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Getting To Puerto Galera

Plus information on communication, currency, medical & insurance

 

Travel Assistance

Transport options & information to make your stay pleasurable

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You have many options to get to our resort from Manila. When you make your reservations with us, please specify which option you prefer, and we’ll help you. Below are additional details.

Don’t forget to do your eTravel registration 72 hours prior to your arrival to the Philippines: https://etravel.gov.ph/

Direct Private Transfers to/from Manila available 24/7

This is the quickest and most convenient way to reach us in Puerto Galera. Transfer from airport, hotel or private residence in Manila. Just let us know when and where you wish to be picked up from. If you wish to be collected from a hotel in Manila we need the hotel name, phone number & your room number. From a private residence we need the full address and if possible directions to assist the driver as well as a contact phone number.

It’s a 2 hour air-con car/van ride from Manila to the pier, followed by about 40 minute boat ride directly to El Galleon Pier. Total journey time usually 2.5 to 3 hours.

The water taxi operates daily from 5:30 AM to 5:00 PM. To make sure everything goes smoothly, we recommend arriving in Manila by 1:00 PM at the latest and booking your departure flight no earlier than 12:00 PM.

We STRONGLY recommend that you read through the directions carefully and PRINT THEM OUT to bring with you. We are constantly trying to update and improve the service we provide, so recommend that you print the details even if you have done the journey before.

Private Roundtrip Transfers (Manila – El Galleon – Manila):

  • 1-6 people: US$ 600
  • 7-12 people: US$ 820
  • 13-24 people: US$ 1,640

We accept cash (USD or peso), Gcash, and local bank transfer only for transfer payments only. Credit and debit cards are not accepted.

Extra fees (cash only):

  • Port Fee: US$ 3/p130 per person
  • Environmental User Fee: US$ 3.5/p160 per person
  • Porter Fee: US$ 1/p50 per bag

Please call one of the following numbers In the event of any problems you might encounter so we can advise you.

+63 43-287-3205
El Galleon Resort front desk land line. Hours: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

+63 917-814-5107
El Galleon Resort front desk cell phone. Hours: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Rhuby Soderstrom, Resort Manger +63 917-839-8530

Sherly Dizon, Booking Coordinator +63 928-503-3314

Ashley  Maranan, Booking Assistant +63 906-321-5571

Please follow AIRPORT PICK UP INSTRUCTIONS for your transfer from the terminal number you have arrived at. Your driver will be wearing an Asia Divers white T-shirt and carrying a sign with your name on it.

If you require any further information about the airport itself, you can visit the website at https://www.mnl-airport.com/

Due to on-going construction at Terminal 1, we have updated the pick-up location and procedure. Please follow these NEW steps to ensure a smooth pick-up:

Step 1
After collecting your luggage, proceed through the customs area and exit the airport. DO NOT cross the road.

Step 2
Turn left and look for the designated pick-up location labelled “A1.” Please call your driver and inform him that you are there. We will provide you with his contact details prior to your arrival.

Step 3
Your driver will drive to you to pick you up. He will be wearing a white Asia Divers T-shirt.

Step 1
Once you have your entire luggage, walk through the customs area and go outside the airport.

Step 2
Proceed to the arrival’s access area, turn right and find BAY #20

Step 3
Look across the street for someone wearing an Asia Divers white T-shirt and carrying a sign with your name on it.

Step 1
Once you have your entire luggage, walk through the customs area.

Step 2
Meet your driver in front of Burger King. Do not got outside of the terminal.

Step 3
Our driver will be wearing an Asia Divers white T-shirt and carrying a sign with your name will be there.

Assisted Transfers (this is a good option if it’s only 1-4 people travelling together):

  • Includes car from Manila to either public ferry or Seadogs Shared water taxi
    The Seadogs water taxi departs daily from Beberabe Port at 1:30 PM, with a drop-off at Sabang Pier. The return trip from Sabang Pier leaves at 12:30 PM. Our staff will meet you at Sabang Port to assist.
    Important: To catch the Seadogs shared water taxi, we will need to pick you up in Manila by 10:30 AM. If your flight arrives earlier in the morning, you may prefer to take a public ferry from Batangas Port. If not, you will have to wait at Beberabe Port until the water taxi departs at 1:30 PM.
  • Public Ferry:
    If you choose the public ferry, we will arrange a tuk-tuk to meet you at Balatero Port in Puerto Galera and take you directly to El Galleon Resort. This option will also work for people who arrive too late to catch the shared water taxi. Do keep in mind that the latest ferry to Puerto Galera departs around 15:30 pm.
    Please let us know which transfer option works best for you. Note: Weather conditions may impact schedules, so flexibility is important. Please also provide a WhatsApp or Viber contact number so we can reach you in case of any changes.

