El Galleon Dive Resort, Puerto Galera

Top dive resort in Puerto Galera. There are many room categories and I stayed in a poolview room, which is simple and nice. The resort is located away from the hustle and bustle of Sabang town but close enough if you want to explore a little. The resort has lots of greenery and it feels like you are in a tropical rainforest. Their dive shop is called Asia Divers and are the only ones with a dock. The dock is massive and there are lots of space to gear up and hang your gear to dry. Getting on and off the boats are also the easiest. The camera room is located under the bar and have a dozen or so stations. The restaurant is large and serves great food and there is a massive wine fridge for wine enthusiasts. One of the best things about diving with Asia Divers is that they give you a warm wet face towel right as you get back on the boat to wipe the salt water off your face after a dive. It is a small and easy gesture, but it makes a huge difference!

Stayed for a week in June 2109 with the wife. We made our way to the island via bus and ferry on our own after a few days in Manila. This was substantially cheaper than the resort price but we've traveled for years on our own so it was not a big deal without the hand holding. If you are coming directly from the airport in Manila the resort scheduled transit to the resort would probably make sense. We were picked up from the ferry dock by boat as pre-scheduled for the trip to the resort. June is low season so not many persons at the resort during our stay. Nice room, clean, 2nd floor with large bathroom and all necessary amenities. 3 meals a day, all food good with varied selections off-menu. Diving excellent with good divemasters. most trips within 15-20 minutes max from the resort. A good variety of fish and corals and other sea life. Most of the divers on the boat were interested in macro photography.We also took a day trip to Verde Island which was a part of our package. You MUST go to Verde Island. We were the only people on the boat (again slow season). The weather cooperated with no rain during dive times. Good happy hour, San Miguel beer, tropical drinks... 5-minute walk to town. Bulk water available there and refills (bring your own bottle) also had laundry done (wash and fold, a good deal) in a town near the end of the week as we were moving on to Singapore. Resort much better looking and location than Atlantis in town.The diving was very much worth the trip. Diving previously mainly in the Caribbean the coral life if very different (more and more beautiful) fish life very abundant, rays, eels, turtles, sea horses, frogfish, octopus, lionfish .... more clownfish and anemone varieties than you can count, giant clams, nudibranchs. the macro photography divers (locals?) were very helpful in pointing things out along with divemasters when we were around them. Most dives <60 ft/20m so long bottom times. We always were under a minimum of 60 minutes.Puerto Galera is a good spot for diving, close to Manila for serious (eat sleep dive) divers. I would definitely recommend El Galleon as the place to stay while there.

I booked an all-inclusive trip to El Galleon. I was met at the ferry dock by resort staff, who took my bags and led me on a short walk across the beach to the resort. I was given a welcome drink, checked in, and was taken to my room. After getting settled, I went to the on-site dive shop, Asia Divers, and checked in for diving starting the next day. They filled me in on all the procedures and the diving schedule. Meals are served at Arthur's beachfront restaurant where all meals are prepared to order from an extensive menu. There is a beautiful pool and two bars. All of the staff is super helpful and friendly.Asia Divers offers 4 dives a day, with some night dives. Puerto Galera has very diverse diving and Asia Divers gives you a taste of everything. Their boats get you to the dive sites with ease. Their emphasis is on safety and the enjoyment of their customers.Bottom line: This is a very comfortable resort right on the beach. Spacious, comfortable, clean rooms are welcoming when returning from your dives. The food was delicious and the portions large. Asia Divers is a professional, experienced dive operation. I was very satisfied and would return again.

Blue Water Travel booked two of us for an 8 night stay at the El Galleon Resort and for diving at the associated Asia Divers in April 2014. We asked to stay in the budget accommodations at the El Galleon, and we found them comfortable, accessible, and a good value for our money. We had breakfast included in our package, and that was helpful. It was a nice buffet breakfast offered before the morning dives began with Asia Divers. For lunch and dinner, we sampled a variety of restaurants around the resort area.I found the overall value of this package (lodging at El Galleon, diving with Asia Divers) outstanding. The marine life in Puerto Galera offers a great sampling of the diversity found in the Philippines, and it's easily accessible following a flight into Manila. Although Anilao offers greater macro opportunities, Puerto Galera offers more diversity, comfort, and accessibility.

This is (IMHO) valet diving at it's Best ! It is a fairly large operation running 6-8 boats (Bankas) at a time. Dive sites are rotated and changed smoothly and efficiently. There is a large board showing when and where your dives are that changes daily. The dive staff is always alert and attentive. These guys bust their butts attending to details , like how you like your camera gear (other stuff too ) handed to you and stored(with or without lens cap, etc.). Getting you in and out of the boats is as easy as humanly possible. The dive deck is the best organized and easiest to get on and off I have ever experienced. Ample dive staff to assist with anything you could possibly need. Andy , part owner and "Genius engineer' type guy fixes anything and everything happily and well. The layout is perfect ! Very close to your rooms and the dedicated camera room. On site dive shop. You can see the dive deck from the resort so it's not easy to miss a dive if you are out and about (easy walking distance too). The dives guides are excellent and so is the marine life. Hairy frogfish, electric clams, mantis shrimp, ghost pipefish, giant clams. tiny cuddlefish and much more. This was my first photo experience and I can't think how they could have made it any easier. I never felt pushed or hurried. The staff ALL know your name early in the week. I don't know how, but they do. Also, they seem to catch on pretty quickly to how You like things too ! That includes management, housekeeping, food service and the bar staff. The food was excellent. Anton is a very French chef who makes the best pastries ever ! Plenty of fresh fruit and someone is always around when you want something. The resort is on the water, but Alan, the owner has a clear understanding with the vendors . You can sit outside and enjoy yourself without being bombarded by people constantly hawking their wares at you. There are some very cool handmade baskets available on the beach though. I went in early April and it was HOT ! My room did have good a/c and was comfortable. It is not a luxury facility but it is perfect for divers. I was able to book massages every day. The front desk will help with everything from massage to money exchanges. I highly recommend El Galleon. It is the most personable and well run dive resort I have ever been to.

El Galleon Resort is centrally located in Small La Laguna beach. It is a basic resort with simple rooms and a decent restaurant. Hospitality is simple but honest and warm. People start to know your name after a day or two. Prices for both accommodation and food are very reasonable. Overall, a good pleasant place to park yourself for a diving vacation, and great value.El Galleon is affiliated with Asia Divers (on the property) for recreational diving and Tech Asia (5 min walk) for technical diving. I have not dove with Asia Divers before but reviews I have heard are generally very positive. I have been diving with Tech Asia since 2005 and they run an excellent operation and are great people too.The bar at El Galleon is called The Point. It's a nice and relaxing place to watch the sunset, have a few drinks, and hang out after a great day of diving.I would characterize the diving as 7/10 for recreational diving and 9/10 for technical diving. Recreational diving is definitely very good, with healthy critters and flora, BUT Anilao is just 1 hour away by boat and Anilao is a 10/10 for recreational diving. Technical diving, on the other hand, is excellent, especially with Tech Asia. The underwater topography is such that great depths can be reached just minutes off shore. The deep reefs get much fewer visitors and are pristine. Rent a scooter and get a guide from Tech Asia and they'll take you to some spectacular sites.I generally prefer staying at Small La Laguna beach rather than in Sabang beach because it is a quieter and more secluded. Sabang is a big party town so don't expect much peace and quiet there. The walk is only 5-10 min, so El Galleon has the best of both worlds, in my view.If you are in the area, make a point to stop by Capt'n Gregg's in Sabang town for a hearty meal.