Atlantis Dive Resort, Puerto Galera

I stayed at Atlantis Puerto Galera for a few days and had a lovely time. The staff were incredibly welcoming and knew my name within a day, which made me feel right at home. My room was spacious with a TV, a large balcony, and a shower with great water pressure (and free shampoo and body wash). I had an ocean view suite at the front of the resort, and the sunrises were absolutely stunning! There are a lot of stairs in this resort, so that is something to be mindful of; you can request ground'ish level rooms. The food was great, with different options for each meal every day. They catered to my gluten and dairy allergies really well, and I never felt like I missed out. I’m now obsessed with their Kalamansi juice too—you have to try it! The resort also has a large spa with air-conditioned massage rooms—definitely worth it after a day of diving. Even though the resort has a lot of rooms, it never felt crowded. It’s set back a bit from the main walking road (no cars allowed), so it was nice and quiet at night. As for the diving, it was some of the best I’ve ever done! The reefs were covered in soft corals, super colorful, and full of life. I saw tons of nudibranchs, frogfish, shrimp, and crabs, which were my favorites. Some sites weren’t as colorful but still nice. The dive staff were super attentive and quickly figured out what I liked to see, so I was never bored. The dive sites are all really close to the resort, just 5-10 minutes away, so we came back between dives to relax with tea and snacks. The dive center is fantastic—lots of space, rinse tubs, showers, and a very well-equipped camera room. The staff even gave me tips on my underwater photography. They have lots of boats, so there was never any crowding, and the built-in nitrox analyzer setup was super easy to use. Sometimes depending on the tide and the busyness of the boat area, you may have to wade through water to get to the boat, then climb a short ladder. All in all, I would definitely come back!

I stayed at Atlantis Puerto Galera for a few days and had a lovely time. The staff were incredibly welcoming and knew my name within a day, which made me feel right at home. My room was spacious with a TV, a large balcony, and a shower with great water pressure (and free shampoo and body wash). I had an ocean view suite at the front of the resort, and the sunrises were absolutely stunning! There are a lot of stairs in this resort, so that is something to be mindful of; you can request ground'ish level rooms.The food was great, with different options for each meal every day. They catered to my gluten and dairy allergies really well, and I never felt like I missed out. I’m now obsessed with their Kalamansi juice too—you have to try it!The resort also has a large spa with air-conditioned massage rooms—definitely worth it after a day of diving.Even though the resort has a lot of rooms, it never felt crowded. It’s set back a bit from the main walking road (no cars allowed), so it was nice and quiet at night.As for the diving, it was some of the best I’ve ever done! The reefs were covered in soft corals, super colorful, and full of life. I saw tons of nudibranchs, frogfish, shrimp, and crabs, which were my favorites. Some sites weren’t as colorful but still nice. The dive staff were super attentive and quickly figured out what I liked to see, so I was never bored. The dive sites are all really close to the resort, just 5-10 minutes away, so we came back between dives to relax with tea and snacks.The dive center is fantastic—lots of space, rinse tubs, showers, and a very well-equipped camera room. The staff even gave me tips on my underwater photography. They have lots of boats, so there was never any crowding, and the built-in nitrox analyzer setup was super easy to use. Sometimes depending on the tide and the busyness of the boat area, you may have to wade through water to get to the boat, then climb a short ladder.All in all, I would definitely come back!

Their slogan of arrive a stranger and leave a friend is not hyperbole. From the pick up at the airport, the Belmont hotel for your arrival before travel to the ferry boat the next day. The staff goes out of its way to help and ensure your trip is excellent even if your a solo traveler as I was, or as a member of a group of 20+ their level of service is the same for all.Diving:Most dive sites are less than 12 minutes from the resort, they work with the group to ensure he site selected meets the divers bucket list or what they want to see, from frog fish, sea horses, banded sea snakes, pigmy sea horses. Hard corrals to soft corrals. With 5 dives a day and specialty dives you are well covered and will most likely see what you are looking for. Their is no up-charge if you desire the larger 100 Tanks versus 80 aluminum tanks. You only need to analize your Nitrox tanks and setup your gear once so the staff know how you prefer it setup. after that you only need to arrive with your wetsuit and walk to the boat for your dive your gear is ready and good to go for the day.Camera Room:Regarding the camera room its safe well maintained and every spot has 2 110v and 2 220v power plugs so you can charge your gear with or without power adaptors. High pressure air o dry your gear. The room has security cameras and is opened in the morning and closed at night and no need to worry about your gear.Amenities:The pool is very nice and relaxing. The massage room and therapists are a godsend as it helps after a long flight or many days of diving from 60-90 minutes.Food:The food is a la carte, breakfast has many options, Lunch and dinner usually have 3 options to select from but they will adjust for dietary restrictions with prior notification. Only one person during my stay ever order more food as the amount provided most where satisfied with.ATM:Their is no ATM at the resort do to government restrictions and their is only one in Puerto Galera a short 5 minute walk away. It is recommended to do ATM withdrawals in Manila or before you depart the US.

