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WHERE: Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro
BEST TIME TO GO: anytime as long as there are no typhoons/ strong rains
WHY YOU SHOULD GO:
1. Puerto Galera is one of the best diving spots in the Philippines! It has diverse marine (read: soft and hard corals are all over!) and plant life, wrecks to explore and a lot of challenging dive sites (read: deep, drift, washing machine!)
2. According to puertogalera.org, Puerto Galera has an estimated 3,000 species of fish and marine life, about 50% more than the Red Sea!
3. While Verde Island (center of the center of marine biodiversity in the world!) is part of Batangas province in Luzon, it is nearer the island of Puerto Galera. Verde Passage separates Luzon from Mindoro hence the strong currents that create a vast marine and underwater plant life. Day dives to Verde Island from Puerto Galera are very possible and considered usual.
2. According to puertogalera.org, Puerto Galera has an estimated 3,000 species of fish and marine life, about 50% more than the Red Sea!
3. While Verde Island (center of the center of marine biodiversity in the world!) is part of Batangas province in Luzon, it is nearer the island of Puerto Galera. Verde Passage separates Luzon from Mindoro hence the strong currents that create a vast marine and underwater plant life. Day dives to Verde Island from Puerto Galera are very possible and considered usual.
FEES: Depends on the resort you're staying at or your dive operator.
NOTE: Most dive operators are located in Sabang beach. If you're after a beautiful beach (with shorelines and white sand) or fancy resorts, Sabang is not the place for you. It is basically a jump-off point for scuba divers. You can try the other islands such as White Beach if you want to combine diving with other activities. For a list of the different islands and resorts, click this.
DESCRIPTION:
Puerto Galera is an island off the coast of Batangas and is officially part of Oriental Mindoro. Beach lovers as well as scuba divers spend weekends here because of the proximity and the beauty of the place. Home to several islands, one can choose a resort that would best accommodate one's needs since a lot of activities may be done here. Swimming, snorkeling, beach volleyball, scuba diving, mountain trekking -- name it, it's probably offered here.
Scuba divers stay at Sabang beach since it is the nearest beach to most of the dive sites. There is nothing much to do here but it's a great jump-off point if the only thing in your itinerary is diving. White beach on the other hand, is famous for its wide and long white sand and the nightlife. If you're looking forward to mingling with the crowd and strolling on the seashore, White beach is for you. Marco Vincent Dive Resort is located on White beach and has recently launched a grandiose dive boat that is perfect for a large number of scuba divers. Other resorts such as Oceana, Buri and Coco Beach prefer to stay in the quieter islands but they also offer Puerto Galera's best feature: Scuba Diving.
Scuba divers stay at Sabang beach since it is the nearest beach to most of the dive sites. There is nothing much to do here but it's a great jump-off point if the only thing in your itinerary is diving. White beach on the other hand, is famous for its wide and long white sand and the nightlife. If you're looking forward to mingling with the crowd and strolling on the seashore, White beach is for you. Marco Vincent Dive Resort is located on White beach and has recently launched a grandiose dive boat that is perfect for a large number of scuba divers. Other resorts such as Oceana, Buri and Coco Beach prefer to stay in the quieter islands but they also offer Puerto Galera's best feature: Scuba Diving.
HOW TO GET THERE:
There are several ways to reach Puerto Galera. Some hotels in Puerto Galera arrange pick-ups all the way from Manila so make sure to check with your preferred resort.
BY PUBLIC BUS: Take a bus to Batangas City and find your way to Batangas City Pier. Jam Bus Line plies this route. From the pier, there are several ferries that will take you to Puerto Galera. Make sure you know which beach you're going because ferries dock in the different piers like Muelle Pier, Balatero Pier, White Beach and Sabang Beach. Bus fare is P175/ head (w/ aircon) and it leaves almost anytime of the day. Ferry prices range depending on your chosen "class". It should be around P200 or less. Once you get to the pier, you can ride a jeepney (P25) or tricycle (P50). Click here for the ferry schedule.
BY TOURIST BUS: Sikat Service has a bus that departs daily at 8:00 am from City State Tower, Mabini corner Padre Faura Streets, Malate, Manila. The fare is P700 one way and it includes bus and ferry tickets plus a guide. No minimum number of persons required and it can take you to either Sabang, White Beach or Muelle Pier.
BY CAR: From Manila, find you way to Batangas City Pier and take the RORO (roll on, roll off ferry) if you wish to take your vehicle with you all the way to Puerto Galera. You can also park it in Batangas if you don't want to bring your vehicle along. Click here for the ferry schedule.
BY BOAT: Some dive resorts in Anilao, Batangas (check our Anilao link) offer daytrips to Puerto Galera for scuba divers. During a calm, sunny weather, the Verde Passage may be crossed without difficulty. Some also offer overnight packages. Check with your preferred resorts (or dive groups) if they have arranged trips or they can arrange one for you. You can even pass by Bonito Island on the way back.
DIVE SPOTS WE'VE TRIED & TOTALLY ENJOYED: Hole in the Wall, Sabang Wreck, Canyons, Sinandigan Wall (aka Nudibranch City) and of course, Verde Island :)
DIVE SPOTS WE'VE TRIED & TOTALLY ENJOYED: Hole in the Wall, Sabang Wreck, Canyons, Sinandigan Wall (aka Nudibranch City) and of course, Verde Island :)
CONTACTS:
Sikat Tourist Bus - +632 5213344/ +63917 6946918
Jam Bus Line (location: Taft Avenue or Timog corner EDSA, QC) - +632 9251758, +632 5208679
HELPFUL LINKS: http://www.divepuertogalera.com/
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