Treasure Hunting

Scuba diving is one of the most popular activities that guests can indulge in when visiting Puerto Galera. Divers can make this activity more enjoyable and worthwhile by incorporating treasure hunting into their diving ventures. According to legends, Spanish galleons are buried deep in the waters of Puerto Galera.

Spanish Galleons

During the 17th and 18th centuries, Spanish ships plied the waters between Mexico and the Philippines. On their way to the Orient, these galleons brought with them treasures from the Americas. On their return trip, the ships carried ivory, ceramics, silk, rubies, jade, and spices. To protect them from the strong typhoons coming in from the Pacific Ocean, the Spanish galleons sought refuge in Puerto Galera.

Puerto Galeras treasures are not only the Spanish galleons buried deep in its waters but also the rich marine life that thrives in it. It is home to more than 2500 varieties of animal life. Fishing of any kind is controlled by the local authorities of the island which has helped in protecting the ecosystem of Puerto Galera. This makes treasure hunting viable in the waters of the island.

Dive Centers

One of the best diving centers that provide divers with an opportunity to scour the waters of Puerto Galera is Frontier Scuba. There are more than thirty dive sites in the island and majority of them are just 10 minutes away by boat from the center. At 5 meters or less, most of these dive sites are ideal for treasure hunting.

Frontier Scuba offers solo as well as group diving packages, each accompanied by a seasoned guide. As much as possible, the number of divers is limited to six per group unless requested. When a large group of divers is involved, it will be divided into smaller groups with similar experience level. For solo diving, the diver should have the appropriate diving gear and certification.

The fees for treasure hunting in Puerto Galera may vary. For solo diving, the cost is PHP1200/head inclusive of tanks, boat, weights, and guides. Rental of equipment is PHP200. Frontier Scuba offers discounts for group dive packages. They can choose from five diving schedules.

For divers with their own camera, there are camera tables as well as wash tanks that are available in the center. For more enjoyment, they should bring macro as well as wide angle lens. Likewise, there are designated battery charging areas.

A treasure hunting activity with Frontier Scuba also includes day trip to the nearby dive sites. Verde Island has an underwater hot spring and provides an opportunity for wreck diving. The cost of the day trip is inclusive of the boat, drinks, and barbecue at the beach.