Anchorage· Verde Island (Batangas)· Philippines
Verde Island Anchorages (North and South Shores)
13° 31.5′ N · 121° 4.0′ E · approximate
Verde Island, mid-passage between Batangas and Puerto Galera, has fair-weather anchorages on both its north and south shores - a lunch or overnight stop to dive the island's famous walls from your own boat.
Practical
Position approx: placed off the south shore about 1.7 km south of OSM 'Verde Island Resort' (13.54002N 121.06725E); no cruising source publishes a coordinate, depth or holding for a Verde Island anchorage, so pick your spot by sounding in good light. Sail The Philippines (Luzon page) says only that anchorages exist on the north and south shores, that the deepest water lies off the south shore, and to take care around the eastern end of the island to avoid sandbars and submerged rocks. Hackingfamily and Noonsite give no Verde Island anchorage. Currents: PGYC reports tide races up to 5 knots with rips, eddies and whirlpools at the island ends at peak flow - choose the side in the lee of the current and wind. Rules: Wikipedia says Verde Island has been declared one of the country's marine reserves - do not anchor on coral; dive sites (Drop-off, Washing Machine, Verde Wall) are dived from dive bangkas, not anchored yachts. Ashore: six barangays (pop. 5,075 in 2020), a few beach resorts, ferries from Batangas City Port about 25 minutes; Mahabang Buhangin, a kilometre-long white-sand beach (Wikipedia). Traffic separation zones lie in sections of the Verde Island Passage (Sail The Philippines) - cross shipping lanes at right angles.
Best for
Day stop mid-passage; only in settled weather and favourable current
Season
Settled weather only; avoid peak tidal flow