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Puerto Galera

Just a few hours’ travel from Manila, this gorgeous collection of bays and islands is one of the country’s top dive destinations. Puerto Galera is Spanish for “port of the galleons”. Its deep natural harbor, sheltered on all sides, was a favored anchorage well before the Spanish arrived in 1572, and today it remains a favored anchorage for long-term yachties and short-term vacationers.

Puerto Galera (PG) typically refers to the town of Puerto Galera and the resort areas surrounding it – namely Sabang, 3mi (5km) to the east, and White Beach, 4mi (7km) to the west. Each area has its own distinct character, spanning the range from sleaze to sophistication; you’d be well advised to choose carefully.

Explore Puerto Galera

  • T

    Talipanan Falls

    Much less touristy than the area's famous Tamaraw Falls, Talipanan Falls is a short walk from the village of Talipanan. Hire a Mangyan guide (P200) in the…

  • T

    Tukuran Falls

    Tukuran Falls is a series of gentle cascades and turquoise-toned swimming holes accessed from the village of Calsapa, about 45 minutes south of Puerto…

  • T

    Tamaraw Falls

    This waterfall drops 30m from a forested ravine into splash pools off the main Puerto Galera–Calapan road, 13km out of town, then flows out again in…

  • A

    Aninuan Falls

    With vendors scattered about, these falls aren't quite idyllic but they are nonetheless refreshing and you can scramble up the rocks for some modest (3m)…

  • M

    Mangrove Conservation Area

    Protecting Puerto Galera's seascape, this mangrove reserve is accessed via a well-kept bamboo boardwalk. Go early when the birds are active.

  • E

    Excavation Museum

    The tiny, unattended one-room museum displays some burial jars and ancient Chinese pottery mostly recovered from the area in the 1960s. It’s situated in…

Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Puerto Galera.

  • See

    Talipanan Falls

    Much less touristy than the area's famous Tamaraw Falls, Talipanan Falls is a short walk from the village of Talipanan. Hire a Mangyan guide (P200) in the…

  • See

    Tukuran Falls

    Tukuran Falls is a series of gentle cascades and turquoise-toned swimming holes accessed from the village of Calsapa, about 45 minutes south of Puerto…

  • See

    Tamaraw Falls

    This waterfall drops 30m from a forested ravine into splash pools off the main Puerto Galera–Calapan road, 13km out of town, then flows out again in…

  • See

    Aninuan Falls

    With vendors scattered about, these falls aren't quite idyllic but they are nonetheless refreshing and you can scramble up the rocks for some modest (3m)…

  • See

    Mangrove Conservation Area

    Protecting Puerto Galera's seascape, this mangrove reserve is accessed via a well-kept bamboo boardwalk. Go early when the birds are active.

  • See

    Excavation Museum

    The tiny, unattended one-room museum displays some burial jars and ancient Chinese pottery mostly recovered from the area in the 1960s. It’s situated in…

Guidebooks

Learn more about Puerto Galera

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