WilStop

A resort town across from Mindoro; like Puerto Galera on Mindoro, Anilao is particularly of interest to divers. Not that easy to reach by public transport. One takes a jeepneys from Batangas to Bauan or directly to Mabini; some jeepneys go to Anilao.

Resorts

Anilao Diving Center; rooms $ 1040++
Aguila Beachhouse room 300 (meals incl)

DIVING SITES NEAR ANILAO (Batangas prov)

Located near Mabini, Batangas. To get there take a bus with signboard “Batangas City”. Ask the conductor to say when they have reached the Bauan stop. Sometimes one can find a jeepney going direct to Anilao at that point. Otherwise take the jeepney to Bauan and ask about a jeepney to Anilao. (overall it’s about a 3 to 4 hr trip). By private car the trip is much shorter. Certainly the closest diving to Manila.

Not only scuba diving but also snorkeling, sport fishing, sailing, and wind surfing are popular around Barangay Anilao, Mabini on Balayan Bay. World windsurfing competitions have been held there.

There are a number of small resorts in a wide price range as well as the new (late 1990) Vistamar Beach Resort. It is located on a 2 hectare (5 acre) site and has a 28room hotel with a restaurant. The resort is fully equipped to handle diver’s needs as well as other aquatic sports and has a 150 vehicle parking lot. It has picnic pavilions with tables as well as showers for the day tripper. It also has convention and seminar facilities.

The water temperature is 28%C (83%F), visibility for divers 1264m (40210ft), depth of dives 346m (10150ft). Locations are suitable for novices, intermediate and advanced divers. Equipment may be rented, emergency repairs are available as is air.

Divers may view all kinds of tropical reef fish as well as some ocean species, mantas, sharks, shells, crabs, crayfish, starfish, many kinds of coral and sea wrecks. Collecting coral or shells and spear fishing is prohibited.

Variations in tides as well as strong currents require that the diver consult local guides for danger spots (see also map).

Ligpo Island (1) just west of Ligpo Point; it is possible to circle the island in one dive; sharp dropoff on west side; the diver has to watch out for currents

Cathedral (2) about 140m (450ft) offshore; an underwater rock formation that looks like a roofless amphitheater; it has been seeded with coral and handfed fish who can be very friendly if one has a bit of bread

Sombrero Island (3) diving fairly shallow on brim of reef increasing down to 15m (50ft); currents very strong except close in west and southwest

Layag Layag Reef (4) for experienced divers only; on south side ledge has a 15m (50ft) dropoff; strong currents

Sepok Point (5) from due west and to the southwest are good diving areas; dropoff is at 15m (50ft) with a shallow step close to Maricaban Island at about 4.5m (15ft)

Layag Layag Point (6) the diver should seek advice on slack water times

Mainit (7) it has a hot spring on the beach; current can be strong so the diver should seek advice on times; afternoon breeze is strong and may reduce visibility by stirring up the water surface

Mapating Rock (8) sharks and strong currents make this a place for experienced divers with a guide; near rock 12m (40ft) than a series of dropoffs down to more than 40m (130ft)

Cavan Cove (9) a good place for shallow rents at outer ends of cove

Batalan Rock (10) & Merriel’s Rock (11) both are best in the morning as strong afternoon breezes spoil view; many kinds of coral

Papaya Point (12), Culebra (13)

& Malahibong Manok Island (14) all are far from Anilao and have no particular merit over a number of similar places which are closer.

Matoko (15) east of Matoko Point; steep slopes and dropoff with a ledge at 15m (50ft); local guide suggested; strong currents

Verde Island Dropoff (16) 1131m (35100ft); for experienced divers; the most beautiful dropoff in the Philippines; strong current

South of Verde Island (17) many nice dive spots for beginners and experienced divers; soft and hard coral; many tropical fish; common area for day trips with picnics on the beach

Anilao Beach Balayan Bay, near Mabini, Batangas about 2 1/2 hrs by bus from Manila with signboard Batangas City then a jeepney from Batangas City to Bauan; some jeepneys go directly to Anilao; famous for scuba diving and wind surfing; diving courses and equipment available. The water temperature is 28%C (83%F), visibility for divers 1264m (40210ft), depth of dives 346m (10150ft). Locations are suitable for novices, intermediate and advanced divers. Equipment may be rented, emergency repairs are available as is air.

Tags: Destination, Philippines, Places, Travel

This entry was posted on Thursday, October 29th, 2009 at 7:11 am and is filed under Places, Travel. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.