We just got back from a FABULOUS dive vacation in the Philippines. We stayed at Coral Cove the first week. Nik, the Australian manager, is no longer there. However, Belen, an extremely bright and capable Filipina, is. Belen and the rest of the crew did everything possible to make our stay and our dives incredible. The hotel is in the ideal location. It's a beautiful 25 minute walk into Sabang, passing through tiny villages with so many friendly people to chat with along the way. Although it's nice to be close enough to walk ( or catch a ride) into Sabang for dinner or the market, you'll be glad that you're staying at Coral Cove. Sabang is a bit of a 'zoo.' Coral Cove has its own restaurant which offers fresh fish and plenty of other dishes. Our divemaster was a really great British guy who has been living there for a while. He was very familiar with all the dive sites which made it nice & easy. The boat captain was the best. Period. We had long, great dives which made Fiji look weak by comparison. I would highly recommend Coral Cove, along with a week at Polaris Dive Resort in Cabilao to even out a perfect trip.

Looking for a quick getaway close to Manila, we looked on the internet for places to stay in Puerto Galera, as we also wanted to do some diving. We found the website of Coral Cove, which is really great to navigate and contains all the information we were looking for, AND it was well designed and well-written. So, the website was already a real plus. Getting to Sabang by banka was a bit of a shocker, as Sabang is quite grimy, built-up and touristy. Thus, truly pleasant was the surprise of arriving at Coral Cove, a short drive from Sabang proper, and quite accurately described in the website as a quite and secluded little paradise, far from the madding crowd. This is where you want to be if you are looking for peace and quiet. The place has only recently been refurbished, and it has been very well done. The rooms are basic, but have everything one needs, such as fan, AC, hot water and cable TV. The standard rooms are small, but with lovely little terraces overgrown with bougainvillea and overlooking the sea. The dining area has a wonderful view and the food we had there was good fare. The staff is really nice, too. The diving was excellent, thanks to instructor Nik and his assistant John, who have made us want to come back to see all of PG's amazing dive sites. In short, a real gem!

We booked our stay at Coral Cove - mainly because it is just over the hill from where my brother has bought a house. It is on the end of peninsula extending from Puerta Galera. We flew in to Puerta Galera on the Subic Seaplane, got a "banka" ferry to Puerta Galera and then were picked up by the Coral Cove Jeepney.

Getting to Coral Cove from the Puerta Galera ferry took about 25 minutes in the Jeepney (converted jeep transport|) over a narrow partly unmetalled road. via the small town of Sabang.

The hotel is currently being refurbished so prices were very competitive - roughly $40 (2000 pesos) per night for a twin bedded cabana.

The rooms are comfortable and clean. They all have an air-conditioner, modern TV, wc & shower. The fittings are distinctly old and for example although the shower has hot and cold running water the basins only have a cold tap - this is quite common in the Philippines. So for a hot water shave you have to get hot water from the shower - there is a small bucket.

We stayed in a separate cabana (#16 - recommended). The fixtures & fittings, curtains, bedcovers, towels etc were distinctly old. But it was very comfortable and to sit in the shade on the verandah, reading a book was bliss.

However the location is stunning, set in a cove overlooking the Mindoro strait. Coral Cove doesn't have a swimming pool although there are plans. There is a tiny harbour with a golden sand beach although at low tide this reveals a lot of rocks. See photos.

The main hotel building is long verandah with reception, bar, kitchen, shop and dive office located off it. To sit on the terrace with tropical breezes blowing is quite idyllic. The public rooms have been refurbished and include an airconditioned conference room. But all meals etc are in the non airconditioned bit on the verandah

Coral Cove has a new British manager and a fully qualified British Diving instructor. We don't dive - but the people we spoke to at the hotel that went out diving were ecstatic about the diving conditions.

The staff were all friendly and extremely competent. The food was good. As befits a hotel managed by a former Gurkha Officer one of the specialities is Indian Curry (every saturday night). But there is a good menu - not gourmet food but all tasty and well prepared.
Meals are not expensive - breakfast of fresh fruit, toast and coffee is around 150 pesos ($3) per person and a full american breakfast 250 pesos ($5).

Don't expect modern facilities or modern luxurious accommoddation. But I just thought it was an absolute gem.

Its the sort of little hotel with could attract a cult following once the rooms are upgraded.