Third Time in White Beach Puerto Galera

So why I kept coming back to White Beach in Puerto Galera as if there's no other beaches near Metro Manila? 😄 My simple answer is, I love the beach vibe of this place. This is the only white beach near Metro Manila I know that offers all the feel of a relaxing and happy beach life. 

My First visit to White Beach Puerto Galera was in November 2019 (Click this link to learn from my experience). My second visit was in July 2024 (Here's the link to that visit)

I don't need to catch a plane ride to be in a happy and clean beach to chill. I love beaches that have long coastline without breakwater and have direct view of the open sea. It makes the whole experience seamless and very relax. 

No tiring travel as Puerto Galera is only an hour away from Batangas Port via fastcraft. There are lots of choices of beachfront accommodations, so many dining options along the beachline, and there are different packages for fun beach activities such as island hopping and watersports activities. So it's really a happy beach life.

But this third visit to Puerto Galera (May 1 to 3, 2026) was a hell of a challenge because we traveled on a long weekend and OMG the journey was terrible! So many visitors flocked to Puerto Galera on May 1! But we learned that travelers were not only tourists but locals too who were coming home due to holiday and long weekend. 

We left Buendia (via DLTB bus) at 6:50AM (after standing in the long queue for one hour!) and arrived at the Batangas Port at 9:10AM. By the time we arrived the queue to buy a ticket was already loooong! I stood in the queue from 9:15AM and would you believed that I got near the ticketing booth at 2:40PM? That was more than 5 hours standing in the queue my goodness!

Island Water and Galerian were already close because they were fully booked so the only booth open was the Montenegro Lines. And after 5 hours we were told theie fastcraft services were already fully booked! So the only way to reach Balatero Port in Puerto Galera was RoRo. It was my first time to ride a RoRo going to Puerto Galera. 

The RoRo vessel departed Batangas Port at 3:30pm and arrived in Balatero Port at 5:30pm. So by the time we arrived at our accommodation in White Beach it was already near 6:00 in the evening! 

Lesson learned: If you're going to Puerto Galera during peak season, book your fastcraft ticket in advance via Galerian Shipping Lines for seamless travel experience because it can be crowded during peak season and long weekend. 

The first time I visited Puerto Galera white beach, I stayed at Medelaine's resort (the transient inn type). My second visit in 2024, I stayed at Medeleine's again but at their beachfront accommodation. It has a free breakfast. 

Our room at White Beach Bar and Restaurant 

For my third visit, I stayed at the White Beach and Bar restaurant (superior room) but couldn't recommend this place to you. The place is clean but it has no complimentary breakfast, no wifi, and signal is super weak inside the room. We stayed in the superior room that has no window but has a small veranda to rest on.

But one thing I love about this place: it's very near to the beach area just a minute walk. It has so many restaurants to choose from and catching up a tricycle is very easy. This accommodation also offers island hopping packages and watersports activities.

So many food options in this beach, so if you're a gourmander or someone who likes food and drinks, or if you like a lively evening while chilling in the beach side, this place is perfect for you. There are plenty of bars and restaurants to choose from. But just a reminder that most foods in this beach are very expensive so be prepared with your budget.

At Resto Veranda

There are improvements since my last visit in 2024. There are additional hotels and restaurants in the beachfront. The nights also are more alive than ever. Strolling around the beach is more fun.

Choices of watersports activities have increased! Kumbaga marami ng ganap sa white beach compared noon. But due to these new developments the beach is also getting crowded. Night time is becoming more congested. But then if you love entertainment at night time this beach is ideal for you.

But if you're someone who hates noise at night time, don't book your stay at the beachfront because it has so many bar and restaurants and it sprang to life at the sundown until midnight.  If you prefer a beachfront accommodation then be prepared with the noises.

Here are the breakdown of my expenses (each person) in Philippine peso:

1. Buendia to Batangas Pier (DLTB bus): 308.00

2. RoRo (Montenegro Lines) to Balatero Port: 544.00 (two hours travel)

3. Terminal fee: 60

4. Environmental fee: 120

5. Tricycle going to White Beach: 80.00

6. Hotel accommodation for two nights (White Beach Bar and Restaurant): 2,090.00 (no complimentary breakfast)

7. Meals for two days: Php1,200.00

We just stayed in the white beach, we didn't avail any tour packages or fun activities such as island hopping and watersports. So be prepared for these activities. Island hopping package is usually Php2,000 maximum of 6 persons.

8. Tricycle back to Balatero Port: 75.00

9. Galerian fastcraft (they accept walk-ins): 720.00 (one hour travel only)

10. Tricycle from Batangas Pier to Grand Terminal: 100.00

11. DLTB bus from Batangas Grand Terminal to Buendia: 286.00

12. I bought souvenirs worth 600.00