Diving with Tina’s Reef Divers in Sabang on the island of Mindoro was an incredibly fun and affordable way to experience one of the Philippines’ most beloved dive destinations. Puerto Galera has long been known in the SCUBA community for its excellent mix of vibrant coral reefs and fascinating muck diving, and even during low season – with cooler water temperatures and fewer tourists around – the diving absolutely delivered. The sheer diversity of marine life kept every dive exciting: from seahorses, colorful nudibranchs, and peacock mantis shrimp to blue-ringed octopus, scorpionfish, lionfish, banded sea kraits, turtles, and huge schools of tropical fish. Whether you’re a beginner looking for easy, enjoyable dives or an experienced diver hunting for unique critters, Puerto Galera truly offers something for everyone. Topside, Sabang surprised us with its great food scene as well – snacking on green mangoes with shrimp paste, warm silken tofu pudding, stuffed squid, and even comfort food favorites like pork/chicken schnitzel or pepperoni pizza ensured we never went hungry. Relaxed, affordable, and packed with underwater highlights, Puerto Galera exceeded expectations and is absolutely somewhere we’d happily return to dive again.
Homeless families sitting outside the ferry terminal in Batangas
Lining up to get our ferry tickets from Batangas to Balatero Port
Ferry tickets with seat assignments for the ferry from Batangas to Balatero Port. The ride takes about an hour
We made it to Balatero Port!
Riding in a tuk tuk from Balatero Port to Sabang
What a small world! Running into our friends Shelly and Dan within the first 10 minutes of arriving to Sabang
Checking into Tina's Reef Divers to sort out our dives tomorrow
Robby enjoying the view from Tina's Reef Divers' restaurant
Philippine outrigger boat (bangka) in the port of Sabang
Nembrotha chamberlaini nudibranch
Phyllidiopsis shireenae nudibranch
Bumpy Mexichromis nudibranch
Chromodoris annae nudibranch
Juvenile harlequin sweetlips
Robby at Tina's Reef Divers, the best place to dive in Puerto Galera
Sabang Beach during low tide
Dive Master Edwin is the best!
Hypselodoris tryoni nudibranch, sometimes called the "Leopard Nudibranch"
Phyllidia varicosa, a species of dorid nudibranch also commonly known as the varicose wart slug
Goniobranchus verrieri nudibranch
Jorunna funebris, commonly known as a dotted nudibranch or polka-dot sea slug
Bikini Floating Bar in Sabang Bay with free shuttle rides to reach the bar!
The 50 Bar - a SCUBA ocean front bar in Sabang
Robby enjoying our tasty pork schnitzel dish at Relax Restaurant in Sabang
A fruit seller on a sidewalk in Sabang
Green mango seller in Sabang
Swimming pool at Montani Beach Resort
Nembrotha kubaryana nudibranch, commonly referred to as the variable neon slug or dusky nembrotha
This is a Thor amboinensis, commonly known as a squat shrimp or "sexy shrimp", resting near its anemone host
Reticulidia halgerda nudibranch
Phyllidia ocellata nudibranch
Phyllidiella cooraburrama nudibranch
This is a Goniobranchus hintuanensis nudibranch, commonly known as "bus stop chromodoris"
Villa Escarceo, a luxury cliffside resort overlooking Sabang Beach in Puerto Galera
Edwin and Robby are ready to face the surprisingly cold water at Puerto Galera!
Pulsating xenid (also known as the Pulsing Xenia coral) is a mesmerizing soft coral with tentacles that open and close 40 times per minute
Taho (hot tofu pudding) vendor. Taho is a comforting breakfast treat made from fresh tofu, chewy tapioca pearls and a sweet brown sugar syrup
Such a tasty treat in between our dives!
Sleeping cat trying to stay warm on a chilly day at Tina's Reef Divers
Glossodoris cincta nudibranch
Favites abdita - coral with a honeycomb pattern
Stinging bush hydroid - a feathery marine invertebrate related to jellyfish and sea anemones that delivers a painful sting like an electric shock if you touch it!
Tropical striped triplefin blenny
Craving comfort food so we indulged in pork schnitzel and pepperoni pizza at Montani Beach Resort
Sleepy dog at Tina's Reef Divers
View of Mindoro Island from Montani dive site
Caloria indica nudibranch
Goniobranchus kuniei, a vibrant species of nudibranch often referred to as "Kunie's Chromodoris"
Goniobranchus reticulatus
Nembrotha chamberlaini nudibranch
Coryphellina rubrolineata nudibranch
Guess which country he's from?
Filipino dish features grilled stuffed squid, commonly known as inihaw na pusit
Robby with friendly staff at Relax Restaurant
Getting ready for our last day of diving in Puerto Galera
Goniobranchus kuniei, a vibrant sea slug belonging to the dorid nudibranch family
The highly venomous banded sea krait hunting for prey
Close up detail of a fire urchin
Chromodoris willani nudibranch
"Oreo nudibranch" (Jorunna funebris)
Magnificent sea slug (Chromodoris magnifica)
Phyllodesmium briareum nudibranch - a master of disguise that looks almost identical to the soft corals it feeds on
Jorunna rubescens nudibranch (also known as the red-lined nudi)
Nembrotha lineolata, commonly known as a lined nudibranch
Hypselodoris emma nudibranch
A pair of robust ghost pipefish
We had the best time diving with dive master Edwin!
A tree lit up at night in Sabang
BBQ chicken stand in Sabang
Scenery on our tuk tuk ride from Sabang back to the pier in Balatero
Philippines poster at the Batangas Ferry Terminal
Wall mural at the Batangas Ferry Terminal
