3 Days in Anilao

Was diving in Anilao last weekend for 3 days, and wanted to share some photos from the trip. I must say, Anilao is a bit overwhelming, there is SO MUCH to see on every dive. I was like a deer caught in the headlights... This was my first trip there, and while i knew about the muck sites, and the abundance of critters, i was really surprised by a coupe of absolutely stunning coral sites. I will definitely take my dome port next time... Anilao really has a bit of everything, except big pelagics i guess (although apparently they have seen a whale shark or 2 in the past...)

I was very happy to be staying at Club Ocellaris, a great little dive lodge with a comfortable, easy going feel to it. Our dive guide, Alexis P., was great, and I had the pleasure of diving with both Jeff de Guzman and Patrick Neumann of wetpixel. Both were charming and very helpful, and dinner with Gerry Allen was a special treat. A great way to spend a long weekend!

This was my 2nd trip with a DSLR. What did i learn? Go slow and take your time...

My favorite:

More here.

Take it easy.... Mike

Great collection ... and that from 3 days!!!

Again, was pleasure to meet u personal ;-)

Nice stuff Mike! More pygmy seahorses, you are addicted. Not to high-jack Mike's thread but anybody dive Anilo and Lembeh. We are trying decide between the two.

Wonderful collection Mike.

Mike,

excellent collection. I loved the DOF in some of those.

Wow Mike,

Great work. Thanks for sharing. I had a couple of days diving with Alexis; he's good. Is he wearing a Henderson 5/3 wet suit?

I was there in mid April. The vis was not good and strong winds from the S/W. How were your conditions?

Any time spent at Club O is not counted towards your life span allotment.

High and dry in the States and longing for Anilao and cold St. Migs,

Bob

nice job Mike!

Jeff and Pat are great guys, you're lucky to have dove with them. great nudibranch shot. I hope you go back soon!

>> Not to high-jack Mike's thread but anybody dive Anilo and Lembeh. We are trying decide between the two.

yes, it's a hijack! I've been to both, post a new thread so I can give you my humble 2 cents

Scott

Nice stuff Mike! More pygmy seahorses, you are addicted. Not to high-jack Mike's thread but anybody dive Anilo and Lembeh. We are trying decide between the two.

They are both great places to dive. Lembeh is more suitable year round, as Anilao is subject to the "monsoon" winds and can have some not so nice weather, with big waves preventing you from getting in the boat at the beach. I believe that they then use jeepneys to the places you can board and then go out. So some months are not considered the best time for Anilao. But Lembeh is good year round.

Thanks for all your words of encouragement, it's much appreciated!

And thanks Scott! Jeff had one of those Subsee diopters on his housing, and after listening to him rave, seeing his results, and reading about them on your sweet website, I went ahead and ordered one for myself. Looking forward to trying that out.

As for an "Anilao vs Lembeh" comparison, i hope to be able to comment on just such a topic soon. You might recall that NAD-Lembeh had a raffle for a free stay at their resort a couple months ago and I was lucky enough to win! I am really excited to be going there, soon I hope. My wife is due July 29th with our first so i MIGHT be able to squeeze in a trip before then (although i already got a little flak for leaving her in May.... ). But hey, the Doctor said plus/minus 14 days only, so... Anyway, looking forward to meeting Mike and Simon.

For now, all I can suggest to you Martin is what a wise friend said to me a long time ago. When you have to decide between things like this, choose both. No regrets....

Wow Mike,

 

Great work. Thanks for sharing. I had a couple of days diving with Alexis; he's good. Is he wearing a Henderson 5/3 wet suit?

 

I was there in mid April. The vis was not good and strong winds from the S/W. How were your conditions?

Any time spent at Club O is not counted towards your life span allotment.

 

High and dry in the States and longing for Anilao and cold St. Migs,

Bob

I am not sure which wetsuit Alexis had, but man, EVERYONE wears a hood. I was pretty darn cold after the dives. The zipper on my 3m wetsuit broke so it was only closed at the neck by velcro. Maybe that made things worse... I did have a 2m shirt on on... Several dives were pretty shallow, so a 90 minute dive was not uncommon... I had to come out after 60 on the night dive at Anilao pier i was so cold.. My teeth were chattering sitting in the boat waiting for Jeff to take his 189th shot of the Bobbit worm...

Viz was not great. First day was very choppy on the surface, but the next 2 were totally calm, and the 3rd day we had beautiful sunshine. Otherwise, i think there was quite a bit of gray and rain before my arrival, and after, according to other divers...

The diving is real easy though, and your right about Club O. My only complaint would be a lack of hot water in the showers....

Can't wait to get back!

Nice stuff Mike! More pygmy seahorses, you are addicted. Not to high-jack Mike's thread but anybody dive Anilo and Lembeh. We are trying decide between the two.

IMHO it is Lembeh , no doubt.

More subjects, calmer seas, better photo conditions, better facilities , and less cost.

You can not go wrong with Lembeh, if you do not insist on coral dives.