Anilao, Philippines
Country: Philippines
Province: Batangas, Luzon
Type: muck / macro / reef
Best known for: World-class macro photography, blackwater diving, nudibranch diversity, Verde Island Passage biodiversity
Key resorts: Crystal Blue Resort, Acacia Resort and Dive Center, Buceo Anilao, Aiyanar Beach and Diver Resort, Club Ocellaris, Dive Solana
Wetpixel coverage: 58 articles, multiple forum threads, official media partner of the Anilao Underwater Shootout
Overview
Anilao is a small township on a peninsula in Batangas province, about three hours south of Manila by car. The name now refers broadly to all dive sites within reach of Balayan Bay, Batangas Bay, and Maricaban Island ([1]). The area sits at the heart of the Verde Island Passage (VIP), which separates the main island of Luzon from Mindoro. Scientists consider this passage the center of the center of the Coral Triangle — the most biodiverse marine region on Earth ([2]). Filipino photographer Kellda Centeno described the Philippines as the “Center of the Center” of marine fish biodiversity, with “the highest density of species per unit area” ([3]).
Geography and Oceanography
The unique geology and oceanography of the area drive its extraordinary biodiversity. Nutrient-rich currents from the Western Pacific and the South China Sea flow through the passage, with seasonal trade winds creating upwellings that mix deep cold water with warm surface layers. Two deep-set bays act as nurseries for larval fish and planktonic organisms, refreshing twice daily with tidal flow ([4]). The result is exceptionally dense and diverse macro life: frogfish, rhinopias, flamboyant cuttlefish, ghost pipefish, nudibranchs, and Coleman shrimp are regular sightings ([5]).
The cooler waters washing over the reefs have so far provided some protection against the coral bleaching affecting other regions ([6]). Pelagic life is limited — whale sharks, mantas, mola mola, and thresher sharks are sporadic rather than reliable ([7]).
Dive Sites
The area has 54 recognized dive sites plus three around nearby Verde Island ([8]). Notable sites include:
- Sombrero Island — Known for colorful reef and wide-angle photography; described by forum members as “some of the most beautiful reef you will find anywhere” ([9])
- Beatrice Rock — Dramatic reef scenery, described as having “the best scenery” in Anilao ([10])
- Layag-Layag — Wide-angle reef site ([11])
- Kirby’s Rock — Wide-angle with occasional strong current ([12])
- Mainit Point/Corner — Classic muck diving on sandy bottom ([13])
- Twin Rocks — Marine Protected Area, a mix of macro and wide-angle; famous for unlimited shore diving from Planet Dive resort ([14])
- Cathedral, Apohls — Additional sites documented in guide books ([15])
- Basura — Muck/critter diving near villages ([16])
- Larry’s Garden — Deep reef site, best done as a deco dive with shallowest area at 20m ([17])
- Verde Island — Day-trip destination in the Verde Passage for wide-angle reef diving; exposed trip requiring excellent weather ([18])
Diving is typically done from bangka boats (small open plywood boats with outriggers and diesel engines), with four dives per day common — two morning dives, an afternoon dive, and a dusk or night/blackwater dive. Most sites are within 30 minutes of the resorts ([19]). Private boats and guides can be hired for the day at modest cost, typically US$60-75 for two divers per dive ([20]).
Macro vs. Wide-Angle
While Anilao is best known for macro, forum members debated whether it was “all macro diving.” Community consensus held that while macro is the star attraction, several sites offer excellent wide-angle opportunities. Most Anilao macro sites are not typical black sand muck sites — they feature white sand with coral outcroppings and good to very good visibility. A few “trashy” sites near local villages are classic muck dives with blue-ringed octopus and diverse nudibranchs ([21]).
Experienced forum members compared Anilao favorably to Lembeh Strait in Indonesia. One regular visitor noted Anilao was “more target rich per dive than Lembeh,” though opinions varied — a Manila-based diver found Lembeh had “noticeably higher density of interesting critters per dive.” Rhinopias were considered easier to find in Anilao during the right season, while Anilao’s proximity to Manila (a three-hour drive versus flights and boat transfers to Lembeh) was a significant practical advantage ([22]).
