Diving Anilao with Adam Sokolski
Photographers Paradise
Text & Images by Adam Sokolski
I am an underwater photographer, and I love macro photography. One of my favorite destinations for diving holidays is Anilao in the Philippines. I recently returned from my fifth visit there, and it never ceases to amaze me. Anilao offers an incredibly rich biodiversity and diverse underwater life, providing endless opportunities to discover and photograph rare and fascinating marine creatures. Each dive is an exciting adventure, making me eager to return again and again. Located in the province of Batangas, Anilao is just a three-hour drive from Manila, making the trip quite convenient. Dive centres can arrange a car to pick you up from the airport, eliminating the need for domestic flights or ferries. Anilao offers a wide range of hotels and dive centres, many of which specialize in underwater photography.
These centres offer facilities and services tailored to the needs of photographers, such as dedicated camera rooms, special washing and air-drying areas and photography workshops. They also employ guides who are experts in finding and identifying macro subjects. They can point out the smallest and most elusive subjects that might otherwise go unnoticed, increasing the chances of capturing great images. If you're an underwater photographer, choosing a professional dive centre will enhance your diving experience and provide valuable learning opportunities for the owners and other divers.
Text & Images by Adam Sokolski
I am an underwater photographer, and I love macro photography. One of my favorite destinations for diving holidays is Anilao in the Philippines. I recently returned from my fifth visit there, and it never ceases to amaze me. Anilao offers an incredibly rich biodiversity and diverse underwater life, providing endless opportunities to discover and photograph rare and fascinating marine creatures. Each dive is an exciting adventure, making me eager to return again and again. Located in the province of Batangas, Anilao is just a three-hour drive from Manila, making the trip quite convenient. Dive centres can arrange a car to pick you up from the airport, eliminating the need for domestic flights or ferries. Anilao offers a wide range of hotels and dive centres, many of which specialize in underwater photography.
These centres offer facilities and services tailored to the needs of photographers, such as dedicated camera rooms, special washing and air-drying areas and photography workshops. They also employ guides who are experts in finding and identifying macro subjects. They can point out the smallest and most elusive subjects that might otherwise go unnoticed, increasing the chances of capturing great images. If you're an underwater photographer, choosing a professional dive centre will enhance your diving experience and provide valuable learning opportunities for the owners and other divers.
My favourite place in Anilao is the Anilao Photo Academy, run by Rina, Wayne and Tim. The owners and their team have extensive knowledge of underwater photography and are always incredibly helpful, making it an ideal spot for both learning and enjoying your dives.
Anilao's underwater ecosystem is teeming with life, especially small subjects like colourful nudibranchs, frogfishes, octopuses, crabs, shrimps and even rhinopias. It is truly a haven for underwater photographers. The highlights of our last trip were two hairy frogfish (one orange and one grey) and different kinds of Pikachu nudibranch(Thecacera).
Anilao's underwater ecosystem is teeming with life, especially small subjects like colourful nudibranchs, frogfishes, octopuses, crabs, shrimps and even rhinopias. It is truly a haven for underwater photographers. The highlights of our last trip were two hairy frogfish (one orange and one grey) and different kinds of Pikachu nudibranch(Thecacera).
The area features world-class diving sites, each offering unique underwater landscapes and experiences. The visibility is usually good, and the waters are relatively calm, making it easier to focus on small subjects without the distraction of strong currents or poor visibility.
Dive sites are a mix of coral reefs and muck diving locations. All dives start in shallow water, with maximum depths of 18-20 meters. Only on special occasions, such as searching for pygmy seahorses, you need to go a bit deeper. The shallow dive sites also mean longer bottom times, allowing photographers to focus on the composition and experiment with different angles and lighting
Dive sites are a mix of coral reefs and muck diving locations. All dives start in shallow water, with maximum depths of 18-20 meters. Only on special occasions, such as searching for pygmy seahorses, you need to go a bit deeper. The shallow dive sites also mean longer bottom times, allowing photographers to focus on the composition and experiment with different angles and lighting
Anilao, with its incredible macro life and professional dive centres, is a dream destination for underwater photographers. Whether you're an advanced photographer or a novice, you will definitely enjoy diving in Anilao.
Connect with Adam
Instagram: adam_sokolski_bluepix
Connect with Adam
Instagram: adam_sokolski_bluepix
Posted in Alert Diver Southern Africa, Dive Destinations, Underwater Conservation, Underwater Photography
Posted in Anilao, DiveTravel, Philippines, Adam Sokolski
Posted in Anilao, DiveTravel, Philippines, Adam Sokolski
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