Trip base · Philippines
Anilao
Macro diving in Batangas, a drive south of Manila. Anilao is known for nudibranchs, Cathedral Rock is a pinnacle, and Verde Island's strong currents make it an Advanced dive.
Strong fit for February
28°C+
- Strength: 4 of 4 sites are in season in February
- Strength: Calm seas on almost every day
- Trade-off: Water 26°C, below your 28°C
Pack a 3–5 mm wetsuit for February.
Why this match: 39 + 16 + 20 + 11 = 86
- Season39 / 40
- 4 of 4 sites are in season in February; calm on almost every day.
- Water16 / 27
- Average 26°C; your minimum is 28°C. Pack a 3–5 mm wetsuit.
- Your level20 / 20
- No level picked, so all 4 sites count.
- Weather11 / 13
- Rain on about 1 day in 5; no real storm risk.
Month by month
Season: best November to May.
| Month | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | January: Best | February: Best | March: Best | April: Best | May: Best | June: Off season | July: Off season | August: Off season | September: Off season | October: Off season | November: Best | December: Best |
| Mantas | January: Possible | February: Possible | March: Possible | April: Possible | May: Possible | June: Possible | July: Possible | August: Possible | September: Possible | October: Possible | November: Possible | December: Possible |
| Whale sharks | January: Possible | February: Possible | March: Possible | April: Possible | May: Possible | June: Possible | July: Possible | August: Possible | September: Possible | October: Possible | November: Possible | December: Possible |
| Hammerheads | January: We don't know yet | February: We don't know yet | March: We don't know yet | April: We don't know yet | May: We don't know yet | June: We don't know yet | July: We don't know yet | August: We don't know yet | September: We don't know yet | October: We don't know yet | November: We don't know yet | December: We don't know yet |
| Reef sharks | January: Possible | February: Possible | March: Possible | April: Possible | May: Possible | June: Possible | July: Possible | August: Possible | September: Possible | October: Possible | November: Possible | December: Possible |
| Turtles | January: Possible | February: Possible | March: Possible | April: Possible | May: Possible | June: Possible | July: Possible | August: Possible | September: Possible | October: Possible | November: Possible | December: Possible |
| Dolphins | January: We don't know yet | February: We don't know yet | March: We don't know yet | April: We don't know yet | May: We don't know yet | June: We don't know yet | July: We don't know yet | August: We don't know yet | September: We don't know yet | October: We don't know yet | November: We don't know yet | December: We don't know yet |
| Water | 27° | 26° | 27° | 28° | 30° | 30° | 29° | 29° | 29° | 29° | 28° | 27° |
| Rain days | 10 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 20 | 26 | 29 | 27 | 28 | 26 | 21 | 18 |
| Calm days | 28 | 25 | 30 | 30 | 31 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 28 |
| Storm risk | – | – | – | – | 10% | 17% | 23% | – | 17% | 37% | 47% | 33% |
Storm risk: – means under 5%.
Dive sites here
4 sites on Divetip.
- Verde IslandReef · Advanced · max 40 m · strong current
- Anilao Cathedral RockReef · Advanced · max 35 m
- AnilaoReef · Intermediate · max 25 m
- Sombrero IslandReef · Intermediate · max 35 m
Getting there
Fly to Manila (MNL). Road south from Manila (about 130 km): about 3 h.
Day boat only.
What diving costs
A day of diving from about €83
A day of diving
Buceo Anilao Beach & Dive Resort: USD 93 for 2 dives (about €83)
2-dive package per person, rates valid 1 Oct 2026 - 30 Jun 2027. Extra: Sanctuary Dive Fee USD 7 per person per day, fuel surcharge PHP 150 per dive, rental gear (full gear w/o computer USD 25/day), Nitrox USD 5. Single dive USD 48; unlimited diving USD 136/day (3-8 days).
Single dives and add-ons
Blue Ribbon Divers: PHP 1,800 a dive (about €26)
Fun dive per diver (page shows PHP 1,800 and PHP 2,000, the higher one apparently including a temporary fuel surcharge); prices valid through August 2026. Excludes government environmental tax PHP 150-300 per diver per day and rental gear (full gear PHP 450 per dive or PHP 1,200 per day). Page does not say whether boat and guide are included.
Prices checked 8 November 2026; park fees and equipment often extra.
Non-divers: snorkeling from the shore and by boat
Non-divers can snorkel the shallow, low-current sites and some resort house reefs (Dive and Trek's protected house reef draws snorkelers as well as divers), and resorts offer boat snorkel outings such as a Maricaban picnic and snorkeling trip.
Book your Anilao trip
- Book an Anilao dive day from Manila on Klook (partner link, opens in a new tab)
- Search flights on Aviasales (partner link, opens in a new tab)
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