Puerto Galera, in my opinion is one of the most beautiful dive sites in the Philippines! Forget the boat transfers, the hassle in finding hotels, and even the chaotic renovations and narrow alleys. It won’t matter, as its deep waters welcome you to a new world! With dozens and dozens of dive sports for both amateurs and professional divers, you’ll never want to see land again. Be amazed by a mayhem of species that thrive in Puerto Galera’s kilometer wide corals. Take a closer look and see the marine life that we seem to not notice. Rediscover a different side of Puerto Galera and experience another world ahead.
There are three major ports at Puerto Galera though traveling between these ports will be relatively easy and travel time is around 30 minutes.
Sabang Port – The nearest port from Batangas, and is popularly known because of several close diving spots in the area. If you’re interested in exploring the vast coral area and mingle with abundant marine creatures, this is the place to go. Almost all shops and resorts here offer diving packages either for amateurs or for professionals. And I’ll say this: THIS IS A MUST TRY!!!! You’ll probably miss 80% of why Puerto Galera is why it’s known to be Puerto Galera!
Muelle Port – located between Sabang Port and White Beach Port, it is the main city of Perto Galera and will most likely your gateway to several inland destinations. It’s quite a good place to stay if you are a city dweller, and you’re closer to each ports when traveling.
White Beach Port – your gateway to a lot of water sport activities and a lot of partying! This is probably the busiest port of the three especially at night where all bars have their own performances to showcase to party people. You could also enjoy a lot of water activities like jet-skiing, para-sailing, jetpack, and many more!
HOW TO GET HERE
Via Public Transportation
- Travel to Batangas Port – Take a bus bound to Batangas Port. If you’re from Manila, you could either take buses at Buendia Terminal (JAC/JAM liner) or at Cubao.
- Batangas Port to Puerto Galera Ports (Sabang, Muelle, White Beach) – Regardless of which port you want to go, or to which port your hotel is situated, you could take boats to each port from here.
- Puerto Galera Ports to your choice of hotel/destination. Pay your environmental fees here.
Via Private Transportation
- Travel to Berberabe Port – Take a rented van or private car to Berberabe Port. You could also take a public bus and just ride a tricycle going to this port. See here.
- Berberabe Port to Puerto Galera (Sabang, Muelle, White Beach) – This port is actually the pick up point for private boats. You could ask boatmen here to take you anywhere in Puerto Galera. Usually resorts like Cocobeach use this port though if you have contacts to private bancas then this will probably be your pickup point. ***Note that boats here have a capacity of up to 30pax and price is around 4000php, so it’s best if you go here in a group!
WHERE TO STAY
There are LOTS and LOTS of hotels/rooms/houses for rent/camping sites here at Puerto Galera. Wherever port you choose, all you have to do is ask. 🙂 Though I advice that you choose a hotel to where most of your activities be. If you’ll be diving several times, then choose a hotel near Sabang. If you wanted a party on a beach, then stay at White Beach. Though its not really a problem traveling between ports so don’t think too much about it.
Budget
Values below does not include any food or miscellaneous expenses. These expenses are only based on our itinerary.
1. Transportation
- Buendia Terminal to Batangas Port: 167php ea (via JAM liner Bus)
- Batangas Port to Muelle Port: 230php ea (though our hotel is at Sabang, this was the earliest trip to Puerto so we took it)
- Muelle Port to Sabang Port (rate only for morning trips): 70php (via tricycle) / 20php ea (via jeepney)
- Sabang Port to White Beach (night trip): 300php via tricycle (one way)
2. Tours
- Island Hopping (Haligi Beach, Fridays Beach, Long Beach, Bayanan Beach, Talipanan Beach, Coral Garden, Underwater Cave, Giant Clams, etc..): 1500php good for 3-4 hours (1-7pax excess will be charged 300/head).
- NOTE: You could negotiate with boatmen depending on which beaches or specific islands you want to go. There are also an extra charge (200php per head) if you visit some areas where only small boats could access. (Giant Clams, Underwater Cave, Coral Garden) It’s good to ask boatmen of all details before departing so you won’t be surprised. Remember to bring cash.
- Scuba Diving: 85 dollars ea per dive (discover Scuba for beginners), 65 dollars ea per dive (Scuba followup), price varies for Pro divers if you already have own equipment and/or scuba gear.
