Dive Site: Big La Laguna

About Big La Laguna

Big La Laguna is a beach community situated on the western edge of the Sabang Peninsula, a popular dive region on Mindoro Island, Philippines. While the area is widely known as Puerto Galera, Big La Laguna provides a quieter, more spacious alternative to the bustling Sabang Beach, yet remains within a 15-minute walk of its amenities. It serves as a comfortable base for exploring the rich underwater landscape of the Coral Triangle, a global epicenter of marine biodiversity. Dive sites around Big La Laguna feature a variety of topographies, including shallow coral gardens, exciting current dives, sheer walls, and muck dive areas. The Verde Island Passage, a deep channel separating Mindoro from Luzon, flushes these waters with strong currents, contributing to excellent visibility and a dynamic marine environment. Depths range from shallow coral formations suitable for beginners to deeper sites for advanced and technical divers. This region boasts an extraordinary array of marine life, benefiting from its location within the Coral Triangle, which hosts 76% of known coral species and over 3,000 reef fish species. Divers can frequently encounter an abundance of colorful tropical fish, healthy hard and soft corals, feather stars, and various macro critters. Sea turtles are also common sightings. The best diving conditions, with calm seas and optimal visibility, typically occur from April to September, though diving is possible year-round. Diving from Big La Laguna is generally done via local 'banca' outrigger boats, with many of the 30 spectacular dive sites accessible within 20 minutes. Dive centers in the area cater to all skill levels, from open water to technical divers, emphasizing safety and local expertise due to potentially strong currents. The focus is on experiencing the rich marine environment that has been protected as a marine sanctuary for decades.

Dive site facts: Big La Laguna

Depth

5–35 m

Current

Mild to very strong

Visibility

10–30+ m

Water temperature

22–30°C

Entry

Day boat / Tender

Level

Open Water to Advanced, current experience recommended

Dive type

Reef, wall, drift, macro, coral garden

Night dive

Possible

Region / port

Puerto Galera, Mindoro, Philippines

Coordinates

11.2160° N, 122.0331° E

Conditions & Currents

Diving in the Puerto Galera area, including Big La Laguna, is significantly influenced by currents from the South China Sea flowing through the Verde Island Passage. These currents can reach speeds of up to 6 knots, particularly on certain sites, creating spectacular drift dives rich with marine life. While strong currents are common and contribute to clear water conditions, there are also sheltered areas available, depending on wind and sea conditions, ensuring diving is possible year-round. Divers should always consult with local divemasters who possess in-depth knowledge of current patterns and site-specific conditions, as professional guidance is crucial for safe navigation and gas planning. Visibility can fluctuate with current strength and wind direction, but generally remains very good. Entry and exit procedures will be adapted to current conditions, often involving boat drops and

Marine life & sighting chances

Coral species

common

Reef fishes

common

Feather stars

common

Sea turtles

occasional

Macro critters

common

Hard corals

common

Soft corals

common

Pygmy seahorses

occasional

Napoleon wrasse

occasional

Sharks

rare

Dive profile & how the dive runs

Diving at Big La Laguna typically begins with a short ‘banca’ boat ride to one of the numerous nearby sites, many of which are less than 20 minutes away. Entry is usually a backward roll or giant stride directly from the boat. Depending on the chosen site, dives may involve descending onto shallow coral gardens at 5-12 meters, exploring colorful walls that drop to 25-35 meters, or experiencing drift dives along current-swept reefs. For sites like 'The Canyons' (25-35m) or 'Dungon Wall' (8-30m), divers typically follow the reef or wall contour, often allowing the current to dictate a gentle drift. Specific routes are guided by the divemaster to maximize marine life encounters, such as exploring nooks for macro critters or observing schooling fish in open water. Turn points are determined by air consumption and no-decompression limits, with ascents often along the reef slope. Safety stops are commonly performed at 5 meters for 3 minutes, often along a shallow part of the reef or in blue water, followed by a surface interval before returning to shore or moving to the next site.

