Puerto Galera
A diving bay on the north coast of Mindoro, known for the coral reefs of Sabang and White Beach, and an island getaway reached from Manila via the Batangas ferry.
Puerto Galera sits at the northern tip of Mindoro Island in the Philippines, facing Batangas on Luzon across the Verde Island Passage. The passage has been called the “center of the center of marine shore fish biodiversity”, and the waters around Puerto Galera became a UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Reserve as early as 1973; the area is famous for diving. It divides into three: to the east, Sabang and Big and Small La Laguna are the diving base, packed with dive shops and dive sites; in the middle, Puerto Galera town and Muelle Bay hold the ferry pier and the old town; to the west, White Beach is the busiest, while Aninuan and Talipanan beaches farther west are quiet and relaxing, with a Mangyan village nearby to visit. Inland is Tamaraw Falls. The best season is the Nov–May dry season, with the best sea conditions Mar–May; the Jun–Oct rainy season brings typhoons. Getting there: take a bus from Manila to Batangas Port (about 2–3 hours), then a bangka outrigger or fast boat for about 1 hour; boats go directly to Sabang, White Beach or Muelle. Tricycles are the way to get around, and an environmental fee is payable on arrival. Most visitors spend 2–4 days; a dive certification course takes 3–4 days. Easter weekend is extremely crowded, so book accommodation ahead.
Top sights
- White Beach – The liveliest long white-sand beach in Puerto Galera, lined with resorts and beach bars, and famous for its sunsets and nightlife.
- Sabang Beach – The diving base of Puerto Galera, home to dozens of dive shops. Many coral reef dive sites are only minutes away by boat.
- Canyons Reef – The most iconic drift dive site in Puerto Galera. Fish swarm through the canyon formations, and it is suitable only for advanced divers.
- Big La Laguna Beach – A quiet golden-sand beach on the west side of Sabang, where you can snorkel over coral right from the shore. The dive shops and resorts her…
- Tamaraw Falls – A multi-tiered waterfall beside the road, with white curtains of water pouring into natural pools. It is the most popular inland attraction…
- Coral Garden – A shallow snorkeling site that is a must-stop on island-hopping tours. The water is only a few meters deep, and coral and schools of tropic…
- Puerto Galera Bay (Muelle Bay) – A natural harbor surrounded by islands, named one of the Most Beautiful Bays of the World. Sailboats dot the water, and the fishing village…
- Talipanan Beach – A long, quiet beach west of White Beach, backed by green mountains, with few vendors. It suits visitors who want to escape the crowds.
- Aninuan Beach – A small bay between White Beach and Talipanan, with fine sand and few people. You can make a detour to hike to Aninuan Falls.
- Small La Laguna Beach – A small bay between Sabang and Big La Laguna Beach, with a concentration of dive shops and beach bars. Shore diving and snorkeling are both…
- Immaculate Conception Church & Excavation Museum – A white church in the town center with a small museum beside it, displaying Ming-dynasty Chinese ceramics and ancient pottery excavated loc…
- Iraya Mangyan Village – A village of the Mangyan, the indigenous people of Mindoro, where you can learn about their culture and buy traditional rattan handicrafts.
- Aninuan Falls – A small waterfall hidden in the jungle, about 40 minutes' hike from Aninuan Beach. You can swim in the pool at its base.
Where to eat
- Tamarind Restaurant – A popular teppanyaki restaurant by the sea in Sabang, with standout steak, pork ribs and surf-and-turf combos. Consiste…
- Verandah Restaurant – A seaview restaurant at the Out of the Blue Resort, long rated among the best restaurants in Puerto Galera. Offers West…
- Lucas Cucina Italiana – An Italian restaurant on Talipanan Beach known for its thin, generous pizzas and pasta. A good spot to watch the sunset.