Asia Divers & El Galleon Dive Resort Blog | Puerto Galera, Philippines

News and Events

A Goulishly delightful Halloween at El Galleon awaits you

Posted on October 31, 2019 by Asia Divers

31
Oct

It will be great night to shake off the cobwebs, and bring out your nastiest or silliest Halloween costume. Join us for some spooky fun at our Halloween party this Thursday October 31^st at The Point Bar. We’ll have face painting available for a small fee and there will also be prizes for the best costumes, plus lots of tricks and treats.

What’s been happening

The fun begins! Welcome to our new group from Hong Kong. We hope they enjoy their stay. Read next week’s thrilling installment.

You never get tired of the amazing views and awesome sunrises in Puerto Galera. Thank you @h2onomad for this reminder.

Maria found her diving equipment with new stickers this morning. Jamie just couldn’t wait to change her last name!! We’re all thinking that Jamie Gonzales has a nice ring to it though!

Welcome back to John Butler and Jenny Chang from Taiwan, two of Asia Divers dearest friends. John has been coming to our shores since at least 1994, his kids learned to dive with us and he’s been a regular guest ever since, Jenny did her first DSD with Allan Oman Malibiran and never looked back. More recently they’ve been on several Asia Divers live-aboard trips. We hope you keep coming for many more years!

News and Events

Join us for Halloween a ghoulishly delightful night

Posted on October 23, 2019October 23, 2019 by Asia Divers

23
Oct

Looking for a long weekend get-away? We still have rooms available over the upcoming All Saints Day long weekend, and you can be here to join our Halloween party on October 31st. Contact admin@asiadivers.com to make a reservation.

Clean up dive

It was a great day to “Splash for Trash”! Thanks to Shiyuan for organizing and to everyone who participated in the Dive Against Debris. Asia Divers is committed to doing these at least once a month. If you would like to join one, just let us know.

Allan on Tour

Leaving Cusco on my way to Nazca one of the best rides I’ve done. Lost count of the number of times I dropped into valleys hundreds of meters below and then riding back up into the clouds again the across a massive plato before dropping way down into Nazca. Any rider would be amazed. Fantastic views impossible to capture too many changes awesome day.

Day off the bike to take a tour of Rainbow mountain or as the locals call it, colourful mountain. Cusco Peru. Great day at 5,036 meters.

Something new at El Galleon

Meena has been teaching yoga classes on the platform recently and people are loving it. A beautiful location with a wonderful instructor! Meena is an ashtanga yoga teacher. She practices gratitude daily and believes that this is one of the most powerful tools to being happy. She fell in love with yoga about three years ago. Meena believes in teaching her students to celebrate their own unique light and beauty. She also believes that humor is an essential ingredient in yoga, and laughter is the best medicine and core exercise there is. If you’re interested to join a class with her just let us know.

Old News

Once Upon A Time…there was no Facebook, no email and Newsletters looked just like Newspapers. A twenty one Year old Asia Divers newsletter just resurfaced from one of our guests, James Sather, who brought it along with him from Canada. If anyone would like the full version just contact instructors@asiadivers.com

News and Events

October at El Galleon/Asia Divers

Posted on October 9, 2019October 10, 2019 by Asia Divers

09
Oct

Thanks to Matt Hutchinson for this month’s Monday News cover photo. Matt is keeping busy on his Instructor internship with us, but still has time to take his underwater camera out for a spin. He’s been getting some real nice photos, as usual. Check out Matt’s gallery on his website to see many more: https://www.stingraydivers1.com/

If you would like to subscribe to our fun little weekly newsletter and keep up to date on what’s going on here, please see: https://asiadivers.com/ to subscribe.

Who’s been doing what

It’s been a very busy Chinese holiday in the resort this past week for our Chinese Instructor team. 14 Students with 5 Instructors, plus 1 Divemaster candidate keeping things running smooth and safely.

Lu Wang and Xueteng Zhang have had Elly all to themselves for most of their visit this past week. They requested her for a private guide and to teach them their PADI Advanced course. They had many great dives and a big highlight of going to Verde Island. Congratulations on earning your AOW!

