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Puerto Galera beyond the reefs: insider tips to the Philippines’ hidden gem

Aquatic diversions both above and below the surface may be the prime draw to the Philippines’ Puerto Galera, but the roads west and south lead to pleasures only those in the know are familiar with

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White Beach, by far the most popular of Puerto Galera’s many beaches with both local and overseas visitors. Its white sands pristine waters enchant by day and its vibrant nightlife entertainment by night. Photo: Terry Duckham
Thomas Bird
Lapped by aquamarine waters and framed by rainforest-draped hills, Puerto Galera is situated on the northern tip of the Philippines’ Mindoro Island.
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The name ‘galera’ refers to a galley – a cargo vessel – but local lore has it that Puerto Galera means “Port of the Galleons”, referring to the Spanish treasure ships that sailed between Manila and Acapulco, Mexico, from the late 16th century.
Certainly there are many treasures awaiting visitors in Puerto Galera, which boasts a Unesco-protected 23,200 hectare marine biosphere reserve among its natural wonders.
Puerto Galera restaurateur Tezz Calvo of Kusirena. Photo: Terry Duckham
Puerto Galera restaurateur Tezz Calvo of Kusirena. Photo: Terry Duckham

Surrounded by islets such as Paniquian Island, Puerto Galera’s attractiveness to early sailors lay in its topography, which makes for a naturally protected harbour. All three Puerto Galera residents we spoke with – dive instructor Allison Manis, hotelier Kim Barnaby and restaurateur Tezz Calvo – noted its location as a major selling point.

And it’s a location boats from Hong Kong, Singapore and elsewhere in Asia will converge on for Halloween weekend (November 1 to 3), when the Puerto Galera Yacht Club hosts the All Souls Regatta, one of three annual meetings organised by the club, with this year’s 20th anniversary expected to be a significant event.

How to get there – if not by yacht

The Puerto Galera Yacht Club regatta fleet rounding the mark off Small Tabinay Beach and heading for Verde Island, during the 2023 All Souls Regatta. Photo: Terry Duckham
The Puerto Galera Yacht Club regatta fleet rounding the mark off Small Tabinay Beach and heading for Verde Island, during the 2023 All Souls Regatta. Photo: Terry Duckham

Facing Batangas – a port city on the country’s largest island, Luzon – across the fish-rich Verde Passage, puts Puerto Galera in easy reach from Manila. Hourly buses leave from the capital’s Buendia Bus Terminal and Parañaque Integrated Terminal, and take between three-and-a-half and four hours to reach Batangas Pier, from where there are nine daily ferry crossings to Puerto Galera’s Balatero Port.

What to do there

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