Puerto Galera has always been magical and intriguing. While most people prefer the famous beaches of Boracay, Cebu, Siquijor, Bohol, among others, I have always preferred Puerto Galera for its home on a beach atmosphere.
Choices Choices ....
Most Families prefer to stay in Sabang Beach adjacent to the Puerto Galera Yacht Club. There are decent hotels there and the night life is much modest. Outdoor activities for kids and the family are also available from snorkelling, island hopping, banana boats, and paragliding, among others.
For the party animal, you may want to check out White Beach where the night life goes from fun to wild, with unending overflowing booze. There are various makeshift stages available for the beach’s regular performers – impersonators, fire dancers, you name it. The same outdoor activities are also available in White Beach.
How to get there...
Puerto Galera is located at the northern part of the island of Mindoro. To get there, you will need to ride any bus going to Batangas Pier. Most of these bus stations can be found in Kamuning/Kamias, Quezon City and in Sen. Gil Puyat (Buendia) and those along the Taft Avenue – Sen. Gil Puyat Intersection. Some of these bus stations are open at around 4am so if you plan to catch the first bus to Batangas Pier, you may just wait at the station while snacking on almost any food item being sold there. To be safe, prepare Php 250 for the bus ride.
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| Map courtesy of Lakbay Pilipinas |
The bus ride to Batangas Pier normally takes about two hours or more depending on the traffic along South Super Highway and South Luzon Expressway. Upon getting off at Batangas Pier, you will be greeted by people offering banca rides going to either White Beach or Sabang Beach, although, there are booths at the pier dedicated to selling tickets. You have the option of getting a single journey ticket though I suggest that you get a roundtrip ticket so you won’t have to concern yourself of the schedules going back to Batangas Pier from the beach. Normally, a roundtrip ticket costs around Php 500+ excluding certain fees that are to be paid at the pier. I always prefer riding bancas operated by Bryan or Blue Penguin because their operators are more careful in maneuvering their water crafts.
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| Bancas racing with each other |
Welcome to White Beach
After 30 minutes to an less than an hour of banca ride, you will be greeted by several people offering accommodations the soonest that you get to the beach. On peak seasons (March to June), accommodations range from Php 3,000 up while on most times, you can only pay Php 1,000 to 1,500 per room per night. One room can accommodate up to 4 people. It’s fully air-conditioned, with clean toilet and bath, two beds and a cable ready television. For most White Beach regulars like myself, we make reservations in advance with our local contact.
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| Bancas docked along White Beach |
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| A typical accommodation at White Beach |
Galera Gastronomy
One does not need to worry about food when in White Beach. While almost all known grilled seafood is available all throughout the day, there are other choices ranging from Filipino, Italian and American cuisine. Galera has indeed become a melting pot of flavours as the locals have incorporated seafood into almost every known dish. Meals normally cost Php 100, all served with rice.
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| A typical barbecue and rice combination |
A personal favorite of mine is an Italian Restaurant called Pizzeria situated near the rock formations. Ask for anything Italian and they have it, and in super size servings.
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| Wet but hungry.. it doesn't matter. Pizzeria accommodates everyone! |
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| Now THIS is PIZZA! |
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| Finishing this is another story... |
Galera Nightlife
When in White Beach, expect the unexpected. Nonetheless, fun, fun and more fun is always on every inch of the shore, in fact, too much fun that on peak seasons, one must be careful in treading the sand, as most people tend to camp out. Tables are set along the shore and boom boxes outmatch each other hoping to draw more crowd.
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| Almost evening. White Beach prepares for it's transformation. |
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| Candles offer a romantic touch to an otherwise ordinary evening at Pizzeria |
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| Fun fun fun with friends |
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| and the fun continues... |
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The night is still young
Aside from the usual serving of food and booze, what makes White Beach more interesting is the parade of performers in all their glamor and glory. Most of these performers have regular day jobs, some waiters/waitresses in the same establishments where they perform and yet, they have perfectly choreographed dance routines. Most are great singers too. But for some, a great impersonation of a popular singer or character while lip-synching to a popular track is a crowd pleaser. Comic antics are normally incorporated in these routines. |
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| The crowd pleaser... (though this doesn't look much like a banana to me) |
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| Definitely NOT for the faint of heart |
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| Braving winds and the hot Galera sun, island hopping comes in different packages |
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| Sceneries from island hopping |
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| Sceneries from island hopping |
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| The Sand Bar, one of the destinations of every island hopping package |
Try waking up at around 6 or 7 in the morning and walk along the beach. The sunrise and the breeze alone is enough to make you fall in love. I have a favorite spot where I normally sit down and watch the sunrise.
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| White Beach on very early mornings |
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| White Beach on very early mornings |
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| These rocks can be very challenging |
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Leave those slippers and walk along the beach
Some would trade off their hotels for a nice tent |
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