PUERTO GALERA, Philippines — Due to popular demand, Action Divers has extended its Puerto Galera special package rate, originally for dive travel booked in October and now for trips booked in November and completed before December 20, 2009. Throughout the month of November, dive travelers who book a "Dive & Stay" package with Action Divers will receive private bungalow accommodation, two banca dive boat trips (usually two to six divers per boat), weights, tanks and the best dive guides in Puerto Galera, all for just $49 per day. The special rate is Action Divers' invitation to discover Puerto Galera, one of Asia's most beautiful and intriguing dive destinations. "In essence, during the month of November, dive travelers who book our $49 per day dive and stay packages end up enjoying a day of free scuba diving aboard one of our banca dive boats or a free scuba diving course," said Action Divers owner, Roscoe Thompson. "We launched this special package last month as a collective 'thank you' from Team Action to all of our old friends, and as a way to invite folks who have not yet visited us to come discover the unique beauty and charm of Puerto Galera," Thompson said. "What better way to help dive travelers who may be considering giving up their holiday plans during this difficult economic period than to offer special discounts that cut their travel costs to a fraction of what folks typically pay for full accommodation and boat diving packages," Thompson added. About Puerto Galera Nestled beneath the lush mountains of the island of Mindoro on the southern shore of sparkling Verde Passage, Puerto Galera is situated in the "center of the center" of the world's marine biodiversity. Home to more than 300 species of coral and underwater rock canyons that host nearly 60 percent of the world's known shorefish species, dive travelers rate Puerto Galera among the world's best scuba diving destinations. "This area can be considered the marine counterpart to the Amazon River basin," said Kent Carpenter of the World Conservation Union, co-author of a joint study by America's Smithsonian Institute which put Verde Passage at the peak of the "Coral Triangle" that spans the Sulawesi and the Sulu Seas in the southern Philippines and nearby Indonesia. History Named "Mina de Oro" by Spanish Conquistadores because gold was abundant on the big island of Mindoro, galleon ships laden with silk, spices, gold and silver took refuge during storms in Puerto Galera's superb natural harbor on a trade route between China and Acapulco, Mexico. Designated a marine reserve by the University of the Philippines Zoological Undersea Garden and Marine Biology Laboratory in the mid-1930s, Puerto Galera's awe-inspiring marine species diversity and abundance began to attract independent dive travelers in the late 1970s. By the mid-1980s, tourism was flourishing as Puerto Galera's reputation spread among adventure travelers and scuba divers worldwide, and small, independently owned seaside inns and resorts opened along the many beautiful beaches in the area. | | Verde Island Passage between Puerto Galera and Verde Island offers tourists and dive travelers more marine species abundance and diversity than Palau at less than a quarter of the cost. Today, unlike so many other overdeveloped and crime-plagued travel destinations that sold out in the 1990s to Phuket-style mass tourism with international airports, fast-food chain vendors and huge, high-rise theme resort developments, Puerto Galera remains the same small, charming seaside town that first attracted adventure travelers to its awe-inspiring, panoramic seascape where visitors can still feel safe strolling remote beaches and hassle-free local markets. Getting there Situated on the beautiful island of Mindoro about 130 kilometers south of Manila, Puerto Galera is far enough away to escape the hustle and bustle of the big city crowds, yet within easy traveling distance from Manila International Airport. Figure about two hours from Manila to the port of Batangas and then another hour or so by ferry to Puerto Galera. If you book in advance with Action Divers, Team Action will arrange everything and greet you at the airport to ensure your trip gets off to 100% hassle-free start! About Action Divers Back in the old days, you could have any dive op you wanted as long as it was Action Divers, which pioneered world-class scuba diving in the Philippines. Now there are scores of Action clones but the original is still the best, thanks mainly to Team Action, Puerto Galera's friendliest and most professional dive team, as well as the most affordable "dive & stay" packages anywhere in Asia and beyond. Go to http://www.actiondivers.com to book your $49 per day Puerto Galera "Dive & Stay" package. |