Assisted Roundtrip Transfers (Manila – El Galleon – Manila):

  • 1 person: US$ 270
  • 2 people: US$ 360 total/US$ 180 per person travelling together
  • 3 people: US$ 450 total/US$ 150 per person travelling together
  • 4 people: US$ 540 total/US$ 135 per person travelling together

Extra Fees:

  • Port Fee: US$ 3/p130 per person
  • Environmental User Fee: US$ 3.5/p160 per person
  • Porter Fee: US$ 1/p50 per bag

Private car with Public ferry:

  • Combine a private pick up in Manila with the public ferry. We can have someone meet you in Puerto Galera at the port to bring you to the resort.
    Please pay the driver directly
  • 1-6 people: US$ 90

Extra fees (Peso/cash only):

  • Tuktuk to Sabang Php350
  • Php160 Environmental User Fee (EUF) payment per person
  • Php50 Porter fee per bag if needed
  • Terminal fee at Batangas port Php30
  • Ferry ticket is about Php700-Php1100 depending on class of ticket

Sikat bus and ferry service:

https://www.facebook.com/SikatBus

Book directly

A combination of  bus and ferry service to Puerto Galera from Manila. Once you’re Puerto Galera we can meet you at the port to bring  you to the resort. Quiet easy and convenient. You would just need to take a taxi to the meet up location in Ermita Manila.

Manila to Puerto Galera schedule:

9:30 AM Si-KAT Bus departs at City State Tower, Mabini St., Ermita, Manila
11:30 AM Arrival at Batangas Pier
1:00 PM Ferry Departure
2:30 PM Ferry Arrival at Balatero Pier, Puerto Galera


Puerto Galera to Manila schedule:

11:00 AM Ferry Departure from Balatero Pier, Puerto Galera to Manila
12:30 PM Arrival at Batangas Pier
12:30 PM Si-KAT Bus Departure for Manila
3:30 PM Estimated Arrival in Mabini St., Ermita, Manila

Extra fees (cash only):

  • Tuktuk to Sabang Php350
  • Terminal fee at Batangas port Php30
  • Php1620 Environmental User Fee (EUF) payment per person
  • Php50 Porter fee per bag if needed

Public Bus and Public Ferry Information

The public transportation is a relatively inexpensive way to travel to us. However, this option is only recommended for the seasoned traveller who is traveling without much luggage.

The best way to get to El Galleon/Asia Divers by public transport is to take a bus from Manila directly to Batangas pier.

Take a taxi to PITX terminal in Manila. See https://www.phbus.com/pitx-terminal/ then take a bus to Batangas city pier. Catch the ferry to Balatero port in Puerto Galera.

From Balatero Port it’s a 30 minute drive to Sabang than a 10 minute walk along the beach to our resort. We can organize a tricycle to pick you up at the port for 350 peso. Please just message us when your on the ferry and we can have someone meet you in Sabang to assist you with your luggage.

Pick-Up Point Maps

Batangas Pier: (Terminal 3)

Payment

We accept cash, Gcash, bank transfer and can now accept all major credit cards for payments in the resort.

If you plan on using your credit card please inform your credit card issuing bank that you will be traveling to the Philippines for smooth transactions.

To make payment by MASTERCARD or VISA you will need to scan a QR Code at the hotel and then complete a form on your phone. You should then receive an OTP to authorize your payment, so your phone will need to accept “roaming sms messages”. El Galleon makes no surcharge for using credit card except for transportation.

Passports and Visas

Non-residents of The Philippines require a full passport to enter the country, which should be valid for six months beyond the expected length of stay. Visitors can enter the Philippines without a visa for an initial period of 30 days. If you are intending to stay longer, it is possible to obtain a tourist visa from the Philippine Embassy before you travel, which will allow an initial 59 day stay. This can be extended at any local Immigration office around the country. The nearest Immigration office is in Calapan and another in Batangas. Be sure to wear a T-Shirt and long pants to guarantee entry to the facility. Please note that you will need a return ticket or onward flight in order to board your plane to the Philippines.

Please note that visa regulations are subject to change and it is important that you check your own visa requirements prior to travel.

