Anilao Suggestions???

[aquabluedreams]

Looking for resort suggestions for Anilao.  Like all of you we are avid (reef/muck friendly) photographers.  Prefer smaller groups, don't need a 4star chalet, though A/C can be nice.  If they have a good camera room that is a plus.  Suggestions please and any pics or video you shot there.  

Edited November 12 by aquabluedreams

[Whiskeyjack]

If you are looking for options less expensive than the commonly suggested Crystal Blue, Aiyanar, etc I am a frequenter of both Blue Ribbon and Bontoc bed and breakfast.

[bghazzal]

1 hour ago, Whiskeyjack said:

If you are looking for options less expensive than the commonly suggested Crystal Blue, Aiyanar, etc I am a frequenter of both Blue Ribbon and Bontoc bed and breakfast.

Thanks for the tip - I've never been to Anilao (or to the Philippines in general), so was wondering if it was possible to dive with most operations as a drop-in, without actually staying at their resort, or is that frowned upon?

Staying at these accomodations, are Anilao resorts within walkable distance or is it spread out, and are there food options closeby?

 

Thanks!
 

[Whiskeyjack]

4 hours ago, bghazzal said:

Thanks for the tip - I've never been to Anilao (or to the Philippines in general), so was wondering if it was possible to dive with most operations as a drop-in, without actually staying at their resort, or is that frowned upon?

Staying at these accomodations, are Anilao resorts within walkable distance or is it spread out, and are there food options closeby?

 

Thanks!
 

You can usually dive as a drop in as long as they have space, I frequently make day trips from Manila.  It may be kind of awkward if you're staying at one dive resort and diving at another.  The resorts are not really walk-able unless you happen to be diving at the resort just 1 or 2 lots over. You could pay a tricycle for 20-100php to drive you.

 

I have pretty much exclusively eaten at the resort I'm diving with or staying at. You'd have to walk up the steep hill to the main road, then walk to another resort or hail a trike to take you somewhere else. Too much effort in my opinion, and the food in PH is generally acceptable but not great. This includes the expensive resorts in my experience.

My favorite food has actually been at Bontoc as it's all cooked by the Wife/Owner. It's not western food for the most part though.

[bghazzal]

45 minutes ago, Whiskeyjack said:

You can usually dive as a drop in as long as they have space, I frequently make day trips from Manila.  It may be kind of awkward if you're staying at one dive resort and diving at another.  The resorts are not really walk-able unless you happen to be diving at the resort just 1 or 2 lots over. You could pay a tricycle for 20-100php to drive you.

 

I have pretty much exclusively eaten at the resort I'm diving with or staying at. You'd have to walk up the steep hill to the main road, then walk to another resort or hail a trike to take you somewhere else. Too much effort in my opinion, and the food in PH is generally acceptable but not great. This includes the expensive resorts in my experience.

My favorite food has actually been at Bontoc as it's all cooked by the Wife/Owner. It's not western food for the most part though.

Good to know, thanks - I'm not a big fan of all-inclusive resorts in general, so I was wondering, but if it's far and there's no much around, not ideal (I had a foretaste of Filipino food / cooking when I was working in Palau, 80% of the workforce is from PH...)

My primary interest in the area is blackwater/bonfire diving, if I do go there I don't think I'll be diving much during the day, so logistically it would also make sense to stay in the same place to avoid the hassle in the evening.
Ah well, no way around resort-life then I guess.

cheers

Edited November 13 by bghazzal

[Troporobo]

22 hours ago, aquabluedreams said:

Looking for resort suggestions for Anilao.  

Asked and answered here:

 

Philippines advice

[Troporobo]

16 hours ago, bghazzal said:

wondering if it was possible to dive with most operations as a drop-in, without actually staying at their resort, or is that frowned upon?

It’s possible, as Whiskeyjack notes, but there’s not much point as there are not better places to stay nearby, and the cheaper places could just as easily arrange diving.  Doing so only makes sense as a day trip from Manila, if you can endure the traffic both ways in one day!

[aquabluedreams]

Great info!  The link was very informative.  Now we just have to pick a date.

[bghazzal]

6 hours ago, Troporobo said:

It’s possible, as Whiskeyjack notes, but there’s not much point as there are not better places to stay nearby, and the cheaper places could just as easily arrange diving.  Doing so only makes sense as a day trip from Manila, if you can endure the traffic both ways in one day!

Thanks - Yes, I agree.
my idea was to avoid being locked in an all-inclusive resort, which is not my cup of tea in general, but if there's nothing around, then there's no way around it.

If i go there it's really for the night-diving blackwater/bonfire diving scene, meaning late-ish nights and not much day diving (if any), so logistically it would make more sense to stay in a place organizing it.
I also don't think cheaper homestays would be able to organize BW, which is pretty specific.
 

I was asking because quite a few places I've worked in or visitied in SE Asia (Indonesia, Thailand) have the diving scene grouped up in one small walkable area, with a little town of hotels, eats and restaurants, which is for me anyway - much nicer than eating/staying at a resort.

Even when I was working in Palau, which is mostly resorts, guests would have the option to stay in downtown Koror, 15minute pick-up from Malakal where the diving leaves from.

But some more remote places are pretty much resort/homestay only - I now understand Anilao is this type of place.

 

cheers

[aquabluedreams]

FYI, thanks for the suggestions we ended up going with Solitude Acacia Resort.  Surprisingly a couple were resorts are already booked up for April.  

[Troporobo]

Easter 2025 will be on April 20.  If you’ll be there the week on either side, but especially the week before, it will be very busy. I’d recommend talking to the resort about arranging a private banca and guide rather than a group boat, if possible. 

[Whiskeyjack]

Yeah Holy week is one of the busier domestic tourism times here in PH so not surprising resorts are booked. Solitude Acacia is nice, on the spendy side.