Explore Pandan Island

Pandan Island, nestled off the west coast of Occidental Mindoro in the Philippines, offers an idyllic diving experience for enthusiasts eager to explore vibrant marine life and dynamic underwater landscapes. The island, mostly untouched save for a quaint resort and dive center founded by a daring French adventurer in 1986, serves as a gateway to an underwater paradise. Divers can explore shallow coral gardens that brim with colorful fish, providing a gentle introduction to the region's aquatic wonders for beginners. However, the real thrill lies in the more challenging sites surrounding the island, tailored for seasoned divers seeking adventure. The northern side of Pandan Island features exhilarating deep drop-offs, where the ocean floor seemingly vanishes into the abyss, offering a breathtaking spectacle. Here, encounters with diverse marine species, from majestic manta rays to elusive reef sharks, make every dive memorable. Pandan Island's unique blend of serene beauty and thrilling dive environments makes it a standout destination for divers worldwide.

Courses and Events

Try Scuba

The Try Scuba experience from SSI on Pandan Island is the perfect introduction to the underwater world—no prior experience or certification required. Guided one-on-one by a professional SSI instructor, you’ll start with a clear briefing and basic skills in shallow water before enjoying a relaxed open-water dive on Pandan’s vibrant house reef, known for its healthy corals, tropical fish, and calm conditions. All equipment is included, making it easy and safe for first-time divers. The Try Scuba (Intro dive) is offered at ₱3,500, and combines seamlessly with a stay on Pandan Island, a quiet tropical retreat famous for its white-sand beaches, crystal-clear waters, and laid-back island atmosphere—ideal for both adventure and relaxation.

11 February +92 More
EUR 50.30
PHP 3,500.00

Open Water Diver

The SSI Open Water Diver course on Pandan Island Dive Resort is your gateway to becoming a certified scuba diver, allowing you to dive worldwide to a maximum depth of 18 meters. Conducted by certified instructors from SSI, the course includes digital theory lessons, confined-water skill training, and open-water dives on Pandan’s calm, crystal-clear reefs. All training dives are done in relaxed conditions directly from the island, making learning safe and enjoyable for beginners. The SSI Open Water course is priced at ₱21,500, and is perfectly complemented by Pandan Island’s tranquil atmosphere, white-sand beaches, and vibrant marine life—an ideal setting to learn, dive, and unwind in true tropical island style.

11 February +92 More
EUR 308.98
PHP 21,500.00

Enriched Air Nitrox (40%)

The SSI Nitrox Specialty on Pandan Island Dive Resort is designed for certified divers who want longer bottom times and added safety while diving. Taught by professional instructors from SSI, the course covers oxygen exposure management, Nitrox theory, gas analysis, and practical use, followed by one training dive using enriched air. The Nitrox Specialty costs ₱12,000 and is ideal for guests planning multiple dives during their stay. Combined with Pandan Island’s clear waters, healthy reefs, and relaxed island setting, this specialty is a perfect upgrade to enhance your overall diving experience while enjoying one of Mindoro’s most peaceful tropical islands.

11 February +92 More
EUR 172.45
PHP 12,000.00

Stress & Rescue

The SSI Stress & Rescue (Rescue Diver) course on Pandan Island Dive Rescue focuses on building confidence, awareness, and the skills needed to prevent and manage diving emergencies. Led by experienced instructors from SSI, the course combines theory sessions with realistic in-water rescue scenarios, covering stress recognition, self-rescue, assisting panicked or unconscious divers, and effective emergency response. The SSI Rescue Diver course is priced at ₱22,000 and is often described as one of the most rewarding diver trainings. Conducted in Pandan Island’s calm waters and supportive island environment, it offers the perfect balance of serious skill development and relaxed tropical living, surrounded by pristine reefs and a peaceful, off-the-grid atmosphere.

11 February +92 More
EUR 316.16
PHP 22,000.00

Perfect Buoyancy

The SSI Perfect Buoyancy Specialty on Pandan Island is ideal for divers who want smoother, more controlled dives and better interaction with the underwater world. Taught by qualified instructors from SSI, the course concentrates on fine-tuning weighting, body position, breathing control, and efficient movement underwater. With two focused training dives, you’ll learn to hover effortlessly, reduce air consumption, and dive with greater precision and confidence. The course price is ₱12,000. Pandan Island’s gently sloping reefs, excellent visibility, and uncrowded dive sites create a natural, distraction-free learning environment—perfect for developing buoyancy skills while enjoying the island’s untouched marine scenery and relaxed island rhythm.

