After leaving Oslob, my next stop on the Philippines dive trip in May 2025 was Anda, a quiet seaside town on the eastern tip of Bohol. With its laid-back atmosphere, white sandy beaches, and lush surroundings, Anda felt completely different from the busy tourist spots elsewhere in the country.
Scuba diving in Anda offers incredible biodiversity without the crowds. Sitting in the heart of the coral triangle, this part of the Central Visayas is home to some of the richest marine life in the world. There are more than twenty dive sites here, from colourful coral walls to gentle slopes and sandy bottoms full of macro life. The reefs are healthy, vibrant, and full of movement.
If you enjoy critter spotting, colourful walls, or night dives with a few surprises, Anda is well worth a visit. It’s also the kind of place where you can truly unwind, surrounded by rice fields, waterfalls, and jungle while staying just a few minutes from the sea.
I pre-booked the Apekoptravel high-speed ferry from Quartel Beach in Oslob to Momo Beach on Panglao using the 12Go website. The booking process was easy and gave me peace of mind before setting off.
The small port at Quartel Beach is basic but has a stall selling drinks and snacks while you wait. To reach the ferry, you board a small transfer boat from the beach. They charge a small fee for large bags, which seems fair enough.
The ferry itself was simple but comfortable, with toilets on board and drinks or snacks available for purchase. Even cold beer if you fancied one. The crossing took around an hour and a half, and before long we were stepping ashore at Momo Beach on Panglao.
From there, Ander Divers Garden Resort sent me the contact details of a reliable transfer company called Palaweña Travel and Tours. I arranged a private car a few days before, and the driver was already waiting when we arrived. The two-and-a-half-hour drive to Anda was smooth, scenic, and made easy in a new, air-conditioned car. It was a great way to finish the journey.
I found Ander Divers Garden Resort online while planning the trip, and it turned out to be a great choice. The resort is owned by Marlon, who is originally from Germany, and you can see a few subtle German touches throughout. The menu even includes some familiar dishes, which made a nice change from the usual island fare.
The resort itself is rustic and relaxed, with a mix of traditional huts and upgraded air-conditioned rooms. There’s also a small restaurant serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, plus a pool and bar to unwind after diving. We chose an upgraded room with air con. It was simple, clean, and perfect for what we needed. This is a true dive resort, not luxury, but comfortable and full of character.
The diving is run from The Old Castle Resort, owned by Marlon’s father Michael and his wife. It’s right on the beach, which makes setting up easy. We collected our gear and met the dive team before heading out. The Old Castle has a great atmosphere, the same friendly menu with a German twist, and it’s an ideal spot for a post-dive beer.
We spent two full days diving. The first day was shore dives, and although the walk out at low tide felt long, it was worth it once we reached the reef. The walls were full of critters, soft corals, and plenty of turtles gliding past.
On the second day, we switched to boat diving. The dive boat was moored at Bitoon Beach, just a short drive away. Both dives were fantastic, with clear water, plenty of life, and even more macro finds to photograph.
As we returned to shore, the crew mentioned a Sunday beach party happening later that day with live music, food, and drinks. When we finished unloading the gear, the divemaster grinned and said, “Fancy a drink?”
One beer turned into an entire afternoon of local music, dancing, and laughter. The atmosphere was brilliant and completely unexpected. Later that evening, we headed back to The Old Castle, where the fun continued with more food, drinks, and stories shared with the crew. It was the perfect end to a memorable dive day.
After a few relaxing days, it was time to move on. The same transfer company, Palaweña Travel and Tours, arranged our return car from Ander Divers Garde Resort to Panglao. We planned to spend a couple more nights there and squeeze in a few dives before heading north to Malapascua.
Anda delivered incredible diving and even better memories. From colourful coral walls to macro-filled reefs and a surprise beach party, this quiet corner of Bohol proved to be a highlight of my Philippines adventure.
All the underwater footage from this trip was filmed on a GoPro 12 using a Backscatter +15 Macromate lens attachment. Since this visit, I’ve upgraded my camera setup, which you can see on my camera equipment page.
