Anilao critters

Each dive in Anilao is, without fail, an expedition of discovery. The abundance of marine life found in these waters is simply phenomenal. In recent months, scientists from the California Academy of Sciences conducted a survey and discovered 300 new species—a mind-boggling number since just about every corner of our planet has been explored. "The Philippines is one of the hottest of the hotspots for diverse and threatened life on Earth,"  declares Dr. Terrence Gosliner, Dean of Science and Research Collections who leads the survey project. 


The Philippines is part of the Coral Triangle, the richest zone for marine biodiversity on earth. Sadly, stewardship of this God-given treasure has been dismal. The amount of trash floating on our seas is deplorable. Unabated pollution, cyanide and dynamite fishing, rampant poaching of threatened or endangered species are causing irreversible damage on a fragile, overtaxed ecosystem. We are in the brink of losing this wealth due to poverty, ignorance, greed, neglect and carelessness. It's despairing to think future generations will never see the beauty of our oceans unless drastic measures are taken. 


Education is key to ocean conservation. Sharing the magnificence of this underwater world with non-divers is a good place to start. It's difficult to remain indifferent when face to face with these sublime creatures of the deep. The following photographs were taken in different dive sites in Anilao. It reveals a healthy reef ecosystem, alive with diverse life forms found only in the waters of the Coral Triangle.

Porcupine fish

Mantis Shrimp

Mommy moray eel  with juvenile moray eel

Anthias abound in a healthy coral reef system

Barrel or vase coral is common in Batangas waters

Graceful Sea Fans

Unusual markings on a Honeycomb Moray Eel

Ringtailed Cardinal fish

A favorite character, the weird and wonderful Frog fish

Mr. Frog fish

Giant Clam or kabibi, usually made into bathroom sinks

Trevallys or Jacks or better known as Talakitoks

Red Grouper or lapulapu, lucky guy hasn't been caught.

Moray Eel

Nemo! Clown fish

Clown fish

Octopus in his garden

Brown Pipefish

A minute, filter feeding Anemone Crab

Lower left, the well camouflaged, microscopic pygmy sea horse

Ribbon Eel

Leaf Pipe Fish

Sweet lips, also caught for food

Yellow cleaner wrasses

Tiny, almost invisible Glass Shrimp on the right

Brown seahorse

The poisonous stonefish

Sea Quill

Snake Eel

The best time of day in Anilao, cocktail hour