In Puerto Galera, reef-building corals occur in shallow water, ranging from the surface down to depths between 3 and 40 meters. Not only do they provide home for the many reef fish, but also they are of vital importance of the local population. Reefs protect the coast from typhoons by acting as a wave breaker. In addition, coral reefs in Puerto Galera are a major attraction for divers from all over the world

The 5km foreshore of world-class dive sites are a protected area and marine sanctuary. Visibility varies from 10m to 30m and sometime even better depending on the temperature, current strength and wind direction. Due to the depth and currents in the Verde Island Passage, waters of Puerto Galera are clear and inhabit a vast amount of various forms of marine life. Making Puerto Galera one of the most exiting dive sites in the Philippines and attracting travelers from all continents.

The best diving conditions are usually from April to September as water temperature reaches 29°C, the seas are at their calmest and visibility is at its clearest. In December, water temperature can drop to as low as 22°C on the deeper dives due to thermoclines caused by upwelling of clear, cooler water. However, conditions remain good enough for year round diving. Typhoon season is usually from end of July until end of November resulting in winds, rain and choppy seas but there are enough sheltered areas in Puerto Galera accessible to dive.

Renowned for its natural beauty and diversity of marine life and environments Puerto Galera was designated a Man and Biosphere Reserve of UNESCO as far back as 1973. More recently Puerto Galera was awarded by UNESCO and received high ranking in the list of most beautiful bays in the world. Puerto Galera offers over 30 unique dive sites for divers of all levels from beginner to experienced and technical divers. Most of the divesites are located near the town of Sabang. Approximately 10 to 15 minutes by boat from White Beach.

There are sites for all levels of diving ability – from beginner to advanced, experienced divers through to deeper sites suitable for technical and trimix. Day trip can be organized to some of the outer islands such as Verde, Chicken Feather, Maricaban Islands. These sites offer spectacular reef walls and pinnacles.

1. Shark Cave (25 minutes boat ride)
A large overhang, known to be the favorite resting place of white tip sharks during daytime.
Maximum Depth : 30 m | Skill Level : Advance
What to see : Barracudas, jacks, trevally, hammerhead, white tip reef sharks, Sting Rays

2. Lalaguna Bay (20 minutes boat ride)
Usually clam with a gentle current. Visibility can reach 20m.
Maximum Depth : 15m | Skill Level : Novice & Above
What to see : lots of small reef fish, nudibranchs and colorful crinoids.

3. Hole In The Wall (23 minutes boat ride)
The Hole is about 1½m/5' wide covered with multi-coloured sponges and crinoids.
Maximum Depth : 25m | Skill Level : Novice & Above
What to see : Parrotfish, Pennan fish, Moorish idols, snappers, trumpetfish, sweetlips, and more,,,

4. Odie's Ding Dingl (12 minutes boat ride)
This is an 8m/25' high wall located off Manila Channel.
Maximum Depth : 36 m | Skill Level : Novice & Above
What to see : Blue-triggerfish , banded sea snakes, giant clams, angelfish, trumpetfish.

5. West Escarceo (23 minutes boat ride)
This site is well known among underwater photographers. Recommended to all levels.
Maximum Depth : 27 m | Skill Level : Novice & Above
What to see : Massive table corals, blue & yellow sea squirts, feather duster worms,

6. Sabang Wreck (22 minutes boat ride)
It is excellent place to study the many gobie & shrimp relationships. Great site for fish feeding.
Maximum Depth : 25 m | Skill Level : Novice & Above
What to see : batfish, large surgeonfish, many eels, large lionfish, damsels, trumpets

7. The Canyons (24 minutes boat ride)
This site is popular among divers who wants underwater action. Excellent for Nitrox Dive
Maximum Depth : 35 m | Skill Level : Advance
What to see : Large schools of snapper, emperors, sweetlips, barracudas, jacks, trevally

8. Sinandigan Wall (35 minutes boat ride)
The best site to see different species of " nudibranchophiles"
Maximum Depth : 35 m | Skill Level : Advance
What to see : Tuna, Jacks, snappers , barracuda, sharks, cuttlefis

