Mindoro, one of the larger islands of the Philippine archipelago, is also the first and oldest of the islands, pushed up by seabed plates some 50 million years ago. Puerto Galera, located in the northeast of Mindoro Oriental has fine beaches and excellent diving as well as a multitude of other attractions. For about 60 years, zoologists, botanists and students of the Philippines have regarded it as an ideal place to study the Eco-structure of animals, plants and micro-organisms in almost undisturbed natural conditions. In 1934, the UP Marine Biological Station was set up. Forty years later, the United Nations Man & Biosphere Program International declared Puerto Galera a nature center. It was at this time that the media also discovered the attractions of Puerto as a tourist destination.

Boasting a beautiful natural harbor, Muelle Cove gave Puerto Galera it’s name of "Port of Galleons" by offering ships and boats protection during rough weather and typhoons. During the Spanish 300-year occupancy, the natural harbor was used as a gateway for Spanish traders on their way to China, India, Sumatra and Java.

In the Immaculate Conception Parish compound you can wander round the Excavation Museum which is a joint effort run between US Peace Corps and the Natural Museum of the Philippines. On view is some of the Ming Dynasty Pottery found on the seabed off Mindoro, as well as a fine collection of shells. Small pieces of the pottery can still be found on the beaches of nearby Verde Island, visited often by Atlantis staff and customers as a day diving trip.