Scandi Divers

Located on the peaceful Big La Laguna Beach in Puerto Galera, Scandi Divers Resort sits within one of the most biodiverse marine environments on the planet. The area is a designated UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, providing a vast array of habitats ranging from deep walls to vibrant muck diving sites.

Getting to the resort involves a journey of approximately three hours from Manila by van and boat. Once you arrive, you are positioned ten minutes' walk from the hub of Sabang, with the resort itself offering a quiet, family-friendly atmosphere on the shores of Mindoro.

The centre is a PADI affiliated operator with a reputation for high-quality instruction and staff. The team is experienced and provides training in English, French, Chinese, and Tagalog, making it an accessible choice for an international group of divers.

Beyond standard recreational diving, the centre is actively involved in marine conservation. They participate in local environmental efforts, including mangrove planting and International Coastal Cleanup Day, which reflects their commitment to the local ecosystem.

Scandi Divers offers a comprehensive range of PADI courses for all experience levels. Beginners can start with Discover Scuba Diving or the Open Water Diver course, with subsequent progression through to Advanced Open Water Diver.

For those looking to professionalise their skills, the centre provides Divemaster training. They also host student groups for dedicated scuba trips and specialised conservation activities.

The centre is rebreather friendly and caters to technical divers with the necessary support. For those looking to enhance their underwater experience, they offer the rental of Lefeet P1 Mini Underwater Scooters and Ocean Reef Neptune IDM integrated diving masks.

On-site facilities include a Skyview restaurant serving an international menu and accommodation with over forty rooms, including oceanfront, poolside, and beach cottage options. Reliable connectivity is provided via fast WiFi with Starlink backup.

The marine life here is defined by incredible variety. On the deeper walls and reefs, you will encounter large pelagic species, including Tuna (Thunnus), Jacks (Carangidae), and various species of snapper (Lutjanus). Schools of fusiliers, mackerel, and trevally move through the water column, while reef sharks and spotted eagle rays are frequently seen.

In the coral gardens, the scenery is built from a dense architecture of hard corals (Scleractinia), soft corals (Alcyonacea), sea fans (Gorgoniidae), and various sponges (Porifera). You will find these supporting a huge array of reef fish, such as butterflyfish, parrotfish, and colourful anthias, alongside larger residents like groupers (Epinephelus) and moray eels (Muraenidae).

For macro enthusiasts, the sandy and silty areas offer a different world. This is where you will find the mimic octopus, flamboyant cuttlefish, and the blue-ringed octopus. The small critters are abundant, including thorny seahorses, ornate ghost pipefish (Solenostomus paradoxus), dragon sea moths, and various species of nudibranch (Chromodoris willani).

Other notable inhabitants include the hammerhead and thresher shark, hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata), and various species of stinging and non-stinging sea snakes. From the tiny pygmy seahorses (Hippocampus bargibanti) to the large batfish (Platax), the biodiversity is constant.

Divers should be prepared for varied conditions depending on the site. Some locations, particularly The Drop off at Verde Island and the Canyons, are known for having very strong currents.

Planning your dives should take into account the tidal movements, especially when visiting canyon topography to ensure optimal water flow.