PGYC History Goals Reciprocal Clubs Puerto Galera Philippines

The Puerto Galera Yacht Club ("PGYC") was founded in 1991 by an enthusiastic group of yachtsmen who wished to make their home within the embrace of the historic bays that make up Puerto Galera, and to provide a place of welcome for other cruising boats passing through the Philippines. The yacht club is situated within one the world's rarest and most beautiful, natural typhoon shelters and is the recognized hub for all cruising routes in and out of the West Pacific.

Puerto Galera's surrounding beaches and coves offer all the entertainment and facilities that one could wish for in a tropical paradise: scuba diving, snorkeling, golf, kayaking, hiking, swimming, tennis, bars, music and restaurants offering dishes from almost every nation on Earth . . . but especially seafood. In fact, it is so good here that some visitors never leave.

The PGYC maintains 28 Visitor Moorings very close to the southern end of Muelle Bay, close to the town. If the visitor moorings are full when you arrive, safe anchorage can be found within Boquete Bay or Dalaruan Bay, but please take great care when anchoring so as not to disturb the protected corals and the indigenous giant clams. You can view the visitor moorings through the webcam located at Sharkeez Pizzeria on the pier.

In recent years the PGYC has sought to improve the livelihood and income of the town by promoting Puerto Galera as a water sports destination. The PGYC now organises three Sailing Regattas each year and all types of boats are made welcome (keelboats, multi-hulls, Hobie 16s and dinghies). The significant feature of PGYC racing is that, whilst we also have an IRC Racing class for the guys with money to burn, the main focus is on having fun. Accordingly, the most prestigious trophy is awarded based upon the unique PGY performance handicap system.

In 2005 the club launched its Sail Training Programme wherein would-be sailors of all ages can learn the basics of the sport of sailing in Puerto Galera's safe and clean waters. Associated with the Sail Training Programme is the Sailing Scholarship Fund. The Sailing Scholarship Fund is financed by donations and the proceeds from regattas. So far the fund has financed the training of more than 100 local children and they have rewarded us with 1st and 2nd place finishes at the 2006 President’s Cup Regatta and other national dinghy events.

If you don't want to sail all the way to Puerto Galera but still want to revel in the wonders of this magnificent tropical paradise then the PGYC can also introduce you to yacht charters on a variety of boats, for day sailing or for longer cruises -- you can drop anchor beside any one of a hundred shimmering, palm fringed islands surrounded by the Philippines's legendary crystal clear waters.

Whether stopping for a while or just passing through, Puerto Galera also offers an excellent variety of provisions, plus potable water and clean fuel. The PGYC can also arrange for local craftsmen to assist in yacht repairs although obtaining spare parts for engines and generators etc. will usually require a ferry journey to the commercial port of Batangas, about 15 miles North across the Verde Island Passage.

When placing Puerto Galera on your cruising route for the first time it is best to schedule your arrival in daylight so that you can avoid joining the many Chinese and Spanish era wrecks that make scuba diving here so spectacular; if you do arrive off Puerto Galera at night then check out the chart on the Cruising Info page to locate safe, overnight anchorages outside the bay. Better still, make contact with the PGYC in advance so we can provide detailed information about anchorages, moorings, reefs, port clearance and other items of importance.

For more information about Puerto Galera, the PGYC and Philippine cruising then read our Cruiser News magazine (available in print and on-line).

The Puerto Galera Yacht Club can be contacted using email <info@pgyc.org>, telephone +63 (0)43 442 0136, VHF Marine Channel 68. Note: our VHF radio is not the most powerful in the world and our antenna is obscured from most directions when outside of the bay; however it is the best way to attract the attention of the service boat when approaching the visitor moorings.