• On the whole excellent weather all year round with a minimal risk of typhoons during the summer months.
• Hottest time of year is May to August, the ‘coolest’ time December to February. "High season" is traditionally late December to early May, although the area is busy at weekends throughout the year and during any Asian Holiday. Some resorts raise prices at peak times (not Asia Divers or El Galleon).
• For accommodation at Christmas, Chinese New Year and Easter, book well in advance.
• For an up to date weather report just follow this link.

• US Dollar / Peso cash are preferred (obviously and the best way!). We accept other major currencies as payment, please check with us before you arrive.
• US Dollar traveler’s cheques are probably the safest way to carry money – no additional charges, but you will need your passport with you when you come to pay with them.
• Credit cards are accepted; VISA, MASTERCARD, AMEXCO.
• El Galleon and Asia Divers accept personal cheques from both US Dollar and Peso accounts. We also accept bank transfers, please contact us for details.

• English is widely spoken.
• Puerto Galera has come a long way over the years and now with landlines to assist with faster check out times, wireless internet for those that have to stay in touch, its easy.
• Pay phones, mobile phone load cards, fax and email are all available.

• No malaria in the area, but inoculations for Hep A, Typhoid, Polio and Tetanus are recommended, always check with your doctor. ,
• Bring high factor sun creams and insect repellent if you are prone to that type of thing, It's a rare occasion that you will need to put on more than shorts and a t-shirt.

 

Private Transfer

• Direct Private Transport to/from Manila



This is the quickest and most convenient way to reach here. It is tailored to suit your required travel times and can be scheduled any time day or night. Its consists of a 2-2½ hour air conditioned car or van journey from Manila to Leah Beach, followed by an hour’s boat ride directly to El Galleon Pier. Total journey time usually 3 – 3 ½ hours. "We strongly reccommend that you have read through the directions carefully and PRINT THEM OUT to bring with you - even if you have done the journey before - we are constantly trying to update and improve the service we provide." Directions for pick up from the International Airport, Manila: We need your flight number and arrival time to book this as well as the number of people in the group Asia Divers and El Galleon Beach Resort offer a special assistance program for our guests arriving at the airport. This requires 48 hours notice of arrival. As you leave the plane a representative from the Department of Tourism will be waiting to meet you – they will walk you through immigration and customs and to the waiting car/van. [In the unlikely event that weather prevents the boat from crossing to pick you up the car will take you to the ‘Alpha Hotel' in Batangas where we'll contact you to arrange the boat ASAP] In the event that you can not give us enough notice of your arrival or for any reason you are not met: Walk through the customs area and go outside the airport. You will be standing on the ‘arrival terminal access road'. Look across the road and you will see two ramps (signs point to the 'arrival extension area') – one going down to your left, one to your right. Walk across the road and go down the ramp on your LEFT hand side. When you reach the bottom you will be at another access road. Stay on the side of the road that you are when you reach the bottom of the ramp. At the bottom of the ramp you should see the letter "A" sign, stand under this and look across the road. There are barriers in place, behind which you will see lots of people waiting for friends and relatives. Walk down the road looking across the street for someone wearing an Asia Divers T-shirt and carrying an Asia Divers ‘transfer sign' with your name. Identify yourself and be prepared that at this stage you may have to leave the luggage trolley behind for a short walk to the car. The aircon car/van will take you directly to Lea Beach (ask the driver if you wish to stop for food, drinks or toilet. There are plenty of MacDonalds and other fast food places as well as "Shell Stations" on the way down). Tip the driver as you see fit, otherwise do not give him any money. All our cars carry cellular phones. At Lea Beach the car/van will stop very close to your waiting boat. There are no porters on the pier – these people earn their living by carrying the bags from the cars to the boat. The boat crew work for us and will take you directly to ‘The Point' (Small Lalaguna) where there will be someone from the resort to meet you (again, they work directly for us, your bags will be safely looked after, tip them as you see fit). All the boats have marine radios. You should pay for the boat and car on arrival at El Galleon [you should not pay anything beyond tips to the driver or boatmen whilst you are on route].

