Puerto Galera is a soothing vision of shimmering seas surrounded by lush mountains. It is considered one of the most beautiful and developed beach resort community in the country.

Starting from “backyard tourism” wherein local residents accept local and foreign tourist as stay-in guest, the island’s tourism has flourished. In the course of time, several hotels, resorts, inns and restaurants have mushroomed within the area.

There are a thousand things one can do here. Landlubbers can pitch tents, light bonfires, play volleyball, toss a Frisbee, go beach-hopping, watch the sunset, gaze at the stars, hike, go rock climbing, carom off on a motorcycle, discover Oriental Mindoro’s other tourist spots or simply live it up.

But water is certainly the main attraction of the island. Crystal clear and shimmering especially during the hot summer months, the sea framing Puerto Galera is ideal for swimming, sailing, surfing, snorkeling and scuba diving. In fact one doesn’t have to go by boat to get to a dive site. Within a kilometer from the coast, schools of Moorish idols, trumpet fish, frog fish, lion fish and leaf fish weave in and out of thriving corals and sea anemones while species of starfish – from the speckled red-and-white to the neon-blue Pacific – rest on the sandy floor.

Gradually sloping beaches – with the terrain ranging from powder white sand to grainy dark sand to smooth stones to rough coral rubble – comprise a large chunk of the island’s 25 thousand hectares. And while the Department of Tourism’s last count pegs the number of resorts at 115, pockets of isolated and virtually resortless coves and beaches are tucked between massive rock formations.

Outside of minor glitches, Puerto Galera is a tropical paradise that is both rustic and thriving. By day it echoes with the soft breeze and the pounding waves. At night, it comes to life with heady laughter and the clink of wine and glasses, only to segue once again to the barest whisper of the elements.

How to Get Here

Go to any of the following bus terminals in Metro Manila:

  1. Bus Terminals near the corner of Taft Avenue and Gil Puyat Avenue (formerly Buendia), Pasay City – nearest the Airport.
  2. Bus Terminal near Ali Mall, Araneta Center, Cubao, Quezon City.
  3. Bus Terminal in EDSA corner Kamias Street, Quezon City.
  4. Bus Terminal in Alabang, Muntinlupa City.
Bus Terminal

Bus Terminal

Ride the air-conditioned bus going straight to Batangas pier via CALABARZON Expressway. Travel time to Batangas pier will take more or less 2 hours and the fare is less than 200 pesos.

Upon arrival in Batangas pier, go to Terminal 3 and find the ticket booth of the ferry going to Puerto Galera.

There are many shipping companies plying the Batangas-Puerto Galera route. The major passenger ferries are: MV Genesis I and II (Regular Ferry), MV Golden Raptor (Regular Ferry),  MV City of Iloilo (Fastcraft), MV September Tulips (Fastcraft), MV San Carlos (RoRo) and MV Polaris (RoRo).

Puerto Galera has 2 points of entry, namely, Muelle Pier and Balatero Pier.  Balatero Pier is closer to White Beach while Muelle Pier is closer to Sabang Beach.

If you happen to disembark at the wrong pier or landing site, there are tricycles that you can hire to bring you to the resort of your choice.

Aside from the ferry fare, each tourist is required to pay the following:

* Batangas Pier Terminal Fee = 30.00 pesos

* Environmental Users Fee = 50.00 pesos

* Balatero Pier Terminal Fee = 10.00 pesos

  • Muelle Pier Terminal Fee = 10.00 pesos