Travel Assistant
Getting to Puerto Galera
You have many options to get to our resort from Manila. When you make your reservations with us, please specify which option you prefer, and we’ll help you. Below are additional details.
Private Transportation from Ninoy Aquino (Manila) International Airport
Direct Private Transport from Manila is the most convenient way to reach here. It is tailored to suit your required travel times and can be scheduled any time day or night. Asia Divers and El Galleon Beach Resort offer a special assistance program for our guests arriving at the airport. This requires 48 hours notice of arrival. To book a private transport, we’ll need your flight number and arrival time when you make your reservations with us.
The private transportation consists of a 2 hour air conditioned car or van journey from Manila to Berberabe Beach, followed by a one hour boat ride directly to El Galleon Pier. Total journey time usually 3 / 3 ½ hours.
- Step 1) Walk through the customs area and go outside the airport.
- Step 2) you will be standing on the ‘arrival terminal access road
- Step 3) Look across the road and you will see two ramps (signs there point to the ’arrival extension area’) – one going down to your left, one to your right.- please go to the left.
- Step 4) When you reach the bottom you will be at another access road. Stay on the side of the road that you are when you reach the bottom of the ramp.
- Step 5) Find the ABC ZONE (upper part). On the other side of the road you will see lots of people waiting for friends and relatives.
- Step 6) Look across the street for someone wearing an Asia Divers white T-shirt and carrying a sign with your name.
- Step 7) Identify yourself and be prepared for a short walk to the car.
In case you will not find the driver please call El Galleon Beach Resort,
+63 43-287-3205
+63 928-503-3314
+63 917-814-5107
At Berberabe the car/van will stop very close to your waiting boat. Although there are no baggage porters on the pier, the boat crew work for us and will take you directly to The Point (Small Lalaguna) where there will be someone from the resort to meet you (again, they work directly for us, your bags will be safely looked after, tip them as you see fit). All the boats have marine radios.
You should pay for the boat and car on arrival at El Galleon and you should not pay anything beyond tips to the driver or boatmen whilst you are on route except for the Star Tollway Express fee.
Transfer from Manila airport or hotel to El Galleon Dive Resort
- 1-6 people $310
- 7-12 people $455
* All return transport is arranged while you are here through the cashier at El Galleon. If you have any questions, please contact our front desk at +63-928-503-3314 or +63-43-287-3205. Our manager Rhuby is also available at +63-917-839-8530 if you require immediate assistance.
Directions to Sitio Berberabe
Sitio Berberabe is not far from the Shell Refinery on the East side of Batangas Bay. In more detail: If you go to the last exit on the South Superhighway, and turn right, you only have to drive a few km before you will see a large green sign on your right pointing to the new STAR TOLLWAY to Batangas. This puts you on to a beautiful new road. The STAR TOLLWAY will take you straight to Batangas City. Once paying driving through tollgate, (P 55) turn left at the roundabout towards Batangas City. After approximately 3kms, the “Lions Monument” will appear on your left.
Approaching Batangas City, make the next left turn after the “Lions Monument”. Drive to the next intersection on your left, turn and take the next left again and head up till you see the sign for Lobo, SM Mall and the Shell Refinery. From there you have 5km to Sitio Berberabe if you want to check your trip meter. Take the next right, following the signs to SM Mall, Lobo and the Shell Refinery, on the way you will cross a bridge, shortly after you will see the Pontifino Hotel. Before arriving at the hotel you will see a Y intersection that will take you to the new SM Mall, drive past the mall, past the Shell station and keep left, keeping a lookout for the Shell Refinery and Pacific Flour Mills. Pass the Shell Refinery, and beware of the two speed bumps near the Flour Mill gates. From the end of the Flour fence, drive up another 500 meters and you will end see a small local waiting shed with Asia Divers/El Galleon transfer sign. Take the small concrete road, you will see a parking lot and you are there.
Transfer from hotel or private residence in Manila
Just let us know when and where you wish to be picked up from.
If you wish to be collected from a hotel in Manila we need the hotel name, phone number & your room number.
From a private residence we need the full address and if possible directions to assist the driver as well as a contact phone number.
Banca from Mainaga to El Galleon
Private boat pick-ups from Mainaga can be arranged at anytime (with at least one hours notice). The boat takes about an hour to get to El Galleon Pier.
If you are making your own way to Mainaga Pier the boatmen will an Asia Divers/El Galleon transfer sign with your name on, the cost for the boat only is P4,000 one way. [Pay at El Galleon.] There are locked car parking areas.
At Mainaga Pier there are porters on the pier these people earn their living by carrying the bags from the cars to the boat.
When you arrive one of the porters will have a slip of paper with your name on it. He is the only porter you should deal with if you need bags carrying. If you make use of the service wait until they have put your bags on the boat and then pay him. You can pay whatever you like [P20 [about U$ 0.5] a bag is usual] if you do not wish to use them just say so.
