Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Lago de Oro
National Highway, Balibago, Calatagan
(20km south of Nasugbu)
T
0917 504 2685,
W
lago-de
-oro.com.
Modern hacienda-style resort, notable for the
cable wakeboard system in its lagoon (daily 9.30am-
12.30pm & 1.30-4.30pm; P250/1hr); a cable drags you
around the lake rather than a boat. There's also good food
in the European-style rest
aurant a
nd a pool for lounging.
Vans to Nasugbu are P600.
P3500
The Sanctuary Spa at Maya-Maya
Brgy Natipuan
(10km north of Nasugbu via Ternate Hwy)
T
0918 909
7170,
W
mayamaya.com.
This spa-cum-upmarket resort
offers good-value and reasonably priced thatched cottages
with a/c rooms and excellent service, plus boat transfers to
and from local beaches and speedboat rentals. The spa
offers
massag
es (from P450) and body treatments from
P1800.
P3000
Twins Beach Club
Matabungkay Beach
T
0916 598
9162,
W
twinsbc.de.
Homely German-managed pension
on the seafront, offering en-suite doubles with tiled floors.
Small beach, swimming pool and alfresco bar. Some of the
best-value accomm
odation
in the area if you're content
with the simple life.
P2000
2
Anilao
Some 140km south of Manila, the resort of
ANILAO
(the name refers both to the village
and the 13km peninsula beyond it) is primarily a diving destination, popular with city
folk at weekends (when the area can get a little busy). During the week it's much more
peaceful and you can often negotiate a discount on your accommodation, though
there's little point in coming just for the beach.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE ANILAO
To reach Anilao by public transport, take a bus to Batangas City (see p.81) and then a jeepney west to Mabini or the wharf
at Anilao village (1hr; P40), and continue by tricycle (P40) along the coastal road to your resort.
ACCOMMODATION
Aquaventure Reef Club
Brgy Bagalangit
T
917 5877
848,
W
aquareefclub.com.
Comfortable, unpretentious
resort 3km along the coastal road beyond Anilao. Operated
by Manila-based dive outfit Aqua One, it's primarily a scuba
resort, though it also offers island-hopping and snorkelling
trips in rented bangkas. Double rooms come with fan or
a/c and bath; buffet-style meal
s are se
rved in a nice open
restaurant overlooking the sea.
P3000
★
bohemian little retreat popular with divers and owned by
Filipina film-maker Marilou Diaz-Abaya. All rooms (some
right on the beach) come with a/c, cable TV and free wi-fi,
and the rate includes four buffet meals a day. It's always full
at weekends, so book in a
dvance
. Quoted rates are per
person (P3600). Two people
P7200
Planet Dive
Brgy San Teodoro
T
0916 704 3718,
W
planetdive.com.ph.
The last of the resorts along the
Anilao strip, these native-style cottages are opposite the
Twin Rocks dive site, where the bay is sheltered enough for
good snorkelling. You can have candlelit dinners on the
shore and there's a viewing deck from which to take in
Anilao's wonderful sunsets. Accommodation ranges from
the v
ery basi
c to cottages for six, all of it clean and comfort-
able.
P2500
Vivere Azure
Brgy Aguada Km 108, San Teodoro
T
02
771 7777,
W
vivereazure.com.
Elegant boutique resort
Casita Ysabel
Brgy San Teodoro
T
917 755 9575,
W
casitaysabel.com.
Preferred hideaway for non-divers (as
well as divers), with its Tree Earth Spa and cosy cottages just
off the beach (and local reef ). Owner Linda Reyes-
Romualdez has used Bali as inspiration for the nic
est
casit
as
,
most of which have ocean views. Meals included.
P4000
★
Dive Solana
Brgy San Teodoro
T
02 721 2089,
W
divesolana.com.
Along the coastal road beyond the
Aquaventure Reef Club
, this is a charming and slightly
DIVING AT ANILAO
The
reef
at Anilao is thriving, mainly because this is a protected marine sanctuary, with huge
numbers of reef fish, small squid, cuttlefish, colourful nudibranchs (sea slugs) and all sorts of
hard and soft coral. There are at least forty dive sites within thirty minutes of most resorts;
the best are Twin Rocks, Basura, Mainit Muck (Secret Bay), Kirby's and Bethlehem. It's justly
celebrated for Cathedral Rock, a marine park sanctuary at 20-30m; originally barren, the site
comprises two large rock formations inside a natural amphitheatre, topped with a man-made
cross and seeded with corals. The resorts are the easiest places to arrange dive trips, with basic
dives (with equipment) starting at around P1750 from a boat, and P1200 for shore dives. The
best time for diving is March through June.
