Returning to Puerto Galera After 20 Years: A 10-Day Dive Adventure
Over 20 years ago, I spent an eye-opening five weeks diving around Puerto Galera on Mindoro Island the muck diving capital of the Philippines. Back then, I had dived with Action Divers, a small but long standing and incredibly professional outfit that helped shape some of my earliest underwater memories.
For two decades, I carried a question with me: Was the diving still as magical as I remembered? There was only one way to find out.
So my wife and I booked a 10-day adventure. She’s a keen diver herself, and this would be her first time in the Philippines.
Arrival in Manila – Chaos, Pizza, and Jet Lag
We landed in Manila late afternoon and checked into a clean, small bed-and-breakfast near the airport. After dragging our dive gear up three flights of stairs, nothing sounded better than a shower, a cold beer, and food.
If you’ve been to Manila, you’ll understand the glorious chaos honking traffic, crowds moving in every direction, and an endless buzz of life. Not knowing where to go, we stumbled on a Pizza Hut, filled ourselves with beer and carbs, then retreated back to the room to rest for the journey ahead.
The Journey to Puerto Galera – Vans, Boats & Breakfast Regrets
The next morning, we set off for Batangas Port about 1 hour and 30 minutes away using a private van arranged by our resort. For breakfast, we made the questionable choice of finishing the leftover Pizza Hut from the night before.
Batangas Port had changed massively since my last visit. Commercial vessels, ferries, fast boats everything was busy and bustling. We arrived a little early for our fast boat, so we introduced ourselves to the local 6.5% Red Horse Beer and waited for our ride.
A smooth fast boat journey and a short 4×4 pickup later, we arrived at our first stay: Edgewater Dive & Spa Resort.
Edgewater Dive & Spa Resort – Peace Among the Palms
Nestled among acres of tropical gardens on the water’s edge, Edgewater offered a quiet, friendly, and relaxing start to our trip. After dropping our bags, we settled in at the bar to watch the sun disappear behind the bay.
A Rocky Start – Manila Pizza Strikes Back
Day two did not go as planned. Neither did the next five.
The unrefrigerated leftover pizza made a dramatic comeback, and my wife spent several days fighting off an aggressive bout of food poisoning.
With her blessing, I teamed up with two Australians staying at the resort and headed out for some diving promising daily updates and attempting not to enjoy myself too much without her.
Back Underwater – Same Ocean, Same Magic
Returning to the water felt like stepping back in time.
The ocean was just as I remembered: warm 29°C water, visibility that shifted from good at depth to stunning in the shallows, and vibrant marine life everywhere.
If you’re into muck diving and love hunting for the tiny and weird, Puerto Galera still delivers. During those first five days, I encountered:
- Mantis shrimp with their lightning-fast punch
- Moray eels weaving through the reef
- Curious octopus
- Ghost pipefish
- Frogfish disguising themselves perfectly
- Pygmy seahorses the size of a grain of rice
- Nudibranchs in surreal colours
The coral—both soft and hard was healthy, colourful, and stretched beautifully across the bay.
On to the Next Spot – “Into the Blue” & Action Divers
Once my wife was back on her feet, it was time to move on. We caught a lift on a dive boat and glided over to our next resort: Into the Blue.
The resort sits right on the shoreline, with Action Divers conveniently at our doorstep full circle from my first visit 20 years ago.
At last, my wife could dive again. Rolling back into warm tropical water felt like bliss, and Puerto Galera’s signature drift dives kept us thoroughly entertained.
Puerto Galera Vibes – Waterfront Food, Fun & Nightlife
The waterfront area offers plenty of lively bars, laid-back restaurants, and even karaoke and clubs if you’re in the mood. Everything is within walking distance, making it easy to unwind after a day of diving.
Most of the area’s top dive sites are only 5–15 minutes from shore, making it a diver’s paradise in terms of convenience.
Final Thoughts – Still Worth the Trip?
After two decades away, I wondered whether Puerto Galera would still feel as magical as it did all those years ago.
It absolutely does. The vibe, the diving, the marine life, the people it’s all still thriving.
Whether you stay a few days or include it as part of a wider island-hopping adventure, Puerto Galera remains one of the Philippines’ most rewarding and vibrant dive destinations.
Crystal-clear water, incredible critters, effortless drift dives, and sunsets best enjoyed with a cold beer what more could you want?
I’d go back again tomorrow.