Public Transportation from Manila
The public transportation is a relatively inexpensive way to travel to us. However, this option is only recommended for the seasoned traveler who is traveling without much luggage.
Catch a regular aircon bus from Manila (BLTB or JAM bus stations in Pasay) to Batangas Port (approx. P150) where local boats and ferries run to Sabang, Puerto Galera and Balateros If you arrive at either Puerto Galera or Balateros you will need to get a bangka boat to the Point, Small Lalaguna (about P200- 400)
We can meet you from any ferry - just give us a call.
Seaplane
Cost US$700 one way for up to three people (depending on your size and the amount of luggage). The plane, from Subic Bay, cannot land at the international airport but can be met close by at the Blue Horizon Restaurant.
Flights can only be made well with in daylight hours. Contact us for more information / bookings or Mike O’Farrel direct: : seaplane@asia-mail.com / or seaplane@portalinc.com Tel: 047 252 3005 / 047 222 4916 / 047 252 2230 or cellular 0918 371 0580.
Helicopter
Flying time is around thirty minutes, lands on the beach, daylight only.
Commuter Air Philippines: Cost: PHP 25,000 per hour (we estimate 1.5 hours). Approximately PHP 37, 500. Max four passengers (or 350 kilo’s total weight). Total around US$ 960 e Ayala Aviation: Cost: PHP 28,000 per hour (estimate 1.5 hours). Approximately PHP 42,000 + landing and takeoff fee (total P1, 000) + 3% carrier tax (i.e. about P1, 250). Max five passengers. Total around US$1,150
Seasonal Weather
We are an all year round dive resort with the sea normally moderate during December to March and calm during April and May, often talked about by the travelers (not divers) as being the best time of year to be here. Water temperature during December to mid or late February is around 23° to 27°c.
From June to November (typhoon season July to August) can be and often is some of our best diving conditions. We do get rain (sometimes) during these months, however it’s normally at night either early evening or early morning leaving the days to be fine and mostly sunny with sea condition being excellent. The visibility is often at its best during this part of the year, however it’s not called typhoon season for nothing. There is always the risk of having a typhoon pass by and leaving behind it a day or two of rain and causing some swells. It’s rare that a typhoon would pass through Puerto Galera and in the past years we had one in 1996 and the next two were 2006, May and December!
There have been none since this writing that have affected Puerto Galera. Water temperatures, mid to late February to November are 28°c to 30°c
El Galleon Today (Webcam)
The first beach resort on Small La Laguna Beach (adjacent to Sabang Beach) is the El Galleon Beach Resort & Hotel. This Puerto Galera webcam is located above Tertalino′s beach-front bar at the front of El Galleon Beach Resort & Hotel; it looks past the Asia Divers dive shop, across the Verde Island Passage and pictures Verde Island and the southern Batangas coast beyond.
Public Transportation from Manila
The public transportation is a relatively inexpensive way to travel to us. However, this option is only recommended for the seasoned traveler who is traveling without much luggage.
Catch a regular aircon bus from Manila (BLTB or JAM bus stations in Pasay) to Batangas Port (approx. P150) where local boats and ferries run to Sabang, Puerto Galera and Balateros If you arrive at either Puerto Galera or Balateros you will need to get a bangka boat to the Point, Small Lalaguna (about P200- 400)
We can meet you from any ferry - just give us a call.
Currency
US Dollar / Peso cash are preferred (obviously and the best way!). We accept other major currencies as payment; please check with us before you arrive.
US Dollar traveler's cheques are probably the safest way to carry money no additional charges, but you will need your passport with you when you come to pay with them.
Credit cards are accepted; VISA, MASTERCARD, AMEXCO.
El Galleon and Asia Divers accept personal cheques from both US Dollar and Peso accounts. We also accept bank transfers, please contact us for details.
Communication
English is widely spoken.
Puerto Galera has come a long way over the years and now with landlines to assist with faster check out times, wireless internet for those that have to stay in touch, it's easy.
Pay phones, mobile phone load cards, fax and email are all available.
Medical Information
No malaria in the area, but inoculations for Hep A, Typhoid, Polio and Tetanus are recommended, always check with your doctor.
Bring high factor sun creams and insect repellent if you are prone to that type of thing, it’s a rare occasion that you will need to put on more than shorts and a t-shirt.
Insurance
We strongly advise all divers and students to purchase dive accident insurance and will ask any diver not covered to sign a Disclaimer acknowledging that the Facility, management and staff will not be held responsible for any costs incurred in the event of any evacuation or medical treatment being required.
We can however assist you with a policy through Diveassure with Basic ( Philippines only ) or Platinum ( Worldwide ) cover at the following rates:
Diveassures is primary coverage, and is for diving to any depth, covers mixed gas diving, Rebreathers and overhead environments. Medical Expenses to $50,000.00 ( Basic ) and $250,000.00 ( Platinum ), besides additional costs for accommodation and travel, lost gear etc.
You can sign up on arrival with us, or do it before hand here:
