DON FRANCISCO - Anilao

Don Francisco is one of those sites we always recommend, especially if you've done a few dives in Anilao and want something different. This isn't your usual vibrant reef; it’s a carrier vessel, a proper bit of history from 1944 that ran aground in a typhoon back in '78. We love how much of the hull and superstructure are still intact, making it perfect for exploration. You'll find her mostly upright, which gives a great sense of her original form. Sunlight filters down, illuminating schools of tiny glassfish that shimmer around the cargo holds – it’s a beautiful, almost ethereal sight. Look closely, and you'll spot resident lionfish tucked into crevices and moray eels peeking out from behind plating. We’d suggest going early in the morning; the light is better, and you avoid the occasional afternoon currents that can pick up here. It’s not a deep dive, but the sense of scale you get from finning alongside a piece of wartime history is pretty cool. For wreck lovers, even casual ones, Don Francisco is a real standout in the area.

Location
Anilao, Philippines, Southeast Asia
Coordinates
12.932615, 122.053670
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
0m

Best Time to Dive in Anilao

The warmest water temperatures in Anilao occur in June, averaging 30.9°C. The coolest conditions are in February at 27.5°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 27.9°C
  • February: 27.5°C
  • March: 28.1°C
  • April: 29.2°C
  • May: 30.3°C
  • June: 30.9°C
  • July: 30.4°C
  • August: 29.8°C
  • September: 29.6°C
  • October: 29.4°C
  • November: 29.3°C
  • December: 28.9°C

Nearby Dive Sites in Anilao

Nearest Dive Centres to DON FRANCISCO

Marine Life in Anilao

Home to 88 recorded species including 83 reef fish, 2 crabs & lobsters, 1 sharks & rays, 1 sea urchins, 1 sea snails & nudibranchs.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for DON FRANCISCO

Based on average water temperature of 29.3°C, currents 15 cm/s.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 29°C water needs minimal exposure protection
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories