Most divers come here to see the small stuff. It is a world-famous macro-paradise for photographers. The diving here is unquestionably the best of anywhere in Oriental Mindoro and some would say all Asia.

We have more varieties of fish than can be found in the entire Red Sea as well as a greater variety of corals than can be found in the Great Barrier Reef and there is one very good reason why this is so. There is an ocean current that is born in mid Pacific and flows like a gentle river right past Puerto Galera called the Verde Island Passage and this current brings very oxygen- and nutrient-rich water to us.

Water Temperature

The water temperature is coldest in December, January and February where it can drop down to 25°C (75° F) the rest of the year we have 28° to 31° C (82° to 88° F).

Diving Suit

In the cold months, a 3 or 5 mm full wet suit is enough. In the warmer months, a 3 mm full wet suit or a shorty or even a T-shirt is enough.

Visibility under water

Average visibility is 10 to 15 meters (30 to 45 ft), but can reach up to 30 to 40 meters (100 to 130 ft). The visibility varies quite a bit, even from day to day.

Climate

Puerto Galera has the warmest climate in March, April and May where the temperature is between 32° to 35° C (90° to 95° F), the rest of the year the temperature is between 29° to 32° C (84° to 90° F). In June, July and August we can have some rain. September, October and November we can encounter typhoons, but are well protected and hardly feel them.

How to get there

Talk to your dive center, for most of the dive centers offer a pick up at Manila Airport and a private transfer to the resort. Or you can take a bus from Manila to Batangas and take a small ferry to either Puerto Galera or Sabang.

Other Activities

Take a lunchbox and make a day excursion to Tamarraw Waterfalls and Hidden Paradise, or arrange a BBQ and a beach hopping or make some trekking in the jungle with a local guide where you can visit some of the tribes we still have. You will not get bored here.

Thanks to Thomas Windemuth from Coco Divers