Nudibranch Capital
Anilao holds a unique distinction in the world of underwater photography as a nudibranch diversity hotspot. Mike Bartick organized nudibranch workshops at Crystal Blue Resort that produced a world record: 591 nudibranch species were documented over 18 dive days, all found exclusively on the Anilao peninsula and surrounding islands. Combined with earlier data from a California Academy of Sciences study led by Dr. Terry Gosliner, this pushed Anilao past the 1,000 recorded nudibranch species mark, making it the world’s number one destination for nudibranch species diversity ([23]).
The workshops, led by nudibranch expert Dave Behrens with verification by Jim Anderson of the Scottish Nudibranch Base, documented rare species including Kalinga ornata (a lie-and-wait predator), Limenendra bernosii (a deep-dwelling nocturnal species), Miamira alleni (nicknamed “Battleships” for their large size), and Melibe colemani (an extraordinarily difficult subject to find and photograph). The local species Halgerda batangas is even named after the province ([24]).
Blackwater Diving
Anilao became one of the world’s premier blackwater diving destinations, extensively documented on Wetpixel. Blackwater diving involves open-ocean night dives over deep water using a lit downline to attract planktonic organisms during their nightly vertical migration from the depths ([25]).
Filipino photographer Scott “Gutsy” Tuason pioneered blackwater photography in the Philippines. He was introduced to the technique in Hawaii in 2012 and brought it to the Philippines, developing it extensively in Anilao’s Balayan Bay and Maricaban Strait. His book Blackwater and Ocean Blue (published circa 2017) documented the practice, and he was featured in a Wetpixel interview and Full Frame gallery showcasing images of mating sea butterflies from Maricaban Strait, larval flounder from Balayan Bay, and other extraordinary finds ([26], [27]).
Mike Bartick further developed blackwater diving at Crystal Blue Resort, conducting most of his dives in Balayan Bay. His encounters included multiple sightings of the blanket octopus (Tremoctopus gracilis), one of the ocean’s most elusive creatures. His first sighting was a female over one meter long, and over subsequent seasons he documented both males (only 2cm long, exhibiting the most extreme sexual dimorphism of any non-microscopic animal) and females carrying eggs. He observed blanket octopus carrying jellyfish tentacles for defense and unfurling their spectacular purple-green webbing ([28]).
Filmmaker Fan Ping shot his blackwater documentary Diving into the Unknown Galaxy in Anilao in 2019, following photographer Songda Cai’s obsession with blackwater imagery. It was filmed on a RED Helium 8K camera at 120fps to capture the fast-moving subjects ([29]).
Cephalopod Photography
Beyond nudibranchs and blackwater subjects, Anilao became known as a cephalopod photography destination. Bartick described the “Big Four” octopus encounters for the Indo-Pacific: wunderpus (Wunderpus photogenicus), mimic octopus (Thaumoctopus mimicus), coconut octopus (Amphioctopus marginatus), and blue-ringed octopus (Hapalochlaena sp.). All four can be found in Anilao, along with the related mototi octopus. Forum members noted that blue-ringed octopus were most reliably found at the “trash-dominated” muck site near local villages, while rhinopias and wunderpus were common during their respective seasons ([30], [31]).
Wetpixel Coverage
Mike Bartick and Crystal Blue Resort
Anilao’s rise as a premier macro destination was extensively documented on Wetpixel, largely through the work of Mike Bartick, who manages Crystal Blue Resort. Bartick first visited Anilao in 2006 and was “blown away by everything.” By 2011, he had partnered with the resort’s owner to create what he describes as “the first dedicated underwater photographers resort in Anilao” ([32]). He has logged over 4,000 dives in the area ([33]).
