Travel Guide: Pandan Island Resort in Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro

Pandan Island Resort Beach

Pandan Islands - the islands of Pandan Grande and Pandan Piqueño were declared as one of the historical markers on the Municipality of Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro. These islands have harbored several submarines and warships during World War II. Both of the islands are home to several thousand square meters of coral reef.

The Pandan Grande Island has a small private resort, called Pandan Island Resort. The resort has attracted several tourists, both domestic and foreign not only because of the golden-white sand beach and turquoise water around the island but also its peaceful environment.

The island itself is a nestling ground of giant pawikan or sea turles. Most of the pawikan found in the country are endangered species. The resort has hatchery, the management takes care of the baby pawikan and released them back in to the sea once they are old enough to take care of themselves. If you are lucky you can witness this and help them to released baby pawikan in to the sea.

baby sea turtles - Tagalog/Filipino term is pagong,
when they grew Tagalog/Filipino term is pawikan

Aside from basking under the sun, one of the best attraction in the island is you will get a chance to swim with lots of giant pawikan and....

giant pawikan

several stingrays.

stingray - Tagalog/Filipino term is pagi

Pandan Island Resort is less than 15 minutes boat ride away from the Sablayan mainland. The resort allows daytrip tourists in the island with the entrance fee of Php150 and mandatory environmental fee of Php55. We went there as a sidetrip of our Apo Reef trip that is 2 hours boat ride away from the resort.

For day trip tourists there's a designated area where they can camp for a day.

the designated area for daytrip tourists

The resort has only basic amenities. There's no fresh water and there's no electricity but I heard they have solar powered generator.

rooms/cottages for overnight stay or more

diving school - the name was derived from a butterfly, Mariposa

the resort's restaurant

the resort's bar

one of the hammocks available inside the resort

table tennis court

Getting there from Manila

Option 1: The easiest way is to book your flight from Manila to San Jose, Occidental Mindoro. From San Jose Airport, ride a tricycle going to bus terminal then ride a bus or van going to Sablayan port for 2 hours. Then chartered a boat for Php200/head going to Pandan Island.

Option 2: For budget travelers: From Manila ride a bus bound to Batangas pier for 2.5 hours or less if no traffic, Jam bus liner fare from Buendia to Batangas fare is Php175. At Batangas pier ride a ferry (RORO) that is bound to Abra de Ilog for approximately 2.5 hours. Fare is Php260 and Php30 for terminal fee. From Abra de Ilog pier ride a bus or van going to Sablayan port for another 2 hours land travel, fare is Php220. 

What to do

1. Bask under the sun.

2. Go on diving trip to Apo Reef or diving around the island.

3. Swim or snorkel with many pawikan and several stingray.

4. Play beach volleyball, table tennis or simply relax on the hammock.

TIPS:

1. Travel with group to lessen the cost.

2. There's also a designated comfort room for day trip tourists, don't use the other comfort rooms even if it is detached from the cottages because someone might banged the door just a few seconds you're inside it.

3. Bring your own food and if you go there for day trip only.

4. I don't know if it just me, but I feel a vibe that foreign tourists are priority here than the local tourists. :(

For other information visit http://www.pandan.com/

photo credits to my friend I was with during the trip

You might also want to read:
Apo Reef Natural Park: Ph wonder beneath the earth's surface