Located a short distance off the west coast of Mindoran Occidental, Pandan is a small, remote island in the South China Sea. With white sandy beaches bordered by turquoise waters and a verdant green rainforest, this lovely little isle is an excellent place to throw your cares to the wind and enjoy some fantastic diving among beautiful coral and along spectacular walls teeming with marine life. Here are just a handful of the dive sites you can enjoy while visiting Pandan.
Neptune’s Land - Philippines Dive Sites
A fantastic site for all divers, Neptune’s Land is a magical place with a flat plateau. The plateau is located at just 18 meters and connects Napoleon Wall and Coral Gardens East. Along the edges of the plateau, beautiful coral covered walls drop to meet the seabed at a depth of 30 meters. Named for the huge Neptune’s Cup sponges, which are similar to barrel sponges, the site is home to a wealth of marine life. You’ll find everything from nudibranchs to small reef sharks as you explore. Sea turtles are often seen here, as well. Whatever you do, don’t give in to the temptation to climb into the Neptune’s cups. Cliona Patera, as they are also known, are extinct in some places where they were once common.
Napoleon Wall - Philippines Dive Sites
A deeper dive site suitable for experienced divers only, Napoleon Wall begins at 30 meters and meets the seabed at a depth of 40 meters. The site is named for the huge napoleon wrasse that can be encountered here. Reaching nearly 2 meters in length, these enormous fish are friendly and will often come right up to divers, probably in hopes of receiving a handout. Along the edge of the wall, you’ll see barracudas and sharks on patrol, plus schooling mackerel and snapper. When the current is running, you can enjoy a spectacular drift along the coral covered wall, and end up at Coral Gardens East. Watch for turtles – they enjoy grazing on the sponge and soft coral.
Coral Gardens - Philippines Dive Sites
Divided into two sites, Coral Gardens East and Coral Gardens West, this is a wonderful site for all levels. Beginning at just five meters, the gardens are made up of a lovely blend of hard and soft coral of all kinds, and as you reach maximum depth of 25 meters, you will find some large Neptune’s cups along with some big gorgonian trees. Watch for coral trout, moray eels and sand eels, and lots of tropical fish, including triggerfish and tangs. Keep an eye out for turtles and stingrays, too!
Anchor and Christmas Tree - Philippines Dive Sites
A fantastic seamount covered in a lush garden of hard and soft corals, Anchor and Christmas Tree is subject to a bit of current and is home to lots of snappers, mackerel, tuna, and other pelagics. The enormous anchor at a depth of 32 meters was lost about 50 years ago and is encrusted in coral – it makes a great prop for photos. The “Christmas Tree” is a huge white sea nettle that looks like a snow-covered tree, situated at the bottom of the hill at a depth of 40 meters. Watch for barracudas – they enjoy hunting the many smaller fish that occupy the site.
Barracuda Deep - Philippines Dive Sites
Named for the huge barracudas that can be seen hunting here, Barracuda Deep features a magnificent wall that begins at 30 meters and meets the ocean floor at a depth of 45 meters. An excellent place to encounter schooling trevally, surgeonfish, mackerel, and even unicorn fish, the site is also home to turtles and eagle rays. Don’t forget to take a close look at the corals and sponges along the wall – you’ll find plenty of crustaceans, nudibranchs, and other little critters!
As one might imagine, finding accommodations on this sleepy little island can be a challenge unless you have made reservations in advance. Be forewarned – there is no electricity on the island, so accommodations are fairly rustic. Still, people have made their homes here for centuries, and if you want a quiet getaway, this is an excellent place for it. Some Philippines dive operators offer liveaboard trips to the island, while local dive shops offer dive safaris on demand.