Puerto Galera, located on the northern coast of Mindoro Island in the Philippines, is a true gem for divers. The area is renowned for its excellent dive spots, stunning marine biodiversity, and beautiful underwater landscapes. Divers of all levels will find something to captivate their interests, from shallow coral gardens to thrilling drift dives.

Canyons: One of the most popular dive sites in Puerto Galera for experienced divers, the Canyons offer a thrilling drift dive with strong currents. You'll glide past three large underwater canyons teeming with marine life, including trevallies, sweetlips, snappers, and barracudas.

Verde Island: Accessible by a short boat ride from Puerto Galera, Verde Island is known for its 'Drop-off,' a spectacular wall dive that descends over 200 feet. The strong currents here attract a dazzling array of marine life, including batfish, jacks, and reef sharks.

Sabang Wrecks: Comprising three different shipwrecks within recreational diving depth, Sabang Wrecks is perfect for beginners and those interested in wreck diving. Here you can spot lionfish, scorpionfish, boxfish, and during night dives, the elusive blue-ringed octopus.

Dungon Wall: An excellent site for novice divers, Dungon Wall is a gentle sloping reef with a vibrant array of soft and hard corals. Macro photographers will delight in the plethora of nudibranchs, shrimps, and gobies.

Puerto Galera is part of the 'Coral Triangle,' the area with the highest marine biodiversity on Earth. Divers can encounter a staggering variety of fish species, from tiny, colorful reef fish to large pelagics. Batfish, jacks, sweetlips, frogfish, seahorses, and various species of nudibranch are frequent sightings. Larger marine animals like turtles, barracudas, and reef sharks also make regular appearances. The coral life is equally impressive, with hard and soft corals painting the underwater landscape in a spectrum of colors.

Dive conditions in Puerto Galera are generally favorable year-round. The water temperature hovers between 79 to 86°F (26 to 30°C), and visibility often ranges from 30 to 100 feet (10 to 30 meters), although this can vary depending on the weather and tidal movement. Currents range from gentle to strong, providing opportunities for drift dives for experienced divers while also accommodating beginners in sheltered, calm areas.

Scuba diving in Puerto Galera is quite affordable and offers excellent value for money. You can expect to pay around $25 to $40 for a single dive, which typically includes boat transport and equipment rental. PADI Open Water Diver courses tend to cost around $350 to $450, but prices can vary depending on the dive center and the time of year.

While cost considerations are important, they should be balanced with considerations of the dive center's safety record, the professionalism of the staff, and their commitment to environmental sustainability. Enjoy your diving adventures in the underwater paradise of Puerto Galera!