Laval
Contributor
Our 6-week Philippine diving adventure culminated perfectly at Buceo Anilao Beach & Dive Resort. It wasn't just the last stop on our adventure; it felt like a homecoming after our stays at Atmosphere and Magic Oceans (conveniently booked through Blue Water Travel).We spent three relaxing weeks at Buceo Anilao, this time treating ourselves to a deluxe room. It was a spacious haven with everything we needed – a work area to catch up on emails and work on my diving videos, plenty of universal outlets to keep our devices charged, and a big balcony with comfy chairs. The view from the balcony, by the way, was incredible – a feature shared by all deluxe and superior rooms.
Underwater photographers are well-catered to here. Four large camera rinse tanks and a well-equipped camera room (though it does get a bit warm in there) ensure your gear is properly cared for. Dives take place from traditional Filipino "bangkas," exploring over 40 nearby dive sites, the furthest being a pleasant 25-minute boat ride. I personally logged 41 dives, including four night dives and one black water dive.
Anilao truly deserves its nickname as the "Nudibranch Capital of the World." We saw all sorts of amazing creatures – colorful nudibranchs, adorable seahorses, those weird and wonderful ghost pipefish, perfectly camouflaged frogfish, and even one elusive rhinopias. Our guide, Joemar, was fantastic. He was always cheerful and kept a sharp eye out, making sure we didn't miss any hidden critters.
The food at the resort was very good, especially when Chef Teddy was cooking. They had a number of healthy options, and they were incredibly accommodating of our preference for a plant-based diet. They even went the extra mile to source beans and legumes for special vegan soups, which we really appreciated. Speaking of hidden gems, Chef Teddy makes a Filipino-style Mung Bean Soup that's not officially on the menu – definitely give it a try! The only dish we wouldn't recommend is the Mango Float – its deliciousness might have you craving it endlessly!
The staff at Buceo Anilao were all friendly and helpful, and the smooth-running dive operation added to the overall positive experience. We enjoyed some real downtime at the resort too, watching the sunsets by the pool and treating ourselves to afternoon massages. My wife especially recommends masseuse Cheryl.
One thing that really struck us was the number of repeat guests. We met people who came back even several times a year, which speaks volumes about Buceo Anilao's charm. We were definitely charmed by the place ourselves, and we can't wait to go back. Our second Anilao adventure was fantastic – incredible underwater sights and the warm hospitality of Buceo Anilao Beach & Dive Resort. See you next April!
Here is the link to a short Reel about our stay:
Underwater photographers are well-catered to here. Four large camera rinse tanks and a well-equipped camera room (though it does get a bit warm in there) ensure your gear is properly cared for. Dives take place from traditional Filipino "bangkas," exploring over 40 nearby dive sites, the furthest being a pleasant 25-minute boat ride. I personally logged 41 dives, including four night dives and one black water dive.
Anilao truly deserves its nickname as the "Nudibranch Capital of the World." We saw all sorts of amazing creatures – colorful nudibranchs, adorable seahorses, those weird and wonderful ghost pipefish, perfectly camouflaged frogfish, and even one elusive rhinopias. Our guide, Joemar, was fantastic. He was always cheerful and kept a sharp eye out, making sure we didn't miss any hidden critters.
The food at the resort was very good, especially when Chef Teddy was cooking. They had a number of healthy options, and they were incredibly accommodating of our preference for a plant-based diet. They even went the extra mile to source beans and legumes for special vegan soups, which we really appreciated. Speaking of hidden gems, Chef Teddy makes a Filipino-style Mung Bean Soup that's not officially on the menu – definitely give it a try! The only dish we wouldn't recommend is the Mango Float – its deliciousness might have you craving it endlessly!
The staff at Buceo Anilao were all friendly and helpful, and the smooth-running dive operation added to the overall positive experience. We enjoyed some real downtime at the resort too, watching the sunsets by the pool and treating ourselves to afternoon massages. My wife especially recommends masseuse Cheryl.
One thing that really struck us was the number of repeat guests. We met people who came back even several times a year, which speaks volumes about Buceo Anilao's charm. We were definitely charmed by the place ourselves, and we can't wait to go back. Our second Anilao adventure was fantastic – incredible underwater sights and the warm hospitality of Buceo Anilao Beach & Dive Resort. See you next April!
Here is the link to a short Reel about our stay:
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