For the 15th year in a row, against all the weather forecasts, the All Souls Regatta in Puerto Galera proved to be the most enjoyable yacht racing event in the Philippines. Three days of glorious 10-12 knot breezes sandwiched between weeks of almost nothing. The only anomaly, if that is the right word, was the thunderstorm on the first day that surprisingly bulged out of Batangas Bay, encroaching on the fleet as they raced from the Verde Island mark to the finish-line off Haligi Beach – initially benefiting those holding course in the middle of the Verde Passage with extra wind, while forsaking those closer to the shore until much later

Sibale is an extinct volcano and one of the numerous islands within Romblon Province. Sibale contains nine villages (barangays), forming the municipality of Conception and most of the residents still speak a dialect that is unique to Sibale and its two closest island neighbors: Banton and Simara (aka Corcuera)

In December 2018, we visited Romblon (town) on Romblon (island) in Romblon (province), arriving by yacht from Puerto Galera (Mindoro), via Mainit Bay (hot-spring bay) Banton Island (Romblon), with the intent of also visiting Sibuyan and Tablas islands. For various reasons we spent the majority of our time with our base of expedition being the Romblon Yacht Club, located about a kilometer North of Romblon town

Royal Cargo All Souls Regatta Halloween fun!

Images courtesy: John Smart

Unquestionably the largest yachting event in the Philippines each year, the 2017 Royal Cargo All Souls Regatta Week in Puerto Galera is shaping up to be the most fun you can have on the water at Halloween.

Upwards of thirty yachts are expected in 2017, competing for trophies of Tanduay rum in three classes: cruising, cruiser/racer and multihull. In the multihull class the event has already set a Philippine regatta record, with eight cruising multihulls already signed up.

turtle swimming towards nesting beach

Images courtesy: John Smart

If you visited Puerto Galera in 1981, it would not have been uncommon to see turtles swimming along the shallow waters off the beaches and in the bays. The turtles would feed on the sponges and swathes of sea grass. Turtles would lay their eggs along the almost deserted beaches, especially along the peninsular beaches (from Coco Beach to Sabang Beach) and their young would stumble back into the water upon hatching, to commence their years of cruising the oceans.

Rowing La Mesa Dam: Serenity!

Images courtesy: Girlie Cervantes

Rowing is not a sport that immediately screams "Philippines!" but certainly one where the Philippines has had some medal success on the international sporting stage. Rowing on La Mesa Dam offers the most complete workout, in arguably the healthiest corner of Metro Manila.

Pursuit Racing At Its Finest

Image courtesy: Girlie Cervantes

The 2017 Puerto Galera Yacht Club ("PGYC") Easter Regatta was the 26th in the series and is now the longest running yachting event in the Philippines. Twenty one yachts joined in the sailing fun, along courses set across the Verde Island Passage. The weather gods blessed the event with three gloriously sunny days, serving up 10-20 knot breezes from a generally easterly direction.

Race Start Round The Volcano

Image courtesy: Girlie Cervantes

The Round The Volcano Race 2016, principal sponsor Club Balai Isabel, organized by the Taal Lake Yacht Club, is unique in all the World. Where else on Earth can you sail in a volcano lake that has at its centre an active volcano?