Bartick wrote a prolific series of technique articles for Wetpixel, all developed and photographed in Anilao:
- Blackwater diving (2018) — First installment of his article series, covering downline setup and technique ([34])
- Backlighting (2018) — Techniques using torches to illuminate translucent subjects like hairy frogfish, rhinopias silhouettes, flamboyant cuttlefish eggs, and Melibe colemani ([35])
- Bokeh (2018) — Macro Wide Open (MWO) techniques, DIY and commercial tools for creating bokeh underwater ([36])
- The Big 4 (2018) — Guide to photographing the four most sought-after octopus species ([37])
- Slugfest (2019) — Documentation of the nudibranch workshops and world record species count ([38])
- Reflection tubes (2019) — Creative technique using chrome pipes and tubes for kaleidoscopic macro effects ([39])
- Blanket octopus (2019) — Natural history and photography of Tremoctopus gracilis encounters during blackwater dives ([40])
- Going Big in Little Town (2020) — Comprehensive overview of Anilao’s geology, oceanography, dive sites, and marine life ([41])
Bartick also reviewed gear in Anilao conditions, including the Backscatter Mini Flash (MF-1) and Optical Snoot (OS-1) ([42]). He published The World of Blackwater as an ebook in 2022, drawing heavily on his Anilao night diving work ([43]).
Crystal Blue Resort was consistently recommended by Wetpixel forum members as the top operation in Anilao. One regular visitor declared it simply “the best operation in Anilao,” noting the quality of guides and seamless logistics ([44]). The resort also served as a prize in photography competitions, including the 2020 Share Our Air contest organized by Dive into the Pink ([45]).
Other Photographers and Galleries
- Nicholas More — Won a trip to Crystal Blue Resort through the Dive Into the Pink competition and produced a 2018 Full Frame gallery showcasing Anilao’s A-list macro subjects: rhinopias, hairy frogfish, flamboyant cuttlefish, and Coleman shrimp ([46])
- Kellda Centeno — Filipino photographer whose 2019 Full Frame gallery showed Anilao’s diversity, from Sombrero Island reef colors to muck site nudibranchs, skeleton shrimp, and octopus-in-bottles at Anilao Pier ([47])
- Adam Hanlon — Attended and provided detailed live coverage of the 2018 Anilao Shootout; his travel planning article cited Anilao’s dive guides as exemplary for their local knowledge ([48], [49])
Anilao Underwater Shootout
The Anilao Underwater Shootout, organized by the Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT), became the world’s largest live underwater photography competition. First held in 2013, it grew into an annual five-day event dubbed “The World Cup of Underwater Photo Competitions” ([50]).
Competition Format
The event was organized by the DOT along with the Resort Owners Association of Mabini (ROAM) and corporate sponsors. The hub of operations was at Acacia Resort and Dive Center, managed by Oliver Ang ([51]). Competitors registered and were issued unique camera settings embedded in their image metadata to verify authenticity. Two classes existed — “Open” (interchangeable lens cameras) and “Compact” — with categories including Macro/Super Macro, Marine Behavior, Nudibranch, Fish Portrait, Blackwater/Bonfire, and GoPro/iPhone ([52]).
The competition maintained a firm no-manipulation ethos. All local guides signed agreements prohibiting interference with marine life, and each guide wore an identity tag for accountability. Contestants received badges listing environmental policies on the reverse ([53]).
