Staying at Casalay Resort: Diving Puerto Galera & Verde Island

By Laura Taylor

Casalay has a really calm, tropical feel that I liked straight away. The resort is built into a steep hillside, and the stairs are no joke. It was 180 steps from the beach up to our room, and I definitely felt them the first couple of days. The views and the quiet atmosphere make up for it, but it’s worth knowing if mobility is a concern. Lower rooms are popular for a reason.

The rooms themselves are comfortable. The mattress was excellent, firm with a bit of memory foam, and the bathroom is big with an open-air feel. A bathroom upgrade is planned, and a few fixtures could use some attention, but overall the room was pleasant. Housekeeping is on request, which I didn’t realize at first, and with the geckos and birdlife, I think most guests would prefer daily service, especially for the patios and fresh drinking water.

The upstairs rooms in the A-frame Villas have twin beds but no bathroom, so they really only work for good friends who are happy to share or for families with older kids who can manage the stairs and don’t mind walking through the master bedroom to get to the bathroom.

Food was pretty good. We were on the fixed menu for the first couple of days, but I asked to switch to the à la carte menu, and that worked much better for us, especially after some tips from a group of foodies from Singapore that we dived with. We actually ordered less food than what was included in the set menu, and it suited our tastes more. Coffee is an area they could improve. Instant coffee is provided in the room, brewed coffee is served at breakfast, and espresso drinks are available but not listed anywhere. I only found out I could order an espresso on the last day. Other operators in the area, like Aiyanar, Siren, and Atmosphere, all offer better coffee setups, so this is an easy upgrade for Casalay.

Diving was well run. The dive team were personable and adaptable once they understood what we liked as photographers. We prefer a slower pace and a mix of macro critters, and they adjusted nicely. There is one long main reef running along the front of Sabang, with different sites named along its length. I was surprised by how healthy the corals were, with lots of nudibranchs, colorful patches, and a fair amount of current. Verde Island was the highlight for me, with great visibility and beautiful reef structure. Puerto Galera can get very busy, especially during regional holidays. Labor Day, which is observed in Singapore and Hong Kong, fell during my stay, and the number of boats jumped noticeably.

The camera room is well equipped with charging stations and storage, but it gets warm. I was sweating over my housing more than once. Better airflow or air conditioning would make a big difference. The dive boats are comfortable for short rides, though shade is limited. The larger boat used for Verde Island was great.

One unexpected delight was a coconut shake suggested by another guest. It’s just the water and flesh of a young coconut blended with ice, but it was delicious and perfect after diving.

Overall, Casalay is a peaceful spot with a lot of charm. With a few tweaks, it will be a strong option for small groups and photographers who want a quiet base with easy access to Puerto Galera’s reefs and Verde Island.

For a better look at the Casalay Boutique Villas & Dive Resort, check out this video!