PUERTO GALERA has been blessed with some of the most exciting and rewarding sports diving in the world. The
presence of so many dive shops in the area offering first class equipment and training, coupled with an impressive
range of custom built dive boats, attests to it's popularity, and a large number of seasoned divers are returning
again and again to savour the beauty and challenges offered.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Bottom composition is rock; a lot of the dive sites have a moderate to strong current, encouraging tremendous coral
growth but requiring careful planning and experienced guides in order to be enjoyed safely.
Typical marine life includes Morays, Stingrays, Scorpion and Stonefish, White Tip Sharks, Turtles, Sweet Lips,
Barracuda, Tuna, Octopus, clouds of small Tropical Fish and an excellent variety of Corals.
CORAL GARDEN
Average depth is 30 feet, with the bottom at 60 feet. Situated off Long Beach, this dive features prolific hard and
soft corals, myriads of small fish, cowries, mainly Tiger's, and a host of Nudibranches. A good dive for photographers
with a slight current.
MANILA CHANNEL (N/W Channel)
Depth from 25 to 60 feet, average 40, and home to many Blue Spotted Rays and Moorish Idols.
Also to be found here is the wreck of a 14th Century traiding vessel which apparently caught fire and sank.
Discovered by the divers in 1983, a salvage effort was mounted under the auspices of the National Museum, and as
luck would have it, the hold was full of Ming Dynasty pottery and other valuable artifact, many of which are on
display at local dive shops. There is a moderate current and diving is best attempted on the flood.
BALATEROS
A drop off from 30 to 90 feet, zero current. Apart from lots of Stonefish , a couple of big Angles and plenty of spiky
clams ofthe Spondylidae family, you may be fortunate enough to catch a glimpse of the renowed "Flat Headed
Crocodile Fish" (sic).
BATANGAS CHANNEL (The Hill)
From 25 to 50 feet , The Hill features Stag and Basket Corals, assorted Cowries, Clams, Morays, Lionfish and Angler
(walking) Fish. The current ranges from current to moderate.
BIG LALAGUNA BEACH
10 to 50 feet, this "off the beach" dive sites is used as a training area and a night dive by local divers. Prolific
Corals, Angler Fish (the orange variety), abundant small tropical fish, Morays, Clams and Nudibranches make for
interesting photography. A small drop off from 10 to 35 feet complements the dive, and occasional slight current add
the spice.
SABANG POINT
From 25 to 80 feet, with a small wall from 50 to 80 feet, the point has a slight to moderate currrent. Another
favourite with photographers, expect to see Anglers, Morays, lots of small tropical fish and "Day-Glo" Anemones. S
special feature in the presence of 2 big mushroom shaped domes, a convenient landmark and popular writting
pad.(Think about it..).
MONKEY BEACH
30 to 90 feet with slight to moderate current, there are 2 caves, one at 70 and the other at 90 feet. Plenty of
Stingrays, Surgeon Fish, Leather Jackets and occasional Turtles, plus an abundance of Crinoids, make this one of
the more popular local night dives.
ESCARCEO POINT (LIGHTHOUSE POINT)
Probably the most popular dive site around Puerto, Escarceo features the famous "Shark Cave", plus the host of
other exciting attractions. A diver could spend several weeks in this area alone without exhausting the oppurtunities
available. From 30 to 100 feet, the current here are moderate to severe, flood tide being the time to dive the South
side and the North. Take the tunnel at 35 feet and follow the ridge to the canyons at 80 feet, and you are at the
Shark Cave. Actually 2 caves system, you may expect to find an average of 2 to 3 white tips "home", 9 being the
most seen in both caves at one time. Other legendary critters sighted here about include a giant 20 foot Turtle (oh
come on...Ed.) and "Mythical Mick", the 55 foot Moray who appears briefly on a REEF RAIDERS Video. (This I wanna
see.. Ed). Unfortunately, the video in question is currently in Japan and not available for inspection..
Big Rock is another favourite close by the Shark Cave, starting at 65 feet and plunging to 100, again with a cave at
the bottom which is frequently home to Shark. Lots of Octopus, big Lion Fish, Bat and Angel Fish, good assortment
of reef fish and a huge Fugu (Puffer Fish) are Familiar sights, as are Tuna, Spanish Mackerel, Barracuda, Turtles,
Garoupa and, of course White Tip Shark.
THE BOULDERS
An excellent night dive, starting at around 20 feet and descending to 80. The Boulders is typified by big rocks,
crivices, and caves. A large variety of Nudibranches offer the Macro Photographer excellent subject matter, while
the presence of Lobsters may attract the hungry night diver.
Close by lies the wreck of a war time Japanese ship. Strafed by an American plane late in 1944, the remains are
scattered over the bottom at 135 feet. Painted Sweet Lips, Garoupa, Bats, Stone, Scorpion and Lion Fish are
common down here and 2 Morays are often fed local divers. Very friendly fellows !
Littering the bottom are numerous artifact and REEF RAIDERS has an interesting display of Ordinance recovered from
the area, including bullets from the artifacts and weapon from the ship. Local lore has it does the escaping crew
was massacred by the islandders as they struggled ashore from the sinking ship; whether this is true or not, it
should be realized that this is an extremly hazardous dive and should be undertaken only by very experienced divers
under the close supervision of local experts to avoid the posibility of allowing the wreck to claim more lives.
(to be continued)...
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