Puerto Galera draws divers with an exceptional variety of site types packed into a compact area: deep walls and drift-charged canyons for advanced divers sit alongside shallow muck beds and beginner-friendly reefs. The macro life is the defining draw, with Giant Frogfish, Ornate Ghostpipefish, Peacock Mantis Shrimp and a remarkable diversity of nudibranch species observed across sites. Conditions shift noticeably through the year, with calmer, clearer periods favoured by most visiting divers. The Talipanan sub-area adds further variety to an already broad site roster.
Monthly water temperature across Puerto Galera's sites, from satellite sea-surface data corrected for depth. The band shows the site-to-site spread.
Water stays warm throughout the year, rising to its peak through the mid-year months and settling slightly cooler toward February and March. The best diving conditions cluster from late autumn through spring, with July and August seeing notably fewer diver visits, likely reflecting rougher surface conditions during that period. Drift sites such as The Canyons and Washing Machine become more demanding when currents run strong, so conditions should be checked dive by dive.
41 operators
46 more sites to explore
1 areas
Water temperature around Puerto Galera ranges from about 26°C in February to 30°C in June, based on satellite sea-temperature data for its dive sites.
In the warm season (about 30°C) a rash guard or 3mm shorty is comfortable in Puerto Galera; in the coldest months (about 26°C) step up to a 3mm full suit.
Fin maps 58 sites in Puerto Galera (55 scuba diving sites and 6 snorkelling spots, with some suited to both).
Puerto Galera is particularly strong for macro subjects. Giant Frogfish, Chromodoris Nudibranch, Nembrotha Nudibranch, Sea Krait, Ornate Ghostpipefish and Peacock Mantis Shrimp are all frequently observed across sites. Ribbon Eel, Day Octopus, Spotfin Lionfish, Snake Eel and Harlequin Sweetlips round out a diverse cast that rewards patient, observant divers.
Yes, several sites are rated for beginners. Small La Laguna, Tamaraw Reef, Giant Clam and The Seagrass all offer shallow, accessible diving with gentle conditions. That said, advanced drift sites such as Hibo Reef, The Canyons and Washing Machine require solid buoyancy and current experience, so the area truly caters to the full range of skill levels.
The majority of sites require boat access, which is the norm across Puerto Galera. A handful of sites, including Tamaraw Reef, Giant Clam and Deluna House Reef, can also be reached from shore, offering flexibility for those who prefer to skip the boat ride. Operators such as Scandi Divers Resort, El Galleon/Asia Divers Resort and Action Divers organise regular boat trips to the wider site roster.
Puerto Galera offers a notably broad mix. Deep walls and multi-canyon drift dives at sites like Hibo Reef and The Canyons contrast sharply with the shallow seagrass and muck environments of The Seagrass and Giant Clam. Malajibomanoc Island adds artificial reef structure alongside natural reef, while Shark Cave provides a cave and wall combination. This range means successive dives can feel quite different even when sites are close together.
