Anda, Bohol: Dive Site Paradise Garden - The main dive sites on the Anda Peninsula are located along the southern coast, stretching from Anda town around to Basdio. This area is known for its healthy coral walls, excellent visibility, and relaxed diving conditions.
Video taken: May 2025

Anda, Bohol: A peninsula located on the eastern tip of Bohol Island, approximately 100 km from Tagbilaran City. The town center (Poblacion) of Anda is a peaceful and scenic spot to spend time, featuring the historic Santo Niño Church and a long stretch of white-sand beach.
Images taken: 2024 | 2025

Diver's Guide to Anda, Bohol

Anda is simply a great place to spend time — whether you're exploring the quiet town center, relaxing on the beach, or heading out to discover the surrounding coastline. As soon as you turn off the Bohol Circumferential Road and onto the peninsula, everything starts to slow down. With its small streets, quiet barangays, and laid-back pace, Anda has a real local feel. It’s unspoiled, welcoming, and just a genuinely pleasant place to be.

The peninsula itself is home to around 18,000 people, spread across 16 barangays that range from coastal villages to inland farming communities. The local economy is still rooted in traditional livelihoods, and it’s this close connection to daily life that gives Anda its authentic character.

Dive sites can be found along the entire length of the peninsula, stretching from Lamanok Island in the north around to Basdio in the south. However, the primary concentration of sites lies between Anda and Basdio, with around 25 named locations. In reality, this 10‑kilometer stretch of coastline forms one continuous reef, offering a mix of coral shelves, outcrops, sandy slopes, and wall dives. Conditions vary along the reef, and most dives naturally drift or cross from one site into the next.

If you’re diving locally in Panglao or following an extended dive itinerary through the region, Anda is a great option for a two- to three-day stay. It’s well suited to divers of all levels, and the sites are generally quiet — I’ve never seen boats crowding the same spots during my visits. Marine life is healthy, especially around the coral gardens, where I’ve regularly spotted green turtles, octopus, frogfish, vibrant nudibranchs, and even the occasional great barracuda cruising out in the blue.

I visit Anda regularly — it’s a short trip from my home in Dauis, Panglao. Of course, dive conditions vary with each visit, but I always enjoy the experience. From the scenic drive along the coastline and walks on Anda’s beach to the excellent diving, what stands out most is just how peaceful this place is. It’s a genuinely good place to slow down and spend some time.

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Dive Central Philippines Live

If you’re planning a dive trip or just curious about what it’s really like underwater here, check out my YouTube channel. I share fresh dive clips from sites across the central Visayas, giving you a real feel for the conditions, the reefs, and the kind of marine life you can expect when you dive here yourself.

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Visayas: In Focus - Dive Guides & Dive Trips

Our diving hub and articles have been created to showcase the region. They provide up-to-date information on dive sites, itinerary options, conditions, and the kind of marine life you can expect to see. Whether you're planning a future dive trip or just getting a feel for what's out there, it's a great place to start. Bookmark us or subscribe to our monthly newsletter — we’re updating and adding new articles every week.

And if you’re curious about underwater videography, we also share real-world tips based on regular dives and hands-on experience.

Dive Map - Anda

The map highlights the main transport hubs — Cebu, Tagbilaran, and Panglao Airport — as well as the southern dive sites in Anda and Lamanok Point to the north.

Anda: Dive Site Map - Click the map pins for location snippets
Map Source: John Hawkins | Leaflet | 2025

Anda: Dive Site Shark Point - The current around the point can sometimes be challenging, but you’re rewarded with a great mix of marine life, dramatic walls, and a beautiful coral shelf. Green turtles are commonly spotted here, and most nearby sites offer similar sightings along with excellent reef life.
Video taken: February 2025

Diving Highlights & Final Thoughts – Anda, Bohol

Like much of the region, Anda has implemented marine protected areas since the early 2000s, driven by a severe decline in both fish populations and coral health. Local communities responded by setting up no-take zones and enforcement patrols to restore reef ecosystems and protect their fishing livelihoods. Over time, these efforts have helped revive marine life and stabilize the health of the coastal environment.

