How to Get from Manila to Puerto Galera (White Beach or Sabang) Without the Stress
Puerto Galera is one of my favourite destinations and I have made the journey from Manila to Puerto Galera five or six times over the years, using different routes and methods, both on my own and with the Sikat bus & ferry.
On paper, the trip sounds simple. Take a bus. Take a ferry. Arrive. In reality, it can easily turn into an all day ordeal thanks to Manila traffic and the chaos at the Batangas port, with its confusing ticket windows and ferry lines.
That is exactly why I put this guide together. In this post, I am going to show you how to get from Manila to Puerto Galera the easy way, how to keep it short and stress free, and how to avoid the most common mistakes people make along the way.
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Quick Travel Resources for Puerto Galera
Best Transportation Option From Manila To Puerto Galera – 12Go
Best Hotel & Dive Shop – Big Apple Dive Resort
Best Travel Insurance – SafetyWing
Best ESim for the Philippines – Airalo
The Best Way to Get from Manila to Puerto Galera for Most Travellers
If it’s your first time travelling in the Philippines, the hardest part of this journey is not the distance. It’s the transitions. Getting out of Manila without losing hours. Navigating Batangas port without getting swarmed. Ending up at the correct pier for your beach or dive resort.
This is exactly why the Sikat service exists. It bundles the bus, the ferry, and the port guidance into one smooth sequence.
Why Sikat is the easiest choice
• One ticket for the whole journey
• Guided help through Batangas port
• Less chance of getting lost or overpaying
• Usually not much more expensive than doing it yourself
If you want the simple version of this entire trip, book the Sikat bus plus ferry combo here.
Step by Step: How to Get from Manila to Puerto Galera Using Sikat (Bus and Ferry)
Step 1: Stay in the Right Part of Manila
I’ve spent about five months living in Manila in the past, and one thing I can say for sure is that the traffic is no joke. A short distance can easily turn into a 90 minute ordeal, so where you stay the night before matters more than people realize.
For this trip, I stayed in Ermita. It’s one of the older parts of Manila, and over the years it’s been overshadowed by nicer areas like Makati and BGC. That said, for this specific journey, it’s the most practical place to stay. Being able to walk to the Sikat pickup point instead of fighting Manila traffic in the morning is a huge advantage.
On my December 2025 trip, I stayed at Citystate Tower Hotel because the hotel lobby is the departure point for the Sikat bus. The location was ideal, but the hotel itself was not. My room was dim, dated, and had very few outlets. Next time, I would absolutely stay in the same area again, just not at that hotel.
If you want to stay near the Sikat pickup in Ermita, here are three much better options:
Budget: Red Planet Manila Bay
Mid range: Hop Inn Hotel Ermita
Upscale: Diamond Hotel Manila
Step 2: What to Expect on the Bus from Manila to Batangas
The bus ride from Manila to Batangas is easy and comfortable. When I took it, the bus had plenty of space, air conditioning, and a scheduled rest stop about 90 minutes into the trip. In normal conditions, the drive takes around 2.5 to 3 hours, depending on Manila traffic.
Once you’re out of the city, the ride is straightforward and relaxed. The only unpredictable part is the first stretch getting out of Manila.
What to expect:
- Comfortable, air conditioned coach bus
- One scheduled comfort stop along the way
- Slow traffic at the beginning, then smooth driving the rest of the trip
Step 3: Batangas Port (How to Get Through Without the Stress)
Batangas Port is kind of chaotic if you do not know exactly what you are doing.
I have arrived here both with Sikat and on my own, and the difference is huge. Doing it on your own is not really that much cheaper, but it is far more confusing. Many travellers arrive not knowing which direction to walk, which terminal they need, or which ticket window is correct. To make things worse, a lot of people arrive without mobile data, so they cannot even check maps or directions.
This is where the noise starts. Touts will call out to you, attempt to grab and carry your bags to entice you to tip them, try to sell you more expensive ferries, and try to steer you in different directions. On one trip, I even fell for a small tip scam when someone “helped” point me to the main building, which turned out to be completely unnecessary.
This is also why having an eSIM for the Philippines helps. Being able to check Google Maps and confirm directions on the spot removes a lot of stress. I used Airalo and it worked fantastic for me. Check rates here.
With Sikat, this is the part of the trip where they really earn their money.
A staff member keeps the group together, pushes away the touts, walks you to the correct window, and then brings you to the right terminal and gate. Inside, the port feels like organized chaos with dozens of ticket windows selling similar things, so having a guide removes all the guesswork. On a previous trip on my own, I almost missed my ferry simply because I was unsure which gate to use and when boarding actually started.
One last tip: bring small bills and coins. There are terminal fees leaving Batangas of ₱100 and another fee on arrival of ₱120. If you only have ₱1000 bills, they can be surprisingly hard to break at the port.
Step 4: The Ferry from Batangas to Puerto Galera
The fast ferry crossing from Batangas to Puerto Galera usually takes about one hour. It’s straightforward and comfortable, with assigned seating and plenty of legroom, and the cabin is fully enclosed and air conditioned.
