Anilao, in the municipality of Mabini, boasts more than 30 dive spots. The rich coral reefs abound with diverse sea life, and clear visibility may be enjoyed during most of the year. Anilao is only two-and-a-half hours’ drive from Manila and has long been a popular centre for day and weekend trips. Anilao has emerged as a prime resort centre for diving, with facilities ranging from “native“ to world-class.

Numerous dive spots front the resorts, so there is no need to rent a boat: just jump off the pier, dive 10-18 metres down, and you are there. Most diving consists of coral slopes, steeps, drop-offs and shallow coral gardens intertwined with sandy patches. Invertebrates, especially sea slugs, attract many divers to Anilao’s reefs. In fact, the world’s nudibranch specialists list this region as one of the best throughout the globe for sea slugs. Other invertebrate groups are also well represented in Anilao, including stony corals, soft corals, worms, crustaceans and echinoderms. With 319 coral species carpeting the seafloor, 262 fish species, tens of thousands of seabirds, 32 species of mangrove tree and the regular appearance of dolphins, whales and turtles, Anilao is one of the richest marine areas in the world. Other dive sites in Batangas offer equally exciting opportunities for exploration and close animal encounters. Among the most prominent sites are Balayan, Nasugbu and Verde Island.