“Batangas Freediving is the best in the Philippines.”
“Come to Batangas, our second home!”
“You should visit Batangas and freedive – it’s amazing!”
Heard any of these statements?
I have.
A lot.
Still, it took me a long time to finally visit.
It felt overrated.
An escape for people who simply have no escape.
A default vacation spot for freedivers who live too far from the ocean to have a choice.
Too crowded and touristy.
But then, one day, I did visit.
And I discovered…
…well, you have to read this entire blog to find out!
So, come on.
Let’s talk about:
- Batangas freediving fun facts
- Where to dive in Batangas
- How to get to the Batangas dive spots
- Who to contact for Batangas freediving
- Where to stay for Batangas freediving
- What to expect when you freedive in Batangas: overrated or worth it?
- And more!
Let’s “DIVE” in.
Visiting Batangas soon? Read my full Batangas travel guide here
Batangas Freediving: Fun Facts
Ok, first things first.
Fun facts:
Batangas Freediving Fun Fact #1: Batangas Is the Closest Place People from Manila Can Dive In
Ok, so Manila is this huge city that’s miles away from the nearest ocean.
People who live there are immersed in the bustle of daily life, traffic, hectic jobs.
Which means of course, they long for the ocean.
And guess what?
Batangas is the closest place they can get to, to dive.
Located only 2 hours from Metro Manila, it’s a quick, easy 2-hour bus ride through expressways unclogged by traffic.
Is it a surprise that it’s the freediving capital of Luzon?
Not at all.
Batangas Freediving Fun Fact #2: Batangas Freediving Is a Long Strip of Dive Schools from Anilao to Batangas
When I first imagined freediving in Batangas, I pictured a small, contained area surrounded by dive schools and establishments.
But no.
It is huge.
Imagine: A seaside strip 10 kilometers long, lined with dive shops, hotels, and restaurants.
At the edge is Bagalangit, a tiny cove-like place by the waters’ edge.
There, you can find even more dive shops, along with hostels and eateries.
Really, if you think the Batangas freediving scene is small…
…you’re in for a surprise when you get there!
Batangas Freediving Fun Fact #3: There’s Something for Every Type of Freediver
Looking for a cheap option for a weekend trip?
Want to spurge on a fancy place and great food?
Or maybe something in the middle?
Batangas has it all.
Super affordable non-airconditioned dorm rooms for the budget wanderer.
Fancy restaurants and resort rooms for those who want vacation time to be extra special.
And everything in between.
Batangas Freediving: 2 Dive Spots I Recommend
There are 2 main places to dive in Batangas.
Anilao and Bagalangit.
Let’s talk about them both.
Batangas Freediving: Anilao
Want to be closer to the main town?
Want to be near cafes, restaurants, even a mini market?
Choose Anilao.
There are freediving shops you can choose from there, such as Dive7000 and Chaos Freediving.
To be honest, this can turn out to be a cheaper place to say.
Why?
It’s closer to Mabini town, where you can find affordable food options like Jollibee.
If you’re looking for something more exclusive and community like, however, you should go for…
Batangas Freediving: Bagalangit
This is where we stayed, and wow.
It was worth it.
First of all, Bagalangit is a super exclusive place.
It’s a private zone for freedivers.
Walk down any street, and you will bump into a person lugging a buoy on their back.
Grab a bite to eat at a restaurant, and there will be a freediving intro class going on right beside you.
Slip by houses and you will see wetsuits hanging to dry.
And no, Bagalangit is not that far from Anilao.
Think 8 kilometers, which only takes roughly 15 minutes by motorcycle.
Plus, although the place features expensive and sometimes fancy places to stay…
…there are one or two budget friendly hostels you can spend the night at.
When in Bagalangit, you can contact Lawom Freediving for your course or dive.
Batangas Freediving: How to Get to the Dive Spots (+Who to Contact When You’re in Batangas)
Pictured above is the best place to dive in Batangas: Bagalangit.
Now, there are two types of freedivers.
- Beginners and non-certification holders
- Experts, high-level certification holders, instructors
If you consider yourself in the first category, the best way to experience freediving in Batangas is to go with one of the local dive schools in the area.
I recommend Lawom Freediving, which offers:
- Introduction classes
- Certification courses
- Fun dives
- Boat dives
You can even get one of their freediving packages, which includes:
- 3 dives
- 1 night’s stay at their hostel
- Meals
Lawom is also great if you’re into socials, hanging out with new people over karaoke and cocktails.
Trust me, you’ll love it there!
I have a few friends teaching there, and they’ll be happy to welcome you into their community.
And ok, if you’re already an expert (Wave 3, Aida 4, an instructor, you know what I mean), and you don’t want to pay to join a freediving tour…
…well, you can freediving in Batangas on your own!
Simply follow these easy steps:
To dive in Bagalangit:
Open Google Maps, and pin “Freedive Tribe PH HQ.”
As you follow directions, you’ll find yourself entering and walking down a narrow alleyway.
It’ll look like this…
Enter from beside this tree:
Then walk down to the end of this gloomy alley:
Don’t worry!
Google isn’t trying to kill you.
If you see these, you are on the right track and will soon get to this:
So, where’s the dive spot?
Just get into the water, swim out a few meters, and you will come to this:
Corals, a mini sardine run, swarms of colored fish, even a resident turtle!
