Mindoro is the seventh-largest island in the Philippines. It is located southwest of Luzon, and northeast of Palawan. In past times, it has been called Ma-i or Mait by ancient Chinese traders and, by Spaniards, as Mina de Oro (meaning "gold mine") from where the island got its current name. The island was divided into its two present-day provinces, Occidental Mindoro and Oriental Mindoro, in 1950.
Oriental Mindoro (Filipino: Silangang Mindoro) is a province of the Philippines located in the MIMAROPA region in Luzon. Its capital is Calapan City and occupies the eastern half of the island of Mindoro; Occidental Mindoro is the western half. To the east of the province lies the Sibuyan Sea and Romblon. To the north is Batangas across the Verde Island Passage. The Semirara Islands of Antique are to the south. Oriental Mindoro is famous among tourists for Puerto Galera. This municipality, only a few hours from Manila, boasts splendid white beach resorts and diving spots. For the adventurous Mt. Halcon, on the western border of the province, provides one of the most challenging mountain climbing experiences in the Philippines.
Mindoro is also home to the Tamaraw or Mindoro dwarf buffalo (Bubalus mindorensis), which is endemic to the island. The Tamaraw is a bovine related to the water buffalo and is an endangered species.
PUERTO GALERA
Puerto Galera is a town on the northeastern coast of Mindoro Island, Philippines. Among travelers it is commonly known as encompassing the region surrounding it. While a small town itself, other adjacent smaller towns, such as Sabang and White Beach, are the primary destinations; however, all are lumped together as Puerto Galera as it hosts the ferry terminal through which most people arrive.
Most visitors to Puerto Galera are attracted by the excellent scuba diving provided by the protected marine sanctuary. There are a number of dive shops in the area (estimated at around 35) that provide access to a macro (i.e. small life) heaven. The dive sites that feature a large variety of small sea life with the occasional shark or turtle. Several sites are drift dives and often turn into (strong) current dives with the best diving (for coral and small life) being at 20m or 60 feet.
Almost all of the dive sites are within a 10 minute boat ride of Sabang which allows you to spend your surface interval on the shore and it also allows most shops to offer as many as four dive trips (single tank) each day. Prices for a single dive are around $24~$30 for a single tank dive, including equipment rental, boat and dive guide, with discounts for more dives and if you have your own equipment. Other activities that are available in the area are: Banana Boat, Jetski, Vinta (Local Sailboat), Island Hopping, Mountain Biking, Rent a Motorbike, Rent a Banka Boat and go snokeling World Class Scuba Diving is available and easily accessible at nearby Sabang beach.
PANDAN ISLAND
Pandan Island is a private island with a small resort on the West coast of Occidental Mindoro, Central Philippines. After the island was 'discovered' and the resort established in 1986 by a French adventurer, this tropical island retreat has been voted time and again as one of the top resorts in the Philippines, not in terms of luxury but for it's quality of life and it's personalized atmosphere. Pandan Island is for people who like to spend time in tropical surroundings without cars and television. A place where you are woken up by the singing of colorful birds, where there is only a palm tree between you and the sea, where you still know your neighbors and where you may even meet a sea turtle before having your breakfast.
APO REEF
Apo Reef can be found around 33 kilometers west off of the mid-western coast of the Philippine island of Mindoro. Two separate coral reefs make up the atoll-reef system. The two reefs are separated by a 30 meter-deep channel between them. Several environments can be found within the reef's boundaries. Aside from coral reefs, seagrass meadows, beds of macroalgae and mangrove stands are present on and around the reef proper.
The waters of Apo Reef are protected within a National Park encompassing 274.69 km² of the reef and its surrounding area. Of the total area, 157.92 km² comprises the Apo Reef Natural Park while the remaining 116.77 km² constitute a buffer zone surrounding the national park.
In 2006, the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau of the Philippine Department of Environment and Natural Resources submitted the reef to the UNESCO World Heritage Centre for consideration as a World Heritage Site. Following a survey by the local chapter of the World Wide Fund for Nature, fishing within the reef was banned by the Philippine government in September 2007. The marine park would be opened for tourists to help generate funds for its protection as well as provide an alternative livelihood for hundreds of fishermen in the area.
GETTING THERE
By car Puerto Galera is 3hrs away from Metro Manila. If you're already in Manila, getting there is pretty easy. Having a car is very convenient, all you need to do is drive through South Luzon Expressway turn right to Star Toll gate and then head to Batangas Pier. From there, you can either park your car and ride a ferry going to Puerto Galera or have your car ride a RORO (roll on, roll off) ship so you could take your car with you to Puerto Galera.
By bus Most tourists prefer the ease and convenience of the 'Sikat' tourist service. The Sikat leaves at 0800 daily from the City State Tower Hotel on Mabini Street, Ermita, Manila. The round trip ticket costs about $25 and includes both bus and ferry to either Sabang Beach or Puerto Galera. For the adventurous traveler go to Buendia LRT station and from there you will see buses and shuttle services going to Batangas pier. It cost around P180 from Buendia to Batangas pier. Be careful with your bags as the buses are notorious for pick pockets. And when you get to Batangas pier all you need to do is to ride a ferry boat going to Sabang - Puerto Galera. [edit]
By boat Scheduled ferries arrive at Puerto Galera mostly from Batangas but also from other islands. From there, most people immediately depart for Sabang (known for SCUBA diving) or White Beach (a stretch of white sand holding small restaurants and bars).
