Big Apple Dive Resort
Sabang Beach, Puerto Galera, Mindoro 5203 Philippines
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About
#30 of 75 hotels in Puerto Galera
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Best value for money resort with the cleanest and clearest Pool around! Lively Sports Bar and Cafe Party Bar and New Indian Restaurant! Friendly staff! Open to serve food and beverages 24HRS with a variety of special menu items daily! LIVE SPORTS on the BIG SCREEN. Happy Hours: 8am - 8pm in main bar, 5pm - 8pm in Sports Bar, 12noon - 8pm in BA Cafe! HQ Billiard Tables and Great Music! FREE WIFI! Nintendo Wii!
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Property amenities
Free internet
Wifi
Pool
Outdoor pool
Bar / lounge
Restaurant
Beach
Non-smoking hotel
Room features
Air conditioning
Room service
Refrigerator
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Good to know
HOTEL STYLE
Centrally Located
Location
65Somewhat walkable
Grade: 65 out of 100
23Restaurantswithin 0.5 km
3Attractionswithin 0.5 km
138Reviews2Q+A29Room tips
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Curiosity666293 wrote a review Jan 2023
Recently stayed at the big apple. The downstairs bar and food was good. Didn’t like the fact that they had no safes in the rooms so nowhere to put your money had £334 stolen from my room. The only people who had access to my room apart from myself was the cleaners had no ladies stay with me at any time was too late to go back to the owner as I only realised the money was missing when I was at the port leaving. Stayed in apartment number 28 my name is Mark DAVEY +447786998760
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Date of stay: January 2023Trip type: Traveled with friends
Value
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
+1
A fantastic dive site location, the most helpful crew and what a great place to relax , fantastic value, fantastic pool and the food is just amazing what a menu, 24/7 if your looking for a special hide away this is it the dive master know their stuff great team great hire arrangements
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Date of stay: July 2022Trip type: Traveled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Disclaimer: While I spent most of my time in Puerto Galera hanging around at the Big Apple Dive Resort, I stayed at the Steps Garden Hotel, so I don't have any idea what the rooms are like at Big Apple. I did 3 days of diving with Big Apple, ate almost every meal there that I was in Puerto Galera and drank there every night before going out onto the dirty boulevard. I think it is terrific place and highly recommend it, but given its location, it might not be for everyone. Atmosphere: The place has a fantastic atmosphere for divers and guests that want to a laid back, fun, tropical atmosphere to eat and drink, listen to music and hangout by a nice pool. Every night there was a lively crowd drinking, chatting, listening to music and everyone is very friendly. Unlike many places in Sabang, the place is not over-run with bar girls hunting for customers... although there are probably some in there from time to time. I would say the place does not seem particularly oriented to families, although there were sometimes groups of kids playing in the pool. Location: Big Apple is not on the water, it is hidden away down a rather dingy alley near the main drag of bars in Sabang. It is a pretty short walk down the alley to the water front where the dive boat goes out for diving twice a day. The water front in the center of Sabang does not really have a beach anyway, and there is currently some construction going on, so actually, I found that Big Apple being slightly hidden away was a positive, it seems like a little oasis in the middle of a fairly chaotic little town. Be aware, the nicest beach in the area, White Beach, is a 20-30 minute trike ride away. Food and Drink: Generally excellent, not too expensive, quite an extensive menu. Are there better options in town? Maybe, I have no idea, I thought it was great and did not see any reason to go anywhere else. The grog was pretty standard. Facilities: From the pool, to the dive shop, to the small gym and boxing ring, to the spa, to the pool table in the bar, Big Apple has quite a bit going on for what it is, which is after all, a pretty small footprint dive resort. The place is not the 4 Seasons, some of the stuff, like the gym and the spa are pretty basic, but it is nice to have it available. Service/ Management: For a small hotel/dive resort in the Philippines, this place is very well managed. The British owner was there when we were there, and he is a very knowledgeable and friendly but clearly no bullsh!t kind of guy that runs a pretty tight ship. He was also diving with the guests every day and was happy to have a few drinks in the bar and tell jokes. The day to day manager, Kris, is a very cool Filipina woman who basically keeps the place running, and is also a dive master. She was constantly in the bar, sorting out problems, helping people arrange transport, supervising the staff, basically doing anything that needed to be done... Need anything or have an issue, she'll fix. The rest of the staff was very friendly and trying their best, although guess what, occasionally the service can be a bit uneven... Welcome to SE Asia. Dive Shop: Big Apple's dive operation is, like the rest of the place, very well run. The equipment was in good shape, the dive instructors and dive masters were very professional. Gao, who was the instructor for our dives, is a very experienced, very nice, understated and professional guy who has been diving all over the Philippines and clearly knows his stuff. The dive boats launch from the port which is a 3 minute walk from the resort, and the dive sites are about a 10 minute ride from the port, so the great thing about diving here is that you do your surface interval at the resort before going back out for the second dive, not sitting on a small boat barfing over the side. The dive boat itself is just a small open wooden boat with no amenities to speak of, but you are on the boat for such a short period of time, who cares? We did have a bit of an issue with one of the dive instructors who was an older Western guy in that he seemed a bit low energy and watching him get completely plastered in the bar every night did not instill a massive amount of confidence. Dive Sites: I only went on a few dives, so I don't want to generalize too much. The diving conditions were pretty good, not much current, decent but not great visibility. I did not see that many large fish or other animals, or large coral formations, but there were a fair number of small fish and some interesting things to see. I plan to go back there any dive at some other sites like Canyons and Monkey beach. Downsides: Depending on what you want to do, the location of Big Apple might not be your cup of tea. It is about 50 meters from the beginning of the little strip of red light bars on a slightly seedy alley. Anybody familiar with SE Asia will not bat an eye, but if you have an issue with tranny shows and working girls, maybe you should stay at a hotel a bit further away from the center of Sabang. Like maybe in Honolulu. Anyway, I think the Big Apple is a great place if you are looking for a chill place to hang out, meet some cool people and do some diving in Sabang. After spending a few hours there, I was sorry that I had already pre-paid the Steps Garden, which is also a nice little hotel, just because I spend most of my time at Big Apple. It is not the Grand Hyatt, and it is not right on a nice white sand beach. It is a clean, well managed, friendly little dive resort with a very chill, relaxed and fun atmosphere. I hope to be going back soon.…
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Date of stay: April 2022
Location
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Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
After your dive or just exploring around, this is a good place to chill and meet other people, reasonable prices and this is normally the meeting/starting point of a night out.And is opened 24/7 kitchen and bar.