Underwater photography

Big La Laguna offers diverse photographic opportunities, from wide-angle reefscapes to intricate macro subjects. For capturing the expansive coral gardens and vibrant walls, a wide-angle lens with external strobes is highly recommended to bring out the true colors and reduce backscatter in potentially clear water. For macro enthusiasts, the abundance of critters like nudibranchs, pipefish, and small crustaceans calls for a macro lens, ideally paired with a snoot or focused strobes to isolate subjects and create dramatic lighting. Due to the presence of currents, maintaining excellent buoyancy control is crucial for stable shots and to avoid damaging delicate corals. When photographing marine life, always prioritize minimal disturbance, observing from a respectful distance and avoiding prolonged harassment, especially for shy or camouflaged species.

Combine with nearby dive sites

• The Canyons

  Advanced dive with strong currents and deep sections.

• Alma Jane

  Wreck dive suitable for advanced divers at 25-30m.

• Verde Island Drop-off

  A full-day trip known for spectacular reefs and walls.

• Sabang Point

  Accessible from 8-25m, offering varied marine life.

• Coral Garden

  Shallow site at 5-12m, ideal for open water divers.

• Small La Laguna

  Neighboring beach area with its own local dive sites.

Getting there & logistics

Access to Big La Laguna and the Puerto Galera dive region typically begins with arrival at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) in Manila. From there, travelers usually take a taxi south to the Port of Batangas. The final leg involves a 30-minute speed boat transfer to Sabang, often with resort-arranged transportation, with some boats directly dropping off at Big La Laguna Beach. Most dive trips from Big La Laguna are day trips, utilizing 'banca' outrigger boats to reach the numerous dive sites within minutes. Typical dive packages include multiple dives per day, with full-day excursions sometimes arranged for more distant sites like Verde Island. There are no specific park fees mentioned for local Puerto Galera diving, but general marine sanctuary regulations are observed. Trips commonly range from a few days to a week, often combining diving with local relaxation, though longer stays are common for those pursuing extended training or exploration.

Safety & environment

Diving in the Puerto Galera region, including Big La Laguna, requires adherence to standard dive safety protocols, and divers are strongly encouraged to have comprehensive dive insurance that covers emergency evacuation and recompression. The nearest recompression chamber would typically be located in Batangas or Manila, necessitating boat and land transport in an emergency, which could involve significant time. Site-specific hazards include potentially strong and unpredictable currents, especially in areas like the Verde Island Passage; divers should always follow the lead of experienced local dive guides. Thermoclines can lead to rapid temperature drops in deeper water, so appropriate thermal protection is advised. While Puerto Galera's waters are part of a marine sanctuary, responsible diving practices, such as maintaining proper buoyancy, avoiding contact with marine life, and refraining from feeding fish, are crucial for preserving the delicate ecosystem.

Who it suits — and who it doesn't

FAQ

Big La Laguna FAQ

Liveaboards diving Big La Laguna

These liveaboards may visit Big La Laguna on selected itineraries — the exact dive sites depend on departure, weather and conditions.

Infiniti

Philippines

25 guests39 m

$280/day

Seadoors

Philippines

16 guests25 m

$335/day

Resolute

Philippines

16 guests34.6 m

$314/day

Dolphin

Philippines

18 guests31 m

$326/day

Navis 1

Philippines

22 guests23 m

$250/day

Philippine Siren

Philippines

16 guests

$309/day

Palau Sport

Philippines

24 guests38.35 m

$215/day

Philippines Aggressor

Philippines

26 guests42.7 m

$381/day

Stella Maris Explorer

Philippines

20 guests33 m

$398/day

Solitude One

Philippines

24 guests52 m

$460/day

Atlantis Adventurer

Philippines

16 guests32.5 m

$421/day

Philippines Aggressor II

Philippines

26 guests42.7 m

$381/day