The Deal

Cost. Our normal charge for the 4/5-bedroom “Boathouse” is US$ 230 (about Pesos 10,800)/night and for the 6-bedroom Oceanside Villa US$ 250 (about Pesos 11,800)/night. That includes a cook /housekeeper, boatmen, the Hobie 16, Mirror sailing dinghy and kayak. Note that if both villas are occupied, amicable coordination amongst guests is needed for boat-sharing. Yacht Rags and Sandoway chartering is US$ 230 (P 10,800)/ day (or part day) if you choose to use it. A premium is usually applied for larger groups (see below). We need a 50% deposit to secure a firm booking.

Food. We do not provide food at the villas, but include in the cost an excellent caretaker /housekeeper who is a good cook and will help you with the shopping, cooking, child-minding and housekeeping, and will guide you as to things to do and places to go in and around Puerto Galera. She will buy and cook the food – especially seafood – of your choice. A visit to the seafood market with her is well worthwhile. IF you would like the cook to take full responsibility for shopping and cookiing (rather than assisting) there is a fee of P 500/day/villa for 2 to 3 meals/day which goes directly to the cook. If it is a large group and expecting more than3 meals, we recommend you give the staff a tip.

Larger Groups. With regard to larger groups, the Villas are primarily designed for 2 or three couples, but since they have very large floor areas and terraces, we do welcome larger groups if they can help us by being somewhat independent with regard to bringing towels, bed coverings and pillows. We have plenty mattresses. Our laundry facilities are limited, and Puerto Galera’s town water supply is limited and must water be conserved. For larger groups (in excess of 6 in the Boathouse, and in excess of 10 in the Oceanside Villa) we usually charge a premium of $ 6 (P 300)/person, but it does not apply to kids under 16. In special cases we can negotiate discounts (extended stays, single couples etc.). Larger groups can perhaps occupy both villas ~ they are only about 50 meters apart. Team building groups are particularly welcome.

Transfers. If you wish, we will arrange a group transfer from Manila direct to our villas in Puerto Galera through inexpensive and trusted minivan operators and motor-banca operators that we use regularly, but note that these are for guest’s own account – we have no financial or liability involvement. Let us know your arrival details and we will set up airport or hotel pick up for you. Our usual minivan operator charges Pesos 3,000 each way (including toll fees and fuel) and 60’ banca “Poseidon” charges Pesos 3,000 per group for 10 adults and P 100/additional adult). There are also regular ferries from Batangas pier, and a bus /ferry combo (SIKAT 632 521 3344) from the City State Hotel in Mabini St, Ermita, Manila. It is about Pesos 700 /pax.

Water Transport around Puerto Galera. Puerto Galera Pier (Muelle) pick up and drop off for arriving/departing guests is free. It takes about ten minutes. For general transportation we offer our own 8m banca at commercial rates, or the 40HP aluminium dinghy (within PG Bay only) at a rate equal to the commercial rate. A list of rates is in the Visitors Book.

Sailing. Our business is primarily “shore-based” yacht rentals based in Puerto Galera where guests generally stay in one of our two luxury villas, and do day and overnight yacht sailing in our 36’Farr 1104 yacht from there. We do not do bare-boat or long haul yacht charters, in fact we are not aware of anybody who does this kind of chartering in Philippines ~ it is considered too dangerous with hidden reefs, poor anchorages and sudden severe adiabatic squalls. Our “shore-based” yacht charter generally involves sailing, swimming and diving in the vast and beautiful Verde Island Passage between Mindoro and Luzon, and also sometimes in the Subic – Manila – Batangas Coast – Puerto Galera areas, but not east of the Calavite Passage or beyond Romblon. As noted above, it is too risky. Safe anchorages can be far apart. We always send one or more skilled boatmen along with you ~ they take care of the sails and mechanics and know where the reefs are, but the guests do the sailing. We do not generally do yacht charter for guests who are not staying in a villa, but occasionally when a yacht and boatman are available, we charge $250/day to include the yacht, boatmen and diesel.

Diving. There are many scuba diving operators in Puerto Galera, mostly based in the Sabang and La Laguna beaches. We deal mostly with Badladz Adventures Divers based on Puerto Galera Pier. We have found that they offer the most competitive prices, have smaller groups and give better individual attention. They pick guests up at the villas and if requested, conduct classroom training at the villas. They can be found at www.badladz-adventure-divers.com. We have no financial or liability involvement with this group.

Moorings Resort Condo. We recently acquired a comfortable and spacious two bedroom condominium unit within Puerto Galera Bay at the ‘Moorings Resort’ immediately next to Puerto Galera Yacth Club. We use it ourselves when the villas are fully booked, but also rent it out on a self-catering basis to guest ‘overflow’ or smaller groups from time to time.  The bedrooms have air-con and are quite large. One bedroom has a queen-size bed plus a single bed, and the other has twin beds. We charge US$ 130 (about Php 6,000) for the condo unit. There is very easy access to many local beaches and other parts of Puerto Galera from the condo.

Clarifications and/or more info, email >puertovillas@gmail.com