Best Anilao Dive site

[mikeng]

Hello guys

need your advice

If ever you were to choose. what is your 3 most favorite Anilao Dive site? I know it is been talked about before but i would rather have the most updated information. Going there this weekend i have time for only 3 dives. I dont think i would have another opportunity to dive anilao in the near future... I love to see large fishes...

thanks

 

[DevonDiver]

Anilao is really famous for the macro (small stuff) diving. But that doesn't mean you can't see manta, whale shark and other (big) pelagic animals.

I like diving at Diver's Sanctuary/Dive and Trek.... it's a nice bay with lots to see. Secret Garden and Secret Bay get lots of recommendations also.

 

[jigo]

are jacks and batfishes big enough for you? if so, the best site for both will be twin rocks. also some batfishes in the daryl laut wreck. for a chance to see sharks, you can try bahura and mainit point in the morning during full moon. ripping currents during full moon may bring out the sharks. some big triggers there too so beware!
my favorite non-macro dive site (although there are small stuff if you look hard enough) is Beatrice in the morning. current tends to be strong in the afternoon and during full moon but the corals and fish clouds there are really a sight to see. for macrophotography, secret bay and baSura are highly recommended as well as the anilao pier. Koala and kirby's rock is also very nice for corals as well as macro.

 

[wanderlass]

Twin Rocks
Mainit
Beatrice

 

[Karl_H]

A lot will depend on the condition that particular day, I'd suggest Bahura and Beatrice Rock are the two best sites but both can have some serious currents at times - to the point where most boats don't like to anchor at these times for fear of damaging the boat!

For a simple dive which normally has a few surprises, Koala is worth a visit. Macro wise Secret Bay is the number one spot but I found there was not a lot there last weekend - hopeful just a bad day though!

Mainit Point when the current is running usually has a few balck-tip sharks circling at the edge of visibility - but there isn't really much to see there when the current isn't flowing

For reference the Anilao tide tables are found in the link below - Not much current on Saturday except for a small flood on the Saturday morning - this should be a good time to dive Mainit - say between 8 and 10am. Bahura is good even on a slack tide so I'd say a good option may be to to Mainit first thing Saturday morning, then head over and dive Bahura and Beatrice. If the conditions don't took too good at Beatrice or Bahura I'd use Kirby's Rock as a initial back-up and Daryl Laut if it's particularly rough. The viz at Daryl Laut is normally quite bad though so it's best to go while the tide is still flooding.

EasyTide - on-line tidal predictions from the UKHO

If you're up for a more challenging deep dive then Mapating Cave (for reference - there are no sharks there normally!) is great, particularly when the Marble Rays are there - That's probably the biggest 'regular' fish you can see in Anilao.

This weekend is the Coastal Clear-Up so make sure you have accommodation booked as most resorts are full, also a lot of sites will be VERY busy, particularly Twin Rocks, so don't expect to have sites to yourself this weekend

Hope that helps and have fun!

Karl

 

[clgsamson]

Plan A
Bahura
Batok Sombrero and exit at Beatrice (would be great if there's a current=drift dive)
Sepok Wall to Kastilyong Buhangin

Plan B
Mainit
Secret Bay
Twin Rocks

 

[kwhkg]

can't beat Plan A for excitement but other suggestions for that side, Maybe plan A-1.1 are
Bethlehem (an overlooed site by most divers ) and Daryl Laut (sunken casino)

 

[mikeng]

A lot will depend on the condition that particular day, I'd suggest Bahura and Beatrice Rock are the two best sites but both can have some serious currents at times - to the point where most boats don't like to anchor at these times for fear of damaging the boat!

For a simple dive which normally has a few surprises, Koala is worth a visit. Macro wise Secret Bay is the number one spot but I found there was not a lot there last weekend - hopeful just a bad day though!

Mainit Point when the current is running usually has a few balck-tip sharks circling at the edge of visibility - but there isn't really much to see there when the current isn't flowing

For reference the Anilao tide tables are found in the link below - Not much current on Saturday except for a small flood on the Saturday morning - this should be a good time to dive Mainit - say between 8 and 10am. Bahura is good even on a slack tide so I'd say a good option may be to to Mainit first thing Saturday morning, then head over and dive Bahura and Beatrice. If the conditions don't took too good at Beatrice or Bahura I'd use Kirby's Rock as a initial back-up and Daryl Laut if it's particularly rough. The viz at Daryl Laut is normally quite bad though so it's best to go while the tide is still flooding.

EasyTide - on-line tidal predictions from the UKHO

If you're up for a more challenging deep dive then Mapating Cave (for reference - there are no sharks there normally!) is great, particularly when the Marble Rays are there - That's probably the biggest 'regular' fish you can see in Anilao.

This weekend is the Coastal Clear-Up so make sure you have accommodation booked as most resorts are full, also a lot of sites will be VERY busy, particularly Twin Rocks, so don't expect to have sites to yourself this weekend

Hope that helps and have fun!

Karl

thanks karl will consider what you suggested.. yup i heard about the clean up have my reservations confirmed and ready to go..
I might do a mix of what you guys are suggesting... thanks everyone for the input
really appreciate it