First Dive Trip - Anilao, Batangas Province

I finished my Open Water Certification this weekend in Anilao, Batangas Province which is about a two hour drive south of Metro Manila. We did four dives (two the first day and two the second). The dive sites we visited were Maint Bubbles, Aphol's Point, The Cathedral, and Twin Rocks. The last two were the best for fish and marine life.

The CATHEDRAL site is A marine sanctuary and considered as the best known feeding station in Anilao. Approximately 69ft/23m off Bagalangit Point lay two large mounds that looks like a roofless underwater amphitheater with a cross in between. Former President Fidel Ramos planted the cross in 1983. It used to be barren but it is now fully overgrown with corals. Moorish idols, parrotfish and other reef fish dwell in these areas.

The TWIN ROCKS site includes the remains of a capsized barge lie here on a gradual slope with sponges, algae, hydroids, feather stars and small reef fish, sometimes schools of barracuda and squid. It is not uncommon to find frog fish, mushroom coral pipefish or a blue spotted sting ray in attendance as well!