A few small things make this ride much more comfortable:
• Bring a light sweater, depending on where you’re sitting the AC can be blowing directly on you
• If you get seasick easily, take a motion sickness pill an hour before boarding rather than waiting until you feel sick
Step 5: Where to Stay in Puerto Galera: White Beach vs Sabang
Puerto Galera isn’t a single destination. It’s more of a region, and where you stay completely changes the experience. I learned this back in 2007 when I returned expecting Sabang’s diving scene and accidentally booked in White Beach instead. It was still fun, just a totally different vibe than I’d planned.
White Beach vs Sabang
White Beach
- Beach destination, swimming, beach activities
- More relaxed and family friendly
- Good if diving is not your main focus
Sabang
- Stay here if you are scuba diving
- More nightlife, more bars, more parties
- Lots of bars and nightlife but can feel a bit seedy after hours
If you are coming by ferry, you will almost always arrive at Balatero Port, which is the most practical arrival point and the one used by Sikat and most fast ferries.
After getting off the boat, you will need to pay a small terminal or environmental fee, so this is another moment where having coins and small bills is useful.
From Balatero, you then choose where you want to go:
The town of Puerto Galera itself is mostly local and not very touristy.
White Beach is the classic beach destination with white sand, hotels, restaurants, and beach activities.
Sabang is the scuba diving town and the reason Puerto Galera is famous, with world class scuba diving and a lively nightlife scene.
Getting to your hotel is easy. Tricycles are the main form of transportation from the port, and you will see plenty waiting outside. A ride from Balatero to either White Beach or Sabang usually takes about 15 to 20 minutes. Expect tourist pricing. I paid around 200 to 300 pesos for the ride.
Quick Checklist
- Give yourself plenty of time to get to the bus because Manila traffic can be brutal
- Arrive at Batangas port with small cash (coins and small bills)
- Do not let random porters grab your bag
- Decide on White Beach vs Sabang before you arrive
- Bring a sweater because the ferry can get cold
Is Puerto Galera Worth Visiting?
I first started going to Puerto Galera back in 2007 when I was living in Manila on a student exchange. Manila is exciting but chaotic, and Puerto Galera quickly became my go to long weekend escape from the crowds of Manila. It’s close enough to reach easily, but different enough that it feels like a different world when you arrive.
I’ve been back several times since, including twice in the last few years, and it’s one of the few places in the Philippines I keep returning to.
The real highlight of Puerto Galera for me is the diving, especially in Sabang. The reefs are healthy, there’s a huge amount of marine life, and the diversity is excellent. But what really makes it special is how convenient the diving is.
Instead of staying on a boat for two or three dives in a row like in most places, the boat comes back to shore after each dive. You do one dive, head back to the resort, rest for a bit, and then decide if you want to go again. The dive sites are only about five to ten minutes away, which makes the whole day incredibly flexible. You can load up on dives if you’re feeling energetic, or just pick and choose without turning it into an all day event.
I’ve done about fifteen dives here over the last two years, and I actually put together a YouTube video showing the best of them so you can see exactly what the diving looks like before you go. You can watch it here.
Best Hotel to Stay at in Puerto Galera
Out of all the places I have stayed in Puerto Galera over the years, Big Apple Dive Resort stands out as my favourite. It has an easy layout for divers, great staff, excellent food, and easy access to the dive boats.
What really makes Big Apple special though is the atmosphere. It feels like a British sports pub tucked into a jungle setting. Many western divers stay here, so it is very easy to end up talking about dive sites, sharing stories, or playing a game of pool with other guests and the staff in the evenings. It’s quite a fun place to stay at!
If you want a full breakdown of all the best areas and hotel options in Puerto Galera, I have written a complete guide here:
FAQs
How long does it take from Manila to Puerto Galera?
Most trips take about 4.5 to 5 hours total, depending on Manila traffic and how smooth your connections are.
Should I book in advance?
If you want the easiest and least stressful experience, yes. This is especially true during busy seasons. You can book with 12Go for the simplest option.
Is the ferry rough?
Not from my experience and I have been here in both the wet and dry seasons, but it depends on the weather. If you are prone to motion sickness, take a pill about an hour before departure.
When is the best time to go to Puerto Galera?
Puerto Galera is a year round destination, but for the best weather and diving visibility, the most ideal months are March, April, and May.
Final Thoughts On Getting From Manila To Puerto Galera
Getting from Manila to Puerto Galera is easy once you know the system, but it can feel chaotic if you arrive unprepared. If you want the smoothest, least stressful option, the Sikat bus and ferry combo is the simplest way to do it.
- Find the best flight deals on Trip.com.
- Reserve budget stays with Hostelworld.
- Book hotels with Booking.com.
- Protect your trip with SafetyWing travel insurance.
- Plan trains, ferries, and buses with 12Go.
- Discover unforgettable activities with GetYourGuide.
- Compare car rentals worldwide with DiscoverCars
- Download my free Visayas Itinerary