Picturesque Anilao: Unmissable Travel Destination

Anilao, Philippines, is renowned as one of the world's best destinations for macro photography, particularly for muck diving, blackwater diving, and a wide variety of rare and fascinating small critters. This tropical haven, located just a few hours south of Manila, has become a paradise for underwater photographers seeking to capture the vibrant and intricate details of its unique marine life.

Bluewater Travel can help arrange Anilao dive trips for individuals or groups, making it easy for photography enthusiasts to immerse themselves in this underwater wonderland. Regardless of experience level, guests have reported improved photographic skills throughout their trips, thanks to the abundance of macro subjects and the clear, tropical waters.

The diverse marine life in Anilao includes an impressive array of tiny creatures perfect for macro photography. These include colourful sea slugs known as nudibranchs, frogfish, seahorses (including pygmy seahorses), cuttlefish (notably flamboyant cuttlefish), pipefish, various crustaceans, and groups of catfish that gather quietly in sandy and seagrass areas. The marine life in Anilao is often small and well-camouflaged, challenging photographers to have patience, good dive lights, and often macro lenses to capture these wonders effectively.

The clear waters of Anilao provide excellent visibility, ideal for underwater photography. The dive sites include sloping reefs with sand and seagrass beds—habitats where many unique macro critters thrive. Photographers often use specialized gear such as the Nikon Z50 II with macro lenses and underwater strobes to capture the vibrant and intricate details of Anilao’s underwater life.

The 10-day workshops at Crystal Blue Resort in Anilao have been a hit with enthusiastic guests eager to dive and shoot photos. Over the last four years, Bluewater Photo has been hosting April/May workshops at the resort, featuring a wide variety of critters, including Frogfish, Hairy Frogfish, Blue-Ringed Octopuses, Flamboyant and Pygmy Cuttlefish, Pipedragons, Mantis Shrimp, Crabs, Sea Snakes, Bobbit Worms, Mimic and Wonderpus Octopuses, Squid, Gobies, Tiger, Harlequin and Bumblebee Shrimp, countless nudibranchs, cleaning stations, eels, and more.

Anilao offers great opportunities for wide-angle photography as well, with reefs swarming with anthias and corals. Trumpetfish can be seen getting cleaned by wrasse, and even the setting sun can ignite sparse clouds in electric pastel colours. One of the most sought-after subjects in Anilao is the Flamboyant Cuttlefish, which can be found at several dive sites.

For those who appreciate the smaller details, Anilao is a destination that should be on the wish list of critterheads and macro photographers. Last year, hairy shrimps became popular, and they are very small. A 'wow' behaviour shot of a shrimp was captured by Bluewater Travel guest Anthony Stevens with his new Nauticam E-M1 housing. Mating Mandarinfish were photographed using a Nikon D7000, Nikkor 105mm Lens, Sea & Sea Housing, and 2x strobes. An incredible skeleton shrimp photo was taken by Bluewater Travel guest Antonella Giussani.

In conclusion, Anilao is a paradise for underwater macro photographers who want to explore a variety of extraordinary small sea creatures in clear tropical waters. The combination of its unique critters and accessible dive sites makes it one of the top macro photography destinations globally. It's no wonder that Anilao is a destination that should be on the wish list of every dive traveler.

Anilao, Philippines, with its vibrant marine life, is a highly sought-after destination for underwater photographers interested in macro photography.
Muck diving, blackwater diving, and rare small critters like nudibranchs, frogfish, seahorses, cuttlefish, pipefish, and crustaceans make Anilao an appealing underwater wonderland.
Bluewater Travel can facilitate dive trips to Anilao for individuals or groups, ensuring easy access to this marine paradise.
The clear tropical waters of Anilao offer excellent visibility, perfect for capturing the intricate details of its unique marine life.
To effectively photograph Anilao's underwater life, photographers often use specialized gear such as the Nikon Z50 II, macro lenses, and underwater strobes.
The Crystal Blue Resort in Anilao hosts 10-day workshops, providing opportunities to dive and photograph a wide variety of critters, including Frogfish, Blue-Ringed Octopuses, Flamboyant and Pygmy Cuttlefish, Mantis Shrimp, Crabs, Sea Snakes, and countless nudibranchs.
In addition to macro photography, Anilao offers opportunities for wide-angle photography, with reefs teeming with anthias and corals.
The Flamboyant Cuttlefish, found at several dive sites, is one of the most sought-after subjects in Anilao.
For those interested in small details, Anilao offers a unique opportunity to capture photographs of miniature sea creatures and 'wow' behavior shots like those taken by Anthony Stevens and Antonella Giussani.
Anilao's countless extraordinary small sea creatures, combined with accessible dive sites, make it one of the top macro photography destinations globally.
It is no exaggeration to say that Anilao should be on the wish list of every dive traveler, particularly those interested in underwater photography and the unparalleled diving lifestyle it offers.