Jamie surprised Alli and Arthur on Alma Jane with his favorite buddy! DPVs offer a thrilling way for scuba divers to see a lot of underwater territory in a short amount of time. They scoot you through the water allowing you to glide over reefs, buzz around a large wreck or weave through a kelp forest. Whether making a shore or boat dive, a DPV is a great way to see more and have fun doing it. Ask us about the PADI DPV course.

This course also includes a funky “Freddie’s Specialties” DPV polo shirt.

https://asiadivers.com/padi-diving-courses-philippines/specialty-scuba-diving-courses/

Michael Lee was here a couple years ago and did his PADI Open Water course so he thought it was about time to come back and do his PADI Advanced course. Congrats Mike!

Gavin and Elly celebrated both their birthdays in one big birthday bash in the Point Bar. It was a tremendous party with some yummy hors d’oeuvre prepared by our kitchen team and lots of beer to go along with them.

Rebecca and James had their first scuba diving experience and absolutely loved it! Thank you both and we hope to see you back here soon for more.

Maria was complaining her nose was too small. Jamie to the rescue!

Uncategorized

What a week with Diveline Aus!

Posted on October 3, 2019 by Asia Divers

03
Oct

It’s been a week to remember for sure with this fun gang from Diveline Aus. Superb conditions, lots of sun and tremendous amounts of fun for all. The grand finale included a lovely BCD float in the Verde island Passage.

This was a perfect day for a Verde adventure with Diveline Aus! Thanks to Paul Sorensen for bringing Adrian Marshall, Julie Wrighton, Peter Wrighton, Ian Hulett, Christine Reynonds, Paul McGrath, John Timms, Stewart Andrews, Matthew Grahams, Kenneth Mills and Jennifer Mcgrath to our happy home!

What’s happening here

Kenneth Mills and Matthew Graham did their PADI DPV courses with Jamie and had two super dives , than Alli took all of them plus Rene on a “Magical Mystery Tour” to West Escarcio, Canyons, Atol, Kilima, Sinandigan, and Coral cove. They finished in an area that Rene and Jamie had never even seen before!

We’ve also enjoyed the company of this very experienced group of underwater photographers (Choi Yee Shing, Yiu Hei (Alex) Cheung, Wu Wei Keung, and Li Yat (Ken) Hung) this week. They were a pleasure to dive with. Many highlights including two Blackwater dives too.

Matt Hutchinson is well immersed into his Instructor internship now after passing the Instructor exams. Matt will spend the next month with us gaining lots of experience in teaching all PADI courses and also helping out on guiding. For everyone who does their IDC with us we offer this internship program for no extra charge. If you’re interested in becoming a PADI pro and living the dream, please have a look at our website for more information: https://asiadivers.com/gopro/

Ruben and Matt are teaching Greg Tirrell PADI Advanced course right now, getting him experienced in several different types of dives.

Huong Ly has been enjoying her stay with us doing DSD and follow-up dives.

Mid Autumn Day and National Day holiday in China means lots and lots of folks from China around this week. Our Chinese instructor team is busy busy and soon we’ll have a bunch of certified PADI divers to celebrate with.

Homies! First time for Kjell to meet up with someone from his hometown here at El Gal. Daniel Haworth is from Arboga, Sweden and Jimmy Strand is from the next town over. Small world stuff for sure!

Blackwater Magic

We took advantage of the perfect conditions for Blackwater diving this week and went out for two nights back to back. Check out what Arthur Nash shot with the Olympus TG-3 and no strobe. Join us for some more of this really cool diving: https://asiadivers.com/blackwater-diving-puerto-galera/

Environment, News and Events

International Coastal Cleanup Day & check out our Dive Against Debris Video

Posted on September 26, 2019 by Asia Divers

26
Sep

Saturday was International Coastal Cleanup Day. Asia Divers and El Galleon were happy to participate in this event as the whole community got together to do a beach clean-up. Thanks to everyone who participated in helping to keep Puerto Galera clean and beautiful.

