Dive: Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro

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.

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.

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 :)

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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Dive: Anilao, Batangas

WHERE: Anilao, Batangas

BEST TIME TO GO: all year round :)

WHY YOU SHOULD GO:
1. If you're coming from Metro Manila, Anilao is one of the nearest areas where you can really enjoy scuba diving. That means you can actually do a day trip and if ever you decide to stay overnight, you'll actually get to spend more time on the resort and underwater than be stuck on the road.

2. Anilao is filled with dive sites which offer varied marine life. The Philippines is home to about 75% of the total marine species, that's why it's no wonder that we have seen A LOT of interesting animals and plant life in Anilao. From planktons to small shrimps to clownfish aka "Nemo" to tunas to sharks to all sorts of rays to Napoleon Wrasse to our favorite, sea turtle (or as we call it, PAWIKAN). According to our dive friends, whalesharks are starting to appear in the area as well.

3. It is cheap if you're going with a group since you can all share in the Divemaster/ Dive Instructor fees as well as the boat.

4. Anilao = BEAUTIFUL SUNSET. Try staying in Dive & Trek and make sure you're on land when the sun sets. Trust us, it's beautiful!

FEES:

Depending on the resort, day trips (with 2-3 dives) can range from P2,000-P3,500 and overnight stay with 4 buffet meals start at around P2,750. Rates vary depending on the resort. Resorts like Aquaventure, Balai Anilao, Planet Dive and Dive & Trek offer affordable rates, Pier Uno, Outrigger and Vistamar (if you want a resort each and every family member can enjoy, stay here) have mid-range rates and resorts like Acacia, Eagle Point and Portulano offer high-end services. Day trippers are also charged with entrance fees that are usually consumable.

NOTE:
1. If you are a small group (2-3), Anilao may not be the best dive destination for you if you're on a tight budget. Maximum number of people for each boat is 6 for a small boat (plus DM and bangkero) and 10 for a big boat. The rates won't change even if your group has less people. You can of course dive with "strangers" and make new friends. :)

2. The style for most of the resorts in Anilao is this: they offer buffet meals (1 for day trip, 4 for overnight) as part of their package. If you have special food requests, make sure to let the resort know. For us vegetarians for example, the buffet style isn't really a treat but waste of money. Call ahead of time so they can make special arrangements for you. :)

3. While Anilao is rich in marine life, we noticed that compared to the less visited underwater sites in the Philippines, the marine life are generally smaller and they are "scared" of people. They usually swim away quickly the moment they "hear" you coming close. Some divers have also done harm to the marine environment such as vandalism, touching of marine life (especially the poor puffer fish), pointing of flash towards the poor animal's eyes during night dives and destruction of coral reefs (intentionally and unintentionally). If ever you decide to visit Anilao, please be a careful and responsible diver. One small change underwater can bring about a huge effect on the whole ecosystem. :)

4. Dive Sites You Shouldn't Miss: Mainit (If you want to see sharks, dive here at around 6-7 am), Bahura (beautiful corals and seascape), Koala's, Steps (easy to navigate and is home to unusual kinds of fish), Beatrice, Twin Rocks, Kirby's Rock, Basura (do a night dive here to see unusual marine life) :)

5. If you're bringing a car, take note of the steep and narrow roads going "down" to your resort. Since a lot of resorts are located on the hillside and the rooms/ dining area/ diving area are located WAY downhill, you will be asked to park in the middle area then use the steps to go to the "shore" or diving area. This means you have to climb back up as there are no elevators. Fortunately, some resorts like Vistamar don't give you this challenge. They have wide roads and ample parking space. Resorts like Dive & Trek on the other hand offer a free boat ride to bring you to their resort.

DESCRIPTION:
Anilao is a barangay in Mabini town, Batangas. One stretch of road houses most of the resorts of Anilao. With their fast increasing number, you will never run out of places to stay!

Also known as the "mecca" of scuba divers, it is a great place to go if you're a water baby. Sports like sailing and windsurfing are also offered here, and of course, you can snorkel if you don't scuba dive!

Because of its proximity to Manila, it is also a popular destination for day trippers or a weekend getaway for sea lovers. While Anilao is great for underwater and on-water activities, it may not be the best destination if you're looking forward to relaxing under the sun as there are no "beaches". There are different kinds of "beach hang-out places" like beach chairs and nipa huts and an amazing sunset to make up for it, though.

Anilao's waters are generally warm and is perfect for diving. A wetsuit, not a dry one, is what you need for diving. From late November to around February, the water gets a bit cooler but still warm enough for you to enjoy your dive.