Transfer from Manila airport or hotel to El Galleon Dive Resort return 1-6 people P12,100 7-12 people P17,700 Cost is one-way for the car/van and boat. It covers the total cost of the transport (not calculated per person): Bus upto 21 and boat /one way - Car/Van only - one way - Boat only - one way - Seaplane upto 3 people one way - * All return transport is arranged while you are here through the cashier at El Galleon. Directions to Leah Beach Leah Beach is not far from the Shell Refinery on the East side of Batangas Bay. In more detail: If you go to the last exit on the South Superhighway, and turn right, you only have to drive a few km before you will see a large green sign on your right pointing to the new STAR TOLLWAY to Batangas. This puts you on to a beautiful new road (okay, it is actually quite bumpy for a brand new road). The STAR TOLLWAY will take you straight to Batangas City. Once paying driving through toll gate, (P44) turn left at the roundabout towards Batangas City. After approximately 3kms, the "Lions Monument" will appear on your left. Approaching Batangas City, make the next left turn after the "Lions Monument". Drive to the next intersection on your left, turn and take the next left again and head up till you see the sign for Lobo, SM Mall and the Shell Refinery. From there you have 9.2km to Leah Beach if you want to check your trip meter. Take the next right, following the signs to SM Mall, Lobo and the Shell Refinery, on the way you will cross a bridge, shortly after you will see the Portofino Hotel. Before arriving at the hotel you will see a Y intersection that will take you to the new SM Mall, drive past the mall, past the Shell station and keep left, keeping a lookout for the Shell Refinery and Pacific Flour Mills. Pass the Shell Refinery, and beware of the two speed bumps near the Flour Mill gates. Take the small dirt road on the right immediately at the end of the Flour Mill fence (about 100 meters after the second speed bump) and you are there (look for the Asia Divers/El Galleon transfer sign). Parking at Leah Beach - Some advise P50 per night in an open but locked area.

• Transfer from hotel or private residence in Manila



Just let us know when and where you wish to be picked up from. If you wish to be collected from a hotel in Manila we need the Hotel name, phone number & your room number From a private residence we need the full address and if possible directions to assist the driver as well as a contact phone number.

• Banca from Mainaga to El Galleon



Private boat pick-ups from Mainaga can be arranged at anytime (with at least one hours notice). The boat takes about an hour to get to El Galleon Pier. If you are making your own way to Mainaga Pier the boatmen will an Asia Divers/El Galleon transfer sign with your name on, the cost for the boat only is P3,000 one way. [Pay at El Galleon.] There are locked car parking areas. At Mainaga Pier there are porters on the pier – these people earn their living by carrying the bags from the cars to the boat. When you arrive one of the porters will have a slip of paper with your name on it. He is the only porter you should deal with if you need bags carrying. If you make use of the service wait until they have put your bags on the boat and then pay him. You can pay what ever you like [P20 [about U$ 0.5] a bag is usual] – if you do not wish to use them just say so.

Public Transfer

• Public transport Boat or Ferry

For the ‘seasoned traveler' Not convenient or easy if you have luggage Cheapest option. Catch a regular aircon bus from Manila (BLTB or JAM bus stations in Pasay) to Batangas Port (approx. P150) where local boats and ferries run to Sabang, Puerto Galera and Balateros If you arrive at either Puerto Galera or Balateros you will need to get a bangka boat to the Point, Small Lalaguna (about P200– 400) We can arrange to heave you met from any ferry - just give us a call.

• Seaplane Travel in style

Cost US$350 one way for up to three people (depending on your size and the amount of luggage). The plane, from Subic Bay, cannot land at the international airport but can be met close by at the Blue Horizon Restaurant. Flights can only be made well with in day light hours. Contact us for more information / bookings or Mike O'Farrel direct: : seaplane@asia-mail.com / or seaplane@portalinc.com Tel: 047 252 3005 / 047 222 4916 / 047 252 2230 or cellular 0918 371 0580.

• Helicopter

Flying time around thirty minutes, lands on the beach, daylight only. Commuter Air Philippines: Cost: PHP 25,000 per hour (we estimate 1.5 hours). Approximately PHP 37, 500. Max four passengers (or 350 kilo's total weight). Total around US$ 960 e Ayala Aviation: Cost: PHP 28,000 per hour (estimate 1.5 hours). Approximately PHP 42,000 + landing and take off fee (total P1, 000) + 3% carrier tax (i.e. about P1, 250). Max five passengers. Total around US$1,150