Anilao Photo Academy
1 Barangay Road Anilao, Barangay San Jose, Mabini, Mabini, Luzon 4202 Philippines
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#2 of 27 B&Bs / Inns in Mabini
Location
4.9
Cleanliness
4.8
Service
5.0
Value
4.9
We've moved "anilao PHOTO" to a new location and given it a new purpose. Instead of providing you with merely a place to stay, dive and take pictures, we are committed to also offer more enrichment thru developing underwater photography skills. We have only 12 simple rooms that caters to the specific need of underwater photographers. A dedicated camera dry-room, editing stations, power outlets, camera wash/rinse tubs, air guns, wet and dry camera work stations and 15mbps internet line. Our packages rates are all-inclusive and we offer the best underwater photography guides and staff and boatmen that know how to handle photographer needs. All rooms are air-conditioned with attached bathrooms. Each room is equipped with multiple international power-points and sufficient camera work-space for no less than 2 DSLR systems. We use only the top spotters in Anilao to ensure photographers are always kept shooting non-stop, assisted and coached. Booking is necessary as we do not cater to walk-in guests.
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1 Barangay Road Anilao, Barangay San Jose, Mabini, Mabini, Luzon 4202 Philippines
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The rooms and food are basic (but still delicious). The bed and pillow were the best I have ever had at a hotel. (I like a firm mattress) The dive guides are incredible at finding seriously small macro critters to photograph. Most of the guides are macro photographers themselves, so they know what to look for. Tim teaches the photography course, he explains things very well and in simple terms, so anyone can understand. This hotel is specifically tailored to underwater macro photographers rather than your average fun diver. If you love underwater macro, then you have to try Anilao Photo Academy.
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Date of stay: May 2023Trip type: Traveled solo
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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I was last in Anilao years ago and had been wanting to experience APA for a while. And what a trip it was! We were picked up at the airport in a nice, clean and luxurious van unlike the tight vans in other resorts. The trip was just over two hours. Buy your drinks and snacks before you reach the resort as there are no shops nearby. There were already quite a few divers there, all tourists. The room was clean, spacious as described by others. Aircon and hot water worked well and wifi was acceptable but worked well early in the morning. Meals were generally good with a combo of local and western options. Just tell the staff what and how much you eat and they will arrange accordingly. Rina, the boss, was a wonderful host. For those of you who hate to carry cash or use TT to pay, try using the WISE app. Good rates, cheap and APA received my payment in a couple of hours. Dives were well organised, equipment was new and the crews experienced. A note of caution for new divers - you are assumed to be well trained and experienced so if you need help, please ask. APA is a photographers dream set up. There are lots of equipment which Tim Ho can let you try and everyone was mad about photography. Some only woke up in the afternoons for 2 blackwater dives which everyone MUST try. I didn't get to see any Rhinopiast or even a frog fish but was more than made up by the blackwater. We were luck to be there when Tim and Steven Kovaks were there - both are renown photographers and it was good to learn from their tips. Overall it was probably my best dive trip in years and the macro was fantastic. Can't wait to go back.…
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Date of stay: November 2022
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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The resort is tailored to the most experienced underwater photographers and freedivers - there is a wide selection of dive equipment, photo gears, animal books, etc… Briefly about Anilao Photo Academy for those who are for the first time: - Located right on the shore (dive boat mooring almost to the resort building) 30 minutes from the port of Batangas - Average travel time from Manila Airport is 2.5 hours. Bus for 4-5 people costs about 80 usd - Accommodation in spacious air-conditioned rooms for 2 people. If you want to live solo then +50 usd per day - Three dives per day. (4 optional) - You can order nitrox, but it is not cheap, and since the depths are small, it is not really needed ... - There is any diving equipment for rent - Dive guides - 5 star spotters. They actively help photographers not only in the search for macro animals, but also assist in shooting - Resort owners - Wayne and Rina - enthusiastic world-class underwater photographers. - Specialize in macro and black water diving - Payment is accepted in US dollars or pesos. Here you can easily meet and even dive (if you're lucky) with eminent photographers. We dived together with a local photographer named Ivan))) And our dive guide was talented Obet Corpuz from that very famous dynasty of divers and uw photographers With food, everything is more than good - the local cuisine tries to satisfy your individual characteristics and habits Having made 9 dives in three days, we managed to shoot a lot - the plan was overfulfilled! But I still didn't want to leave…
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Date of stay: November 2022
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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I have travelled to Anilao 4 times in the last 10 years, Stayed at different institutions good and not so good. This place is very good for diving and underwater photography. Rina and Wayne take very good care of their guests. You can always learn something new about critters, photography or diving here. A great place and great friends
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Date of stay: July 2022
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This is my first visit to anilao, with my main purpose to learn more about uw photography Everything that is here is too good,. Food is delicious, room is clean, dive is easy (no current at all) and most important is brilliant teacher. I come here to do the course with Tim, overall really an eye-opener for me, and words really can’t express it, If you are keen to improve on uwphotography, here is the place, Will return visit in dec 22
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Date of stay: August 2022Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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I spent about 10 days here and also took the photography class offered by Tim Ho. If you are an avid underwater photographer or just someone who enjoys underwater photos but wants to improve upon them, this is most definitely the place to go. Everyone is super helpful and it started all with Rina who provides all the information needed as well as providing transportation to and from APA. Both Rina and Wayne are managing APA. Wayne is a well-known photographer who freely shares his wisdom on photography and e.g. tried to help me set up my 20-year-old equipment for almost 3 hours straight. The 3-day photography course offered by Tim Ho, also a well-known photographer, was really an eye opener for me. The thing which was actually most surprising was that I started to enjoy wide angle in this course. Something I always shied away from as it's not an easy thing to do. But opportunities for wide angle are as well plenty in Anilao and Tim provided great insights on how to tackle it. Having superb dive guides such as Ivan and Obet was really enjoyable as they further helped us in reaching our potential. I am fairly new to diving and underwater photography but when I went to do blackwater diving, it blew my mind. They say it's addictive and it's true! It feels like a treasure hunt to see what critters show up in front of your lens. If you have never done this before this is most definitely the place to do it. Especially as you have your trusty dive guide keeping you from sinking or lifting in the dark. There is everything you need there especially as it relates to your photography equipment. APA will also help or lend you some material so you get to try it. Rooms are simple, but large and clean which is all that really matters. The food is very good and you can talk to Rina or the kitchen if you have any diet wishes. Overall, I can only recommend staying there, diving there, and also taking Tim's course. All well worth it and I won't have been there the last time. Thank you to all for making my stay there such a pleasure…
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Date of stay: June 2022
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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If You want to visit a special place APA is the way to go Rina,Wayne,and Tim treated us special and we're súper friendly and the tips for underwater photography make You jump onto the next step. Our dive guide Jason was awesome and truly a helpful in everyway..i Will recomend this place to anybody who loves underwater photography, and if i could rate this place 6 stars i would....... Thanks APA again for a dream vacation.....
