Dive & Trek

A large, diverse dive area combining easy reef dives, schooling fish, coral gardens, and giant-clam beds — all beneath a rugged jungle-clad coastline.

Overview

Nestled beneath the steep jungle-covered hills between coastal Anilao and surrounding islands, Dive & Trek offers a unique dive playground: multiple distinct subsections rolled into a single expansive site. Depending on where you enter, you could be swimming through tunnels, hovering near clam beds, drifting over coral slopes, or marveling at rocky outcrops — all in one outing. The variety of terrain and habitat is a major reason this spot remains a favourite for dive courses, leisure dives, and conservation-minded visitors alike. [oai_citation:0‡blueribbondivers.com](https://blueribbondivers.com/dive-n-trek-anilao-dive-sites-guide/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

Reef Terrain & Typical Dive Zones

• Northwest Shore & Entry Zones
  Entry by shore or boat — the jungle hills almost tumble into the sea. Beneath the waves, you’ll find rock-scarred slopes, swim-throughs, and a cross marking one access point. A short swim along the reef leads to interesting formations and colorful reef fish courting cleaner stations and rock shelters. [oai_citation:1‡Divessi](https://www.divessi.com/en/mydiveguide/divesite/dive-n-trek-philippines-62399?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
• Coral Reef Flats and Mounds (“The Classroom / Valley”)
  Beyond the entry, a wide flat or gently sloping reef with soft-coral and hard-coral patches. Between two large mounds a shallow valley forms — during training dives or on busy days, this zone often hosts dense congregations of parrotfish, butterflyfish, surgeonfish, wrasses, and other reef dwellers. The reef’s complexity allows for macro exploration and easy dives. [oai_citation:2‡Diving Squad](https://www.divingsquad.com/philippines-diving/batangas-anilao/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
• Open Water & Seamount / Clam Beds Zone
  Swim further out and you enter open water — after some time you’ll reach a coral-covered seamount rising from deeper water. This area is famous for large planted giant clams (aka “taklobo”), reseeded as part of a conservation effort to restore native bivalve populations. [oai_citation:3‡sites.middlebury.edu](https://sites.middlebury.edu/lindsayinthephilippines/2016/04/13/giant-clam-restocking/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) Expect quiet slopes, occasional schooling fish, and the calm ambience of sandy bottom with clam beds.
• Southeastern Slope & Drop-off / Blue-Water Zone
  Towards the far edge is a downward slope into deeper water. While not extremely deep compared to technical dive sites, this zone offers occasional visits from jacks, barracuda, and other pelagics — especially during drift dives. Good for more advanced divers or relaxed drift exploration. [oai_citation:4‡dive-the-world.com](https://www.dive-the-world.com/diving-sites-philippines-batangas.php?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

Highlights & Marine Life

• Giant Clams (Taklobo / Tridacna spp.) — As part of restoration and conservation efforts, Dive & Trek hosts transplanted giant clams. These clams are among the largest reef bivalves and help regenerate reef habitat. [oai_citation:5‡sites.middlebury.edu](https://sites.middlebury.edu/lindsayinthephilippines/2016/04/13/giant-clam-restocking/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
• Colorful Reef Fish Schools — Surgeonfish, parrotfish, wrasse, butterflyfish, and other reef-fish species thrive here, especially in the shallow valleys. These reefs offer excellent opportunities for wide-angle and schooling-fish photography. [oai_citation:6‡blueribbondivers.com](https://blueribbondivers.com/dive-n-trek-anilao-dive-sites-guide/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
• Macro Life on Coral & Rubble — Nudibranchs, small crustaceans, gobies, shrimp, and other macro critters often dwell among the corals, rubble, and seagrass beds near the reef flats and clam zones. [oai_citation:7‡Diving Squad](https://www.divingsquad.com/philippines-diving/batangas-anilao/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
• Pelagics & Open-Water Species — In deeper or open-water sections, divers may encounter schools of jackfish, barracuda, and other mid-size pelagics, especially around drop-offs or offshore parts of the site. [oai_citation:8‡blueribbondivers.com](https://blueribbondivers.com/dive-n-trek-anilao-dive-sites-guide/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

Why Dive & Trek Stands Out

– It combines **multiple dive styles**: reef, slope, seamount, muck, macro, open water — all in one site. – Its **giant clam reseeding** adds ecological value and rarity: few dive sites offer encounters with these massive bivalves. – Easily accessible from shore or boat — convenient for open-water courses, casual dives, or longer underwater explorations. – Great for both **wide-angle** (schools, reefs) and **macro** (nudibranchs, small critters) photographers. – Lower diver density compared to hotspot sites — making it suitable for relaxed or semi-private dives even in peak season.

Tips & Conservation Notes

• Watch your buoyancy around the clam beds — giant clams and newly seeded corals are fragile. Avoid fin kicks near them.
• If entering from shore: descend carefully over the reef flats to avoid damaging coral heads or clam mantles.
• Best time for calm water and visibility: check tide and weather. Some sections may have mild drift depending on currents.
• Night dives or low-light dives over clam beds or sandy flats can yield interesting macro finds — like crabs, small shrimp, or camouflaged critters hiding among corals or sand.

Conservation & Community Effort

Dive & Trek is part of a wider movement in Batangas and the Philippines to restore depleted reef inhabitants. Thanks to collaboration with local marine-conservation stakeholders and authorities, giant-clam restocking (taklobo) has been implemented — giving a second life to once-overexploited species and helping boost reef biodiversity.

Dive & Trek isn’t just a dive site — it’s an example of how conscious diving, conservation efforts, and lifestyle tourism can come together to help preserve reef ecosystems while offering unforgettable underwater experiences.