Mainit
Anilao · Philippines
Mainit means hot in Filipino, and this site earns the name with active hydrothermal vents that warm the water column and fuel a bizarre chemosynthetic community. Flamboyant cuttlefish stalk the black sand between vent fields and frogfish wait motionlessly on encrusted boulders.
Conditions
Depth
18 to 40 m
Advanced depths
Current
Often strong
Can pick up on the edge
Visibility
5 to 12 m
Clearest in the calm season
Water
26 to 31°C
Wetsuit recommended
Month by month
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water (°C) | 26 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 26 | 26 |
| Vis (m) | 12 | 12 | 20 | 20 | 12 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 12 | 12 | 12 |
| Current | Moderate | Moderate | Gentle | Gentle | Moderate | Strong | Strong | Strong | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate |
Your chances of seeing each animal
Anna'S Chromodoris
Last confirmed Jul 5, 2026 · 340 records
Almost always
Nearly every dive
Willan'S Chromodoris
Last confirmed Jul 5, 2026 · 265 records
Almost always
Nearly every dive
Chamberlain'S Nembrotha
Last confirmed Jul 5, 2026 · 191 records
Almost always
Nearly every dive
Loch'S Chromodoris
Last confirmed Jul 4, 2026 · 117 records
Almost always
Nearly every dive
Geometric Goniobranchus
Last confirmed Jul 5, 2026 · 112 records
Almost always
Nearly every dive
Flamboyant Cuttlefish
Last confirmed Jun 28, 2026 · 37 records
Very likely
Most dives
Painted Frogfish
Last confirmed Apr 30, 2026 · 31 records
Very likely
Most dives
Mimic Octopus
Last confirmed Apr 26, 2026 · 14 records
Very likely
Most dives
Gear