Anilao
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Why dive in Anilao?
BEST SEASON
Featured Animals 18
- Unlikely
- Likely
- Very likely
Variable Frequent sightingsBlue-Ringed Octopus
Hapalochlaena spp.
Hapalochlaena spp., commonly known as blue-ringed octopuses, are a genus of highly venomous cephalopods found in shallow Indo-Pacific waters. Despite their small size, typically 10-25 cm, they possess a potent neurotoxin (tetrodotoxin) capable of paralyzing prey and posing a danger to humans if provoked. They are characterized by iridescent blue rings that flash as a warning when the animal feels threatened.
BEST SEASON
Crepuscular Frequent sightingsCoconut Octopus
Amphioctopus marginatus
The Coconut Octopus, also known as the Veined Octopus, is an intelligent cephalopod found in tropical Indo-Pacific waters. It is renowned for its unique behavior of using discarded coconut shells, bivalve shells, or other debris as portable shelters and for defense, often walking bipedally while carrying them. This species preys on crustaceans and bivalves, primarily hunting during dusk and dawn.
BEST SEASON
Variable Frequent sightingsCommerson's Frogfish
Antennarius commerson
The Commerson's Frogfish, also known as the Giant Frogfish, is a master of camouflage, often mimicking sponges or corals to ambush its prey. It possesses a modified first dorsal spine that acts as a fishing lure to attract fish and crustaceans, which it can swallow whole, sometimes consuming prey nearly its own size. This solitary, benthic fish moves by 'walking' on its pectoral and pelvic fins and is found in tropical and subtropical Indo-Pacific waters.
BEST SEASON
Diurnal Frequent sightingsDenise's pygmy seahorse
Hippocampus denise
Denise's pygmy seahorse is a diminutive species, rarely exceeding 2.4 cm in length, renowned for its exceptional camouflage within gorgonian corals. Its body coloration, typically yellow or orange with subtle patterns, and textured skin allow it to perfectly mimic its host seafan's polyps and stems. These seahorses are specialized predators, feeding on tiny crustaceans and zooplankton, and are often found alone or in pairs clinging to their coral hosts.
BEST SEASON
Variable Frequent sightingsEschmeyer's Scorpionfish
Rhinopias eschmeyeri
Eschmeyer's Scorpionfish (Rhinopias eschmeyeri) is a venomous marine ray-finned fish known for its exceptional camouflage. It possesses a deep, laterally compressed body, high-set eyes, and typically uniform coloration ranging from lilac, yellow, orange, or brick red. This ambush predator primarily moves by 'walking' or 'hopping' along the seabed using its pectoral and pelvic fins, waiting for unsuspecting prey.
BEST SEASON
Diurnal Frequent sightingsFlamboyant Cuttlefish
Metasepia pfefferi
This small cephalopod is known as the Flamboyant Cuttlefish due to its striking and rapid color changes. It primarily "walks" along the seafloor using its arms and fins rather than swimming, owing to a small internal cuttlebone. Metasepia pfefferi is also one of the few known venomous cephalopods, displaying its vibrant colors as a warning to predators.
BEST SEASON
Diurnal Frequent sightingsHarlequin Shrimp
Hymenocera picta
The Harlequin Shrimp (Hymenocera picta) is a vibrantly colored marine crustacean found in the Indo-Pacific's coral reefs. It is renowned for its striking patterns of white with pink, orange, or purple spots. This species is a highly specialized predator, feeding exclusively on starfish, which it often flips over to consume their tube feet and soft tissues. Harlequin shrimp typically live in monogamous pairs and can be found in sheltered areas such as rock crevices and caves within the reef system.
BEST SEASON
Nocturnal Frequent sightingsLacy Scorpionfish
Rhinopias aphanes
The Lacy Scorpionfish (Rhinopias aphanes) is a master of camouflage, featuring elaborate skin flaps and a variable maze-like pattern in colors from yellow to brown, green, purple, or black. It inhabits coral reefs and soft bottoms in the Western Pacific, relying on its appearance to blend in with its surroundings. This carnivorous species is a nocturnal ambush predator, using its pectoral and pelvic fins to "walk" or "hop" along the seabed rather than swimming, waiting patiently for small fish and crustaceans.
BEST SEASON
Nocturnal Frequent sightingsLeaf Scorpionfish
Taenianotus triacanthus
The Leaf Scorpionfish (Taenianotus triacanthus) is a small, highly compressed marine fish renowned for its exceptional camouflage, mimicking a dead leaf or algae. It can change color and regularly sheds its skin. This ambush predator sways with the current, waiting for small fish and crustaceans. It possesses venomous spines for defense.