History by Year
- 2013: First Anilao Underwater Shootout organized by the DOT, as part of a national strategy identifying diving as a priority tourism product ([54])
- 2014: Second edition held November 27-30 at Aiyanar Beach and Diver Resort; judges included Mike Bartick, Mimmo Roscigno, Yorko Summer, Ken Thongpila, and Gutsy Tuason ([55]); the first International Open Anilao was also announced as a separate event at Buceo Anilao ([56])
- 2017: Fifth edition, November 28 to December 1 at Acacia Resort; 173 entrants; Lilian Koh and PJ Aristorenas won grand prizes ([57], [58])
- 2018: Sixth edition, November 27 to December 1; 241 contestants from 23 countries across 11 categories — the largest edition yet; judges included Ellen Cuylaerts, Laurent Ballesta, John Thet, Indra Swari, and William Tan; Dennis Corpuz won DOT Photographer of the Year; Wetpixel attended and published six days of live reports ([59], [60])
- 2019-2020: Disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic; a “Lembeh vs Anilao Shootout” was announced for December 2020 as a collaboration between Wetpixel, NAD Lembeh, Solitude Lembeh, Aiyanar Beach, and Solitude Acacia, but was affected by travel restrictions ([61])
- 2021: Seventh edition, December 1-5; 120 participants (limited to mostly local shooters due to COVID travel restrictions); adopted a hybrid format with Zoom workshops and online judging; judges included David Doubilet, Jennifer Hayes, Mike Bartick, Gutsy Tuason, William Tan, and John Thet; Dennis Corpuz again won DOT Photographer of the Year; over two million pesos in prizes from Nauticam, Scubalamp, AOI, and others; Wetpixel was an official media partner ([62], [63])
Notable Winners
- Dennis Corpuz — DOT Photographer of the Year in both 2018 and 2021, and a highly regarded local guide and spotter recommended by Wetpixel forum members ([64], [65], [66])
- PJ Aristorenas — Multiple awards across shootout editions
- Henley Spiers — Third place in Open Macro at 2018 shootout
- Teresa Sy Ortin — Compact class winner in 2021
- Brook Peterson — Second place in Open Marine Behavior in 2018
Key Photographers
- Mike Bartick — Crystal Blue Resort manager, blackwater and macro specialist, most prolific Anilao contributor to Wetpixel (articles and technique series)
- Scott “Gutsy” Tuason — Filipino photographer who pioneered blackwater photography in the Philippines, based partly in Anilao; author of Blackwater and Ocean Blue (forum, articles)
- Dennis Corpuz — Filipino photographer, award-winning guide and spotter; two-time DOT Photographer of the Year (articles, forum)
- Kellda Centeno — Filipino photographer featured in Full Frame gallery from Anilao (articles)
- Nicholas More — Featured in Full Frame gallery from Anilao (articles)
- Eduardo Cu Unjieng — Tuason’s partner on the blackwater book, longtime Filipino UW photographer (articles)
- Carlos Trabal — Author of Anilao Biodiversity and Dive Guide documenting 54 dive sites (articles)
- Andrew Marriott and Ram Yoro — Authors of Guide to Anilao (2017), describing 50 dive sites over 268 pages (articles)
- Songda Cai — Blackwater photographer featured in Fan Ping’s documentary; Blackwater category winner at 2018 Anilao Shootout (articles)
Conservation and Ethics
The Verde Island Passage was under consideration as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as of 2020, but lacked protective measures against refineries and manufacturing in the surrounding bays. Agricultural runoff and grey water from large companies operating with minimal regulation also threaten the ecosystem ([67]). Several Marine Protected Areas exist within the Anilao area, including Twin Rocks and Arthurs ([68]).
The issue of diver impact on marine life was addressed in a 2018 Wetpixel article by marine biologist Maarten de Brauwer, who cited Anilao alongside Lembeh Strait as destinations receiving heavy diver traffic where accumulated photographer interference can harm fragile species. His research found that photographers with DSLR cameras spent an average of three minutes with individual critters (versus 30 seconds for non-photographers), touching the bottom up to five times more often. He called for dive operations and photography competitions to enforce ethical standards against manipulation ([69]). The Anilao Shootout addressed these concerns by requiring all guides to attend mandatory environmental briefings and sign contracts outlining behavioral standards ([70]).
Dive Resorts
The Wetpixel forum community provided detailed comparisons of Anilao’s resorts:
- Crystal Blue Resort — The most recommended resort for underwater photographers; managed by Mike Bartick; resident photo professional; quality guides; shore diving available ([71])
- Acacia Resort and Dive Center — Hub of the Anilao Shootout; described as having “the best photo and gear rooms I’ve seen anywhere”; pool and outdoor dining; owned by a photographer (Oliver Ang) ([72])
- Buceo Anilao — European-run resort attracting keen photographers; larger rooms; good shore diving; hosted the International Open Anilao competition ([73], [74])
- Aiyanar Beach and Diver Resort — Hosted the 2014 Anilao Photo Festival; participated in the 2020 Lembeh vs Anilao Shootout ([75])
- Solitude Acacia Resort — Partner resort for the Anilao Shootout; participated in the 2020 Lembeh vs Anilao event ([76])
- Club Ocellaris — Praised by local and international visitors for dive and photo operations ([77])
Guidebooks
Three major guides to Anilao diving were published and covered on Wetpixel:
- Dive into Anilao by Mike Bartick (2015) — Free iBook guide published on iTunes ([78])
- Anilao Biodiversity and Dive Guide by Carlos Trabal (2015) — Launched at DRT Show, documenting 54 dive sites and three at Verde Island ([79])
- Guide to Anilao by Andrew Marriott and Ram Yoro (2017) — Published in association with the Philippine Commission on Sports and Scuba Diving and the Mabini Department of Tourism; 50 dive sites, 275 photos, 268 pages ([80])
PHIDEX
The Philippine International Dive Expo (PHIDEX), organized by the DOT, featured Anilao as a top dive destination for familiarization tours alongside Bohol, Coron, Dumaguete, and Malapascua. The 2022 edition at SMX Convention Center in Manila featured talks by Alex Mustard, Gutsy Tuason, Mike Bartick, Adam Hanlon, and others. Wetpixel was listed as a media partner ([81]).