You can swim along the reef and enjoy the stunning marine sanctuary without having to rent a boat, which is great.
The slope into depth at Bagalangit is abrupt, a cliff that plunges suddenly from colorful reef to seemingly bottomless blue depth.
That’s why a lot of the schools have their introduction classes and courses there.
Check out how packed it gets on a Saturday!
On weekdays, it’s a whole different story.
You’ll find yourself completely alone, surrounded by peace and the soft caressing sound of waves on rocks.
(That’s what Bagalangit is generally like, so pick your time of visit based on whether you’re a party animal or a solitude-loving soul.)
To dive in Anilao:
First, you have to find the abandoned Monte Carlo Resort.
Don’t worry, it’s easy to pin on Google.
When you search in on Google, it will tell you “permanently closed.”
That’s normal.
Park across it (if you’re on a motorcycle), then walk up to the resort.
On the side, you will see a small (shady looking) entrance.
Follow it, and it will lead you to a beach.
No, you probably won’t see other freedivers around.
You’ll come upon a quiet beach, where you can swim out and see this:
And this:
The dive spot is really shallow (around 3 meters) and slopes gently and slowly downwards.
It’s filled with corals, fish, and even the resident turtle pictured above!
Note: Do not attempt to dive on your own if you don’t have advanced certification.
These autonomous dives are best for advanced levels and instructors only.
If you’re a Wave 1 or 2 Freediver or equivalent, it’s best to contact a dive shop and dive with them.
Where to Stay for Your Batangas Freediving Experience
As I mentioned, Batangas isn’t only for one type of person.
It’s for everyone.
Budget wanderers.
Luxe travelers.
Everyone in between.
You’ll find lots of places to stay there, but here are three I recommend in Bagalangit:
- Budget friendly – Rustique Rue. Love, love, love this place! Rustique Rue is super affordable (around PHP550-650 for their dorm beds). But low pricing doesn’t mean bad at all, at least for this place. It’s super comfortable, with big dorm beds, balconies, open-air spaces for working, and lots and lots of plants and trees. It also has a restaurant with affordable but really good food (and vegetarian options!). Note that if you can’t sleep without air conditioning, this is not the place for you, as it’s a fresh-air, open-window type of space.
- Mid-tier – Balay Lawom. Balay Lawom is still dorm-typed, but instead of fan rooms, it offers air-conditioning. You can also select one of their few private rooms if you want to have some peaceful quiet time alone.
- High-end – Grey House. Grey House rooms are on the pricey side (PHP3,500-4,000 per night for private rooms and PHP1,000 for dorm beds), but if you’re looking for super comfortable and slightly luxurious, go for it!
If you’d rather stay in Anilao, check out these options:
- The Philip Ann Resort Hotel – This resort offers beautiful beach and pool views. You are also close to Mount Gulugod Baboy if you want more adventure.
- Anilao Scuba Dive Center Resort – If you’re a freediving enthusiast, this is the perfect place for a peaceful getaway.
- Bubblemaker Anilao Dive and Beach Resort Hotel – Get the most out of the stunning beaches of Anilao by staying in this hotel.
Batangas Freediving: What to Expect (Overrated or Worth It?)
Ok, now for the moment of truth.
What did I think of Batangas freediving?
Overhyped?
Touristy?
Or totally worth the visit?
Here is what I think:
First of all, Batangas is not the best dive spot in the Philippines.
Sorry, folks.
Spots in the Visayas and Mindanao (Camiguin, Dauin, Bohol, Apo Island, Malapascua, etc.) are way more beautiful when it comes to clear waters, diverse marine life, and flourishing coral gardens.
Batangas Freediving was OK.
If Apo Island is a 10, I would give it a 6.5.
But wait!
I’m not writing Batangas off.
After all, it wasn’t as touristy and underwhelming as I thought.
It’s something else.
It’s a community.
(That’s me having samgyeopsal night with a bunch of instructor friends.)
When you go to Batangas to freedive, you don’t go to see the most beautiful reefs in the world.
You go for the vibe.
For the tiny, exclusive community of people who thrive on hydrobaric pressure, salt air, and ocean waves.
For the chance to see random wetsuit-clad people walking up and down small streets with dripping buoys and fins.
For the opportunity to connect, to make friends, to spend a night screaming over a karaoke machine and sharing your dive experience with strangers who might actually be in your life forever.
For the feeling of being surrounded by others who share your spirit of adventure and love for nature.
Because freediving in Batangas is not like going to a random beach flocked with noisy tourists.
It’s entering a family of hardcore ocean lovers.
So, did I love it?
Actually, yes!
Every place is special, and Batangas was certainly different from any other freediving spot I have ever been in.
And I would go back, for sure.
Again and again.
Batangas Freediving: Ready to Get Your Trip Started?
On the fence about Batangas freediving?
Let me tell you this.
Go for it!
I held back for many years, unsure if I would enjoy it.
But hey, when I visited, I totally DID NOT REGRET IT!
I would even say this is one of my favorite dive spots in the Philippines.
So, if you’re planning to go to Batangas, it’s time to get started.
Book that ticket.
Pack those fins.
Prepare that Go Pro.
And get ready to enjoy one of the most unique experiences of freediving you will ever have.