9.Sabang Bay (22 minutes boat ride)
A ridge rising to 5m/15' is covered with more crinoids that are colourful and corals.
Maximum Depth : 24 m | Skill Level : Novice & Above
What to see : Stony corals, soft corals, unusual invertebrates ex. large cuttlefish & octopus

10. Verde Island (45 minutes boat ride)
Requires a good guide and some experience of current diving. Made at slack tide it is an easy dive.
Maximum Depth : 80 m | Skill Level : Advance
What to see : Banded sea snakes, Regal Fish, nudibranch, soft corals

11. St. Christopher (20 minutes boat ride) 18m - 22m
Hull of a cargo boat that was sunk to create an artificial reef. The wreck has become the home for juvenile snappers, batfish and other reef fish. Fantastic colored feather stars and sponges cover parts of the wreck and surrounding areas.

12. M/V Almajane Wreck (20 minutes boat ride) 30m Max
A Philippine cargo vessel that was sunk in 2003 to create artificial reef. Before sinking the boat all dangerous obstacles were removed, therefore is great for wreck, night, deep and nitrox specialties.

13. Small To Big La Laguna (21 minutes boat ride) 3m - 18m
A coral reef that is great for drift diving at ebb tide. In shallow parts of the site staghorn corals and abundance of fish species.

14. Sabang Point (22 minutes boat ride) 5m - 21m
A rocky healthy reef that starts shallow and goes down to area with many hard and soft corals. The healthy reef is abundant with fish life, including parrotfish, sweetlips, small snapper, shoals of anthias and surgeonfish. Turtles and cuttlefish are also commonly spotted.

15. Monkey Beach (22 minutes boat ride) 3m - 18m
Coral reef that starts shallow and slopes down to a sandy bottom. Large coral outcrops are covered with Christmas Tree tube worms. Plate corals are teeming with small tropical reef fish and soft corals are also abundant at this site.

16. Ernie’s Cave (23 minutes boat ride) 3m - 30m
Large rocky coral formations start at 3m and goes to 30m. At 21m there is a small cave. Ernie was a large grouper who used to live in the cave, but unfortunately he left the cave. Many fish school above this site, which make it well worth diving.

17. Dugon Wall (23 minutes boat ride) 3m - 27m
An easy, multilevel dive with drop offs. A wall starts at 12m and slopes off to 24m. Lot of good soft corals, colorful crinoids, most reef fish and the occasional tuna.

18. Pink Wall (24 minutes boat ride) 5m - 12m
A shallow reef, which contains a small wall. Part of the wall appears to be pink do to tree corals growing on it. This is one of the more popular night dives in the area. There are many smaller fish here to provide food for the predators. Trumpetfish, stonefish, lionfish and moray eels all patrol the area.

19. The Atoll (25 minutes boat ride) 18m - 30m
Submerged rock that is covered by soft corals, sponges and sea fans. Moray eels, lionfish, scorpionfish and octopus can be seen in this site. Usually blue triggerfish hover above the rock and duck into holes at the slightest sign of danger.

20. Fish Bowl (24 minutes boat ride) 24m – 40m
The rocky reef top is covered with long whip corals and soft tree corals. It drops off to a sandy bottom in deep water. In the bowl you may see white tip reef sharks, sweetlips and rainbow runners.

21. Horse Head Reef (26 minutes boat ride) 35m – 50m
The reef covers a very large area with an average depth of about 35m. The site take its name from one of the rock formations that resembles a horse’s head but there are other numerous rock formations that make the topography of the site really interesting.

22. The Steps (26 minutes boat ride) 5m – 30m
A series of reefs, small walls and varying contours that range in depth from 30m to the shallow water in 5m. The Steps is a great site for multilevel diving. The dive starts as you descend down to the deepest reef and then you can make your way up past a small wall covered with hard and soft coral.

23. Turtle Rock (35 minutes boat ride) 5m – 45m
Follow the slope down at the bottom of Sinandigan Wall to a giant rock at 45m, healthy with marine life such as gorgonians and sea whips.