Timeline
- 2005-03: Early Wetpixel forum discussion of Anilao dive sites, with Beatrice Rock, Basura, Twin Rocks, and Sepok Wall recommended ([82])
- 2006: Mike Bartick first visits Anilao, begins building the destination’s profile ([83])
- 2011: Bartick establishes Crystal Blue Resort as first dedicated UW photographer resort in Anilao ([84])
- 2012: Gutsy Tuason introduced to blackwater photography in Hawaii; brings the technique to the Philippines ([85])
- 2013: First Anilao Underwater Shootout organized by Philippine Department of Tourism ([86])
- 2014-05: First International Open Anilao Underwater Photography Championship announced at Buceo Anilao ([87])
- 2014-11: Second Anilao Underwater Photo Festival held at Aiyanar Beach, with international judges including Bartick, Roscigno, and Tuason ([88])
- 2015-09: Mike Bartick publishes free Dive into Anilao iBook guide ([89])
- 2015-09: Carlos Trabal’s Anilao Biodiversity and Dive Guide launched at DRT Show ([90])
- 2017-03: Wetpixel interviews Gutsy Tuason on blackwater diving; Full Frame gallery published ([91], [92])
- 2017-11: Anilao Shootout 2017 held, 173 entrants; Lilian Koh and PJ Aristorenas win grand prizes ([93])
- 2017-12: Guide to Anilao by Andrew Marriott and Ram Yoro published ([94])
- 2018-04: Nicholas More Full Frame gallery from Anilao published ([95])
- 2018-05 to 2019-04: Bartick publishes seven-part technique series for Wetpixel, all based in Anilao: blackwater, backlighting, bokeh, the Big 4, slugfest, reflection tubes, blanket octopus ([96])
- 2018-10: Maarten de Brauwer publishes research on diver impact at muck diving sites, citing Anilao and Lembeh ([97])
- 2018-11: Anilao Shootout 2018 draws 241 contestants from 23 countries; Laurent Ballesta among judges; Wetpixel provides day-by-day live reports ([98])
- 2019-01: Henley Spiers interviews Bartick at Crystal Blue Resort; Kellda Centeno Full Frame gallery highlights Anilao diving ([99], [100])
- 2019-02: Bartick’s Slugfest article reveals Anilao nudibranch count surpasses 1,000 species — world record ([101])
- 2019-10: Fan Ping’s blackwater documentary Diving into the Unknown Galaxy filmed in Anilao published on Wetpixel ([102])
- 2020-01: Lembeh vs Anilao Shootout announced for December 2020 ([103])
- 2020-03: Bartick publishes “Going Big in Little Town,” comprehensive Anilao overview ([104])
- 2020-08: Wetpixel Live episode on blackwater photography with Bartick ([105])
- 2021-12: Seventh Anilao Shootout held under COVID hybrid format; 120 participants; David Doubilet and Jennifer Hayes among judges ([106])
- 2022-08: PHIDEX dive expo in Manila features Anilao as top Philippine dive destination ([107])
- 2022-11: Bartick publishes The World of Blackwater ebook ([108])
Community Discussion
Anilao generated extensive forum discussion on Wetpixel, covering practical matters for visiting photographers:
- Is Anilao all macro diving? (28 replies, 2023) — Detailed comparisons to Lembeh, resort recommendations, wide-angle options, and guide suggestions ([109])
- Diving in Anilao and Puerto Galera (6 replies, 2005) — Early community knowledge sharing about Anilao dive sites ([110])
- Anilao, reasonable accommodation (6 replies, 2022) — Budget-conscious resort recommendations and dive logistics ([111])
- Critter identification: Anilao — Species identification requests from Anilao diving ([112])
References
Sources
- Wetpixel article, Mar 31, 2020: Going Big In Little Town By Mike Bartick ↩
- Wetpixel article, Sep 10, 2015: Anilao Biodiversity And Dive Guide Launched At Drt Show ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 17, 2019: Philippines Kellda Centeno ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 31, 2020: Going Big In Little Town By Mike Bartick ↩
