Oriental Mindoro evokes images of a genuine tropical paradise–white sand, crystal clear water, lush green forests covering majestic mountains and splendid waterfalls, and Puerto Galera, arguably the province's most famous attraction, is indeed a sight beyond compare.
Oriental Mindoro is bordered by the Verde Island Passage. The passage houses 2,983 individual species of algae, corals, crustaceans, mollusks, fishes, marine reptiles, and marine mammals, based on a study conducted by scientists Carpenter and Springer in 2005.
Oriental Mindoro is touted as the country's emerging eco-tourism destination. In 2005, the Philippines was found to be the center of marine fish biodiversity and the home of the most diverse marine ecosystem in the world by American biologists Kent Carpenter and Victor Springer. Most of the endemic species in the Philippines are found in the Verde Island Passage between Mindoro Island and the main island of Luzon.
Oriental Mindoro's Puerto Galera
In November 2004, Puerto Galera was voted a member of the UNESCO affiliated “The Club of the Most Beautiful Bays in the World”. Puerto Galera is blessed with one of the world's most beautiful natural harbors which also protect ships, yachts and bancas from strong typhoons sweeping in from the Pacific during the rainy season.
Puerto Galera is known for its lovely white sand beaches and its exquisite dive sites with a biodiversity of marine eco-system. Interesting rock formations and coral gardens are home to colorful marine life, like the numerous species of nudibranch, mantis shrimp, sea anemone, moray and sea fan sea horses. The seas off the coast boast passing dolphin pods, the rarer whale shark and is part of the migratory small whale route from the Visayas.
Venture to Oriental Mindoro!
Oriental Mindoro can be reached through land and sea transport. From Manila, take the Batangas-Laguna-Tayabas (BLTB), Tritran, and other Batangas-bound buses to the Batangas City pier. From there, take the super ferry boats bound for Calapan, which has several trips per day, or those bound for Puerto Galera. A roll-on-roll-off (RO-RO) ferry is convenient for those wishing to take their private vehicles.
In Mindoro Oriental, a number of jeepneys ply the capital from the neighboring towns and to the interior.
Accommodations
• Utopia Resort & Spa - Palangan, Palangan, Puerto Galera / Mindoro, Philippines 5203
• Mermaid Resort - Sabang Beach Puerto Galera, Sabang, Puerto Galera / Mindoro, Philippines 5203
• The Manor at Puerto Galera - Brgy Sto Nino, Sto. Nino, Puerto Galera / Mindoro, Philippines
• Waimea Luxury Houses - El Galleon Dive Resort Annex - Small La Laguna Beach, Sabang, Puerto Galera / Mindoro, Philippines
• El Galleon Dive Resort with Asia Divers - Small La Laguna Beach, Sabang, Puerto Galera / Mindoro, Philippines
• Sunset at Aninuan Beach Resort - Aninuan, Puerto Galera, Aninuan, Puerto Galera / Mindoro, Philippines
• Marco Vincent Dive Resort - Oriental Mindoro, White Beach, Puerto Galera / Mindoro, Philippines 5203
• Redsun Dive Resort - Small Lalaguna, Sabang, Puerto Galera / Mindoro, Philippines
• Sabang Oasis Resort - Sabang Beach Central, Oriental Mindoro, Sabang, Puerto Galera / Mindoro, Philippines 5203
• Dolphinbay Beachfront & Dive Resort - Barangay Palangan, Puerto Galera, Palangan, Puerto Galera / Mindoro, Philippines 5203