography is ideal as one sinks deeper into this dive site and discovers divisions of diving spots that offer fantastic views of the Anilao deep. Crinoids of different bright colors sprawl copiously on the sea floors and coral ridges. This dive site also reveals different varieties of other sea flora and fauna, like the nudibranchs, among others.
A more adventurous diving aficionado can choose a night session in the diving spots and discover nocturnal sea animals like sea hares and goblins to take macro photo shots of. There are also plenty of catfish eels and ghost pipe fishes to feast the eyes with. Not far away from coral reefs are blue-ringed octopuses and schools of mandarin fish.
A diving spot to look for deep down the sea floor is the so-called “Cathedral.” Seen at some 50 feet below, this is marked by a strange cross flanked by two heaps of coral reefs. Lots of fish species get their food at this site. Thus, a night visit in this diving spot rewards one with a stunning show of reef formations and sea life. Another diving spot of Anilao dive site is what divers fondly call “Sombrero.” It is like a hat of coral formations where fish linger and scour for food. Nearer to shore are Beatrice and Bajura, where also fish groups abound.
Anilao waters is a dive site off Batangas offering superb underwater sceneries that will impress even professional divers. It has different diving spots perfect with massive coral reefs and abundant sea life.
Different Dive Sites in La Union, Philippines
La Union is a province in the Philippines that belongs to Region 1. Situated in the west side of the Luzon Island, La Union has a number of reefs that are excellent sites for diving.
The Research Reef is a 10 minute travel by boat from Ocean Deep, a diving center in La Union. The dive site is from 25 feet deep which has a gradual drop down to 100 feet in the sandy seafloor. There are several caverns with tunnels large enough for a diver to swim through. Small cleaner shrimps and lobsters are abundant in the dive site.
The Tamayo Reef is located at the northern side of the Research Reef in La Union. The dive site has large coral heads. Tall valleys are also abundant. A certain area in the dive site is called Grouper Gulch because of the several sightings of large groupers in the area.
The Hashi Maru is a wreck dive site when a Japanese freighter sunk in 1941 in La Union. The dive site is in a sandy and muddy area so there may be times that visibility is not good. A diver will always have a fun dive in the Hashi Maru because of the many interesting things that still remains in the wreck.
The Radar Domes of Wallace, The Wallace Lighthouse, and The Voice of America are dive sites that are all situated in the Poro Point Peninsula. The reef of the dive sites starts at the shore and extends to about 300 meters away. There are many crevices and small holes within the coral formations and lots of fish species made homes in these dive sites. If there is rough weather, this would be the best dive site to go to in La Union because this is the last area to have bad visibility and the first also to get clear.
The Fagg Reef South starts at 20 feet and has a drop off of about 600 feet. The dive site has a gradual slope but its wall is not well defined. There are some timber on the south end of the dive site that are possibly remains of an old ship.
The Fagg Reef North is a dive site that contains a well defined wall from the north to the south end. There are also some coral heads with a number of fish species present in the dive site.
The Fagg Tanks is a wreck dive with M10A1E tanks that was dumped in La Union after World War II. Originally, there were 675 tanks on this site, but today, only 300 are left.
These dive sites in La Union are really worth a visit for beginners and experienced divers. Exploring the waters in La Union is an exciting indulgence.
Puerto Galera – Beauty Under the Sea
Puerto Galera is the home of many marine life species. The huge variety of corals and underwater creatures is an added attraction to the already beautiful beaches. It is not surprising that both local and foreign tourists explore the wonders of the waters of Puerto Galera.
You can reach Puerto Galera either by plane or by boat. It will only take couple of hours if you travel by plane from Manila. If you plan to travel by boat, you will have to spend a whole day for travel.
The average visibility in Puerto Galera’s waters is at 70 to 100 feet the whole year round. The temperature of the water ranges from 25 to 29 degrees Celsius. Puerto Galera offers a huge area of beautiful beaches. Another attraction are Puerto Galera’s shipwrecks are excellent for scuba diving.
Here are some of Puerto Galera’s dive spots:
If you’re a beginner and are looking for a shallow spot, the Manila Channel is excellent for you. The Manila Channel offers several types of anemones like Clown fish, sea stars, christmas tree worms and other colorful reef fish.
Another dive spot for beginners is the Coral Garden. It has lots of soft and stony large corals on crevices with the sometimes-occasional immature Whitetip sharks visiting every now and then. The approximate depth is 10m or 32 feet from the beach.
Another spectacular spot in Puerto Galera is the Hole in the Wall. You’ll be dropped off in a field of table corals. The Hole in the Wall is a large swim through the area and you’ll eventually see an assortment of reef fish, butterfly fish, pennant fish, trumpet fish, and angel fish. The Hole in the Wall is connected to other dive spots.
After a dive in the Hole in the Wall you’ll find yourself in another dive spot known as the Canyons. The area is teaming with many different types of fish life living within the corals. The Canyons is a world class dive spot in the Puerto Galera.
The Alma-Jane wreck is the newest dive spot in Puerto Galera. It is a beautiful steel cargo ship measuring over 30 meters in length beneath the sea of Puerto Galera. Even though the ship only sank in the early twenties. It has attracted large snappers, bat fish and lion fish.
Other than the beautiful sandy beaches, Puerto Galera offers magnificent dive sites. You’ll definitely be fascinated by Puerto Galera’s beauty beneath its blue waters.