Badladz Dive Resort

Established in 2011, Badladz Beach & Dive Resort occupies a prime beachfront position in Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro. The resort is designed with sustainability in mind, operating on solar power to ensure reliable energy for its guests. It is situated just 0.5km from the city centre and is easily accessible via a short tricycle ride from Balatero Pier after your ferry crossing from Batangas Bay.

The resort offers a variety of accommodation styles, from standard rooms to larger ocean-view condos equipped with full kitchens. Whether you are staying in a King Ocean Suite or one of the Staycation Condos, you will find amenities such as air conditioning, Starlink WiFi, and private balconies. The proximity to the local dive sites and the semi-private nature of the beach makes it a practical choice for those looking to focus on their underwater training or fun dives.

As a PADI affiliated centre, Badladz provides structured training and guided exploration for a wide range of experience levels. The staff are local and speak both English and Tagalog, ensuring clear communication during briefings and throughout your stay.

The centre manages both recreational diving and formal education, catering to those looking to progress through the PADI system. Their focus remains on providing a clean, safe, and professional environment for all divers, from those on their first Discover Scuba Diving experience to seasoned professionals.

Badladz offers a comprehensive suite of PADI courses designed to take you from a novice to a professional level. Beginners can start with the Open Water Diver course, while those looking to expand their skills can enrol in the Advanced Open Water Diver programme.

For divers wanting to specialise, the centre provides training for the PADI Deep Diver and Wreck Diver specialties. Those aiming for a career in diving can work towards their Divemaster certification through their structured training programmes.

The resort features a beachfront setup that serves as a convenient base for your diving activities. While specific compressor brands are not listed, the centre is equipped to support various diving needs, including the availability of Nitrox for divers looking to extend their bottom times.

On-site facilities include a restaurant and bar where you can relax between dives, as well as a spa for post-dive recovery. The resort's solar-powered infrastructure helps maintain consistent service for guests staying on-site.

The reefs are teeming with a vast array of tropical fish, including schools of snappers (Lutjanus), batfish (Platax), and various species of wrasse (Labridae). You will regularly encounter colourful anthias (Anthias), damselfish (Chromis chromis), and butterflyfish (Chaetodon) darting amongst the coral. Larger pelagic species such as tuna (Thunnus), jacks (Carangidae), and trevally are also present in the area.

For those interested in macro life, the sites offer exceptional opportunities to spot nudibranchs (Chromodoris willani), various species of shrimp (Caridea), and ghost pipefish (Solenostomus paradoxus). Keep a close eye on the rubble and coral heads for scorpionfish (Scorpaenidae), frogfish (Antennarius), and various species of goby (Gobiidae).

The hard coral (Scleractinia) and soft coral (Alcyonacea) landscapes are highly diverse, featuring whip corals, sea fans (Gorgoniidae), and giant staghorn coral. These structures provide a home for many creatures, including sea cucumbers, octopuses (Octopus vulgaris), and various species of moray eel (Muraenidae).

Larger marine life includes green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) and occasionally hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata). You may also encounter stingrays, reef sharks, and various species of grouper (Epinephelus) patrolling the deeper sections of the walls and canyons.

Diving conditions in Puerto Galera can vary significantly depending on the site and the tide. While many sites like Sabang Wrecks experience mild currents, others such as Canyons and Monkey Beach can encounter strong currents, particularly during major tidal shifts.

The best time to visit is during the dry season from November to May. During the rainy season from June to October, the area is less crowded, though you should be prepared for different weather patterns.