Information about Anilao

Anilao

Anilao is a barangay (small administrative district) in the municipality of Mabini, Batangas, that is dubbed as the birthplace of scuba diving in the Philippines. It sits about 90 KM from Manila City, which makes it one of the most popular quick weekend getaways for tourists, especially diving enthusiasts, due to its vibrant underwater scenery.
Many experienced divers call it a paradise for underwater macro photography as well as a treasure trove for colorful and unique nudibranch species. There are more than 20 known dive sites in Anilao, including The Cathedral, Arthur’s Rock, Twin Rocks, Ligpo Island, Koala, Bethlehem, Beatrice Rock, Devil’s Point, Layag-Layag, and Kirby’s Rock, among others. It is also very close to the Verde Island Passage, which is regarded as the “Center of the Center of Marine Biodiversity in the World.” 

Best time to visit

Since Anilao is mainly a diving destination, it's best to visit between December and May, as this is generally when the dry seasons starts and ends in the Philippines. While you can still dive the rest of the year, it's recommended to avoid diving when there are heavy rains.