Despite these efforts, fishing still takes place in and around Anda’s coastal waters, including some activity near protected areas. While core no-take zones are enforced, buffer zones allow for limited, regulated fishing, and occasional intrusions or illegal practices still occur. Enforcement is handled locally through community patrols, but limited resources and outside pressure make full protection challenging.

Even with these outside pressures, the reefs here have continued to improve, resulting in the healthy corals and marine life we see today. Of course, there’s still some impact, and if you’ve come expecting big schools of jackfish or barracuda, you may be disappointed. But spend a bit of time diving these waters, and you’ll quickly discover there’s a lot more to diving in Anda than meets the eye.

I talk to a lot of people diving out of Panglao who have come to the region for the main draws like Balicasag Island or Pamilacan Island — but very few have Anda on their radar. In most cases, it’s simply because they’re short on time and trying to cover a lot of ground. Personally, I could quite happily spend two weeks diving the Bohol Marine Triangle, Cabilao, and Anda alone. Sure, I’d miss out on the thresher sharks at Malapascua or the muck diving in Dauin, but if you're after healthy reefs and a great mix of marine life, this part of Bohol is hard to beat — and a stop-off in Anda would be right near the top of my list.

Best Time to Dive: When to Go and Why

Anda can be dived year-round, with each season offering its own conditions. The low season runs from May to October, when visitor numbers are lower and there's a greater chance of weather disruptions due to the southwest Habagat monsoon and the typhoon season. The high season, from November through April, typically brings calmer seas and more settled weather — making it the preferred time for most divers.

During my time here in the Visayas, the only constant I’ve found is the shifting of the monsoon seasons. The transition from Habagat to Amihan generally happens around June and again in October. Typhoons come and go during the low season and, for the most part, impact the eastern Philippine coast before moving north toward Luzon. These weather events do affect the region — bringing wind and rain — but the central location of the Visayas offers some natural protection.

Most visitors’ expectations of the weather in the Philippines tend to be quite general — assuming that it simply rains during the rainy season. But in reality, weather patterns are regional and can vary dramatically from one area to another. It might be flooding in Manila due to a typhoon in July, while at the same time it's dry and sunny in the Visayas. The Philippines is a big country, and conditions can differ greatly across regions.

In truth, there’s always a chance of weather impacts in the Visayas year-round — just less so during the high season. My advice is not to plan too rigidly around the seasons if you’re coming here. Conditions can change quickly, and it’s rarely bad all day or across the entire region. Dive trips run throughout the year, and many areas remain sheltered even during the wet season. With a bit of flexibility, you can almost always find good diving nearby.

Reaching Anda: Routes & Options

For most travelling divers, Panglao is the main set-off point for reaching Anda. It serves as the diving hub for the region, with an airport that receives visitors from Manila as well as international flights from Northeast Asia. Nearby Tagbilaran City also has a major ferry terminal, connecting Bohol to Cebu and making the area easily accessible for both domestic and international travellers.

Overland - Panglao to Anda

For the 100Km overland trip from Panglao to Anda, the main options are public van, private car hire, or arranged pick-up:

Public Vans - Depart from Tagbilaran’s central bus terminal, located next to Island City Mall. The main route runs between Tagbilaran and Ubay, and while these vans don’t go directly to Anda, they pass nearby. You’ll need to ask for a drop-off at Guindulman, then take a local bus or tuk-tuk into Anda and onward to your resort. If you're dive-travelling and heading north to Ubay, this can be a useful option — but keep in mind it can be time-consuming. Vans operate on a per-seat basis with limited baggage space, so it’s standard practice to purchase two seats: one for yourself and one for your gear. I use this option when heading out to the Southern Leyte dive sites.

