MANGARIN - Anilao

Mangarin isn't your typical Anilao reef dive, and we love it for that. This isn't some pristine, intact vessel; she's a proper old girl, a cargo motor vessel that ran aground at the northern tip of Limbonnes Island back in '74. What you get now is a collapsed, twisted wreck spread across the seafloor at a maximum depth of 20 metres. It feels like an archaeological dig, honestly. We usually start by dropping onto the larger sections of the hull, now encrusted with sponges and hard corals. Look closely for the small stuff – we've spotted everything from robust ghost pipefish tucked into the crevices to schools of small snappers darting through the broken metalwork. It’s a fantastic site for photographers who enjoy macro subjects against a dramatic, decaying backdrop. There’s a palpable sense of history down there, a real contrast to Anilao’s usual critter hunting. Just be mindful of shifting currents around the island.

Location
Anilao, Philippines, Southeast Asia
Coordinates
14.240167, 120.590225
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
20m

Marine Protected Area: Marine Reserve No.1

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 MANGARIN

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 MANGARIN

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