BEST SEASON
Diurnal Frequent sightingsMandarinfish
Synchiropus splendidus
The Mandarin Fish is one of the most colorful reef fish in the world, instantly recognizable by its vibrant blue, orange and green patterns. It inhabits sheltered coral reefs and lagoons across the Indo-Pacific, where it spends the day searching the seabed for tiny crustaceans and other invertebrates. Although relatively common, its small size, shy behavior and preference for hiding among coral make every encounter a special experience for divers and underwater photographers.
BEST SEASON
Diurnal Frequent sightingsMimic Octopus
Thaumoctopus mimicus
The Mimic Octopus (Thaumoctopus mimicus) is an extraordinary cephalopod renowned for its ability to impersonate a variety of other marine animals, including lionfish, sea snakes, and flatfish, to deter predators and ambush prey. It inhabits shallow, muddy, or sandy seafloors, particularly in river mouths and estuaries across the Indo-Pacific. This highly intelligent octopus can reach up to 60 cm in length and exhibits a base coloration of brown with white stripes, which it rapidly alters using chromatophores.
BEST SEASON
Frequent sightingsOrnate Ghost Pipefish
Solenostomus paradoxus
The Ornate Ghost Pipefish is a master of camouflage, with a highly variable body coloration and intricate, leaf-like appendages that allow it to blend seamlessly with crinoids, corals, or algae in its tropical Indo-Pacific reef habitats. This ambush predator typically hovers head-down, feeding on small crustaceans like mysid shrimps and benthic shrimp, which it sucks into its elongated snout. Females are larger than males and carry eggs in a specialized brood pouch formed by their modified pelvic fins.
BEST SEASON
Diurnal Frequent sightingsPainted Frogfish
Antennarius pictus
The Painted Frogfish (Antennarius pictus) is a marine ray-finned fish found in the Indo-Pacific. It possesses a globulous, extensible body with soft, warty skin, and exhibits highly variable coloration for camouflage. This ambush predator uses a modified first dorsal spine (illicium) with a lure (esca) to attract its prey, which mainly consists of small fish and crustaceans.
BEST SEASON
Diurnal Frequent sightingsPeacock Mantis Shrimp
Odontodactylus scyllarus
The Peacock Mantis Shrimp is a striking marine crustacean known for its vibrant colors and one of the fastest attacks in the animal kingdom. It uses its club-shaped raptorial appendages to deliver incredibly powerful blows, smashing the shells of mollusks and crustaceans.
BEST SEASON
Frequent sightingsPygmy Seahorse
Hippocampus bargibanti
The Pygmy Seahorse (Hippocampus bargibanti), is one of the smallest seahorse species, rarely exceeding 2.8 cm in length. It is a master of camouflage, perfectly mimicking the color and texture of the Muricella gorgonian corals it exclusively inhabits, making it incredibly difficult to spot. These seahorses feed on tiny planktonic organisms using their elongated snout.
BEST SEASON
Diurnal Frequent sightingsRibbon Eel
Rhinomuraena quaesita
The Ribbon Eel (Rhinomuraena quaesita) is a slender, distinctive moray eel known for its vibrant colors, which change throughout its life from black (juvenile) to blue (male) and eventually yellow (female). It possesses expanded anterior nostrils and high dorsal fins, giving it a unique appearance. This species typically resides in sand burrows and crevices within coral reefs in the Indo-Pacific, where it ambushes small fish and crustaceans.
BEST SEASON
Nocturnal Frequent sightingsWeedy Scorpionfish
Rhinopias frondosa
The Weedy Scorpionfish (Rhinopias frondosa) is a marine ray-finned fish known for its exceptional camouflage, with a highly compressed body covered in weed-like tentacles and skin flaps that vary in color. It is an ambush predator, primarily nocturnal, feeding on fish and small invertebrates. This species rarely swims, preferring to crawl along the seabed using its fins, often swaying to mimic algae or debris.
BEST SEASON
Crepuscular Frequent sightingsWunderpus Octopus
Wunderpus photogenicus
The Wunderpus octopus (Wunderpus photogenicus) is a small, striking cephalopod known for its distinct white and rusty-brown coloration with unique patterns across its body. It possesses long, slender arms and eyes set on elongated stalks, often mimicking venomous sea snakes or lionfish to deter predators. This species primarily inhabits shallow, soft-sediment environments in the Indo-Malayan Archipelago, emerging at dusk and dawn to hunt small fish and crustaceans.
BEST SEASON
More marine life 53
Alligator PipefishSyngnathoides biaculeatus
Barred MorayEchidna polyzona
Bluespotted CornetfishFistularia commersonii
Bluestreak Cleaner WrasseLabroides dimidiatus
Broadclub CuttlefishSepia latimanus
Broomtail WrasseCheilinus lunulatus
Brownbanded Bamboo SharkChiloscyllium punctatum
Chambered NautilusNautilus pompilius
Clark's AnemonefishAmphiprion clarkii
Delicate Ghost PipefishSolenostomus leptosoma
Disco ClamCtenoides ales
Dragon Moray EelEnchelycore pardalis
Dusky BatfishPlatax pinnatus
Emperor AngelfishPomacanthus imperator
Fimbriated MorayGymnothorax fimbriatus
Garden EelHeterocongrinae
Giant MorayGymnothorax javanicus
Giant clamTridacna gigas
Greyface MorayGymnothorax thyrsoideus
Halimeda Ghost PipefishSolenostomus halimeda
Honeycomb MorayGymnothorax favagineus
Jenkins' WhiprayPateobatis jenkinsii
Jointed RazorfishAeoliscus strigatus
Kellogg's ScorpionfishScorpaenodes kelloggi
Longtail Butterfly RayGymnura poecilura
Lyretail AnthiasPseudanthias squamipinnis
Messmate pipefishCorythoichthys haematopterus
Ocellaris ClownfishAmphiprion ocellaris
Ocellated Eagle RayAetobatus ocellatus
Orange ClownfishAmphiprion percula
Orange-lined TriggerfishBalistapus undulatus
Painted Spiny LobsterPanulirus versicolor
Palette SurgeonfishParacanthurus hepatus
Pennant CoralfishHeniochus acuminatus
Prickly LeatherjacketChaetodermis penicilligerus
Purple Queen AnthiasPseudanthias tuka
Redtooth TriggerfishOdonus niger
Robust Ghost PipefishSolenostomus cyanopterus
Saddleback ClownfishAmphiprion polymnus
Snowflake MorayEchidna nebulosa
Spanish DancerHexabranchus sanguineus
Spot-fin PorcupinefishDiodon hystrix
Tawny Nurse SharkNebrius ferrugineus
Teira BatfishPlatax teira
Tentacled FlatheadPapilloculiceps longiceps
Threadfin ButterflyfishChaetodon auriga
Tomato ClownfishAmphiprion frenatus
Valentin's Sharpnose PufferCanthigaster valentini
Yellow BoxfishOstracion cubicus
Yellow Longnose ButterflyfishForcipiger flavissimus
Yellow-lipped Sea KraitLaticauda colubrina
Zebra Mantis ShrimpLysiosquillina maculata
Zebra SharkStegostoma tigrinum
Where is Anilao
Philippine Sea · Philippines
Frequently asked questions about Anilao
When is the best time to dive in Anilao?
The best time to dive in Anilao is from March to May and from October to December. In those months the water is between 24°C and 28°C.
What marine life can you see diving in Anilao?
Divers can encounter 71 species in Anilao. Highlights include Blue-Ringed Octopus, Coconut Octopus, Commerson's Frogfish, Denise's pygmy seahorse, Eschmeyer's Scorpionfish, and Flamboyant Cuttlefish.
When can you see the Blue-Ringed Octopus in Anilao?
The Blue-Ringed Octopus is most often seen in Anilao from March to October.
When can you see the Coconut Octopus in Anilao?
The Coconut Octopus is most often seen in Anilao from March to October.
When can you see the Denise's pygmy seahorse in Anilao?
The Denise's pygmy seahorse is most often seen in Anilao from March to October.
What is the water temperature in Anilao?
Water temperature in Anilao ranges from 22°C in January to 28°C in March.
What wetsuit do I need to dive in Anilao?
Most divers wear a 5 mm wetsuit in January, when the water drops to 22°C, and a rash guard or a 1–3 mm shorty in March, when it reaches 28°C.
What is the visibility like when diving in Anilao?
Visibility in Anilao ranges from 5 m to 20 m. The water is clearest from October to May.
What are the currents like in Anilao?
Divers in Anilao can expect light or strong currents, depending on the month and the dive site.
What can you see on a night dive in Anilao?
After dark, Anilao reveals nocturnal species such as Lacy Scorpionfish, Leaf Scorpionfish, Weedy Scorpionfish, Brownbanded Bamboo Shark, Chambered Nautilus, and Dragon Moray Eel.
Where is Anilao located?
Anilao is a dive destination in Philippines, in the Philippine Sea.
Every answer is built from the conditions and sightings data we keep for Anilao. Spotted something that looks off?
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