- Wetpixel article, Apr 19, 2018: Nicholas More Anilao ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 31, 2020: Going Big In Little Town By Mike Bartick ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 31, 2020: Going Big In Little Town By Mike Bartick ↩
- Wetpixel article, Sep 10, 2015: Anilao Biodiversity And Dive Guide Launched At Drt Show ↩
- Forum thread: Is Anilao All Macro Diving ↩
- Forum thread: Diving In Anilao And Puerto Galera ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 31, 2020: Going Big In Little Town By Mike Bartick ↩
- Forum thread: Is Anilao All Macro Diving ↩
- Wetpixel article, Nov 27, 2018: Live Reports Anilao Underwater Shootout 2018 ↩
- Forum thread: Is Anilao All Macro Diving ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 31, 2020: Going Big In Little Town By Mike Bartick ↩
- Forum thread: Diving In Anilao And Puerto Galera ↩
- Forum thread: Is Anilao All Macro Diving ↩
- Forum thread: Is Anilao All Macro Diving ↩
- Wetpixel article, Apr 19, 2018: Nicholas More Anilao ↩
- Forum thread: Is Anilao All Macro Diving ↩
- Forum thread: Is Anilao All Macro Diving ↩
- Forum thread: Is Anilao All Macro Diving ↩
- Wetpixel article, Feb 7, 2019: Mike Bartick Slugfest ↩
- Wetpixel article, Feb 7, 2019: Mike Bartick Slugfest ↩
- Wetpixel article, May 28, 2018: First Installment Of ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 28, 2017: Interview Gutsy Tuason ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 31, 2017: Scott Gutsy Tuason Blackwater Diving ↩
- Wetpixel article, Apr 2, 2019: Mike Bartick Blanket Octopus ↩
- Wetpixel article, Oct 15, 2019: Video Diving Into The Unknown Galaxy By Fan Ping ↩
- Wetpixel article, Dec 31, 2018: The Big 4 By Mike Bartick ↩
- Forum thread: Is Anilao All Macro Diving ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 6, 2019: Conversations With Underwater Photographers Mike Bartick By Henley Spiers ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 31, 2020: Going Big In Little Town By Mike Bartick ↩
- Wetpixel article, May 28, 2018: First Installment Of ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jun 28, 2018: Backlighting Article By Mike Bartick ↩
- Wetpixel article, Aug 30, 2018: Mike Bartick Bokeh Licious ↩
- Wetpixel article, Dec 31, 2018: The Big 4 By Mike Bartick ↩
- Wetpixel article, Feb 7, 2019: Mike Bartick Slugfest ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 12, 2019: Mike Bartick Reflection Tubes ↩
- Wetpixel article, Apr 2, 2019: Mike Bartick Blanket Octopus ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 31, 2020: Going Big In Little Town By Mike Bartick ↩
- Wetpixel article, Feb 5, 2020: Review Mike Bartick On The Backscatter Mini Flash And Optical Snoot ↩
- Wetpixel article, Nov 1, 2022: Shipping The World Of Blackwater By Mike Bartick ↩
- Forum thread: Is Anilao All Macro Diving ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jul 5, 2020: Results Share Our Air 2020 Contest ↩
- Wetpixel article, Apr 19, 2018: Nicholas More Anilao ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 17, 2019: Philippines Kellda Centeno ↩
- Wetpixel article, Nov 27, 2018: Live Reports Anilao Underwater Shootout 2018 ↩
