Cathedral

Cathedral (Anilao)

Welcome to Cathedral, one of Anilao's most iconic and beloved dive sites. This intermediate dive site offers a truly unique underwater experience, blending natural beauty with a fascinating history. We recommend this site for divers holding an Open Water certification and above, as currents can be moderate.

The Underwater Landscape

As divers descend, you will discover two magnificent, coral-crusted rock mounds rising from the seabed, creating a natural, roofless underwater amphitheater. These impressive formations are separated by a sandy channel, leading to the site's most distinctive feature: a concrete cross planted between the rocks at approximately 15–18 m. This cross was placed by former Philippine President Fidel V. Ramos in 1983 and later blessed by Pope John Paul II, lending the dive site its evocative name and the feel of an underwater altar.

The topography here is dynamic, with the mound tops sitting in the 5–8 m range and slopes extending down to about 20–25 m on the surrounding reef. The site's maximum depth can reach around 30 m, providing opportunities for exploration at various levels.

Thriving Marine Life

Once impacted by fishing, Cathedral has been transformed into a vibrant marine sanctuary through dedicated coral transplantation efforts, which began as early as 1967, and a long-running fish-feeding tradition. Today, divers will find the dive site teeming with life. Schools of Fusiliers (Caesio spp.) are a common sight, often swirling around the cross, alongside snappers, jacks, and surgeonfish.

We often encounter Longfin Batfish (Platax teira) gracefully navigating the reef, while Giant Morays (Gymnothorax javanicus) peer from crevices. Keep an eye out for the striking Red Lionfish (Pterois volitans) and the majestic Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas). The healthy coral reefs, a mix of hard and soft corals, sponges, and hydroids, provide habitat for a diverse array of smaller creatures. Divers can also spot numerous nudibranchs, frogfish, Moorish idols, butterflyfish, clownfish, angelfish, triggerfish, wrasse, and pufferfish. Occasional sightings of sharks and rays have also been reported.

Diving Conditions

• Difficulty: Intermediate
• Depth: Divers can explore depths ranging from 5 m to a maximum depth of 30 m, with the iconic cross located at 15–18 m.
• Current: Currents at Cathedral are typically moderate, though they can occasionally pick up, making it an engaging drift dive.
• Water Temperature: The water temperature in Anilao generally ranges from 23°C to 30°C throughout the year, with cooler temperatures (23-26°C) from January to March and warmer temperatures (27-30°C) from March to September.
• Certification Required: Open Water certification.
• Site Types: Reef, Pinnacle, Drop-off.

Potential Hazards

As with any dive site, divers should be aware of potential hazards. These include moderate currents, which can vary, and boat traffic, particularly near the surface. Always pay attention to your depth and bottom time, especially when exploring deeper sections of the dive site.