The Philippines has much to offer divers all over the world.   Divided into three major regions (Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao), this archipelago of 7,100 islands have numerous dive locations, 40,000 square kilometers of rich coral reefs and home to more than 2,000 species of fish. 

The Visayas is the region of a cluster of thousands of islands and islets most of which are well known and visited by scuba divers.   Among its islands of different sizes, the greater Pacific Ocean shakes hand with the South China Sea.   Numerous WWII shipwrecks as well as Galleon wrecks are strewn throughout this region (especially in the more famous islands of Palawan, Cebu, Boracay and Mindoro). 

Diving in the Mindanao Region, the second largest island, are limited mostly from the Northwest sector to the Southwest, mainly due to limited development throughout the whole island.   Mindanao is still pretty much undeveloped and most of the cities are located on the coastline.   However, the most popular dive attraction can be found among a string of islands stemming from the Southwest point of Mindanao, which many divers who've gone on live-in dive cruises, refer to as the Keys of the Sulu Sea.   These locations can be reached by plane and then by boat. 

The Visayas and the Mindanao Regions do not have the whole monopoly of famed dive spots.   The greater island of Luzon (where Manila is) with hundreds of kilometer of shoreline, provides even more appeal to scuba divers.   It's western coast, especially, is dotted with many natural underwater treasure troves, all of which can be conveniently reached by car and can be found through numerous resorts catering to your needs. 

Most divers touring the Philippines start their tours in Luzon before venturing into the Visayas Region.   EAGLE POINT RESORT happens to be located on one of the most popular dive attractions strategically near the metropolitan city of Manila.   This premier scuba dive resort, located in Anilao-Mabini, Batangas (a province south of the city), is continually visited by local & expatriate divers residing in Manila (as well as visiting divers from Hong Kong, Korea, Japan, etc...) practically every weekend.   It boasts of more than 30 dive spots with attractive rich coral reefs, abounding with diverse sea life and clear visibility through most of the year.   And just fronting the resort are two favorite dive spots.   Renting of boats are not needed.   Just jump off the pier, dive 60 feet down, a little to the right or to the left... and there you are!!! 

Sitting on the tip of the Calumpang Peninsula, EAGLE POINT faces the mouth of the plankton rich Balayan Bay which is constantly fed by the South China Sea.   Ideal conditions for a healthy ecosystem that most divers are looking for. 

ost of the diving in the Anilao area consist of coral slopes or steps of small drop-offs and shallow coral gardens among sandy patches.   Smaller fish life is profuse and crinoids and lots of nudibranchs can be found everywhere. 

The Haribon Foundation and the PCSSD are responsible for establishing several marine sanctuaries with a few sites having fixed mooring buoys to minimize anchor damage. 

Divers and snorkellers alike have to contend with some fierce currents, which are common in this area.   Snorkellers, novice divers and underwater photographers should check the tide tables and try for slack water. 
 
Diving in Anilao 
  
Diving is good practically all year round.   The peak season is from November (end of rainy season) to June.   This is the ideal time for divers staying in EAGLE POINT for the water is calm.   During the off-season or the rainy season, there are days when divers are unable to reach the dive spots due to the "habagat", meaning west wind, which blows in big waves into our rocky shore making it hard for divers to board the boats.   Most of the time, especially when there is no storm in the South China Sea, they start crashing unto our shore by around the late afternoon. 

Coral Conservation 
    
EAGLE POINT encourages the protection of the coral reefs by participating with non-profit conservation organizations in their efforts to educate the community. One project that is still on-going are the anchorings of mooring buoys at the different dive spots. The dive boats are encouraged to tie their boats onto these buoys, instead of using their anchors which damages the corals. 

Divers would be happy to know that many among the local communities surrounding EAGLE POINT are developing a steady and increasing awareness of the importance of the conservation of the coral reefs. For many of the families, their source of income come from their boat rental business which caters mostly to scuba divers and island excursions. Fishermen, also, are beginning to realize that dynamite & cyanide fishing destroys coral reefs. And in so doing, they are destroying their own future livelihoods.