E-travel Pass

You must complete an eTravel process with the Philippines government prior to your arrival. This process must be done within 72 hours of your departure for Manila, i.e. it can’t be done yet; it must wait until the 72-hour period prior to departure. You will need to create an account on the Philippines government’s eTravel web portal, which you then use to submit your arrival details. You can set up the account now, then go back to the portal within the 72-hour period to submit your arrival details.

When you’ve done that, you’ll receive a QR code which you may need to show prior to boarding your aircraft departure from your home, and which you will need on arrival in Manila. This process costs nothing. Here is the link to undergo that process etravel.gov.ph

https://etravel.gov.ph/

Currency

US Dollar / Peso cash are preferred (obviously and the best way!) We accept other major currencies as payment; please check with us before you arrive. Credit cards are accepted; VISA, MASTERCARD, AMEX.

El Galleon and Asia Divers accepts bank transfers, G-Cash, WeChat Pay, and Alipay. Contact us if you would like to use one of these to pay before you arrive

Puerto Galera has three ATM’s and there are three in Sabang. In Puerto Galera they are: PNB Allied Bank, Rural Bank of Puerto Galera, Card Bank near ORMECO office. Please do keep in mind that these bank machines are not always working so it’s always a good idea to have cash. There are also places to exchange money to peso but the bills must be new, clean with no marks, rips or tears on them.

Medical Information & Insurance

There is no malaria in the area, but inoculations for Hep A, Typhoid, Polio, and Tetanus are recommended, always check with your doctor.

Bring high-factor sun creams and insect repellent if you are prone to that type of thing, it’s a rare occasion that you will need to put on more than shorts and a t-shirt.

We strongly advise all divers and students to purchase dive accident insurance and will ask any diver not covered to sign a Disclaimer acknowledging that the Facility, management, and staff will not be held responsible for any costs incurred in the event of any evacuation or medical treatment being required.

We can however assist you with a policy through Diveassure with Basic ( Philippines only ) or Platinum ( Worldwide ) coverage at the following rates:

DAN Insurance

For scuba divers worldwide, DAN means safety, health and peace of mind. Committed to improving the safety of diving for all divers, we are Your Buddy in Dive Safety.

DAN is a global network of not-for-profit, member-based organizations and DAN Asia-Pacific has a region of responsibility that extends throughout Asia and the Pacific region.

Wherever members live or dive around the world they have peace of mind knowing that DAN is available 24-hours a day, 7 days a week to assist in the event of an accident. Guests can register with DAN for Short Term Dive Accident Insurance in the dive shop or https://apps.dan.org/short-term/?token=~d1g12dW03s3sB1u2bygu0570G044hWk7aj7gJ03z7110F1WE9j7o96, or visit the DAN website for annual coverage.

NEW DIVE ACCIDENT ASSISTANCE PACKAGES

All of our entry level students will be able to avail of free DAN insurance while they are doing their training at Asia Divers.

What the Student Receives:

The student will be covered for injuries sustained during their entry-level training. DAN World’s Student Medical Coverage helps ensure medical bills get paid — whether they’re from a broken foot due to a dropped tank, ear problems or more serious dive-related injuries.

• Provides up to $25,000 in coverage for medical expenses for injuries that may occur during training.
• Coverage is valid for up to 180 days after enrolment or upon completion of the last certifying dive, whichever comes first.
• Covers dive-related injuries that occur both in and out of the water.
• Covers entry-level scuba and breath-hold diving.

How to be enrolled:

Step 1: Asia Divers will sign you up before you start your training if you choose to avail of this. Just let us know if your interested.
Step 2: Your information will be added to the system.
Step 3: Students will receive confirmation via email, with a digital Student Membership Card.

Reasons to Enrolled:

• The program is 100% subsidized by DAN so there is no charge to the student.
• The registration process is quick, and coverage is immediate.

Contact Information

El Galleon Dive Resort & Asia Divers

Booking/General inquiries:
admin@asiadivers.com

Diving/Courses Inquiries:
instructors@asiadivers.com

PADI Professional Courses:
idc@asiadivers.com

Technical Diving:
dave@techasia.ph


Cellphone+ 63 (917)814-5107

Address:
Small Lalaguna Beach, Sabang, Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro, Philippines 5203

Manila Office
Equipment Sales

Address:
1741 Dian Street, Abimir Place, Palanan Makati City, Philippines 1253

manila@asiadivers.com

Tel: +63 (02)-8- 834-2974

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