Blue Ribbon Dive Resort

Located on the Mabini Peninsula, Blue Ribbon Dive Resort serves as a gateway to Anilao, a region globally recognised as a capital for muck diving and marine biodiversity. The resort's position allows divers to experience the unique oceanographic crossroads of the Verde Island Passage, where nutrient-rich waters support thriving coral ecosystems and vast populations of macro life.

Since relocating to Anilao in 2018, the centre has focused on providing a professional environment for all levels of diving. Whether you are looking to complete your first Open Water certification or are pursuing advanced technical training in Helitrox or Extended Range, the resort is equipped to support your progression.

As an SDI/TDI Five Star Resort, the centre maintains high standards for both recreational and technical instruction. The dive team is highly experienced, with a specific focus on supporting underwater photographers through relaxed, photo-friendly diving and the assistance of resident photographer Gary Tyson.

Beyond standard instruction, the team provides skilled macro spotters to help divers locate the elusive species that make this area famous. The resort is structured to accommodate a wide range of divers, from those on a Scuba Discovery course to technical divers executing complex decompression procedures.

The training programme is comprehensive, covering the full spectrum of SDI and TDI certifications. Beginners can start with Scuba Discovery or Open Water Scuba Diver, while those looking to advance can progress through Advanced Adventure Diver, Rescue Diver, and Divemaster levels.

For technical divers, the centre offers an extensive TDI curriculum. This includes Intro to Tech, Sidemount Diving, Advanced Nitrox, Deco Procedures, Helitrox, and Extended Range. Specialized training in DPV (Diver Propulsion Vehicles) is also available for those looking to expand their technical repertoire.

The resort operates a private boat for daily excursions, allowing for flexible scheduling. You can expect up to three day dives per outing, with the option to extend your experience with night or blackwater dives.

These trips cover a diverse range of environments, from shallow reef flats to deeper walls and muck sites. For night dives, the centre conducts them via boat if a minimum of three people is met, otherwise, shore dives are organised.

The shore-based facilities are designed with serious divers and photographers in mind. A dedicated, air-conditioned camera room is available, equipped with air guns and a dehumidifier fridge to ensure your photographic kit remains in optimal condition.

For those requiring rental equipment, a full range of kit is available, including BCDs, regulators, wetsuits, dive computers, and fins with booties. The centre also provides masks and DJI Action 5 cameras for use.

The marine life in the Anilao area is defined by the nutrient-rich currents of the Verde Island Passage. On the deeper walls and slopes, you will find a healthy array of reef fish including jacks, parrotfish, surgeonfish, wrasses, snappers, and emperor angelfish. The topography is often adorned with soft corals, gorgonians, black corals, wire corals, and various sponges.

For macro enthusiasts, the area is legendary. The sandy and muck sites are home to a vast collection of specialised creatures, including pygmy seahorses, painted frogfish, mimic octopuses, wonderpus, and various species of nudibranchs. You can also find ghost pipefish, mandarin fish, jawfish, and various species of shrimp and goby.

In the more open water sections and around the seamounts, larger pelagics and reef residents appear, such as turtles, rays, barracuda, and moray eels. During January and February, there is a noted increase in critter activity, making it a prime time for spotting rare invertebrates.

The diving environment is shaped by the Verde Island Passage, where waters from the South China Sea, the Philippine Sea, and the Sibuyan Sea converge. This creates a dynamic underwater landscape where you can often experience two distinct worlds in a single day: exhilarating drift dives along current-swept coral walls and calmer, nutrient-rich environments perfect for muck diving.

Conditions vary by site; while some areas like Balayan Bay offer calmer waters, sites like Sombrero Island can experience moderate to strong currents. These currents are essential for the local ecosystem, as they sweep vast quantities of plankton and nutrients across the reefs.