Macro diving in Anilao - Diving Vacation Philippines
Travel period
Features
Starting at
Macro Magic in the Philippines - diving Anilao
Your diving adventure begins at Buceo Anilao Beach & Dive Resort, also known as “The Yellow Dive Resort,” located at the southernmost tip of Anilao, Philippines. This resort is a paradise for macro lovers and underwater photographers, with its abundance of nudibranchs, colorful reefs and unusual critters. This dive vacation Philippines offers a perfect combination of luxury, adventure and a fascinating underwater world.
Diving Anilao: biodiversity at its best
Diving Anilao means diving in the heart of the Coral Triangle, a region known for its rich biodiversity. With more than 50 dive sites, including muck diving sites and a wreck, Anilao offers a unique experience. This area is known as the nudibranch capital, with more than 600 species. Or look for seahorses, shrimp, crabs, squid and gobies! Whether you are a novice diver or an experienced photographer, macro diving in Anilao will surprise you.
Luxury at Buceo Anilao Dive Resort
The Buceo Anilao Dive Resort offers a blend of luxury and comfort for the passionate diver. Rooms are modern in design and offer ocean views. From the private beach take traditional Filipino boats that take you to the best dive sites within 5 to 20 minutes. Diving Anilao starts right outside the door with the vibrant house reef, a photographer’s paradise.
Best travel time for a diving vacation to Anilao in the Philippines
The best time to dive in the Philippines is between November and May. During these months, the sea is calm and visibility is excellent. During typhoon season, from June to October, the weather is more changeable and visibility is sometimes less, but the water temperature remains pleasant for diving.
Average Temperatures
Wetsuit advice for diving in the Philippines
High season is from December to June. Then a 3mm, shorty or even a skin is sufficient. From July through November it is colder and we recommend a 3 or 5mm if you are chilly.
What will you experience on this diving vacation?
View itinerary here
Day 1 and 2 | The journey to the Philippines
Your adventure begins with a 1-5 p.m. flight from Europe to Manila International Airport. After a comfortable 3-hour transfer to Anilao and a short 5-minute boat ride, you will arrive at Buceo Anilao Dive Resort. Upon arrival, you will receive a warm welcome and have time to explore your accommodation and check in. You can prep your dive equipment at the dive center so you are all set for your first dive adventure the next day.
Day 3 to 5 | Unlimited (macro) diving at Anilao
For the next 8 days you will do unlimited diving in Anilao. For lunch you will dive at 08.00 11.00 and in the afternoon at 15.00 and at 18.00.
Your first day of diving in the Philippines begins with an exploration of Buceo Point, the resort’s house reef. This reef is known for its impressive macrofauna and muck diving opportunities. You’ll encounter all sorts of fascinating critters, such as nudibranchs, shrimp and crabs. This is an ideal place for underwater photographers to test out the camera and take their first spectacular photos. After a short break you can enjoy another dive on the house reef or a nearby site.
Day 4: Sammy’s Point and Secret Bay
The day begins with a dive at Sammy’s Point, a colorful coral park discovered by renowned macro guide Sammy Mendoza. This area is a favorite among photographers for its rich diversity of corals, anemones and small marine animals such as pygmy seahorses and razor clams. In the afternoon, head to Secret Bay, one of the best spots for muck diving in Anilao. Here, with little current, you can quietly observe the smallest underwater creatures.
Day 5: Lipgo Island and The Cathedral
The day begins with an exploration of Lipgo Island, known for its red and yellow gorgonians and abundant reef inhabitants. Here you can often spot octopuses, crabs and small fish as you swim past the dramatic underwater formations. In the afternoon the program includes The Cathedral, a protected underwater zone with a beautiful landscape of soft corals and colorful fish. Here you have the chance to spot pygmy seahorses and even the blue-ringed octopus.
Day 6 to 10 |.
Day 6: Bonito Island and Mapating Rock
The morning dive takes you to Bonito Island, a dive site popular with beginners and experienced divers alike. The reef here is covered with vibrant corals and provides excellent habitat for marine animals such as green sea turtles and reef sharks. Later in the day explore Mapating Rock, a dive site known for its strong currents and rich biodiversity. It is a more challenging dive, but with rewards such as schools of fish that are carried away by the current.
