Things to do in Puerto Galera
Apart from relaxing on the beach and basking in the sun, there are lots of activities and adventures in store for you in Puerto Galera. Within a short distance from Puerto Galera, you can visit many interesting places such as Tamaraw Falls, the Mangyan Villages, and Tukuran Falls. Maybe you can spend the afternoon playing golf at the Ponderosa Golf Club 1,700 feet above sea level or sail to other nearby Islands. It’s really an adventure-seeker’s paradise!
Mangyan Village
The Mangyans are the original inhabitants of Mindoro. They are very nomadic, and they try to avoid outside influences as much as possible. As the years went by, they gradually moved away from other settlers; thus, whereas they used to live by the sea, now they have settled in mountainous areas. You need a guide to visit their village so that you will be given a warm welcome. The Mangyans are very shy, so make sure you have been given permission to take photos before firing away.
Verde Island Dive Safari
Verde Island, Batangas is the epicenter of the World’s Marine Biodiversity. Verde Island lies between Mindoro Island and the main island of Luzon. The actual passage way is called Verde Island Passage. It has been declared by the Philippine Tourism Authority as one of the country’s marine reserves. The eponymous Verde Island, located right in the center of the strait, is one of the best diving places in the Philippines due to its pristine clear waters and nice under water view. Daily trips for scuba divers are made from Puerto Galera. Sites such as in Puerto Galera offers diving for all types of people from amateur to professional divers. the diving depth is very deep.
A team of marine conservationists declared in 2006 that the Philippines is the Center of Marine Biodiversity in the world and Verde Island Passage as the “Center of the Center of Marine Shorefish Biodiversity”.
Many threatened species which include sea turtles like hawksbills, olive ridleys, and green turtles; humphead wrasses, giant groupers and giant clams are present in the Verde Island Passage.
Bulabod Beach, Puerto Galera
Want a worry-free trip? Allow Mermaid Resort to take care of all the details. Go swimming or sun-bathing at one of the undisturbed beaches in Puerto Galera. We’ll take care of arranging your tour boat trip and your beach barbecue with cold beers and soft drinks.
Bulabod Beach is just a short strip of pebbled beach with crystal clear water. It is very near to a spring, plus a stream that meets the sea. On the beach there are few small huts for shade and available for rent at a very cheap price and also there are available barbecue grills for rent. This beach is ideal if you want less tourists on the beach since it is far from the crowded White Beach.
White Beach, Puerto Galera
White Beach remains popular with local travelers. The beach is filled with people, relaxing, walking to and from, sunbathing, playing volleyball, riding jet skis and banana boats. From March to May the beach is full of tourists especially local travellers from the nearest cities, Manila and Makati. The beach also have shows like beach concerts, bikini open competition, mixed martial arts competition and almost every night there are fire dancers everywhere. There are lots of water sports to choose from, jet ski rides, banana boat rides, parasailing, different water rides and activities. It is however not a good location for diving.
Night Life, Puerto Galera
Enjoy the exciting Sabang night life in a tropical atmosphere. Sabang’s night life district offers discos, pubs, pool bars, and exotic dance bars. Mermaid Resort also has an exclusive restaurant and cocktail bar as well as the cosy cafe at the Mermaid Dive Center.
Tamaraw Falls
Tamaraw Falls is about 10 kilometers outside Puerto Galera. Here you can enjoy a picnic in the scenic area and take a refreshing swim in the natural swimming pool. Nearby you can find Villaflor, a nice sandy beach ensconced in a fishing village.
Tamaraw Falls is truly a masterpiece of nature. It is a 423-foot series of differently shaped and sized waterfall flowing downwards then finally combining each drop into a single cascade creating a pool at the foot of it. Thick trees and foliage around the mountain where the water is flowing. The water then flows downwards under and to the other side of the bridge where it is collected in a man made pool where everyone can take a dip.
Ponderosa Golf Course
This is a one-of-a-kind 9-hole golf course situated on a 2,000-feet high mountain. Whether you’re a golf aficionado or a first-time golfer, you shouldn’t pass up the opportunity to play amidst the breathtaking panoramic view of the entire Puerto Galera cove and its surrounding islands. All golf equipment can be rented and the green fee is more than reasonable.
The Ponderosa Golf Club is just 20 minutes out of the town proper and spectacularly perched on a mountainside overlooking Puerto Galera 2,000 feet above sea level. Essentially it is a 9 hole par 3 course with attitude and a compelling experience enjoyed by both serious and fun golfers alike.
Most 9 hole par 3 courses are not really worth the effort for any serious golfer worth their salt, but Ponderosa is the exception to the rule. There may be no long drives down tree-lined fairways, but Ponderosa offers a serious challenge to any golfer’s short game with verdant jungle pushing in on all sides and sweeping panorama over the beaches and bays of Puerto Galera, across the Verde Island Passage and the surrounding islands all the way to the mountains and rim of Taal volcano on Luzon.
The greens and fairways are maintained in surprisingly good condition considering the location and environment. Clubs and very resourceful caddies are available at the Clubhouse, as well as a good selection of new and used balls – sound advice is to take more than you think you might need!
If golf is not your thing then a trip up to the Clubhouse just to sit back and enjoy the spectacular views and take a welcome respite from the summer heat and humidity down below is well worth the effort. Ponderosa is swept by cool sea breezes year-round and is also a popular destination for hikers, bird-watchers and mountain biking enthusiasts.