From Christchurch to the Coral Reefs of Puerto Galera
A North Canterbury Dive Club Adventure to the Philippines
Trading a frosty Canterbury winter for the warm tropical waters of the Philippines was an easy decision for a group of North Canterbury Dive Club members who recently travelled to Puerto Galera for an unforgettable diving adventure.
The journey began with a chilly 4:00 am start in Christchurch, where winter jackets were essential before boarding flights to Sydney and on to Manila. After an overnight stay in the bustling Philippine capital, we travelled south to Batangas before taking a ferry across to the island of Mindoro. Our destination was Sabang Beach, where Captn Greggs Resort became our home for the next nine days.
Once we arrived, life settled into a wonderful routine—coffee, breakfast, a dive briefing, and then straight into warm 30°C tropical water. With the dive centre only a short walk from our accommodation, getting on the boat each morning couldn’t have been easier.
Our first dive at Fantasea Reef introduced us to the incredible marine life Puerto Galera is famous for. Colourful soft corals, healthy reefs, turtles and countless tropical fish made an immediate impression. For several members of the group, it was their first experience diving in tropical waters, and it certainly exceeded expectations.
Throughout the week we explored a fantastic variety of dive sites, including the famous Canyons, the Sabang Wreck, and the spectacular reefs surrounding Verde Island. Schools of trevally, jacks and tuna cruised through the currents while vibrant coral gardens stretched in every direction.
Not every dive was about big fish. Our muck dives at Secret Harbour and Montani revealed an entirely different world, with seahorses, pipefish, cuttlefish and an incredible variety of tiny marine creatures hidden among the sand and rubble.
One of the standout moments of the trip came during a night dive when we encountered a Wunderpus octopus. Calmly moving across the sandy bottom, this beautifully striped octopus gave everyone plenty of time to admire one of the ocean’s more unusual inhabitants.
Of course, the trip wasn’t just about the diving. Travelling with fellow club members, sharing meals, comparing underwater photographs and enjoying plenty of laughs between dives made the experience even more memorable. These are the friendships and shared adventures that make dive club trips so rewarding.
A huge thank you goes to the wonderful team at Captn Greggs Resort, along with our excellent dive guides, for looking after us so well throughout our stay.
As we returned to a much colder Christchurch, there was already plenty of discussion about where the next overseas club adventure might take us.
If you’ve ever considered joining a club trip, keep an eye on upcoming North Canterbury Dive Club events. Overseas adventures like this are a fantastic way to experience world-class diving, meet new dive buddies and create memories that will last a lifetime.