Anilao⚠ data unverified
Philippines · Asia · South China Sea
3.9
/ 5
★★★★☆
Macro and muck diving with 4 standout species — a great fit for most divers.
Level Intermediate
Marine life
4.0
Visibility
3.0
Accessibility
5.0
Facilities
4.5
Pros
- Good visibility around 12 m
- 4 standout marine species
- Best conditions in Nov–May
Cons
Best for
Plan your trip
$$🛏️
Suggested stay
3–4 days
💸
Cost level
Relative cost $$ · ≈ $71/day
Mature, well-served base — lots of competition keeps lodging reasonable.
🏨
Where to stay
Shore diving from a beachfront resort or dive lodge, often just steps from the water. Infrastructure is mature, with plenty of dive centres and lodging.
🧭
Real daily cost in Philippines
Around $71/day per person · food $24 · hotel $46
Good to know
- Gentle conditions — great for long, unhurried dives.
- An Advanced Open Water certification is recommended.
- Prime season is Nov–May.
📷 Diego Delso · CC BY-SA 4.0
Depth
3–30 m (10–98 ft)
Visibility
12 m (39 ft)
Water temp
27–29°C (81–84°F)
Current
Mild
Best season
Nov–May
Certification
Open Water
Dive shops
20
Why go
Anilao in the South China Sea off Philippines is a dedicated macro and muck-diving site, where photographers search for small and unusual subjects. Dives run to 30 m with around 12 m visibility, gentle currents and sea temperatures of 27–29°C. Marine highlights include nudibranchs, frogfish, pipefish and cuttlefish. Best season is Nov–May, typically reached by shore and boat. A good choice for divers with some experience. Open Water certification is sufficient for most sites here.
Site type
Muck
Access
ShoreBoat
A highlight of the trip. I'll be back, and I'll bring my dive buddy.
Reliable conditions and plenty of variety — I rate it highly for guiding.
Really enjoyed it. Just watch your buoyancy when you drop in.