Anilao is about 3 away from Manila but it can take longer if you leave late (the traffic gets bad in South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) and some parts of Batangas) so make sure to wake up early and enjoy the beautiful morning scenery of Anilao. :)

HOW TO GET THERE:
There are a number of ways to get to Anilao. Click on this for the different directions if you're bringing a private vehicle.

For commuters, you can take the bus going to "Batangas City" from Buendia terminal then ask the driver to drop you off at the Bauan Jeepney terminal. Ask the jeepney driver to take you directly to your resort (if possible) or head to the Mabini dock and from there, hire a driver to bring you to your chosen resort.

CONTACTS:
Dive & Trek Resort, our favorite! - +63920 9064123 (Resort Supervisor-Allan)/ +639176694273 (Resort-Cora)/ +63917 4042973 (Resort-Myrna)/ (02) 8514123 (Booking Office)/ (02) 8320494 (Booking Office)

DIVE INSTRUCTORS:
Ricky Baccay - +63917 8188806
Janet Bellarmino - +63918 5045220
Paul "Pong" Villaroman - +63917 8990618
Jojo Ng - +63918 9005812
Dong Fergara - +63917 8226333

DIVE MASTERS:
JA Reano - +63917 8388568 (note: If you want to see turtles, contact this guy!)
Abet - +63919 5797402 (note: If you want to see sharks, contact this guy!)
Allan - +63917 9708007 (note: Abet's cousin who's also good in spotting pelagic marine life)

DIVE EQUIPMENT RENTAL:
* Most resorts offer equipment rental, but if you want to get your gears cheaper (P300 for BCD & regulator for daytrip-return the next day), rent from Ellen of Diver's Point. :)

Ellen Chua (Metro Manila) - +632 7253631/ +63918 9203323

HELPFUL LINKS:
PERSONAL EXPERIENCE: to follow

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Dive: Coron, Palawan

WHERE: Coron, Palawan
DATE OF TRAVEL: May 11-14, 2007
WHY YOU SHOULD GO:
FEES:
NOTE:

DESCRIPTION:
HOW TO GET THERE:
CONTACTS:
HELPFUL LINKS:
PERSONAL EXPERIENCE:

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Caylabne Bay Resort, Cavite

WHERE: Caylabne Bay Resort, Ternate, Cavite
DATE OF TRAVEL: April 13-14, 2007

WHY YOU SHOULD GO:

1. It's a family-friendly resort! It has villas for every family and it offers a lot of activities (aquasports range from snorkeling to banana boat to kayaking and more)!
2. You will pass by the "magnetic hill" of Cavite on the way here!

FEES: P7,000/2 on regular rates but if you catch their promo, they offer rooms for two with breakfast for as low as P1,200!

NOTE: We stayed here for a night because we were invited to do a clean-up dive with the Philippine Navy for Earth Day 2007! The scuba diving trip was a special arrangement. Caylabne Bay Resort does not offer scuba diving as part of their facilities.

DESCRIPTION:
Caylabne Bay Resort is nestled in a cove of Caylabne Point. Surrounding it are the islands of El Fraile, Caballo, La Monja, Carabao and Corregidor! It has a total of 160 hectares and is about 90 kilometers south of Manila.

With Mediterranean style and a beach rolled into one, Caylabne is a charming resort. It offers a wide range of activities for each family member. Swimming, snorkeling, banana boat ride, kayaking and aquatrike are among the water sports one can enjoy. The beach is a great place to play volleyball and frisbee, too! There are beach chairs where one can chill while watching the sunset. The resort also has a mini-golf area, basketball, tennis and badminton courts, walking trails, restaurant and business center.

The sand is grayish but it's soft and smooth. There's also a small river beside the beach where one can hangout if the "small" beach proves to be crowded.

The rooms are comfortable and big. For just a few hours away from Manila, this could be a perfect getaway resort for the weekend.

HOW TO GET THERE:
BY PRIVATE VEHICLE FROM MANILA:
1. Drive along South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) and exit at Carmona.
2. Continue west passing by General M. Alvarez (GMA).
3. Continue of Governors Drive passing by Trece Martirez City and continue to Naic, Cavite.
4. Follow the signs to Ternate town proper, passing by Muzon and a Caltex station on the junction that separates the road to Ternate and Maragondon. Take the right road (Ternate).
5. After the Ternate Municipal Hall, you will pass over a bridge and then Puerto Azul.
6. Continue southwest and follow the signs to Caylabne Bay Resort.

For other directions, click this.

CONTACTS:
Caylabne Bay Resort - +632 8138519-24

HELPFUL LINKS: http://www.caylabne.com.ph/

TIPS:
1. Stop by the "Magnetic/ Gravity Hill" along Ternate Highway. Put your vehicle on neutral and see what happens.:P
2. The food was very limited for us vegetarians. It would be better if you call ahead of time and tell them about your food request/s in case you have special food needs.

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