Olympic Point

A sandy slope off Maricaban Island descending to 30 meters and beyond, dedicated to critter diving with hairy anglerfish, spiny devilfish, juvenile ribbon eels, and mushroom coral pipefish among the highlights.

Overview

Olympic Point is a muck/critter diving site located off Maricaban Island in the Anilao area. The site features a sandy slope descending to 30 meters and beyond, with the terrain providing habitat for an outstanding variety of small, unusual marine life. This is pure critter diving — the appeal is entirely in the small, camouflaged, and bizarre creatures that inhabit the sand and rubble. Hairy anglerfish, spiny devilfish, juvenile ribbon eels, and the elusive mushroom coral pipefish are among the site’s highlights.

Site Information

• Location: Off Maricaban Island, Anilao, Batangas, Philippines
• Entry Type: Boat dive
• Site Type: Muck dive
• Difficulty Level: Intermediate
• Maximum Depth: 30 meters
• Typical Visibility: 10-20 meters
• Water Temperature: 27-29°C
• Current: Variable
• Best Time: November to June (dry season)

Marine Life

Olympic Point is a critter diver’s dream. Hairy anglerfish — covered in filamentous appendages that provide excellent camouflage — are a signature find. Spiny devilfish lie partially buried in the sand, relying on their remarkable camouflage to ambush prey. Juvenile ribbon eels, showing their characteristic black and yellow colouration before transitioning to adult blue, peer out from burrows. Mushroom coral pipefish — tiny, elongated fish that live exclusively on mushroom corals — are an exceptionally difficult find and a highlight for dedicated critter hunters. Lionfish, nudibranchs, and various shrimp species round out the critter list.

Dive Profile

Enter from the boat and descend onto the sandy slope. This is a slow, methodical dive — work along the slope, scanning the sand and rubble for camouflaged creatures. Check mushroom corals for pipefish, sandy patches for devilfish, burrows for ribbon eels, and sponges or rubble for anglerfish. The productive range extends from the shallows to 30 meters. Follow your guide’s lead — they know where the current residents are hiding.

Entry and Exit

Access by boat from Anilao-area resorts. Enter by giant stride and descend to the slope. Deploy an SMB during your safety stop for boat pickup.

Tips and Recommendations

• A skilled guide is essential — many of the critters here are virtually invisible without someone who knows their current locations
• Move very slowly and scan carefully; the best subjects are masters of camouflage
• Mushroom coral pipefish are extremely small and difficult to spot — ask your guide specifically if they know of any current sightings
• Avoid touching or disturbing the sand near devilfish and anglerfish — they rely on their camouflage and will move if disturbed

Safety Considerations

The sandy slope can reduce visibility quickly if divers have poor buoyancy control. Maintain careful trim to avoid silting out the bottom. Spiny devilfish are venomous — never touch the bottom without looking first, and be cautious about where you place your hands. The maximum depth of 30 meters limits bottom time on air, so plan gas management for adequate exploration time.

Photography

Olympic Point is an outstanding macro photography site. Hairy anglerfish are spectacular subjects — their filamentous appendages create beautiful detail when lit with strobes. Spiny devilfish partially buried in sand are dramatic portrait subjects. Juvenile ribbon eels peering from burrows require patience but reward it with striking images. Mushroom coral pipefish are an ultimate macro challenge — extremely small and requiring supermacro diopters. A 100mm macro lens is ideal for most subjects here.

Sources: Michael McFadyen’s Scuba Diving Web Site, AnilaoDiving.com – Dive Sites, Diving Squad – Anilao Guide. Last updated 2026-06-25.