Welcome back Diveline Aus

It’s great to have Paul Sorensen from Diveline Aus back with us again, this time bringing us a fun group to splash around with all week! First day started off with a quick welcome and get settled into the dive shop and then straight up to the Point. Good to see that everyone has their priorities straight.

Birthdays on the beach

For many years in a row these two have celebrated their birthdays with us. It’s always been quite the time as the “Animals” prowl around the resort! We’re glad that the tradition continues on. Happy birthday to Larry Bird and John Tucker!

Special Anniversary dives

Congratulations to Marc van Den Broeck for a very big number dive… 1000TH!! Not too many people get to see that many zeros on a shirt. Even more special is that about 300 of those dives have been done here!

Congratulations to “mermaid” Kris on a well earned new t-shirt…100 dives!! Kris only was certified less than 2 years ago and she has racked up a lot of dives in a short amount of time.

E-IDC update

Congratulations for becoming PADI Instructor – another 100% pass

A VeRy HaPpY team “Maddogs”.. Congratulations to all new PADI Instructors on the beach – and especially to Matt for a job well done ! We are all very proud of you at Asia Divers and thank everyone who got involved to support… and then it was…

Party time… !!! …with plenty of new T-Shirt shots…

And what a great night it was. Kevin, the candidate from next door also decided to join together with Mr. Moon and also play our new fun Instructor IE party games that had the new instructors perform a little skill circuit and an excited run for some creamy drink (wink wink). Thanks to Matt we all also had to do the ‘Shark Attack’ and the ‘African Passage’ T-Shirt shots with him – at least these are the first 2 Shirts I remember…

Project AWARE video on Facebook

Thanks to “Video Rob” of Calypso Multimedia for taking a wonderful video of our recent Project AWARE – Dive Against Debris “Trashure” hunt.

Watch the video

Come and get involved!

That’s all for this week folks. Join us for more news from Asia Divers & El Galleon Dive Resort next week!

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Diving, News and Events, Social & Community

From Weddings to Blackwater Diving – El Galleon Dive Resort has you covered!

Posted on September 19, 2019September 19, 2019 by Asia Divers

19
Sep

What a wonderful few days it’s been for a very special wedding celebration for very dear friends of ours. Larry and Kris Bird and many of their family and friends from all over the world were here to spend time and celebrate the occasion with them. It was indeed a day to remember for all!

The night started in the Point for Happy hour with everyone getting together with the bride and groom before dinner. The evening continued on with an amazing Indian Buffet meal along with listson (roasted pig), some good heartwarming speeches and toasts to the newlyweds.

Amy Ward made the most beautifully decorated cake with such fine detailed eatable flowers that it was almost a shame to eat it…but we sure did. Kris and Larry pulled out a good “bolo” knife to do the deed.

OH, and did we mention that it rained a bit that night?!

They say that a rainy wedding is good luck for the bride and groom…well, I think they best run out and buy a lottery ticket with all the rain we had! Wishing the newlyweds much love and happiness from everyone here at El Galleon, Asia Divers and Tech Asia!

What else has been happening at Asia Divers & El Galleon Dive Resort?

Ruben, and our long time friends Mal Howarth and Ron Jackson, joined by first timers to PG, Marilei Kuns and Andre Aguillar are all excited about getting wet today and seeing some cool stuff.

The perfect location for doing a Nitrox course is of course…. The Point Bar! Richard Fernie and Christian Drew are now ready to go on nitrox.

Tim, Daniel, Jaydon and Tobin were only here for three days but determined to get their PADI Advanced cert and get in some great dive experiences. Mission accomplished!

Lyn, Trevor and Sheika enjoying the sunshine before the next dive.

Looks like we have a bunch of pussycats prowling about for the next little while…it’s that time of year again!

Hello Kitty is back!

Getting into the diving groove – Johan, Marc, Elly and Ruben.

Blackwater Diving with at El Galleon Dive Resort

Asia Divers is diving into the black! You can venture into the dark side on your next visit.

