Pacificdivers

Pacific Divers has been a fixture of the Puerto Galera diving scene since 1991. Located directly on White Beach on the island of Mindoro, the centre offers a relaxed, family-run atmosphere for those looking to explore the rich marine ecosystems of the Philippines.

The centre operates within a prime geographical position, providing easy access to more than 30 dive sites within a five-mile radius. This includes proximity to the world-renowned Verde Island Passage, a global hotspot for marine biodiversity.

Whether you are looking to complete your first certification or are a professional diver pursuing a Divemaster qualification, the centre focuses on practical, hands-on experience. Their approach combines decades of local knowledge with a strong commitment to marine conservation.

The team at Pacific Divers is international and multilingual, with instructors capable of conducting training and guiding in English, French, German, Italian, Tagalog, and Spanish. This makes the centre a versatile choice for a wide range of visiting divers.

As an SDI affiliated centre, they provide a structured progression from beginner levels through to professional instructor training. The teaching style is designed to get you in the water as quickly as possible, ensuring practical skills are developed in a real-world environment.

Beyond recreational diving, the centre supports professional development, offering private Divemaster training and Assistant Instructor programmes. Their long-standing presence in Puerto Galera is built on a reputation for professional safety standards delivered with a friendly, personal touch.

Pacific Divers offers a comprehensive range of SDI courses. Beginners can start with Discover Scuba Diving or the three-day Open Water Diver course, with the Advanced Diver programme available as a two-day course.

For those looking to advance their skills or career, the centre provides Rescue Diver training, Divemaster programmes (available using either your own gear or shop gear), and Assistant Instructor courses. They also offer specialized CPROX-1st-Aid training for those seeking improved safety skills.

Dives are conducted using two traditional Filipino bancas. These 13-metre outrigger boats are well-suited to the local waters, providing a stable and authentic way to reach the surrounding reefs and wrecks.

The bancas allow for personalised, small-group trips, ensuring that the pace of the dive matches your experience level. They are used for a variety of dive types, including daily reef excursions, night dives, and drift dives through the local channels.

The centre offers full equipment hire for divers who do not wish to travel with their own kit. This includes all the essential components required for a comfortable dive, from regulators to wetsuits and fins.

For those looking to document their underwater experiences, GoPro rentals are available to capture the local marine life.

The macro life in the area is exceptional, particularly around sites like White Beach Café and Sabang. Divers can find a wealth of small treasures, including Nudibranch (Chromodoris willani), pygmy seahorses (Hippocampus bargibanti), and various species of frogfish (Antennarius), such as the hairy frogfish. Look closely for Ornate ghost pipefish (Solenostomus paradoxus), ghost pipefish (Solenostomidae), and various types of shrimp and crabs.

On the reefs and walls, the biodiversity is immense. You will encounter large schools of fish including Jack (Carangidae), trevallies, and various snappers (Lutjanus). The seascape is decorated with a vibrant array of hard corals (Scleractinia), soft corals (Alcyonacea), sea fans (Gorgoniidae), and various sponges (Porifera), including barrel sponges.

For those seeking larger pelagics, the area does not disappoint. It is possible to see whitetip reef sharks (Triaenodon obesus), reef sharks (Carcharhinus), and eagle rays (Aetobatus). You may also encounter Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas), Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), and various other species of turtles patrolling the reefs.

Other frequent residents include Lionfish (Pterois volitans), Moray eel (Muraenidae), and various species of stingrays (Batoidea). The reef is also home to many colourful species like Angelfish (Pomacanthidae), Butterflyfish (Chaetodon), and Parrotfish (Calotomus).

Currents in the region vary significantly depending on the site. Some locations offer relaxed, calm conditions suitable for beginners, while others, such as The Canyons and Isla Verde, are known for strong, pulsating currents that require experience and confidence.

While the area is accessible year-round, the nature of the drift dives and the energy of the water can change based on local conditions.