School of Jacks in beautiful Anilao is quite mesmerizing when you dive in the Philippines—especially with Scuba Sirens in Anilao—you expect to see colorful corals, curious clownfish, and perhaps a nudibranch or two doing their slow-motion dance. But if you’re lucky (or slightly out of breath from chasing them), you’ll also encounter one of the ocean’s most energetic characters: the school of Jacks.
Forget Nemo. Forget Dory. Jacks or Trevallies are the true rockstars of the reef. They’re fast, fierce, flashy, and if fish had an ocean high school, trevallies would be the varsity jocks with big muscles, flashy sneakers, and a constant need for speed.
Meet the Trevallies: Built for Speed and Drama
Trevallies belong to the Carangidae family—aka the jacks and pompanos. They’re built like torpedoes, with muscular bodies, forked tails, and an attitude that says, “Catch me if you can.”
There are several species you might run into while scuba diving in Anilao:
- Giant Trevally (Caranx ignobilis) – The heavyweight champ. Big, bold, and often hunting solo.
- Bluefin Trevally (Caranx melampygus) – The glowing showoff with electric blue fins. A total diva in the best way.
- Bigeye Trevally (Caranx sexfasciatus) – The gang leader. Often seen schooling in huge, synchronized swarms.
- Golden Trevally (Gnathanodon speciosus) – A shiny golden boy that sticks close to larger fish, like a bodyguard in Versace.
Each type has its own personality, but all share one thing: they don’t do anything halfway.
Trevallies in Anilao: A Flash of Silver and a Burst of Bubbles
Anilao, known for its macro life, might not be the first place you’d expect to find big, brawny fish. But Anilao is full of surprises—and trevallies are part of that magic.
Sites like Twin Rocks, Bagalangit, and Binukbok are famous not just for tiny critters, but for high-energy pelagics that sweep through like an underwater stampede. That’s when the trevallies arrive, usually out of nowhere—slicing through the water like fighter jets, scattering baitfish like popcorn at a movie night.
With Scuba Sirens, your guides know the spots and the timing. They’ll take you to places where trevallies patrol drop-offs, hunt in schools, or zip through cleaning stations. And while you’re struggling to adjust your GoPro settings, they’re already halfway to Batangas City.
Why School of Jacks in beautiful Anilao Are Basically Underwater Jocks
Let’s break it down:
1. They’re Muscular.
These fish are built. Broad chests (well, gills), torpedo torsos, and the kind of tail fins that make drag racers jealous.
2. They’re Fast.
Need to catch a sardine? Trevallies will grab five before breakfast. If you blink, you’ll miss the strike. If you’re slow on your buoyancy, you’ll miss the whole fish.
3. They Travel in Packs (Sometimes).
Bigeye trevallies are the bros of the reef. They form swirling schools that mesmerize divers and confuse prey. Think: synchronized swimming, but with sharp teeth.
4. They Show Off.
Bluefin trevallies shimmer like they’ve just been dipped in bioluminescent paint. Even in low light, those fins glow like runway lights.
5. They Don’t Care About You… Until They Do.
Most trevallies ignore divers—unless you look like food (don’t). But sometimes, they’ll zip close, give you a side-eye, then vanish into the blue like the mysterious heartthrob they are.
Are Trevallies Dangerous?
Only to sardines and squid. To divers, they’re harmless. Though they’ve been known to show curiosity, they won’t hurt you unless you’re waving something shiny and fish-shaped in their face.
That said, giant trevallies have a strong strike. Don’t hand-feed them. And don’t dangle things from your BCD—they might test if it’s edible. (Spoiler: it’s not.)
The Real Reason We Love School of Jacks in beautiful Anilao
Let’s face it. Diving is about moments. That rush when a shadow emerges from the blue. That awe when a school moves like one giant organism. Trevallies give you those moments. They’re like a shot of espresso in a sea of slow-moving seahorses.
At Scuba Sirens in Anilao, we help you find those adrenaline-pumping encounters—and guide you through them safely, with just the right amount of awe, humor, and good buoyancy.
Respect the School of Jacks in beautiful Anilao but Don’t Be One
School of Jacks in beautiful Anilao. But they’re wild animals, not circus performers. As divers, we don’t harass, chase, or crowd them. We observe, admire, and move on.
If you want to meet them in person (or in fish), join us for a dive in Anilao. We’ll show you the nudibranchs, the frogfish, and yes, the ocean’s favorite jocks: School of Jacks in beautiful Anilao
Ready to dive with School of Jacks in beautiful Anilao?
Join Scuba Sirens for safe, exciting, and fun scuba diving trips led by professional guides who know where the action is—without stressing the reef or the fish.