- Wetpixel article, May 15, 2020: Planning Your Next Trip How To Get The Images You Want ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jun 5, 2018: Registrations Open Anilao Shootout 2018 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Nov 27, 2018: Live Reports Anilao Underwater Shootout 2018 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Nov 27, 2018: Live Reports Anilao Underwater Shootout 2018 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Nov 27, 2018: Live Reports Anilao Underwater Shootout 2018 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Dec 14, 2021: Results Anilao Underwater Shootout 2021 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Nov 3, 2014: Announcing The Second Anilao Underwater Photo Festival ↩
- Wetpixel article, May 12, 2014: Shootout International Open Anilao ↩
- Wetpixel article, Dec 4, 2017: Results Anilao Shootout 2017 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Nov 24, 2017: Anilao Shootout Commences On 28 November ↩
- Wetpixel article, Nov 27, 2018: Live Reports Anilao Underwater Shootout 2018 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Dec 4, 2018: Results Anilao Shootout 2018 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 25, 2020: Major Announcement Lembeh Vs Anilao Shootout In December 2020 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Dec 14, 2021: Results Anilao Underwater Shootout 2021 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Oct 30, 2021: Anilao Shootout Returns ↩
- Wetpixel article, Dec 4, 2018: Results Anilao Shootout 2018 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Dec 14, 2021: Results Anilao Underwater Shootout 2021 ↩
- Forum thread: Is Anilao All Macro Diving ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 31, 2020: Going Big In Little Town By Mike Bartick ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 31, 2020: Going Big In Little Town By Mike Bartick ↩
- Wetpixel article, Oct 4, 2018: Maarten De Brauer Time To Stop Mucking Around ↩
- Wetpixel article, Nov 27, 2018: Live Reports Anilao Underwater Shootout 2018 ↩
- Forum thread: Is Anilao All Macro Diving ↩
- Forum thread: Is Anilao All Macro Diving ↩
- Forum thread: Is Anilao All Macro Diving ↩
- Wetpixel article, May 12, 2014: Shootout International Open Anilao ↩
- Wetpixel article, Nov 3, 2014: Announcing The Second Anilao Underwater Photo Festival ↩
- Wetpixel article, Dec 14, 2021: Results Anilao Underwater Shootout 2021 ↩
- Forum thread: Is Anilao All Macro Diving ↩
- Wetpixel article, Sep 2, 2015: Anilao Guide Published On Itunes ↩
- Wetpixel article, Sep 10, 2015: Anilao Biodiversity And Dive Guide Launched At Drt Show ↩
- Wetpixel article, Dec 8, 2017: Guide To Anilao Available ↩
- Wetpixel article, Aug 19, 2022: Phidex Is Open ↩
- Forum thread: Diving In Anilao And Puerto Galera ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 6, 2019: Conversations With Underwater Photographers Mike Bartick By Henley Spiers ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 6, 2019: Conversations With Underwater Photographers Mike Bartick By Henley Spiers ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 31, 2017: Scott Gutsy Tuason Blackwater Diving ↩
- Wetpixel article, Dec 14, 2021: Results Anilao Underwater Shootout 2021 ↩
- Wetpixel article, May 12, 2014: Shootout International Open Anilao ↩
- Wetpixel article, Nov 3, 2014: Announcing The Second Anilao Underwater Photo Festival ↩
- Wetpixel article, Sep 2, 2015: Anilao Guide Published On Itunes ↩
- Wetpixel article, Sep 10, 2015: Anilao Biodiversity And Dive Guide Launched At Drt Show ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 28, 2017: Interview Gutsy Tuason ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 31, 2017: Scott Gutsy Tuason Blackwater Diving ↩
- Wetpixel article, Dec 4, 2017: Results Anilao Shootout 2017 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Dec 8, 2017: Guide To Anilao Available ↩
- Wetpixel article, Apr 19, 2018: Nicholas More Anilao ↩