11 February +92 More
EUR 172.45
PHP 12,000.00

Divemaster

The SSI Divemaster course on Pandan Island Dive Resort is the first professional level in recreational diving and is designed for experienced divers who want to turn their passion into a leadership role. Delivered by senior instructors from SSI, the program focuses on dive theory, stress management, dive planning, guiding certified divers, and assisting instructors during training courses. Candidates gain extensive practical experience through real dive operations in a relaxed but professional environment. The SSI Divemaster course costs ₱38,000 excluding equipment or ₱45,000 including equipment. Training takes place around Pandan Island’s diverse reefs and calm coastal waters, offering ideal conditions for developing confidence, professionalism, and strong in-water skills—while living the laid-back island lifestyle surrounded by pristine nature and clear tropical seas. Whenever it is possible you are encouraged to join divetrips to Apo Reef to give you real-live experience during your training.

11 February +72 More
EUR 646.70
PHP 45,000.00

Dive Activity

Diving in Pandan Island

Pandan Island offers an array of exceptional dive sites that cater to both novice and experienced divers. One of the highlights is "Japanese Wreck," a fascinating wreck dive where divers can explore a sunken Japanese vessel adorned with vibrant coral and teeming with diverse marine life. For those interested in unique underwater experiences, night dives reveal nocturnal marine creatures and bioluminescent plankton, offering a magical underwater spectacle. Shore dives around Pandan Island are equally captivating, with easy access to colorful coral gardens and an abundance of fish species. Popular spots like "Neptune’s Wall" provide thrilling encounters with moray eels and turtles. The island offers a balanced diving experience, with options for both shore and liveaboard diving, allowing divers to explore nearby remote sites and enjoy the island's beauty at their own pace.

Top Wildlife Sightings in Pandan Island

Pandan Island, located in the Philippines, offers divers a vibrant marine ecosystem. Common reef fish such as parrotfish, clownfish, and angelfish are abundant year-round, providing a colorful backdrop for underwater exploration. The island's reefs are teeming with life, making it an ideal spot for observing the dynamics of a healthy coral environment.

Seasonal highlights include sightings of blacktip reef sharks and hawksbill turtles, typically more frequent during the dry season from November to May. Manta rays may also be encountered, although they are less common and usually spotted in deeper areas. Divers are advised to explore various dive sites around the island to increase their chances of encountering these majestic creatures, particularly during known migratory periods.

Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content

Shutterstock-Shane Myers Photography

Green Turtle
118 Sightings
J
30
F
17
M
12
A
12
M
5
J
6
J
1
A
1
S
0
O
2
N
9
D
23

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 200

Alamy-WaterFrame

Moray Eel
47 Sightings
J
8
F
6
M
3
A
6
M
3
J
2
J
1
A
1
S
1
O
0
N
4
D
12

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 27

iStock-Global_Pics

Barracuda
43 Sightings
J
12
F
7
M
7
A
5
M
5
J
3
J
1
A
1
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
2
Shutterstock-Ed Jenkins

Hawksbill Turtle
21 Sightings
J
0
F
3
M
3
A
3
M
0
J
1
J
1
A
1
S
0
O
0
N
4
D
5

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 600

iStock/ultramarinfoto

Wrasse
11 Sightings
J
2
F
1
M
2
A
1
M
0
J
0
J
1
A
2
S
0
O
0
N
2
D
0
iStock-ShaneGross

Loggerhead Turtle
6 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
1
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
3
D
2

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 28

Udo Kefrig

Clownfish
93 Sightings
J
20
F
8
M
15
A
9
M
3
J
6
J
1
A
5
S
1
O
1
N
5
D
19

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 40

iStock-wrangel

Triggerfish
66 Sightings
J
16
F
8
M
11
A
8
M
3
J
0
J
1
A
4
S
0
O
2
N
5
D
8

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 90

Shutterstock-Rich Carey

Angelfish
56 Sightings
J
12
F
3
M
11
A
11
M
0
J
1
J
1
A
4
S
0
O
0
N
4
D
9

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 100

iStock-burnsboxco

Parrotfish
56 Sightings
J
13
F
2
M
7
A
10
M
2
J
2
J
2
A
2
S
0
O
0
N
3
D
13
Show More