Check out these awesome photos by Beth Watson from here recent trip here, and have a look at some pretty cool weird and wonderful creatures here too: https://asiadivers.com/blackwater-diving-puerto-galera/

That’s all for this time, be sure to catch up again in the next Asia Divers & El Galleon Dive Resort Blog

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Diving, Environment, News and Events

DRT Show & Charity Raffle Winners!

Posted on September 13, 2019 by Asia Divers

13
Sep

It was a busy weekend at the DRT show in Manila for the gang from Ocean Dive Supply and Tech Asia. The show was visited by many people looking to check out and purchase new dive gear and to see what’s new in the Philippine diving industry.

And the Lucky winner of the Tech Asia charity raffle is…Joan Jomai Mamangun Zerrudo!

Never saw a couple so happy to have won something (and for the money to have gone to such a good cause). Halcyon and Tech Asia put up a unique Limited Edition Titanium Infinity BCD System as a special prize.

Please take a moment to look at visit their Facebook page to learn a little more.

What has been happening at Asia Divers?

snorkeling in puerto galera — **Fiona**, **Rosie** and **Heather** have been taking advantage of the sunshine and stunning shallow reefs, enjoying the snorkeling areas in Puerto Galera.

puerto galera night diving — **Cameron**, **Rick** and **Pete** just about to head off for a night dive and looking for all those weird and wonderful creatures

Check out PADI’s latest blog, The Amazing Marine Life of the Philippines.

It tells you about many of the great places to dive throughout the Philippines and of course information on the wonderful marine life in Puerto Galera. Read the blog on the PADI site.

Shanghai American School at Asia Divers

Have a look at this very nice video from the Shanghai American School who we’re with us last March. We’re excited that they’ll be joining us again next march as well. Bring your school group to Puerto Galera for a Fun, Educational and Exciting Adventure. The world is your classroom! Learning can, and should happen everywhere. We have over 23 years of experience with hosting school groups!

Our professionalism and enthusiasm with these groups has made us a leader in this area. Programs include diving, sailing, activities, community service and sightseeing. We’re already looking forward to their next visit in March 2020!

PADI E-IDC update

Our scooter gang assembled for a fun dive along reefs and wrecks. Matt did his DPV Specialty Instructor Training with Sabine – so he can teach this fun course, while for Cody it was his very first time scootering about. Big smiles as he enjoyed it a lot!!

With many ‘Matt’s around, one could get confused B) – Our “Tall Matt’, Matt Hutchinson, has started his IDC with us and in the meantime already completed his EFR Instructor rating in the first 2 days. Congratulations! He can now teach the EFR Primary, Secondary, Care for Children and AED & CPR courses. More IDC updates to come…

Join us next week for more news from Asia Divers and El Galleon Dive Resort

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News and Events, Social & Community

DRT Diveshow 2019 & Tech Asia Charity Raffle – Win a Limited Edition Titanium Infinity BCD System

Posted on September 3, 2019September 3, 2019 by Asia Divers

03
Sep

It’s time for the DRT Dive Show in the Philippines next weekend at Megamall in Ortigas during September 6-8. Opening hours: Friday 11am-8pm, Saturday 11am-8pm and Sunday 11am-6pm. Cressi and Ocean Dive Supply Philippines will show you a wide range of the latest equipment together with some old favorites at our booth # C106. Dave Ross from Tech Asia will be right next to us as well. Hope to see you there during one of the 3 days.

Tech Asia and Halcyon Dive Systems Charity Raffle

Want a chance to win something special and contribute to a worthwhile cause at the same time? Halcyon and Tech Asia are putting up a unique Limited Edition Titanium Infinity BCD System as a special prize on their booth at the DRT Philippines show this weekend, Sept 6th-8th.

All proceeds will go to Pasay Pups, which is a volunteer organization dedicated to caring for the animals, and the children living in poverty in the Sarhento Mariano public cemetery in Pasay City. Please take a moment to look at https://www.facebook.com/PasayPupsPhilippines/ to learn a little more.