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Date of stay: March 2020Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Me and my friend are experienced divers and have been doing UW photography for 10 years. We stayed with Anilao Photo Academy for four nights this November. The rooms are spacious with two nice workstations for setting up your UW camera gear. The food is plentiful. There are big rinse tanks for the camera gear and plenty of work stations for the camera gear in the common area with air pressure functionality. When they are at close to full capacity there are boats leaving in the morning at 30 minutes intervall which makes the morning routine run smoothly. How they organized the Black water dives was also good and smooth. We had a ration of 1 dive guide per 1-2 divers depending on me doing a photo course. All the time Rina and Tim will make sure you feel at home and check if you need anything else. Just to give you an idea of how service minded they are: Since we have been to Anilao a few times we asked the night before if it was possible to adjust the dive sites to our liking one day and without hesitation it was. While I was taking the photo course with Tim he lent me gear to get better strobe positioning to increase my value of the course. Anything to improve on? We travel to Indonesia or the Philippines more or less once or twice every year so we've seen quite a few places and we usually end up talking what we would improve to a "Swedish" standard, which is usually quite a few points. The only small improvements we thought of here would be a slightly better shower in the room (the ones by the water you use after diving are great) and try to increase the overall level of the food as it was outstanding one day and just OK another day. Overall I think you will be as pleased as we were staying with Rina, Tim and the crew over at Anilao Photo Academy. /Andreas…
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Date of stay: November 2019
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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If you love to, or want to, take incredible underwater macro photography pictures then this is the place for you! Set in one of the premier underwater macro areas of the world, the dive operation and guides are what sets this place apart from the rest. With your own dedicated guide to find the macro creatures you are seeking and help you with lighting, camera settings etc. you’ll be taking those pictures you’ve always dreamed of. Led by Tim Ho and Rina Yumol Jones, you have access to infinite photography experience and expertise. You can even try out different equipment configurations from their extensive collection at no charge. Want to try blackwater or bonfire photography? This is the place. My first time and my photos are amazing. I have never had the pleasure of having my expectations so vastly exceeded. The rooms are clean and quiet. The food is very, very good. Everyone is friendly and eager to please. This is an underwater macro photography resort and nothing else. If you love to dive and take pictures like me, you won’t do better than this. I spent 10 days here and loved every minute.…
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Date of stay: November 2019Trip type: Traveled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Tim Ho broke down the fundamentals of UW photography in easily digestable building blocks and reinforced with practical "tutorials" during the practise dives. He demonstrated the application of these fundamentals across the camera system we used. Resort is well suited to cater for a wide spectrum of photographers with its ideal work station design and offerings of lens and equipment for testing or purchase. Rooms are cleaned daily and staff are ready to assist if you need them.
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Date of stay: November 2019Trip type: Traveled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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FORMERLY KNOWN AS
Anilao Photo Hotel
LOCATION
PhilippinesLuzonCalabarzon RegionBatangas ProvinceMabini
NUMBER OF ROOMS
12
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Claim Your ListingANILAO PHOTO ACADEMY - Updated 2023 Hotel Reviews (Mabini, Philippines)
Frequently Asked Questions about Anilao Photo Academy
Which popular attractions are close to Anilao Photo Academy?
Nearby attractions include Mt. Gulugod Baboy Trail (2.9 miles).
What are some of the property amenities at Anilao Photo Academy?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, airport transportation, and laundry service.
What are some restaurants close to Anilao Photo Academy?
Conveniently located restaurants include Hillside Dining at Seascape Resort, OMG! Olvida & Myra's Grill, and The Philip Ann Resort Restaurant.
Does Anilao Photo Academy have airport transportation?
Yes, Anilao Photo Academy offers airport transportation for guests. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details.
Are pets allowed at Anilao Photo Academy?
Yes, pets are typically allowed, but it's always best to call ahead to confirm.
Are there any historical sites close to Anilao Photo Academy?
Many travelers enjoy visiting Taal Heritage Village (8.5 miles).