Batangas to Puerto Galera
It would be easy just to say "go to Batangas Pier, Terminal 2 and catch the ferry", but as usual its not so easy. If you've taken the Sikat or Super 85, your bus driver will probably tell you everything you need to know. You still have to be careful for various transportation scams in Batangas. First of all you have to run the gauntlet of porters. If you packed light with a knapsack, they won't be so insistent on helping you with your bags. Don't let the anyone grab your bags and escort you to a "private" banka boat.
Walk through the gates and head for the entrance of the terminal on the left side of the building. The guard at the door will ask to see your ferry ticket. During your wait in the terminal, someone from the tour company will contact you and tell you which ferry to board.
The reverse trip is not so easy. After leaving the terminal building, you probably won't have any idea which bus to board (there's quite a few). You should just stick with the group, or better yet, find someone on board the ferry that has made the trip before and can show you which bus is yours. Invariably there will be some pinheaded taxi driver that will try to convince you that your bus has broken down and will not be arriving for hours.
The hard part of the trip is your arrival at the Puerto Galera dock. It is a veritable feeding frenzy of porters and banka drivers all trying to get your business. As soon as the ferry lands, some will come on board the ferry and grab your bags so you will follow them to their banka. Have your bags in hand before the gang plank is lowered. To avoid all the madness, walk across the dock to one of the many cafes (picture 2, this page) , order a beer and wait for the commotion to subside. Then at your leisure you can find your transportation.
If you are going to Sabang, La Laguna, or Coco Beach, I highly suggest taking a banka. On board the ferry Mavel and I met 3 other tourists that were going to Sabang. We shared the same banka and split the P240 fare. If you are going to White Beach, take a trike ... it should only cost P50. If you don't mind waiting, you can take a Jeepney to Sabang, but the drive is a real butt buster. The road to Sabang is terrible and may not even be passable if it has rained recently.
Be choosy when hiring a banka. Find the biggest one you can. In the real small bankas you will get wet once it has left the harbor and gets into open waters. Also, there's a very large pump boat that holds around 30 people. Unless you are Filipino or a long time resident, they won't let you aboard. However, if you see one of these pump boats without any passengers waiting, you can hire it for the same price as one of the smaller bankas.
Harbor view from docks
Puerto Galera Docks
Market Street East, Puerto Galera
Market Street West, Puerto Galera