Private Car Hire – On short trips to dive in Anda, this is my preferred option. It’s flexible, hassle-free, and gives you the freedom to explore — whether around Anda itself or farther into Bohol, with popular side trips like the Chocolate Hills or the Tarsier Sanctuary in Corella, just outside Tagbilaran City. Car hire in the Philippines is reasonably priced. As of 2025, I pay around ₱1,600 per day for a small car. A typical trip for me involves a 3-day hire, which comes to about ₱4,800.

Arranged Pick-Up – Car & Driver – For visitors who prefer not to drive or take public vans, hiring a car with a driver is a good option. However, it can be more expensive and somewhat limiting if you also plan to do local trips once you're in Anda. This service can usually be arranged directly through car hire companies operating in Panglao or through your resort.

Getting to Anda from Panglao is relatively trouble-free. If you plan to keep your dive itinerary local to Bohol, my advice is to go with car hire. Yes, you can take the public van, but once you factor in the cost of getting to the central bus terminal, the extra seats you'll need for your luggage, the drop-off points, and the overall travel time, it’s clear it may not be the best option. I usually have the car hire company drop the car off at my home in Dauis at 6 a.m., and with a bit of forward planning with the dive resort, I’m normally in the water by 10.

Anda, Bohol: Most resorts are spread out along the coastline between Anda town and Basdio. This stretch of shoreline is mostly rocky cliff, with footpath access down to the ocean edge. The images shown here were taken from Blue Star Dive Resort.
Images taken: 2024 | 2025

Where to Stay: Anda

Anda offers a wide range of properties to suit most budgets — from resorts and hotels to guesthouses, homestays, and inns. However, dive-focused, ocean-facing accommodations are much less common, and only a handful have dedicated dive shops, experienced teams, training facilities, and direct access to their own tenders or bangkas.

These resorts are spread out along a 10 km stretch of coastline between Anda town and Basdio, so choosing the right location matters. If you're coming here to dive, I recommend staying at a dedicated dive resort — it keeps things simple, avoids problematic travel between sites, and there’s something nice about waking up, having breakfast, and just wandering down to the bangka.

I often use Blue Star Dive Resort — it’s in a great location, has an excellent house reef, and the rooms are reasonably priced. Another great option, if your budget allows, is Magic Oceans Dive Resort. It gets consistently excellent reviews, but book early — it’s especially popular in high season.

If you’re visiting during the low season, a little forward planning is usually enough — bookings can often be made once you’re on the ground. But during high season, especially around Christmas or Easter, it’s best to book well in advance. While you’ll still find somewhere to stay, it may not be ideal — and depending on the location, could mean more effort reaching your dive sites or shops each day.

Frequently Asked Questions – Diving in Anda

Is Anda suitable for beginner divers?

Yes. Anda’s dive sites are well-suited to divers of all levels. Most sites offer easy entries, gentle currents, and natural reef formations that make navigation simple. Several dive resorts also offer PADI and SSI training on-site, making it a great place to learn or refresh skills.

How do I get to Anda from Panglao if I’m carrying dive gear?

The easiest way is to hire a private car from Panglao. It’s flexible, cost-effective if shared, and allows you to arrive directly at your dive resort. Public vans are cheaper but have minimal luggage space — divers typically need to buy two seats to accommodate gear.

What is the best time of year to dive in Anda?

High season runs from November to April when the seas are calmer and the weather more settled. However, Anda can be dived year-round, and the reefs remain accessible even during the low season — just stay flexible, as weather can shift quickly in the Visayas.

Are the coral reefs in Anda healthy?

Yes. Anda’s reef system has benefited from marine protection zones and community-led conservation efforts since the early 2000s. While some fishing still occurs in buffer areas, the main no-take zones are regularly patrolled, and coral health is generally good across most dive sites.

Explore More of the Philippines

The Philippines is a fascinating place to explore, stay long-term, or even retire — and you may already be considering it as a future option. Get closer to the real detail through our guides on Living in the Philippines and Filipino Society.

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