I traveled to the Philippines in April of 2022, shortly after the country was reopened to tourists. I wanted to dive in Puerto Galera again, and chose the Atlantis Resort as my temporary home-away-from-home. In the past, I had taken a bus from Manila to Batangas on the coast, then a ferry to Puerto Galera. Because the bus & ferry schedules were so erratic, I requested the resort arrange my transfers. This consisted of a private driver in an air-conditioned van, 1st class ferry ticket, and tuktuk ride to the resort. Everything went like clockwork. The resort is set on a hillside, carved out of the jungle, at the ocean’s edge. I was on an all-inclusive plan with accommodations, diving, and food included.Everything at this resort is top notch. The rooms are large and spacious with bathroom and shower. All have A/C and ceiling fan, as well as a mini bar that can be used a a refrigerator. My room had plenty of outlets for easy charging of electronics.There is a large restaurant with an extensive menu and the chefs prepare about 6 specials each day. The food was excellent and the portions were large. The meal plan includes 3 courses at dinner and I found it hard to finish all 3. I never had a complaint with the food or the service.The dive shop, locker room, tank storage, and dive-prep area are all at water-side. The dive crew will set up your gear and take it to and from the boat. They take a maximum of 6 divers per boat, and we were diving most times with 5 and a couple of times with only 4 divers. Because the dive sites are such a short ride, your dive briefing is at the resort, you suit up, board the boat, and go diving. The boat returns to the resort after every dive where the resort staff is waiting with hot soup, coffee, tea, beverages, snacks, and sweets. If you're diving nitrox, you select a pre-filled tank, analyze and check pressure yourself, mark tank with tape, and the crew will do the rest. After a short surface interval, it all happens again. They offer 4 dives per day plus a night dive. The local reefs are covered with beautiful hard and soft corals. Nudibranchs are everywhere you look, sometimes several different species on one rock. You can also expect to see octopuses, mantis shrimp, lots of crustaceans, and the typical reef fish found in the Coral Triangle. Puerto Galera is a photographer’s dream. The dive guides are very experienced at finding the best critters. The dives are generally no more than 50 feet, so 60 minute dives are normal.Atlantis also does a day trip to Verde Island. This is an all day trip including 3 dives. The dives at Verde Island tend to be deeper, with more current, hence, more pelagics. This is vertical wall diving at it's best. There is a famous “Washing Machine" dive here as well.The service from the staff at the resort is impeccable. Starting at check-in, every staff member greeted me and addressed me by name each time they saw me. Everyone has a wide, genuine smile. The staff would rate 5 stars anyway, but after 5 days of diving and making a total of 19 dives, I contracted covid-19. I was required to quarantine in my room until I tested negative, before returning home. The staff really upped their game and attended to my every need. Food and all other necessities were delivered to my room several times each day. Ten stars are not enough for the friendly and attentive staff here.My return transfers, again arranged by the Resort, went flawlessly.The only small negative about this resort is they have no elevator. If your room is on the upper levels, you may have to navigate a lot of stairs up and down each time you go to or from your room. I was on one of the upper levels, but the stairs were not an issue for me.I would definitely return to Atlantis Puerto Galera and have recommended it to friends.

This dive resort is special. It is very different. The accommodations are on one side of the road in a city and the rooms are cut into the hillside so if you visit plan to climb quite a few stairs down for breakfast, back after the morning dives, down for the afternoon dives back before dinner then again for the night dives. The dive shop is located on the other side of the road. The divemasters know your name, face and take care of all your gear.