Puerto Galera, dubbed as the Pearl of Mindoro, is a beach resort town located on the north shore of Mindoro Island, 130 kilometers south of Manila, and 14 nautical miles from Batangas City. It comprises of 12 coastal districts (barangays or barrios) and one mountain district scattered over an area of 23,247 hectares, bordered on the north by Verde Island, on the south by Baco and Malasimbo mountains, on the northeast by the town of San Teodoro, and on the northwest by the Province of Occidental Mindoro.

The foremost asset of Oriental Mindoro, Puerto Galera is blessed with one of the world’s most beautiful natural harbors. Known as the Pearl of Mindoro, it is world-famous for splendid beaches, coral reefs, and exquisite dive sites for new and experienced divers alike. There are shallow coral gardens, interesting rock formations, and colorful species to watch, like crabs, shrimps, sea anemones, moray, and trumpet fishes.

Puerto Galera is Y-shaped peninsula located on the northern shores of Mindoro Island, some 130 km south of Manila and 14 nautical miles from Batangas City. It is bounded on the north by Verde Island Passage, on the south by the Municipality of San Teodoro (Oriental Mindoro), and on the west by the Municipality of Abra de Ilog (Occidental Mindoro). It has total area of 254.47 sqm., divided into twelve coastal barangays and one mountain barangay. Administratively, it belongs to the province of Oriental Mindoro.

The terrain is rugged with sometimes dense jungle, an irregular coastline with crystal, clear water and wide sand beaches, a natural harbor and safe anchorage. Its natural seawall, exciting dive sites, lush mountains and white pristine beaches make Puerto Galera one of the Philippine’s top tourist destinations.

In nature-blessed Oriental Mindoro, you can choose your own beach among the many that abound, from fawn beige to powdery white. To name a notable few, there are the beaches of Sabang, Suqui, Banilad, Bongol, La Laguna, Small La Laguna, Talipanan, Melco, Punta Guarda, and White Sand, drawing local and foreign water enthusiasts alike with majestic sites ideal for swimming, snorkeling, and scuba diving.

Sabang Beach – The beach is ideal for swimming, snorkeling, and scuba diving. A cluster of nightspots abound in the area, which make it popular for evening socials. Cottages with entertainment facilities stand close to each other. Low-budget accommodations are available. Sabang Beach is located east of Puerto Galera. It can be reached in 15 minutes from the Puerto Galera pier by taking a jeepney or an outrigger banca.

How to get to Puerto Galera

Travel time to Puerto Galera is approximately five hours by bus and ferry from Manila. On arrival in Puerto Galera you will travel to the resort by local motorized outrigger boat (banca) or by ferry.

- From Manila to Batangas pier: by buses departing every morning from 9 am nonstop
- From Batangas pier to Puerto Galera: by boat and reaching Puerto Galera about 14:00 hours

The whole journey takes about 4 to 5 hours from Manila to Puerto Galera. The ferry to Batangas leaves Puerto Galera at 7:30 each morning and enables connection to transportation back to your hotel in the afternoon.

More pictures here and here