Anilao Diving Day Trip from Manila

Anilao in Batangas province is where scuba diving in the Philippines began. Dive pioneer Al Hornsby introduced recreational scuba to the Philippines here in the 1950s, and the Anilao reef system has been drawing divers ever since. With over 800 species of fish and some of the highest nudibranch diversity on the planet, Anilao is a macro-photographer's paradise and a genuine bucket-list destination for serious divers.

The day trip departs Metro Manila early in the morning for the 2.5 hour drive to Anilao's dive resorts. After a briefing and gear setup, you complete two dives on the best sites selected by your dive master based on conditions and your certification level. Sombrero Island, Beatrice Rock, and Cathedral are among the signature spots — expect blue-ringed octopus, frogfish in multiple colour morphs, ghost pipefish, Rhinopias scorpionfish (Anilao is one of the only places in the world where these are reliably found), flamboyant cuttlefish, and kaleidoscopic nudibranch colonies. Between dives, a generous Filipino lunch fuels the second session.

Anilao is an easy 2.5 hr drive from Makati — the same distance as Tagaytay, but with world-class diving at the end. All dive equipment is provided. The tour is available for certified divers (Open Water and above); non-divers can snorkel the shallows while their companions dive. The sheer biodiversity per square metre at Anilao consistently ranks it among Asia's top five dive destinations.