Aiyanar Beach and Dive Resort Trip Recap
Aiyanar (pronounced I-N-R) Beach and Dive Resort is the macro/muck diving mecca of Anilao. It is located on the south side of the main island of Luzon in the Philippines. This boutique hotel offers comfortable modern rooms, an open-air restaurant, and an amazingly spacious, well thought out dive center. It also has a beautiful infinity pool, and although there isn’t a spa on site, they do offer massage in your room.
Transfers between Manila and the resort are about 3 hours one way by car. Because Anilao is famous for their macro diving, it can easily be paired with other dive destinations, specifically Puerta Galera. Plans for a combination trip where Aiyanar provides the unique little critters can be arranged.
Dive sites are 5 to 10 minute boat rides for the close locations, 15 minute for the night dive or 30 minute to the farthest sites. The boats are typically loaded with 4 to 6 divers on each. Although these traditional local boats are slow, the ride is comfortable. These boats offer shade from the sun, but have no restrooms. Refreshments are provided during your surface interval as well as water and tea. Most days the dive boats depart after breakfast for a 2-tank trip. The surface interval is spent on the boat, and the boats return in time for lunch.
Our stay, in May, was during frog fish season and we saw so many! Included in our sightings was the smallest orange painted frog fish. We also saw mushroom coral pipefish, cuttlefish, squid, hawkfish, grouper, juvenile sweetlips, so many eels, leaf fish, and many unique nudibranchs. On the night dive we saw coconut octopus and bobtail squid. I’d highly recommend bringing along a magnifying glass if you aren’t taking photos. Without magnifying some of the smallest stuff, you might miss out on amazing finds like Shaun the Sheep nudibranch.
Meals will be either ala carte or buffet depending on the occupancy at the time of your visit. Fewer people means you will order ala carte. If the resort is more heavily booked buffet meals will be provided. There is plenty of food and special meal requests can be accommodated with advance notice. Lunch and dinner include a dessert ranging from Ube ice cream to brownies or mousse.
The rooms are modern with a desk area, TV, armoire, balcony with a drying rack, bistro table and chairs. The bathroom has a large shower with toiletries, but an opaque window from the shower limits your privacy if you are sharing a room with a friend.
Stairs can be an issue as the resort, like many in Anilao, is built elevated from the beach and into the hillside. Because of this the resort has been built on multiple levels. There are stairs from the dock to the dive shop, additional stairs to the dining area, and more stairs to the rooms which are built staggered going up the hillside. The room closest to the dining area is at the lowest level with the room next door being slightly higher, and more stairs to
each room until you reach the top of the hill where the reception desk is located. Fortunately, the rooms all have phones so you can call, instead of walk, to the reception desk for service.
In closing, the resort is comfortable and very nice with great diving. If you are considering Anilao, and don’t mind the stairs, I highly encourage a visit to Aiyanar!
Special thanks to Jim Hilgert, Greg Kearney & Glenn Whyland for their photos!