If you chose to support this initiative, and have a preference, please do tell us if you’d like your donation to go to the Pasay Pups Kids Program, or specifically towards animal care, and we will see that it happens. We look forward to seeing you there…. https://www.facebook.com/DRTShowPH/

September Off-Season Special!

There is still time to get over here for our Off-Season Specials happening throughout September. Contact us directly for information on a fantastic one week package which includes accommodation, diving, meals and transfers for $1,115.00 USD per person (twin share).

Thanks to Beth Watson for another lovely photo of Verde Island. You can see more of Beth’s images at:

Website: www.bethwatsonimages.com | Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BethWatsonImages/ | Instagram: @bethwatsonimages

What’s been happening at El Galleon Dive Resort & Asia Divers

It was wonderful to have Graham Willis from Frog Dive, Sydney back with us again. This time he brought along Warren Andrews and Matthew Kempton to let them see what all the fuss is about in Puerto Galera.

After a three week trip with lots of great adventures in the UK, Matt and Cody are happy to have a holiday from their holiday…

Zhaolong Hu from Nanjing China is super excited to get “wrecked” on Alma Jane.

That’s all for this week from Asia Divers and El Galleon Dive Resort, hope to see you soon!

No block ID is set

Diving, News and Events, Travel

Mindoro Sprinter private resorts and boat taxi service now operational!

Posted on September 1, 2019September 1, 2019 by Asia Divers

01
Sep

Mindoro Sprinter, the new 22 seater Navicat, Private Resorts and Boat Taxi service is now operational.

It’s the fastest and most comfortable way to get to (and from) Puerto Galera, and directly to El Galleon/Asia Divers. Our new and easily accessible pick up point at Ilaya, is right next door to Batangas Port. And dis-embark at our pier.

Check out the official Mindoro Sprinter website. All contact details, location map for pick-up location, costs and schedule will be posted there: www.mindorosprinter.com . You can also follow our Facebook page “Mindoro Sprinter”

Summer Holiday Promo

Last minute holidays? Our summer promo ends September 30th. Contact us to take advantage of this amazing special.

What’s been happening at Asia Divers & El Galleon Dive Resort

Happy birthday to Leon, so nice that you and Carole can spend another one here with us!

It was great to have Ian and Jack Jones diving with us. Jack completed his Open Water course with us a few months ago and he had not forgotten a thing. It was like riding a bike, he was right back at it again! Three big turtles, a couple of big puffers and an amazing very fishy drift dive made the weekend…

Discover Scuba by day…jamming in the Point by night! Maria Khristina Tome and Mark Donahue had a great experience trying out scuba diving with Maria and then joining in a fun evening at the Point Bar.

First time at the Point Bar… “Sudden” gig/acoustic session and it was a success! Watch out… this might become a regular thing! Thank you so much to our guests, Tin (vocalist) and her partner Mark for making this happen, to Odie for the music, to all the jammers, El Galleon family and awesome crowd!

A chip off the old block! Very nice to see Ruben teaching his 16 year old daughter Andrea to dive along with her support team Ruby Ann and, Issa to cheer her on.

Jana and Glenn Everett have been keeping themselves busy this weekend with their PADI EFR and Rescue course with Sabine. Both are enjoying the learning and the fun of it along with a few bumps here and there on the egress!

That’s all for this episode from Asia Divers & El Galleon Dive Resort. See you soon!

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Diving, News and Events, Travel

The Mindoro Sprinter is making waves!

Posted on August 21, 2019 by Asia Divers

21
Aug

It’s been a busy few days for the Mindoro Sprinter as she is starting to get her sea legs. Follow us on our Facebook page ‘Mindoro Sprinter” to see our schedule, or contact us at 0927 631 7243 for information and bookings. Now you can get to El Galleon on the most comfortable and safest boat traveling from Batangas to Puerto Galera.

Mindoro Sprinter Batangas to Puerto Galera boat of El Galleon Dive Resort — Steve and Paul really enjoyed the comfort and the quick trip to Batangas.

