El Galleon Resort – Philippines – FACES OF THE SEA SCUBA HOLIDAYS

Asia Divers and El Galleon Resorts are located in Puerto Galera on the North East tip of Mindoro. Puerto Galera was originally a fishing community. Then in the 1980s, the Philippines Government discovered just how many species of fish and corals that were there and they declared the entire area a Marine Reserve. Once a thriving fishing village, Puerto Galera soon became the premier scuba diving destination in the Philippines.

The Philippine Department of Tourism became involved and convinced the villagers to diversify and to become involved in tourism. Puerto Galera had two big things going in its favour is its beauty and the marine sanctuary.

It was around this time that the El Galleon resort came into existence along with Asia Divers who have been catering for top class vacations ever since. The El Galleon resort is a premier diving resort just a couple of hours South of Manila, providing unashamed luxury at prices that most Westerners would expect to pay for a two star hotel.

The diving here is unquestionably the best of anywhere in Oriental Mindoro and some would say all the Philippines or Asia.

The El Galleon Resort offers a wide variety of accommodations ranging from simple elegance to pampered luxury.

Seaview Rooms

The most requested rooms are the seaview rooms, all with fantastic waterfront views. You could literally throw a stone into the sea from any of these spacious and well appointed rooms. All 10 seaview rooms are fitted out with a queen size bed, mini bar, air-conditioning and storage space and all bathrooms are equipped with hot water and a vanity area.

Family Rooms

The three family resort rooms are all capable of one or two extra beds; family resort rooms come with one queen size bed (extra beds on request) air-conditioning, mini bar and comfortable bathrooms with vanity area.

Poolside Rooms

Step outside your room and drop into the swimming pool. The 12 poolside resort rooms are equipped with a queen size bed, air-conditioning, mini bar and storage space; the poolside room bathrooms all have hot water and a vanity area.

Penthouse Suite

We also offer a luxury one bedroom penthouse apartment with private kitchen, large private balcony and adjoining living room, with a spectacular sea view. Your penthouse home away from home.

Waimea

Waimea is the luxury accommodations for the truly discerning. .

Totally unlike anything else in Puerto Galera the Waimea annex is a five minute walk from the El Galleon beach resort. Behind a high wall you will find five houses nestled amongst a beautiful garden and two swimming pools. Naturally with premises of this high caliber there is security on the grounds 24 hours a day.

Three of these houses in Waimea are divided into two sections. Downstairs is a self contained and well appointed studio flat with kitchen, independent of the main house.

The upstairs is a two bedroom home, with kitchen, living area and a mezzanine. Large balcony with views of the ocean and or the pool. There is a smaller two bedroom home with kitchen, living area and a mezzanine with a balcony overlooking the pool.

Waimea Studios

Fitted with their own en-suite bathroom and kitchen, the studio suites are much in demand. These flats offer views of the sea and overlook the swimming pool. The views from here are bound to be something you will remember forever. On three sides you are surrounded by lush jungle, whilst the other side gives a view over the Pacific unparalleled anywhere.

Waimea House Rentals

The houses have two en-suite bedrooms, fantastic sea views and a mezzanine with a balcony enabling wonderful views of the mountains from the rear of the house. There is a very spacious living room and dining area as well as a professional kitchen with all the equipment to cook up a banquet.

Arthur’s Restaurant at El Galleon Beach Resort

The El Galleon restaurant has been a passion with many people over the years and being right AT the waters edge, you can enjoy your meal with one of the most amazing views in the world. Bringing together a number of spectacular delicacies and old time favorites, the restaurant is considered by most to be the best beach restaurant in Puerto Galera. It is here that the resorts very own French Chef, Antoine will prepare some mouth watering specialties from the sea or the land.

The Point Bar

Walking between Sabang and Small Lalaguna Beach, you can’t fail to miss The Point bar. In fact, many visitors to Puerto Galera, once they’ve found The Point bar, find it hard to escape. This is the place to enjoy apre-dive stories and meet new friends.

Swimming Pool

The swimming pool is available for guests to enjoy and relax and take in the surroundings.

La Palm Spa

Time to escape from the stress and tension of your daily life: come and enjoy this truly effective, full body massage. A variety of different massages are available, such as Aromatherapy, Thai and Swedish body massage and many more.

Scuba Diving in the Philippines with Asia Divers.
Thirty years ago almost nobody had heard of the scuba diving in the Philippines. It was just for locals and backpackers. Indeed Puerto Galera which is the most popular dive spot now, was a sleepy little fishing village. So how did it happen that the Philippines became a scuba diving Mecca? In truth the Philippine Government along with the diving community must take the credit. Someone had dived in Puerto Galera and could scarcely believe their eyes. The corals and marine life here are unlike anywhere in the world.

Plenty of space to kit up and store equipment.

What happened to make the Philippines and Puerto Galera in particular so popular with scuba divers?
When the Department of Tourism realized the value of this natural recourse, they realized that fishermen would do much better for themselves and their country if they could be converted from fishing to becoming part of a local tourist industry. They toured places like Puerto Galera, which is where the beach resort is situated and many other similar villages. To say they were right is something of an under statement.

Puerto Galera has more than 300 species of corals, which is considered one of the largest concentrations of corals in the country or even in the whole world. Coral health is generally good, though the effects of global warming and increased pollution, may still lead to drop in diversity.

There are more than 25 dive sites within a 15 minute boat ride from the resort. Whilst a little further away (20 TO 25 Minutes) is The Verde Island Drop off. Now, Verde Island is surrounded by a submerged mountain range and these mountains descend to some 2,500 feet.

The entire area surrounding the resort is a Protected Marine Reserve.
The fish are not in the least concerned at finding scuba divers sharing their habitat and a typical scuba dive here is likely to find you in the company of turtles, Moray Eels, White Tip Sharks. Whilst the more fortunate divers may find themselves in a school of dolphins or a passing Whale Shark, which are seen from time to time.