A traditional Filipino wooden outrigger boat in shallow turquoise water and picturesque sandy beach, in the tourist resort of Puerto Galera, Philippines.

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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.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

  • Talipanan Falls at Mindoro island, Philippines.

    Talipanan Falls

    Puerto Galera

    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…

  • Tukuran Falls

    Tukuran Falls

    Puerto Galera

    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…

  • Tamaraw Falls

    Tamaraw Falls

    Puerto Galera

    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…

  • Aninuan Falls

    Aninuan Falls

    Puerto Galera

    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)…

  • Excavation Museum

    Excavation Museum

    Puerto Galera

    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…

  • Mangrove Conservation Area

    Mangrove Conservation Area

    Puerto Galera

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

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