Nestled along the breathtaking shores of Puerto Galera in the Philippines lies a diver’s paradise, offering a myriad of captivating dive sites waiting to be explored. From vibrant coral reefs teeming with colorful marine life to exhilarating muck diving adventures uncovering hidden treasures, Puerto Galera has something to offer every underwater enthusiast.
The followings are some of the well-known dive sites in the area where you might not want to miss when you go diving there.
The Canyons
Located in Puerto Galera, one of the Philippines’ top-rated diving destinations, this dive site is a thrilling paradise for experienced divers seeking adrenaline-pumping adventures. Known as a signature dive spot of the area and listed among the top 50 dives globally, it comes alive during strong currents, offering an exhilarating drift dive experience.
Divers are treated to three distinct canyons adorned with vibrant soft corals and sponges, creating a picturesque underwater landscape. These canyons not only provide a stunning backdrop but also offer respite from the swift currents, allowing divers to explore the diverse marine life at a more leisurely pace.
Among the mesmerizing creatures encountered here are schools of trevally, tuna, barracuda, jacks, snapper, emperors, sweetlips, batfish, and occasional sharks. Delicate soft corals in hues of pink, purple, and orange adorn the reef, complemented by swaying sea fans and hidden gems like pygmy seahorses.
As divers navigate through the canyons, they may come across an old anchor embedded in the coral, serving as a gathering point before embarking on a blue water ascent. Keep an eye out for spotted eagle rays and tuna in the distance, adding to the excitement of the dive.
This site is best enjoyed during an incoming tide, ensuring a jaw-dropping and memorable experience for those seeking the ultimate underwater adventure. However, it’s worth noting that this dive is tailored for experienced divers due to its depth and challenging currents, making it a must-visit for thrill-seekers and diving enthusiasts alike.
Max depth: 30 m.
Kilima Steps
Explore a captivating dive site with gentle sloping reefs, small walls, and varying contours, offering a multi-level dive profile. Adorned with vibrant hard and soft corals, branching corals, basket sponges, and gorgonian seafans, this area is a paradise for marine life enthusiasts.
Spot a plethora of fish species such as red-toothed triggers, anthias, pallet surgeonfish, butterflyfish, angelfish, wrasses, parrotfish, triggerfish, damsels, groupers, and the iconic Palette Surgeon Fish (Dori from “Finding Nemo”). While drifting along the walls, keep an eye out for banded sea snakes, octopus, and other fascinating aquatic creatures.
This dive site is renowned for its beautiful stepped topography and the chance to encounter the majestic thresher shark. Even if the sharks are elusive, you can still discover many tropical reef fish and nudibranch species, completing an unforgettable underwater adventure.
Max depth: 24 m.
The Giant Clams
Located in the Philippines, this dive site is renowned for its spectacular muck diving experience. It boasts about 25 giant clams nestled in 5 meters of water, surrounded by a reef that slopes down to a sandy area. One of the highlights of this dive is the presence of numerous towering 2-meter-high basket sponges spread around the area.
Divers exploring this site can also encounter a variety of fascinating creatures, including seahorses, mimic octopus, thorny seahorses, ornate ghost pipefish, dragon sea moths, Hairy frogfish, wunderpus, harlequin shrimp, blue ring octopus, and the flamboyant cuttlefish. This underwater macro playground promises an unforgettable encounter with unique marine life.
Scuba diving is permitted in the area with large giant clams after 4 pm. Before that time, only general tourists can snorkel. You can start scuba diving outside the area before 4 pm and end it in the area after 4 pm.
Max depth: 15 m.
Boat Yard or Secret Bay
This dive site near the Giant Clams is ideal for muck diving enthusiasts, offering opportunities to spot pipefish, seahorses, shrimp, frogfish, velvet ghost pipefish, cuttlefish, nudibranch, and other macro critters.
Max depth: 20m.
Montani Bay
This dive site is a hidden gem waiting to be explored by divers seeking a unique experience. It’s a muck diving spot offering visibility from 5 to 15 meters, perfect for macro enthusiasts. Protected from currents and with maximum depth of around 18 meters, it’s suitable for divers of all levels, from beginners to experts, and for sunset or night dives as well as day dives.
The sandy bottom, adorned with sea grass, hosts a variety of marine life such as nudibranches, shrimp, crabs, seahorses, and unusual sea slugs, frogfish, pipefish, and scorpionfish. What sets Montani apart are its rare residents like the wonderpus, blue-ringed octopus, and flamboyant cuttlefish, making it a photographer’s paradise.
Max depth: 18m.
Dive into the crystal-clear waters of Puerto Galera and discover a world brimming with wonders, from gentle sloping reefs adorned with hard and soft corals to exhilarating encounters with majestic creatures like thresher sharks and rare marine species. With its diverse range of dive sites catering to all levels of experience, Puerto Galera stands as a premier destination for unforgettable underwater adventures.