To book contact: 0927 631-7243

Boat Fee is 800 peso one way, per person. Cash only.
There is a P100 port fee to pay from Ilaya which will be collected there. There is no port fee departing from El Galleon. All vehicles going to Ilaya will be charged a P50 entrance fee to enter the port.
There is a P50 port fee to pay from Lamao which will be collected there. There is no port fee departing from El Galleon.
You must be at departure point 30 minutes prior to departure.

Location maps for Lamao:

Location maps for ILaya:

What’s been happening at Asia Divers & El Galleon Dive Resort

It’s hard to believe that this little cutie is now one year old! Happy Birthday to River… parents, Arthur, Meena and Grandpa Allan enjoyed this special day with her. It was so much fun to have many friends and family from here and Manila to be for the celebrations over the past weekend.

It’s always nice to have Steve Gershon and Paul Bronson back with us. Congratulations to Paul Bronston for completing his PADI Advanced Open Water course.

Nice to have good friends of CY and Bonny doing their dive training with us. Yanghui Xie (Running), Guoran Yao (Iris) and Yao Geng DSD (Fifteen) are all enjoying learning to scuba dive and looking forward to their ocean dives and seeing some of the amazing marine life that PG has to offer.

Thanks to our dear friends from “DDT” Discovery Divers Tokyo for recommending us to Christopher Greenway. Chris had a great week of diving and also completed PADI Enriched Air, Drift and DPV specialty courses while he was here. Congrats Chis, and enjoy your new Polo shirts that came with the courses!

If you’re interested in doing one of our many Specialty course that we offer please have a look here: https://asiadivers.com/padi-diving-courses-philippines/specialty-scuba-diving-courses/

So nice to have this wonderful group from Scuba Monster and booked through Expert holidays with us. Last night they all enjoyed Hot Pot at El Galleon.

With Choi Lan ( Eda ) Leung, Ka Fai ( Ricky ) Leung, Kwan Chee ( Jack ) Cheung, Man Tat ( Amanda ) Tong, Man Yi (Miranda) Wong, Wen Yin ( Shirley ) Man, Yun Keey ( Ricky ) Chan, Yun Mei ( Bread ) Chan

The Soderstrom family is enjoying their time in Sweden. It seems that they are always eating! Seeing some nice photos of them touring around but questioning the summer weather in Sweden…

That’s all for this week folks, catch up with the next El Galleon Dive Resort blog for more news from Puerto Galera

Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook to get our latest news updates and links to our blog posts!

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News from El Galleon Dive Resort & Asia Divers, Puerto Galera

What’s been happening

Clean up dive

Allan on Tour

Something new at El Galleon

Old News

Who’s been doing what

What’s happening here

Blackwater Magic

Welcome back Diveline Aus

Birthdays on the beach

Special Anniversary dives

E-IDC update

Congratulations for becoming PADI Instructor – another 100% pass

Party time… !!! …with plenty of new T-Shirt shots…

Project AWARE video on Facebook

That’s all for this week folks. Join us for more news from Asia Divers & El Galleon Dive Resort next week!

What else has been happening at Asia Divers & El Galleon Dive Resort?

Blackwater Diving with at El Galleon Dive Resort

That’s all for this time, be sure to catch up again in the next Asia Divers & El Galleon Dive Resort Blog

What has been happening at Asia Divers?

Check out PADI’s latest blog, The Amazing Marine Life of the Philippines.

Shanghai American School at Asia Divers

PADI E-IDC update

Join us next week for more news from Asia Divers and El Galleon Dive Resort

Tech Asia and Halcyon Dive Systems Charity Raffle

September Off-Season Special!

What’s been happening at El Galleon Dive Resort & Asia Divers

That’s all for this week from Asia Divers and El Galleon Dive Resort, hope to see you soon!

Summer Holiday Promo

What’s been happening at Asia Divers & El Galleon Dive Resort

That’s all for this episode from Asia Divers & El Galleon Dive Resort. See you soon!

What’s been happening at Asia Divers & El Galleon Dive Resort

That’s all for this week folks, catch up with the next El Galleon Dive Resort blog for more news from Puerto Galera