Guides
Longform writing on freediving in the Philippines
Freediving Near Manila: Your Closest Real Options
The closest real freediving to Manila is Anilao in Mabini, Batangas — about 2.5–3 hours by road — with pool training in the city for skills between trips. Here's how to plan a day trip or weekend, what it costs, and what the honest travel times look like.
Anilao vs Panglao vs Moalboal: Where to Freedive in the Philippines
An honest comparison of the Philippines' three main freediving hubs — travel time, depth access, conditions, scene, and cost — and how to pick the right one for your base and goals.
Booking a Freediving Course in Anilao: Direct vs Klook & KKday
Klook and KKday take a 20-30% commission that shapes what you pay and how flexible your booking is. Here's an honest comparison of OTAs vs booking direct with an Anilao freediving instructor, and when each makes sense.
Bagalangit vs Anilao: Where the Freediving Schools Are
Bagalangit vs Anilao Proper for freediving — where the schools, deep water, and training lines are, and which barangay to base yourself in.
Where to Stay in Anilao for Freedivers
The best places to stay in Anilao for freedivers — beachfront resorts with house reefs, dive-friendly lodgings, and how to pick a base near the schools.
Freediving Safety and the Buddy System
Why freediving is only safe with a trained buddy — one-up-one-down, rescue basics, blackout and LMC, and the safety rules every freediver follows.
Freediving Disciplines Explained (CWT, CNF, FIM, STA, DYN)
A plain-English guide to the freediving disciplines — Constant Weight, Free Immersion, Static, and Dynamic — plus a glossary of common terms.
Essential Freediving Skills for Beginners
The core skills every new freediver learns — breathing, equalization, duck dives, finning, and recovery — and how to practise them safely.
Try Freediving in Anilao: Your First Session
No certification needed — what to expect in your first guided freediving session in Anilao, what you’ll learn, what to bring, and how to book.
Freediving Course Levels Explained
From first breath-hold to advanced depth — what each freediving course level covers, the depths involved, and the prerequisites between them.
Freediving in Anilao: The Complete Guide
Everything you need to freedive in Anilao — how to start, certifications, costs, the best spots and seasons, safety, and where to find vetted instructors and schools.
12 Best Dive Sites in Anilao
Twelve dive sites worth building a trip around — ranked by what you'll actually see. Macro haunts, reef walls, and pelagic points, with depth, difficulty, and the best window for each.