Puerto Galera has a beach or a cove for everybody - divers, beach lovers, families, backpackers, hippies, drinkers, hustlers, deadbeats... Always friendly, informal and unpretentious. Its lagoon-like harbour has protected ships from the fiercest typhoons since historical times.The first Europeans landed there in 1570 on their way to Manila from the southern Philippines in the historical Legazpi/Goiti/Salcedo expedition. As can be seen from the satellite image under, Puerto Galera has many coves and inlets separated by palm covered hills.
Puerto Galera is nestled between tall, forested mountains on its back - mostly inaccessible to anybody but experienced hikers - and the blue and often rough Verde Island passage on its front. Puerto Galera town, with small shops, eating places, school, hospital, church etc, is the administrative center, however Sabang Beach (half an hour's walk away) also has many commercial establishments and is Puerto Galera's night strip. The Sikat ferry lands in Puerto Galera, while the Sabang Princess and smaller bankas land in Sabang or neighbouring beaches. Puerto Galera is not very big and moving around is easy and inexpensive (the image above is seven kilometers across). Just get on your sneakers and slide the backpack on - you'll easily find a place that will suit you well!
