Solana translates as “a place in the sun”. At Dive Solana, guests are warmly welcomed and encouraged to relax and enjoy themselves by the sea. Dive Solana is a simple yet high end, clean resort with a great atmosphere. It is set in the hilly, coastal peninsula of Anilao, Batangas, about a 3 hour drive south of Manila in the Philippines. The resort provides natural charm, generous space, warm salt air breezes and thick green landscapes to encourage relaxation. As soon as you arrive at Dive Solana and descend the 200 step stairway (wear comfortable shoes!), you are greeted with a visual feast for the eyes and a welcome drink.

Accommodation

6 different style of accommodation are available in different price ranges to suit your needs. Spacious, beautifully decorated rooms with native made handicrafts and fresh clean linens create an atmosphere of warmth and comfort. Furniture is made from local materials such as bamboo and rattan. A map showing the cottages can be found here. 

Beachfront Cottages (4) These 258 square foot/24 square meter beachfront cottages come furnished with 2 double beds, cable TV, private bathrooms with hot water, air conditioning, balconies,  coffeemaker with complimentary tea and coffee, and complimentary bottled water. Personal mini-fridge is available upon request. They offer stunning views of the ocean which is only steps away. These are also the closest cottages to the dive shop.

Hillside Cottages (5) The Hillside Cottages range from 236 square feet/22 square meters to 290 square feet/27 square meters depending on which cottage you choose. Hillside Cottages 5,6 and 10 are furnished with 2 double beds and 1 twin bed. Hillside Cottages 7-9 are furnished with 2 double beds. They all offer cable TV, private bathrooms with hot water, air conditioning, balconies, coffeemaker with complimentary tea and coffee, and complimentary bottled water.

Bahura Suite (1)  The Bahura Suite is the largest suite at 301 square feet/28 square meters. This suite features a king sized bed, cable TV, a private bathroom with hot water, air conditioning, a balcony or porch, coffeemaker with complimentary tea and coffee, and complimentary bottled water. Personal mini-fridge is available upon request. It is centrally located behind the clubhouse, and dinning areas.

Twin Rocks (2)  These suites are both 269 square feet/25 square meters.Suite12has one Queen-size bed and one twin bed, andsuite14has two double beds. They also have cable TV, private bathrooms with hot water, air conditioning, balconies or porches, coffeemaker with complimentary tea and coffee, and complimentary bottled water. Personal mini-fridge is available upon request.

Beatriz Suite (1) The Beatriz Suite is 269 square feet/25 square meters and features two double beds. It is also centrally located close to the dinning area and clubhouse. It also has cable TV, private bathrooms with hot water, air conditioning, a balcony or porch, coffeemaker with complimentary tea and coffee, and complimentary bottled water. Personal mini-fridge is available upon request.

Solana Suite (1) The Solana Suite is one of the largest at 290 square feet/27 square meters and has two full size beds and one sofa bed. It also has cable TV, private bathrooms with hot water, air conditioning, a balcony or porch, coffeemaker with complimentary tea and coffee, and complimentary bottled water. Personal mini-fridge is available upon request.

Activities

Dive Solana offers more than just fabulous diving! They also have kayaks available for guests to use free of charge. Spend an afternoon exploring the local beaches all the area has to offer on the shoreline. Snorkeling is another great activity at Dive Solana Resort and you’ll see plenty of hard and soft corals snorkeling right out front of the resort. Island hopping adventures are available (boat fees apply) and there are onsite massage services as well.

Dive Solana has a souvenir shop onsite, as well as a meditation hut, clubhouse and sundeck. Free WIFI is available for us in the clubhouse and dinning areas. Children’s activities are also available.

Dining

Meals are included in your stay at Dive Solana. The dining here is all you can eat, buffet style and served in the open-air restaurant overlooking the ocean. A bit of easy going background music adds to the ambiance. Mineral water is complimentary. Those with special diets or food allergies need not worry, as the menu at the resort is very flexible. Special diets and requests can be accommodated with a bit of advanced notice.

Diving

There are nearby islands to explore, and dozens of various dive sites ranging from easy garden slopes to challenging walls and bajuras. The area is fantastic for macro photography and muck diving. Sightings of blue ringed octopus and seahorses are not uncommon. The currents here can be quite strong sometimes, but you are in good hands with the guides and experienced professionals at Dive Solana. The guides here are happy to take you out as often as you like, and they know exactly where to take you based on what you want to see. Pelagics are not typical to the area, but you’ll sometimes see blacktip reef sharks.

Overall, Dive Solana makes a great, relaxing getaway, with a fantastic dive operation. You can expect that they friendly and very accommodating resort staff will pamper you with their warm and genuine service.