Casalay Divers

Casalay Boutique Villas & Dive Resort is a secluded sanctuary located on an isolated beach in Puerto Galera, Philippines. The resort combines high-end accommodation with a dedicated PADI dive centre, creating a base for divers who prefer privacy and a connection to the marine environment.

The centre is positioned to provide quick access to over 30 dive sites, ranging from shallow house reefs to more advanced walls and wrecks. Whether you are looking for a relaxed muck diving experience or a high-energy drift dive, the location serves as an ideal starting point for exploring the Verde Island Passage area.

The dive operations are led by Gaurav Sharma, a PADI IDC Staff Instructor with over 20 years of experience and more than 3000 dives. His background as a former military professional and multi-disciplinary instructor, including SDI/TDI and PFI Basic Freediving, brings a disciplined approach to safety and instruction.

The team provides instruction in English and Tagalog, ensuring clear communication during training and on the boat. The centre maintains a strong commitment to sustainability, focusing on reef-safe practices and the reduction of single-use plastics to protect the local ecosystem.

The centre offers a comprehensive range of PADI courses, catering to every stage of a diver's progression. Beginners can start with Discover Scuba Diving or Bubblemaker programs, progressing through to Open Water Diver and Advanced Open Water Diver.

For those looking to specialise, the centre provides PADI specialties including Deep Diver, Wreck Diver, and Nitrox/Enriched Air. More advanced training is available through the Rescue Diver and Divemaster programmes, including a full Divemaster Internship. The curriculum also covers niche skills such as DPV (Diver Propulsion Vehicle) and Adaptive Support Diver training.

The centre utilises a combination of outrigger boats and speedboats to reach the various dive sites. These vessels allow for efficient travel to both the nearby reefs and the more distant sites like Verde Island.

Nitrox is available for divers on the boats, facilitating extended bottom times for those on deeper or more demanding profiles.

The shore-based facilities include a dedicated dive shop, a classroom for theory work, and a training pool for skill practice. Divers have access to changing rooms, showers, and a dedicated space for camera equipment.

On-site equipment includes 12L cylinders available in both DIN and INT configurations. A compressor is maintained on-site to support daily operations, and Nitrox is readily available for certified divers.

The reefs are teeming with life, from large pelagics to delicate macro species. You will regularly encounter Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas), Hawksbill turtle, and various species of reef shark, including the Whitetip reef shark (Triaenodon obesus). Schools of fish such as Snapper (Lutjanus), Jacks (Carangidae), and various species of Barracuda and Trevally are common sights across the walls and channels.

The hard coral landscape is defined by massive coral heads, Table corals, and various species of Gorgonians and Sea fans (Gorgoniidae). You will also find a diverse array of sponges, including barrel sponges, and various forms of soft corals that provide colour to the reef structure.

For macro enthusiasts, the area is a treasure trove. Keep a close eye on the seabed and corals for Nudibranch (Chromodoris willani), Pygmy seahorse (Hippocampus bargibanti), and various species of Ghost pipefish (Solenostomus paradoxus). The sandy patches and muck sites are ideal for spotting Mimic octopus (Octopus vulgaris), Flamboyant cuttlefish, and various species of Frogfish (Antennarius).

Seasonality plays a role in certain sightings; for instance, Thresher shark may be observed between November and April, with the best opportunities occurring in January and February. Additionally, Great barracuda are more frequently encountered during the cooler seasons.

Diving conditions in Puerto Galera vary significantly depending on the specific site. Many of the local reefs are shallow and calm, though some areas like the Batangas Channel or Manila Channel can experience moderate currents.

More advanced sites, such as the Canyons, West Escarceo, or Kilima Drift, are known for high-tension drift diving and can have very strong currents. Divers should be prepared to manage their buoyancy and trim carefully in these environments.