Puerto Galera: the dive capital of the Philippines
The Philippines is recognised as one of the most extraordinary diving locations on the planet, and nestled in its heart, in the Verde Island Passage at the centre of the Coral Triangle, lies the diving capital of the Philippines: Puerto Galera.
When Spanish settlers crossed south from the big island of Luzon in the late sixteenth century they found this sheltered series of coves and bays, scattered with coconut trees and white sand beaches, already popular with native islanders and Chinese traders. They named it “the port of the galleons” and moored their beak-prowed sailing ships in its natural harbours.
Puerto Galera has grown in popularity as a dive and tourist destination since the 1970s and now can genuinely be said to vie for the crown of “diving capital of the Philippines” with similarly famous destinations including the UNESCO world heritage Tubataha Reef, Cebu, or Moalboal.
The sheer diversity of the area’s nearly 40 dive sites means that whether complete novice or seasoned pro, whether adrenaline-junkie or critter-lover, divers will find spots they love here. Let;s look at just a few of the area’s sites and what they offer..
Critter diving – Montani, Giant Clams, Sinandigan Wall
If you like setting your camera to “macro” you’ll find Puerto Galera an ideal spot for finding tiny underwater treasures including pygmy seahorses, mandarin fish and dozens of species of nudibranch, some barely visible to the naked eye.
Dives sites with little to no current, gentle sandy slopes and grassy bottoms, like Montani and Giant Clams (where you’ll also find the ancient, protected, 1.5m-wide shellfish which give the site its name) reveal their treasures to patient divers.
Meanwhile the lower reaches of Sinandigan Wall – which on higher-current days also offers exciting drive diving – can be blanketed with nudibranches, especially vibrant sea lemons.
Wreck diving – Alma Jane, Sabang Wrecks
Laying on its side in 30m of water in Sabang Bay, the steel-hulled bulk of the 60-ton Alma Jane was sunk deliberately in 2003 having been stripped of dangerous or polluting components and has become a mecca for sea life and a delight for divers.
The deck lies at 22m and abounds in hard and soft corals, crabs and shrimp, and lionfish, frogfish and morays can be spotted nestling in darker corners.
Descend lower to find grass eels peeking out from the seabed in the shadow of the ship, or look around to spot schools of batfish, snappers and rabbitfish.
Night diving – Lalaguna Point, Sabang Bay
Because several of the dive sites here in Puerto Galera are so close to the shore, short and convenient night trips, offered frequently here at Lalaguna Villas, give divers the opportunity to see a completely different view of the underwater world.
Octopus, hermit crabs, and brittle stars explore the seabed and rare mandarin fish can be spotted courting amongst the corals.
Accessible
As well as its diverse dive sites, white sand beaches, and plentiful resorts and nightlife, one reason Puerto Galera is increasingly considered the dive capital of the Philippines is its proximity to the country’s political capital, Manila.
Just 100km (60 miles) south of the city and its international airport and then a short boat trip across the Verde Island Passage and you’ll find yourself here in PG ready to make some bubbles.
Better still take the LLV chartered transport and speedboat and you’ll be here in half the time. Come and join us!
