Travel and Diving at the Philippines

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Puerto Galera - Mindoro - Philippines

Puerto Galera is one of the main diving area on the Philippines. Puerto Galera is part of the island Mindoro and reachable in about 4-5 hours from Manila by bus and boat (how to get there). The dive spots are located in a marine protected area and offers you the phantastic underwater world of the South Chinese Sea

The resorts and divebases are located on the beaches around Puerto Galera (Sabang Beach, Small LaLaguna, Big LaLaguna, Encenada Beach und Coco Beach). The Sabang Beach is the most popular beach. The others are quiet and cozy. At Sabang Beach you will find a lot of small shops, restaurants and a couple of bars and discos. In the past few years many divebases have grown up. At Sabang Beach you will find Octopusdivers and you will have a great time with Mac Mac and Pedro. If you are staying at the Small Lalaguna Beach you should try the Scubaplus Divecenter

The divespots around Puerto Galera offer you a fantastic look on the underwater world of the South Chinese Sea. All the dive spots are reachable within 5-30 minutes and the daytrips to Verde Island are terrific. My favourite dives pots are the “Canyons”, most of the time there is a strong current, and for this reason there are a lot of fish like Barracudas, Snappers, Sweet Lips and so on.

Map of Puerto Galera

Divesites

For more information, prices, accommodation or diving, just visit the Octopusdivers homepage where you also have the possibility to book online. You will reach the beaches by “Banka or with a Cheepney”.

Cheepney

Banka

There are a lot of different restaurants at Sabang Beach. My favorites are the restaurant from the Sabang Hill Resort, “Diver's Cafe”, "Tina's" and the “Le Bistrot” (new: not anymore in the center, it is now on the way to Octopusdivers, first floor VIP Lodge). All four restaurants offers European and Philippino dishes.

New: The Broadway (located at the old Bistrot) Nice place with two pool tables and nearly every evening life music. Opposite of the Broadway is the “Pub”. You have to try the Gin Juice and the Mindoro Sling. If you are hungry, a lot of small Barbecue and Fast Food Restaurants are around. Next to Basketball, Billiard is a very famous sport on the Philippines. Nearly every restaurant and ressort have their own billiard tables. Sometimes there are billiard competitions. Even if you are not playing, it is worthwile to have a look because they are playing on a high level. Eddies Place is a 24 h Open Air Bar and most of the time there are many people, specially in the early morning. There are also four night clubs in Sabang Beach (see Night Life)

Pub

Lucky's Saloon

Le Bistrot

How to get there:

There are different possibilities to travel to Puerto Galera. Quite a lot of bus companies are running to Batangas (ferryhabour of Mindoro). The easiest way to travel to Puerto Galera is the Si-Kat Inc. (now a Banka). Every day, a bus is leaving in front of the City State Tower Hotel, Manila Ermita, Mabini Street directly to Batangas Pier (8 am, around 400 Peso). The Banka is already waiting, and altogether the journy takes only 4-5 hours.

Attention: !!! Often changes!!!

Shipname	Departure Puerto	Batangas to Puerto Galera		Puerto Galera to Batangas
		Batangas	Puerto	Puerto	Batangas
Viva Shipping Lines Car Ferry	Balatero Pier	8:30 12:00 17:00	10:20 14:20 19:00	5:00 10:30 14:30	7:00 12:20 16:30
Fastcraft MV Blue Eagle	Muelle Pier	11:00 15:30	12:00 16:30	7:00 13:30	8:00 14:00
SiKat Ferry 1st class bus	Muelle Pier	12:30	14:30	9:30	11:30
Bancas	Sabang Beach	9:30/10:00/ 12.15/ 13.30/ 14.30	11:00/ 11:30/ 13:30/ 15:00/ 16:00	6:00/ 7:00/ 8:00/ 9:00/ 11:30	7:30/ 8:30/ 9:30/ 10:30/ 13:00
Lady of Mercy	Muelle Pier	9:00/ 12:00	10:00/ 13:00	10:30/ 14:30	11:30/ 3:30
Super Cat 85	Muelle Pier	10:30	11:30	8:00	9:00

Besides diving, Puerto Galera offers many other possibilities for your holidays. 600 meters over sea level, the Ponderosa Golf Club is located in the mountains. A 9 hole golf course is waiting for you. One of the highlights is the view from there, you will never forget the beautiful look to Puerto Galera and the beaches. If the weather is nice, it is possible to see Luzon. It is also possible to rent a motorbike at the Sabang Beach (you should be an experienced driver, because the streets are mainly off road). Daytrips to the small islands around Puerto Galera or to the White Beach with barbecue and sunset cruise are a “must” for every visitor.

Every Sunday the Puerto Galera Hash House Harrier meet at 2 pm in Captn Greggs. If you are lucky, it will be a special run and you get the PGH’3 T-Shirt

The famous „Floating Bar“ is located in the middle of the Sabang Bay. They serve local and imported drinks and snacks. If you plan to stay there for the whole day, take a cap and sun protection with you, because the sun is burning like hell.

www.video-artimage.com

The video company „Video-Art Image is also located in Puerto Galera. The Cameraman and video producer Mike Geissler offers you personal underwater videos as well as all kinds of videos. Mostly he takes a Sony 3CCD Camera. You can contact Mike by Mail, his Webpage or contact Octopusdivers.

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