Dive in Puerto Galera and Isla Verde vibrant coral reefs!

Why We Love It

Diving around Puerto Galera and Isla Verde offers an incredible mix of vibrant coral reefs, diverse marine life, and thrilling drift dives. Puerto Galera is famous for its rich macro life, stunning coral gardens, and deep walls teeming with schools of fish, frogfish, nudibranchs, and occasional reef sharks. Just a short boat ride away, Isla Verde, located in the Verde Island Passage, is known as the “center of marine biodiversity” due to its exceptionally high concentration of marine species. It's sometimes possible to combine this stay with a liveaboard trip departing from the eco-resort to Apo Reef and Coron wrecks - contact us for more details!

Conservation

The dive operator regularly cleans the sites and frequently hosts research institutes on board, such as the Global Change Institute from the University of Queensland in Australia.

Who Is It For?

Puerto Galera is suitable for beginners and experienced divers. The Advanced Open Water or equivalent is recommended for Isla Verde.

Prices and Dates

Dive Briefing!

Marine Life

• Puerto Galera’s marine life is incredibly diverse, featuring vibrant coral reefs, abundant macro creatures like nudibranchs and frogfish, schools of jacks and barracudas, as well as occasional sightings of reef sharks and sea turtles.
• In Isla Verde, divers can experience exhilarating drift dives with huge schools of jacks, snappers, barracudas, and even pelagic species like tuna and reef sharks, all set against spectacular coral-covered slopes and walls. The combination of strong currents and thriving marine ecosystems makes this region one of the best diving destinations in the Philippines.

Dive Conditions

• Season: November to May is the best time of the year with peak visibility
• Currents: can be medium to strong. Shelters dives too.
• Visibility: 25 to 30 m (80 to 98 ft)
• Water temperature: 26° to 30°C (79° to 86°F)
• Depth: shallow and deep dives

Dive Sites

• At Puerto Galera:

  • Canyons: a thrilling drift dive with strong currents, featuring three deep canyons covered in soft corals and home to schools of jacks, barracudas, and sweetlips.
  • Hole in the Wall: a fun dive with a swim-through at 13 meters, surrounded by colorful reef fish, nudibranchs, and occasional reef sharks.
  • Shark Cave: a deeper site where whitetip reef sharks often rest under an overhang, alongside giant frogfish and vibrant sea fans.

• At Isla Verde:

  • Washing Machine: a dynamic drift dive known for its unpredictable currents, attracting schools of snappers, batfish, and occasional manta rays.
  • Secret Bay: a macro diver’s paradise with vibrant coral bommies, seahorses, nudibranchs, and rare critters hidden in the sandy bottom.

The Team

• Operation created in 1996
• PADI courses available: Advanced Open Water, Nitrox, and Specialties - ask us
• Languages spoken on board: English, Tagalog, and Visayas

Safety Information

• Equipment Recommended: The usual diving equipment. A 3mm wetsuit is usually enough. Equipment can be rented if booked in advance - ask us
• Insurance: Both dive insurance and travel insurance are mandatory. We recommend DAN that has plans to cover both - ask us for a quote
• Nearest Hyperbaric Chamber: Nearest chamber is in Manilla

Visas, Flights, and More!

Visa Requirements

• You must have a valid passport to enter the Philippines, and a return ticket
• Ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond the period you intend to stay
• Most citizens do not require a visa to stay in the Philippines for up to 30 days
• Please check current visa policies that apply for your country on Philippines' Department of Foreign Affairs website

How to Get There

• There are direct flights to Manila (MNL) from major cities around the world, such as Paris, Amsterdam, London, Dubai, Tokyo, Singapore, Bangkok, Sydney, Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, and London.
• Ensure you land before noon to be able to catch the ferry - transfers can be organized for you - ask us
• On the last day, if you’re flying on the same day, make sure to book a flight in the early evening.
• We recommend extending the trip with a liveaboard to Coron and Apo Reef, the Visayas or Tubbataha - ask us!
• Important: ALL diving equipment, including your octopus, must be in checked luggage. The Philippine Department of Transportation prohibits carrying ANY diving equipment in the cabin. This applies to all domestic and international flights departing from the Philippines.

More...

• There is a risk of contracting malaria, dengue, and chikungunya in the Philippines, so take the necessary precautions to protect yourself.
• Don’t forget your reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, mosquito repellent, a lycra suit, a sweater, or a light jacket.