Puerto Galera is well-known worldwide as a good diving spot because of its beautiful and astounding marine life. It was my first time going and it was my first time solo traveling. Out of all places I can choose from in the Philippines, particularly near Metro Manila, why I have chosen Puerto Galera? Simple. Arranged transportation, touristy, and I know what I am expecting. For the bonus, location is not too near Metro Manila and their dialect is tagalog. I planned travelling with girl friends but they were not available and my significant other could not come. So, why not going solo? Scary at first, but liberating and exciting until the end.
I booked my transfer going and coming back from Puerto Galera via Klook. If you have a tight visit, this arrangement was not for you since this has a fix 1 schedule per day. I suggest to do-it-yourself so you can manage your time. It would take you 4 hours travel time, 2 hours on bus and another 2 hours on ferry. Since it was a 4-day trip, I grabbed it and my transportation won't be that hassle.
Day 1:
The meet up point specified on Klook for transfer going to Puerto Galera is at Citystate Hotel near Padre Faura St. and Pedro Gil St. Since I was coming from Pasay City, I took the LRT and dropped off on Pedro Gil station. It took me a while to get there. I suggest to ride a jeepney or a bus and take the Padre Faura route. It is nearer at this side. Any way, I went inside the hotel and got my bus tickets with seat number. The bus parked just outside the hotel. This was for Manila to Batangas Pier transfer. A guide was included in the package and can both speak in Filipino and English. If you have concern during the trip or needs anything, you can approach the guide. On Batangas Pier, there was a person who assisted us on boarding the ferry that will take us to Balatero Port on Puerto Galera.
Inside the ferry
At Balatero Port
Originally, I will stay at White Beach the entire time but it was my free days and I have no itinerary, I decided to go beach/resort hopping because why not. By this, I can stay at the beach for one night and stay at another. I can experience the beach the whole day and meet/see new people. This has been the highlight and I am glad I did it.
1st Stop: Sabang Beach
I stayed at Out of the Blue Resort. The staffs were welcoming, the room was clean, the foods at The Verandah was great, and the jacuzzi was so good. Sabang is famous for divers and foreign tourists. Also, its red district. You know what I mean. If you look for beach, Sabang is not for you because the only beach it can offer is the La Laguna Beach. Sadly, I knew this too late so I haven't visited it when I was there. The resort staff said that the sand was good and you can go swim. But I recommend to just go to White Beach if you are looking for that beach. I enjoyed the jacuzzi the whole afternoon as well as in the morning. I swam at the pool before I bathed in the jacuzzi the next morning. It had been a staycation, so relaxing and calming. At night, I bought dinner at a mexican food stand and walked at the bay while people watching. The thing that I can say is "I am surrounded by foreigners".
View at my window
My late lunch
Breakfact included at the accomodation
Good-bye lunch
Bay Walk
Boats seen at the Bay
The Verandah
Front of the resort
Myself enjoying the pool
The jacuzzi at my room
2nd Stop: Aninuan Beach
I went to Tamaraw Beach Resort at noon. Not expecting anything, I never thought I will be mesmerized while walking at the stretch of the beach. By the way, the main transportation I took was tricycle. I will do my best to breakdown my expences during the whole trip before I end this blog. Going back, the view anywhere was great. I was happy I walked end to end of Aninuan Beach. My room was dreamy. I can hear the waves of the beach from my room. I also had a beach view. It was really relaxing. The beach front was private and there was a restaurant at the resort. I enjoyed the pool even though it was deep. The foods were good but not that great. The room was clean but there are ants somewhere. But I enjoyed my stay because of the beach! The resort looks classy though.
Beach front
Pool area and the restaurant
Beach front
At the end of the beach
Seeing Baclayan Windmill
Photo of me at sunset
Foot prints
A dog relaxing
Beautiful sunset
View from the balcony
View from the window
Resort's lobby
Day 3: White Beach
Same as before, I checked out at noon and rode a free shuttle going to White Beach. Tamaraw Beach Resort offers free shuttle ride going and coming back to Balatero Port. Inform them the time you want to go and they can arrange the transfer for you. I arrived at the Dreamwave Beach Resort early because their check in time was 2pm. I stayed at their lobby for the meantime and wait. While waiting, I decided to take the inland tour. It was pricey but I enjoyed the whole tour. Kuya Chris was jolly and he had stories to tell. The same person who I contacted for my transfer going back to Balatero Port to came back home. The room was not spacious enough, sadly, and the comfort room was too tight that I could not even change my clothes in there. I think I spent too much for that accomodation just for sleeping and changing clothes. But the location was beach front and along the restaurant and bars. Good enough though over-all. The staffs are accommodating and friendly. The room was clean and home-y!
Beach front
For the inland tour, we went to 5 destinations in 3 hours. I did not stay that long because I want to see the sunset at the White Beach. Unfortunately, it can only be seen at the Aninuan Beach. I am really glad I stayed there.
At Mangrove Conservation and Ecotourism
Tamaraw Falls
Tamaraw Falls
Tamaraw Falls
Tamaraw Falls
View Point
Aplayang Munti
Muelle Cultural Heritage Park
Muelle Cultural Heritage Park
After the tour, I ate shawarma and I was disappointed at the taste. Any way, I changed clothes and swam at the beach. The shore was white sand but at the ocean floor, it was pebbled. I swam a bit short because it was getting dark and the waves were getting bigger. I walked along the shore of White Beach and checked the restaurants and bar. The night was so alive and the beach was calming. I loved the energy of the people. The burger I ate was good. I liked it. I also bought melon-mango shake. It was a weird combo but it was refreshing. There were fire dancers and a comedy bar nearby. At my room, I prepared my things and packed my bag because I need to wake up early. My schedule going home was in the morning.
Good bye Puerto Galera. This is one of those memories that I will not forget. Hopeful to come back soon!
As promised, below is the breakdown of my expenses.
Transportation:
Klook roundtrip transfer from Manila to Balatero Port and vice versa - Php2640.2 (inclusive of 3% discount)
Day 1 tricycle (Balatero Port to Sabang) - Php200
Day 2 tricycle (Sabang to Aninuan) - Php400
Day 4 tricycle (White Beach to Balatero Port) - Php200
Accomodations booked at Agoda:
Out of the Blue Resort with breakfast - Php7140
Tamaraw Beach Resort with breakfast - Php3327.87
Dreamwave Beach Resort - Php2231.25
Inland Tour - Php1500
Kuya Chris contact info: 09061942661
Foods and Drinks:
Day 1 at Sabang: lunch at The Verandah - Php565, dinner at Mexican Food Stall (borrito+dark chocolate shake) - Php649
Day 2 at Sabang: lunch at The Verandah - Php445
Day 2 at Aninuan: drinks (mango shake) - Php120, dinner (tapsilog) - Php240
Day 3 at White Beach: afternoon snack (shawarma) - Php90, dinner (burger+fries+drinks) - Php290, drinks (melon-mango shake) - Php130, 1L bottled water - Php50
Day 4 at White Beach: breakfast (tapsilog+bottled water at chooks-to-go) - Php199
Fees:
Terminal fee at Batangas Port - Php30
Environmental fee at Balatero Port - Php120
Terminal fee at Balatero Port (coming back c/o Klook) - Php10