- Inland Tour to Tamaraw and Tukuran Falls:
- NOTE: Tricycle rental to Tamaraw Falls and to Tukuran jump point: 1500php (two-way via tricycle)
- NOTE: Tukuran jump point to Tukuran falls: 425php (via Carabao ride), FREE if you walk (Please pick this! But if you really wanted to try riding a Carabao, limit it to 2 people only even if they say it could carry 8. It’s not far enough anyway. You could just buy souvenirs or give tips to guides to support their livelihood)
3. Water Activities
- Jetski: 1000php (30min)
- Jetpack: 2500php (30min)
- Flyboard: 2500php (30min)
- Banana Boat: 200php per head (15-20min)
- Wild Cat: 300php per head (20min) min. 6pax
- Dragon Boat: 300php per head (20min) min. 6pax
- Fly Fish: 500php per head (20min)
- Para-sailing: 1500php (15min)
- Kayak (ordinary): 500php (1hour)
- Kayak (glass bottom): 600php (1hour)
- Helmet Diving: 800php per head (20min)
- X.O: 500php per head (Dod’s water Sports)
- Wake Ryder: 500php per head (Dod’s water Sports)
4. Other Fees/Entrances
- Environmental Fee: 100php ea (paid when you arrive at any port)
- Tukuran Falls entrance: 50php ea
SCUBA & FREE DIVING
Diving galore! Mingle with a lot of marine life thru Scuba diving at Sabang. You could choose a lot of dive centers in here, and even resorts offer them. If you’re new on scuba, then it’s time to try it! They would offer you “Discover Scuba” and you will likely find it very exciting! So I’ll stop yapping and start rediscovering Puerto Galera underwater.
Taken just around Big Lalaguna Beach (west of Sabang beach)
Surprises like these welcome you in just a short walk from the shore!
And if you’re a fan of free-diving, Sabang is the perfect place to be!
Time to put those creative minds at work!
No need to dive down deep for this beautiful scenery
  
Sabang – where diving is serious and fun!
Bwahahaha! Caption this! Lol.
A group of yellow fins swimming by!
There will always be Fish Feeding!
A school of Yellowtail snapper looming atop corals!
My favorite – Moonrish Idol!
Clown Fish (anemone fish)!
A red Clown Fish!
More “Nemo”s!
Better than seeing a Cavalla (talakitok) on a plate!
Can you see the Lionfish?
Almost missed that Yellow-tang fish!
Please don’t eat this Lobster!
Playing the Trumpetfish!
A mayhem of Striped-eel catfish!
More schools of fishes swarm these ocean beauty.
A lot of oddly shaped corals 🙂
Diving deeper…
Simply elegant!
Thrive!
These schools of blue fishes that popped out of nowhere!
Cute little blue brats!
Feast your eyes!
And this is Sabang Beach’s facade hiding the beautiful world underneath….
Next stop, island hopping! From Sabang we asked boatmen to take us to Coral Garden and the Giant Clam Sanctuary. You could choose from a lot of islands to hop but for now – we chose to avoid beaches for awhile and just enjoy an underwater adventure!
Free diving at the Coral Garden.
What’s with the silhouette theme?
Dive down, but don’t touch!
Closer to a Giant Clam!
Pink is beautiful!
WATER SPORTS
Now, back on White Beach. Here are some of the water activities you could try. Too bad the Jetpack was not available, but I’ll be back for it certainly
I never expected Puerto Galera was so beautiful from above!
So that’s how we look like from here..
Uhmm.. Jetski, Wild Cat, so many to try. (see complete list on budget section)
For kids, rent your life jackets and swim around the beautiful White Beach!
INLAND TOURS
Mud Kart! ATV! From White Beach, you could find guys that offer these rides. (You could find them in their large Mud Kart posters). You will then be picked up and dropped to a barangay just outside White Beach where all fun begins!
Note: You could also request them to either drop you to Sabang or White Beach when you leave. (all part of the package)
Start with racing around with a little Go Kart!
Then switch to a little ATV!
Then get the big guns to get dirty!
And don’t forget a little rodeo before leaving!
Another cool place to visit inland Puerto Galera are two popular waterfalls. Tamaraw and Tukuran waterfalls. It’s quite far from the main city (about an hour) but certainly well worth it.
Tamaraw Falls. You won’t miss it as its just by the road. Take a pic and immerse!
Travel via Carabao Ride to Tukuran Falls. (or just walk please)
A little trekking..
Then reach Tukuran Falls. Small but still refreshing indeed!
Hang out with friends and cook your food here!
Don’t miss to jump in!
Now before leaving, have to stop for a party! White Beach is still as lively at night. With fire dances and stand up comedies, to a lot of festive musicals, you’ll have one hell of a party while cooling around near the beach.
Summer time!
Watch fire dances while drinking your favorite beer!
Bar by the beach!
And… don’t miss to try their food. I recommend eating at Tamarind Restaurant at Sabang. I found the food new to my taste and is very delicious! It’s a bit pricy but hell it’s one really good meal!
I think this was the Cream Dory Fish Fillet….
And this Beef Tapa was really the best tapa I’ve had!
And the classic Lapu-Lapu…
And this picture is just out of the blue…. me!
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