Dumaguete vs Puerto Galera — Dive Destination Comparison
Dumaguete (Philippines) scores 72.2/100 vs Puerto Galera's 70.7/100 in OkToDive's 12-category rating. Choose Dumaguete for muck diving with 10–25m visibility. Choose Puerto Galera for reef diving at ~$50/dive.
Last updated: 2026-07-22
Side-by-side comparison
| Metric | Dumaguete | Puerto Galera |
|---|---|---|
| OkToDive Score | 72.2/100 | 70.7/100 |
| Country | Philippines | Philippines |
| Visibility | 10--25m | 8--25m |
| Water temp | 26--30 C | 26--30 C |
| Max depth | 35m | 35m |
| Current | mild | variable |
| Cost per 2-tank dive | $55 | $50 |
| Budget tier | budget | budget |
| Best months | November, December, January | November, December, January |
| Dive types | muck, reef, wall, shore | reef, drift, wall, muck, wreck |
| Min certification | Open Water | Open Water |
| Key species | whale shark, thresher shark, frogfish | frogfish, seahorse, nudibranchs |
| Google rating | 4.6 (380 reviews) | 4.5 (500 reviews) |
Which should you choose?
Choose Dumaguete when...
- + Budget-conscious divers — avg $55/dive
- + Newly certified divers building confidence
- + Groups seeking 30+ named dive sites in one area
Skip if
- - You don't have Advanced certification
- - You need shore access — this is shore-only
Choose Puerto Galera when...
- + Budget-conscious divers — avg $50/dive
- + Wreck diving enthusiasts
- + Experienced drift divers comfortable in current
Skip if
- - You don't have Advanced certification
- - You need shore access — this is boat-only
Bottom line
Dumaguete wins on overall score (72.2 vs 70.7), but the right choice depends on your priorities. Puerto Galera is more affordable ($50 vs $55/dive). Puerto Galera has better peak visibility (25m vs 25m).