Whether you’re looking for a place to see diverse marine life or simply want a spot where you can lounge by the blue waters, Anilao, Batangas—just two to three hours away from Manila—is a place in the Philippine island of Luzon where you can get both.
Anilao has a teeming marine life and beautiful coastline, making it a regular destination of divers from the Philippines and travelers from all over the world. If you find yourself on this side of the Philippines soon, here are some of the things that await you.
Diving, snorkeling, and macrophotography.
This is one of the main reasons why locals and travelers alike visit this place. There are a number of companies that offer diving services, from gear rental to diving packages with boat rides accommodation, so you won’t have a hard time arranging a trip. There are also a number of resorts that gives diving certification. The best part? You can dive in this place all year round (although March to April are the best months to visit).
Some of the best places to dive include Cathedral Rock, Sombrero Island, Bonito Island, Ligpo Island, and Maricaban Island. There are dozens of great sites, so make sure that you do careful research and find the one that suits your preferences.
Aside from being a popular diving destination, Anilao is a popular place for macrophotography. The Anilao Diving Underwater Photography is where you can get started if this is the type of thing that you want to do.
If you can’t dive yet, snorkeling is another great way to marvel at Anilao’s marine life. Most resorts offer snorkeling activities, so everything will be arranged for you.
Wide range of hotels and resorts
If diving is not your thing, there are still other water activities in store for you here. Because more and more people visit Anilao—whether locals from the capital Manila doing a weekend getaway or a vacationing tourists—more and more accommodations have sprung up. You can check out the Anilao Beach Club, a famous dive site and accommodation facing the beautiful Balayan Bay; or Vivere Azure Resort, a place with a select number of tastefully-designed rooms and an infinity pool and can arrange activities like snorkeling, trekking, and hiking around the area.
Access to other famous destinations
If you have more time to spend in the Batangas area, you can also explore other surrounding well-known southern cities in Luzon famous with travelers.
The nearby Tagaytay, for instance, is a city where you can get that break from the Manila heat, and is well known for good food (must try is the hearty soup dish Bulalo) and beautiful views of the famous Taal Volcano. Cavite, known as the “Historical Capital of the Philippines,” where the Philippine independence from the Spain was declared, is also a great place to visit to get a glimpse of the country’s history.
/// Written by Lia Tizon, The Philippines
