Travel / Philippines / 2026

Anilao 2026.
A world in miniature.

Pink pygmy seahorse among the matching branches of a sea fan in Anilao — Pygmy seahorse in Anilao · Photography by André Ballentin

01 / The trip

The trip.
Solitude Acacia.

In March 2026, we travelled to Anilao in the Philippines. There were 19 of us, and this trip was all about diving. Our base was the Solitude Acacia Resort, right by the sea. From here, we set off on our daily dives.

Solitude Acacia Resort with a pool, loungers beneath trees, a dive area and boats right by the sea — Solitude Acacia Resort – between the pool and the sea.

Sunset over the sea in front of Solitude Acacia Resort, framed by palm trees, with outrigger boats along the shore — As the day draws to a close by the sea.

Outrigger boats on calm water beneath an orange sunset and a deep blue sky — The boats in the last light of day.

02 / Underwater

Underwater.
Macro, Muck & Blackwater.

In Anilao, it pays to look closely at the small things: nudibranchs, shrimps and animals that are barely noticeable among the corals or on the sand. Muck diving puts this unassuming seabed centre stage. The photographs tell of these encounters, from a pygmy seahorse in its sea fan to a small cephalopod on the sand. Blackwater dives brought a change of scene: heading into open water at night in search of small, often translucent creatures.

Two pale shrimps with dark red spots among the spines of a sea urchin — Macro · Two shrimps among the spines.

Colourful small cephalopod with raised arms on the sandy seabed — Muck · An encounter on the sand.

Translucent small octopus with reddish spots floating against dark water — Blackwater · Open water after dark.

03 / Photography & Shootout

With the camera.
Up close.

For me, the camera was part of this trip. Small subjects were the focus, and Anilao offered plenty of opportunities. During our stay, a shootout also took place between the Solitude Acacia Resort in Anilao and the Solitude Lembeh Resort in Indonesia. I took part with my photographs too.

Small translucent shrimp among yellow coral branches with pink polyps — Small subjects, up close.

What stays with me from Anilao are the underwater encounters and the time spent with our diving group. These photographs offer a small glimpse of it.

The trip.Solitude Acacia.

With the camera.Up close.

The trip.
Solitude Acacia.

With the camera.
Up close.