Freediving Puerto Galera

Puerto Galera is a coastal town located on the island of Mindoro, Philippines. It is situated on the northern coast of the island, facing the Verde Island Passage.


how to get there

The easiest and most common way to get to Puerto Galera, especially if you are coming from the main international entry point of Manila (MNL) or its vicinity, is by taking a combined Bus and Ferry service.
Here is a breakdown of the typical and easiest route:
The Easiest Way: Combined Tourist Bus & Ferry Service
Departure Point (Manila): Services like Si-Kat offer a package deal that includes both the bus and ferry ticket, departing from a central, easy-to-find location in Manila (like a hotel in the Ermita district).
Bus to Batangas Pier: You take a comfortable, air-conditioned bus directly from Manila to Batangas Pier (Batangas Port). This road journey typically takes about 2 to 3 hours.
Ferry to Puerto Galera: At the pier, you transfer directly to a fast ferry (or “Fastcraft”) that takes you across the Verde Island Passage to one of the main ports in Puerto Galera (historically Muelle or Sabang, but many now use Balatero Port). This sea journey usually takes about 1 to 1.5 hours.

Special Features of Puerto galera

“Center of the Center” of Marine Biodiversity: Puerto Galera is the gateway to the Verde Island Passage, a strait renowned by marine biologists as the area with the highest concentration of marine life on Earth. This status is similar to the Amazon rainforest, but underwater.
UNESCO Biosphere Reserve: The area is designated as a UNESCO site, which contributes to the protection of its rich and healthy marine environment.
Diverse Dive Sites in Close Proximity: There are over 30 dive sites accessible within a short boat ride, offering a wide variety of underwater topography, from shallow coral gardens to dramatic deep walls.
Puerto galera offers
Diverse Dive Sites in Close Proximity: There are over 30 dive sites accessible within a short boat ride, offering a wide variety of underwater topography, from shallow coral gardens to dramatic deep walls.
populations. Snorkelers can simply jump in and immediately see clownfish, angelfish, and vast stretches of healthy coral without needing to go deep.
Ideal Depths for Freedivers: For freedivers, the diversity is key. The area offers easy access to significant depths right near the shore, allowing for effective training and deep dives. You can find everything from sheltered bays for beginner courses to challenging walls and drop-offs (like those near Verde Island) for advanced depth training.
Abundant and Rare Marine Life: The incredibly high biodiversity means you are virtually guaranteed to see a multitude of species on every outing, including:
Macro Life: Rare critters like various nudibranchs, blue-ringed octopuses, and ghost pipefish.
Reef Life: Large schools of barracuda, snapper, colorful reef fish, and sea turtles.
Coral: A phenomenal variety of both hard and soft corals.
Excellent Infrastructure: The town has many established and certified dive and freediving schools, offering professional courses (like Molchanovs or SSI) and guided trips, making it easy for travelers to get gear, certification, and safe accompaniment.


 

recommended for freedivers in Puerto galera :

FREEDIVING INN

FREEDIVING SCHOOL IN PUERTO GALERA — LEARN, TRAIN, AND ENJOY SAFE WATERS

Freediving Puerto Galera

offering courses and fun dives

What else
to do ?

Travel Tips

Best Time to Visit

The climate in Puerto Galera generally allows for year-round travel, but there are distinct seasons:
Best Time for Weather and Calm Seas: November to May (Dry Season). This period offers the sunniest days, calmest seas, and is ideal for all beach and water activities.
Peak Season: April to May (Philippine Summer) and major holidays (Holy Week, Christmas) are the busiest and most expensive. Book far in advance.
Coolest Dry Season: December to February often brings cooler temperatures, especially at night.
Best Time for Diving Visibility: June to October (Wet Season) can sometimes offer the best underwater visibility, though you should be prepared for occasional heavy rain showers and potentially rougher seas. You will also find fewer crowds and lower prices during this time.

Accommodations: Budget vs. Luxury

Puerto Galera offers a wide variety of accommodations, catering to all price points. The choice largely depends on which beach area you choose to stay in:
Area
Vibe
Accommodation Focus
White Beach
Lively, party-focused, family-friendly
Dominantly Budget to Mid-Range resorts, hotels, and guesthouses. This is the main tourist strip with all the action.
Sabang Beach
Diving hub, adult-focused, lively nightlife
A mix of Budget and Mid-Range Dive Resorts. This area caters primarily to divers and those seeking an active night scene.
Aninuan & Talipanan Beach
Relaxed, secluded, quieter
Mostly Mid-Range to Luxury Boutique Resorts. Ideal for couples or families seeking peace away from the crowds.
In summary, you will find a great balance. It is a very accessible destination for budget travelers and backpackers, but it also has secluded luxury resorts for a more upscale escape.

Restaurants and Nightlife

The food and entertainment scene is diverse and largely concentrated in the two main areas:
White Beach:
Dining: Offers a mix of beachfront restaurants serving Filipino comfort food, seafood BBQs, and international cuisine. Look for the famous Mindoro Sling (a local cocktail).
Nightlife: Transforms into a vibrant party scene after sunset with beach bars, live bands, karaoke, and fire dancers. It is generally the more family-friendly nightlife area.
Sabang Beach:
Dining: Heavily geared toward divers and expatriates, with more Western and European options (Steakhouses, Italian, French) alongside local fare.
Nightlife: Known for its “honky-tonk” atmosphere, with numerous bars, pubs, and open-air venues. It has a more adult-focused and sometimes rowdier nightlife scene than White Beach.
Other Spots: You can find highly-rated, quiet restaurants like Luka’s Italian Restaurant near the quieter beaches like Talipanan. The Puerto Galera Yacht Club (near Muelle Port) is a good spot for a meal, a drink, and a relaxed atmosphere.

How to Get Around

The main way to get to Puerto Galera is a combined land and sea trip from Manila:
Bus to Batangas Pier: Take a bus from Manila (e.g., Buendia, Cubao) bound for Batangas Pier. (Approx. 2-3 hours).
Ferry to Puerto Galera: From Batangas Pier, take a fast craft or ferry. The port you choose determines your arrival point in Puerto Galera:
Balatero Pier: Closest to White Beach, Aninuan, and Talipanan.
Muelle Port or Sabang Pier: Closest to Sabang Beach.
Once on the island, the main modes of transportation are:
Tricycles: The most common way to get around. They serve as taxis for short to medium distances between the different beaches and the port. Always negotiate the fare with the driver before getting in.
On Foot: The beach areas (White Beach and Sabang) are small enough to explore entirely on foot.
Motorcycle Rentals: Available for those who are confident driving a scooter and want to explore the island at their own pace.

Recommended For

Puerto Galera is a versatile destination recommended for:
Divers of All Levels: With over 40 dive sites, the area is world-renowned for its biodiversity (part of the Verde Island Passage). It offers sites for beginners and thrilling drift dives for advanced divers.
Water Sports Enthusiasts: White Beach is a hub for activities like jet-skiing, parasailing, banana boat rides, and kayaking.
Budget Travelers and Backpackers: Plenty of affordable accommodation, food, and transport options make it easy to travel without breaking the bank.
Party-Goers: Both White Beach and Sabang Beach offer vibrant and lively nightlife scenes.
Couples and Families: While White Beach is lively, quieter spots like Aninuan Beach and Talipanan Beach offer a romantic and tranquil escape.
Nature Lovers: Beyond the beaches, you can enjoy inland activities like visiting Tamaraw Falls and hiking up Mount Malasimbo for panoramic views.