Puerto Galera, Philippines is the pearl of the Mindoro province, and one of loveliest natural harbors of the world. As the name implies, it is known for its splendid beaches, diverse coral reefs, and distinct dive sites for amateur and seasoned divers alike.

Tourists are familiar with Puerto Galera for its plentiful pocket beaches, as well as the numerous snorkeling and diving hotspots. The day also doesn’t end here, as the beaches are alive with a festive mood at night, because of the numerous bars and restaurants which front the shoreline.

Puerto Galera, Philippines is very accessible from Manila. The whole journey takes roughly three and a half hours, first by bus to the Batangas port, and from there take a boat service to the town proper. If you travel with a vehicle, there is an available RORO (roll-in, roll-out) ferry service from Batangas port to Calapan, Mindoro; from there you can drive all the way to the town proper.

Upon reaching Puerto Galera proper, there are a few notable detours which you can take before you head to the beaches. The Cross at Muelle is a marble edifice erected to commemorate the sinking of Canonero Mariveles in 1879 at the Manila channel; it is a mere five-minute walk from the municipal center. There is also an artifact museum which houses collections of 15th to 19th-century pottery from the Chinese and Siamese, and is also located at the town proper, within five minutes of walking distance from the pier.

Puerto Galera, Philippines is famous for its beaches, and whether you are a first-time or a well-traveled tourist, be rest assured that you won’t be disappointed, as the shores are powdery white, the views are breathtaking, and the water is pristine. La Laguna Beach and Small La Laguna (which is a misnomer since it much larger than the former) are ideal places for snorkeling and scuba diving; La Laguna is within thirty minutes of the town proper while the other is twenty minutes from the Puerto Galera pier, in close proximity to Sabang Beach. Numerous other beaches are also very accessible from the pier, including Talipanan, White Sand, and Punta Guarda Beaches; these are relatively secluded, making them ideal for personal retreats.

If you think that Puerto Galera, Philippines is beautiful above water, wait till you see its depths. The years of conservation of its marine habitats result in an eye feast of colorful coral reefs which are vibrant with marine life. Spear fishing is illegal, and visitors are only allowed to take pictures of the dive sites. There are at least sixteen diving spots along the shores of Sabang, Coco Beach, Small La Laguna, La Laguna, and Encenada beach resorts, providing for plenty of diving opportunities on your trip. On your way to one of these dive sites, you won’t miss Tamaraw Falls, a series of cascading water falls which converge on a large stream, plunging a total height of 423 feet into the foamy waterbed below.

Puerto Galera is truly the vacationer’s dream, as you can access any point in it within hours, and you can enjoy the breathtaking sunset from numerous vantage points.