Day 7: Koala and Maricaban Island
You begin the day with a dive at Koala, a beautiful dive site where you can enjoy clear coral reefs and an abundance of marine life, including white tip reef sharks and sea turtles. In the afternoon, you will dive at Maricaban Island, a site best known for its macro diving opportunities. Here you can take the most detailed underwater photos of unusual critters such as seahorses and shrimp. A perfect place for underwater photographers!
Day 8-10: Rediscovery and Deepening.
During these days you will return to some of your favorite dive sites or discover new ones. Each dive offers the chance to discover new critters and further improve your photography skills. In case you are not a photographer, diving in Anilao remains worthwhile due to its rich biodiversity and the possibility of spotting special sea creatures you won’t see anywhere else.
The accommodation
The stay and surroundings
Buceo Anilao Dive Resort - Anilao
Buceo Anilao Dive Resort is the destination for passionate divers who want to explore the underwater world of the Philippines. Located on the coast of Anilao, this resort is known for its first-class facilities equipped for divers and underwater photographers. The camera room has a well-equipped workstation with storage cabinets, air guns and power outlets. The resort offers direct access to some of the best dive sites in the region, with colorful reefs and abundant marine life.
The bar and restaurant offer a delicious mix of international dishes and Filipino specialties. Enjoy a drink on the terrace while talking through the day with fellow divers. For ultimate relaxation, the resort features a spa with panoramic views, offering therapeutic massages.
Buceo Anilao is all about diving and relaxation, with modern facilities and personalized service that will make your diving vacation unforgettable.
The resort has 17 deluxe rooms ranging from Deluxe, Superior and Standard. All are located on a hill with stunning views of the sea so good walking is desirable at this resort. For divers, there is a 3-meter deep training pool where you can refine your diving techniques. After a day of unlimited diving you can relax in the infinity pool, with breathtaking views of the horizon and the famous Anilao sunsets.
Travel costs
What is included
This dive vacation with unlimited diving at Buceo Anilao Dive Resort can be booked from US$ 1.654 per person based on two people in a Superior room. A number of things are included by default in this travel package.
Prices are based on low season from July through November.
From December to the end of June is the high season. Prices are subject to price changes, increases or changing exchange rates.
Flights are always based on the cheapest possible booking class.
Want to know more about this diving vacation to Anilao in the Philippines?
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Included in this diving trip, from US$ 1.654 p.p.
- 10 Nights in a 2-bed Superior room at the Buceo Anilaos Resort
- Stay on a bed and breakfast basis
- Unlimited Diving package of 8 days with 4 dives per day
- 1 night in double room incl. breakfast in a hotel in Manila
- All necessary transfers tbv program
- VZR, Calamity Fund & Administration fee
Excluding
- Flight Amsterdam - Manila approx. US$ 831
- Marine Park Fee a 300 PHP US$ 5
Optional
- Rental diving equipment
- Surcharge Deluxe Room at Buceo Anilao Dive Resort
- Single room supplement
- Extension of trip
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Frequently asked questions about this diving vacation
Diving general information
Diving equipment
Both DIN and INT are possible. Adapters are available at the diving school.
Yes, 15L tanks and Nitrox (up to 36%) is available at the resort.
Yes, you can rent diving equipment here. Ca.
€15 per day for full diving equipment.
Activities, Excursions and Wellness
Yes, you can also do excellent snorkeling at this diving destination. There are plenty of shallow dive sites.
On site, book excursions at the reception desk. Furthermore, you can book massage and yoga.
It is not a resort to go to with small children.
Yes spa and wellness is available on request at the resort.
Accommodation / Resort
Yes, all rooms have air conditioning in the resort.
Yes there is WIFI in the resort in the public areas. Some rooms benefit from this free wifi along however most rooms are out of range of the free wifi. Our advice is to buy a local phone card.
Yes, there is a restaurant at the resort that serves local and international cuisine. We also recommend this ipv full board.
Yes there is a swimming pool available.
During this diving vacation in the Philippines, you will make boat dives on reefs around Anilao.
5 to 20 minutes of boating.
4 dives per day.
Yes, you can dive at night.
They are shallow dives so an Open Water is sufficient. Some dives are deeper and with currents then an Advanced Open Water is required.
The diving school is in the resort.
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