Puerto Galera is situated on the northern peninsula of Mindoro island, approximately 160km from Manila, Puerto Galera (Port of Galleon) was an excellent port for Spanish Galleons seeking refuge from heavy storms and typhoons. Now that the Galleon days are over, the island become a world class diving spot and a perfect get away for anyone who shows interest in outdoor activities. Trekking high up over the sea-front hills shows vistas of sandy cove after sandy cove fading into the horizon. But the greatest attraction of this island cannot be seen from here. More than twenty world-class dive sites await those willing to put their heads under water, and the nationalities of the diving instructors reflect the main visitors; Americans, Europeans and Australians tend to dominate the diving stations around Puerto Galera. The cost of vacationing and diving is as good as it gets and beginners can qualify inexpensively on a three-day course. The scuba diving season in Puerto Galera is year-round, and going under water can be a good way to escape any rain.
MAJOR INDUSTRIES
Rice, copra, sugar, corn, abaca - all can be grown without difficulty. So, too, other fruits and vegetables. Good quality coal can be obtained. There are white marble and slate deposits. Sulphur, gypsum, hot springs, salt springs and guano deposits for fertilizer are present.
Numerous rivers with falls and rapids assure energy and power for economic developments. The waters around support a lucrative fishing industry.
Popularly known as the tourist haven by the sea, Puerto Galera's coast is 42 km. long, consisting of irregular shorelines rimmed with dazzling white beaches, coconut plantations, and delightful scenery. At the eastern side of the coast, crescents of white beaches are interspersed with limestone cliffs and escarpments that are penetrated by inland bays and coves. These numerous coves and water channels support a rich marine life, forming "non-reef coral communities". Whereas, its tube-like harbor with two natural entrances provide home to dozens of ships seeking safe anchorage.
The Bay of Puerto Galera has a total area of 4.2 sqm. It is framed by the short projections and numerous points of Mindoro Island on the east west, and by the two small islands of Medio and Paniquian on the north and nortwest. The two latter islands project Puerto Galera's famous Muelle Bay from the open sea, thus making it one of the world's safest harbors.
About 23.45% of the entire town is used for agriculture, 0.04% are agro-industrial lands, and the rest are wet alnds and built up areas.
CLIMATE
Puerto Galera has a tropical climate with the relatively high humidity (the average annual humidity is 84.6%). There's no definite dry season and rainfall is pronounced the whole year round.