- Wetpixel article, May 28, 2018: First Installment Of ↩
- Wetpixel article, Oct 4, 2018: Maarten De Brauer Time To Stop Mucking Around ↩
- Wetpixel article, Nov 27, 2018: Live Reports Anilao Underwater Shootout 2018 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 6, 2019: Conversations With Underwater Photographers Mike Bartick By Henley Spiers ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 17, 2019: Philippines Kellda Centeno ↩
- Wetpixel article, Feb 7, 2019: Mike Bartick Slugfest ↩
- Wetpixel article, Oct 15, 2019: Video Diving Into The Unknown Galaxy By Fan Ping ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 25, 2020: Major Announcement Lembeh Vs Anilao Shootout In December 2020 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 31, 2020: Going Big In Little Town By Mike Bartick ↩
- Wetpixel article, Aug 5, 2020: Wetpixel Live Blackwater Photography With Mike Bartick ↩
- Wetpixel article, Dec 14, 2021: Results Anilao Underwater Shootout 2021 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Aug 19, 2022: Phidex Is Open ↩
- Wetpixel article, Nov 1, 2022: Shipping The World Of Blackwater By Mike Bartick ↩
- Forum thread: Is Anilao All Macro Diving ↩
- Forum thread: Diving In Anilao And Puerto Galera ↩
- Forum thread: Anilao Reasonable Accommodation Httpswetpixelcomforumsindexphptopic69808 Anilao Reasonable Accommodation Proximity To Dive Sites Proximity To Dive Sites ↩
- Forum thread: Critter Identification Anilao ↩
- Going Big in Little Town by Mike Bartick (article) ↩
- Interview: Scott “Gutsy” Tuason on blackwater diving (article) ↩
- Scott “Gutsy” Tuason: Blackwater Diving (Full Frame) (article) ↩
- Nicholas More: Anilao (Full Frame) (article) ↩
- Conversations with Underwater Photographers: Mike Bartick (article) ↩
- Philippines: Kellda Centeno (Full Frame) (article) ↩
- Blackwater Diving: First installment by Mike Bartick (article) ↩
- Backlighting: Article by Mike Bartick (article) ↩
- Mike Bartick: Bokeh-licious (article) ↩
- The Big 4 by Mike Bartick (article) ↩
- Mike Bartick: Slugfest (article) ↩
- Mike Bartick: Reflection Tubes (article) ↩
- Mike Bartick: Blanket Octopus (article) ↩
- Video: Diving into the Unknown Galaxy by Fan Ping (article) ↩
- Review: Mike Bartick on the Backscatter Mini Flash and Optical Snoot (article) ↩
- Wetpixel Live: Blackwater Photography with Mike Bartick (article) ↩
- Calling all Underwater Image Makers (article) ↩
- Planning your Next Trip: How to get the Images You Want (article) ↩
- Anilao guide published on iTunes (article) ↩
- Anilao Biodiversity and Dive Guide launched at DRT Show (article) ↩
- Guide to Anilao available (article) ↩
- Shootout: International Open Anilao (article) ↩
- Announcing the second Anilao Underwater Photo Festival (article) ↩
- Anilao Shootout commences on 28 November (article) ↩
- Results: Anilao Shootout 2017 (article) ↩
- Registrations open: Anilao Shootout 2018 (article) ↩
- Anilao Shootout announces judges (article) ↩
- Live Reports: Anilao Underwater Shootout 2018 (article) ↩
- Results: Anilao Underwater Shootout 2018 (article) ↩
- Video: Anilao Underwater Shootout 2018 (article) ↩
- Major Announcement: Lembeh vs Anilao Shootout (article) ↩
- Anilao Shootout Returns (article) ↩
- Results: Anilao Underwater Shootout 2021 (article) ↩
- Maarten de Brauwer: Time to stop mucking around? (article) ↩
- Results: Share Our Air 2020 Contest (article) ↩
- PHIDEX is Open (article) ↩
- Shipping: The World of Blackwater by Mike Bartick (article) ↩
- Is Anilao all macro diving? (forum) (forum) ↩
- Diving in Anilao and Puerto Galera (forum) (forum) ↩
- Anilao, reasonable accommodation (forum) (forum) ↩