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Date of stay: February 2020Trip type: Traveled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
I Can't believe this bar hired the girl who has the worst behavior,, especially the Billiard spotter (Yhen) whoever she is, Owner should pay attention to her, ,teach her how to treat customers!!!!!!..
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Date of stay: January 2020Trip type: Traveled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Like most places in the Philippines the food is average. I’m not there for that. I’m there for the beer sport and scenic beauty. Both inside and out. It’s a fun pub that cranks up after dark. Good service. Happy hour is only 12 hours. Hardly fair. Beer at 59 peso. Two pool tables. Friendly girls. A home away from home.
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Date of stay: December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Sit with a cold beer served by lovely staff this is the place for you...look out over the water to verdie island.during summer the bikini floating bar can also be seen..watch live sports from all around the world
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Date of stay: August 2019Trip type: Traveled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Stayed Big Apple 6 years ago and loved it. This time 3 couples tried to book on Agoda and it was sold out for June 1. The numbers on the web site did not work or no one answered. We just went there and they had 5 superior rooms. So we checked in. My wife 1st entered and screamed as there was a small snake in the floor. We then went for lunch, draft beer out of stock. Ordered a burger, waitress said, "no stock". I ordered a curry and she came back and said we have no food at all until maybe 3pm. I asked for a manager, "he is in Batangas". We asked to watch the heavyweight boxing, "we are not allowed to change channel and the manager is in Batangas". Went to sleep that night and neither of us could sleep for mosquitoes. Had a brown out at 2am , girl at reception said, "Backup generator needs maintenance, out for 8 months now" we just sat in the dark at the bar area until sunrise. One waitress in the whole place.…
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Date of stay: June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
3 Helpful votes
Helpful
We stayed for 2 nights because we are taking our Advanced Open Water Course in here. Course is cheaper than others. We arrived before lunch time and we got our room ready. After 9 hours coming from Manila because of the Holiday craze, needed much to go to the toilet and wholah! No WATER!!! We were informed that they are fixing things in their water. Then said the whole area of Puerto Galera was affected but I overheard one staff saying there was no problem in their house. Then after few hours we asked again and said they will open the faucet. Still... NO WATER! And mind you, why are we the only room asking for water??? I asked another guest he said there is water in their room. Pressure is low but there is water in the room. Imagine us carrying pail to get ourselves water? And we actually took bath outside our room. Beside the pool and in the laundry space. They didnt even bother to put us in another room so we can get the water we needed. Imagine 3 days doing it. The staff is helpful getting us water but it is not enough for all of us. About the diving, we started 3 taking the Advanced OWD but ended up 2. Our first Dive Instructor was horrible. My friend almost got drown during the first dive that is why she decided not to push thru. The 2nd dive was traumatic. Me and my friend are struggling and the DI is just looking at us. We thought he said terribly bad when he was called to fix my friend's weightbelt. So after our 2nd dive, we demanded for another instructor. There came Dustin. He discussed the course very well, gave us the instructions clearly and watched us during our dive. We felt very safe that we finished the course. Sir Bunny is also helpful during the dive. Therefore, i wouldnt stay again with them but i could dive as long as Sir Dustin or Sir Bunny is our divemaster.…
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Date of stay: April 2019Trip type: Traveled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
This time we only went here to eat. They have a nice big menu card, but they were out of nearly everything. The food we ended up getting was fair, but far from good. Staff was nice A lot of ventilators were broken so even more hot, than needed.
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Date of stay: April 2019Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
1 Helpful vote
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ALSO KNOWN AS
big apple dive hotel puerto galera
LOCATION
PhilippinesMindoroOriental Mindoro ProvincePuerto Galera
NUMBER OF ROOMS
30
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Frequently Asked Questions about Big Apple Dive Resort
Which popular attractions are close to Big Apple Dive Resort?
Nearby attractions include Victory Sports Bar (0.3 km), Club Erotica Bar and Disco (0.2 km), and Floating Bar (0.2 km).
What are some of the property amenities at Big Apple Dive Resort?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include a pool, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge.
What food & drink options are available at Big Apple Dive Resort?
Guests can enjoy an on-site restaurant and a lounge during their stay.
What are some restaurants close to Big Apple Dive Resort?
Conveniently located restaurants include Jack Daniel Apartments Restaurant, The Verandah Restaurant, and Relax Restaurant.
Are there opportunities to exercise at Big Apple Dive Resort?
Yes, guests have access to a pool during their stay.
Are there any historical sites close to Big Apple Dive Resort?
Many travellers enjoy visiting Muelle Cross (2.3 km).