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 110

iStock-Rainer von Brandis

Snapper
54 Sightings
J
11
F
9
M
11
A
6
M
1
J
2
J
0
A
3
S
0
O
1
N
3
D
7

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 12

iStock/cinoby

Lionfish
50 Sightings
J
10
F
3
M
11
A
8
M
1
J
4
J
2
A
3
S
0
O
0
N
4
D
4

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 150

Shutterstock-aquapix

Sweetlips and Grunts
49 Sightings
J
17
F
8
M
6
A
6
M
0
J
1
J
1
A
3
S
0
O
0
N
4
D
3

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 80

iStock/Extreme-Photographer

Stingrays
48 Sightings
J
7
F
3
M
4
A
8
M
2
J
0
J
3
A
2
S
1
O
0
N
3
D
15

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 130

Shutterstock_Krzysztof Odziomek

Butterfly Fish
46 Sightings
J
8
F
1
M
8
A
8
M
1
J
3
J
1
A
5
S
0
O
0
N
6
D
5

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 250

Shutterstock-Henry_and_Laura_Whittaker

Grouper/Basslets
38 Sightings
J
3
F
4
M
6
A
8
M
3
J
2
J
1
A
5
S
0
O
0
N
2
D
4

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 8

Alamy-Reinhard Dirscherl

Bannerfish
32 Sightings
J
5
F
1
M
5
A
4
M
0
J
2
J
1
A
5
S
0
O
0
N
2
D
7

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 3000

SSI-Peter-Schinck

Nudibranch
31 Sightings
J
10
F
1
M
4
A
5
M
2
J
2
J
1
A
4
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
2

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 130

AdobeStock-JirinaVFR

Pufferfish
30 Sightings
J
0
F
3
M
7
A
5
M
3
J
3
J
1
A
1
S
0
O
0
N
3
D
4

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 40

iStock-Hoatzinexp

Jackfish
29 Sightings
J
8
F
4
M
4
A
7
M
1
J
0
J
1
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
1
D
3

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 85

iStock-mirecca

Surgeonfish
26 Sightings
J
7
F
2
M
6
A
1
M
1
J
0
J
1
A
3
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
5

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 120

SSI-Peter-Schinck

Cuttlefish
20 Sightings
J
7
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
2
J
0
A
1
S
0
O
0
N
2
D
8

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 55

k

Lobster
17 Sightings
J
2
F
5
M
2
A
7
M
1
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0
AdobeStock-Richard Carey

Banded Sea Krait
16 Sightings
J
5
F
2
M
1
A
2
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
1
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
5

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 350

Alamy-Andre Seal

Damselfish
13 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
2
A
3
M
0
J
0
J
1
A
3
S
0
O
0
N
1
D
3

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 60

iStock-Global_Pics

Soldierfish
12 Sightings
J
3
F
0
M
1
A
3
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
3
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
2

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 3

Shutterstock_Leo Lorenzo

Trumpetfish
11 Sightings
J
0
F
1
M
1
A
2
M
1
J
3
J
1
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
1
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 25

AdobeStock_Vladimir Wrangel

Boxfish
10 Sightings
J
3
F
0
M
2
A
1
M
0
J
0
J
1
A
2
S
0
O
0
N
1
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 30

Shutterstock-s_a_j

Sand Eel
10 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
2
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
1
O
0
N
3
D
4

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 90

Shutterstock-Levent Konuk

Goatfish
10 Sightings
J
2
F
0
M
1
A
0
M
2
J
0
J
1
A
3
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 15

Shutterstock-Al McGlashan

Tuna
8 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
3
A
1
M
0
J
0
J
1
A
1
S
0
O
0
N
1
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 3400

Shutterstock-Shane Gross

Shrimp
8 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
4
A
2
M
0
J
1
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
1
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 60

iStock-Global_Pics

Squirrelfish
6 Sightings
J
0
F
1
M
1
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
1
A
1
S
0
O
0
N
1
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 120

AdobeStock-Composer.

Flounder
6 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
3
M
0
J
3
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 7000

iStock-Michael Zeigler

Crab
6 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
3
A
0
M
0
J
1
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
1
D
0

The best Months to dive in Pandan Island

Pandan Island offers divers year-round opportunities to explore its vibrant marine life. Water temperatures typically range from 27°C–30°C/81°F–86°F, providing comfortable conditions throughout the year. Visibility is generally good, often reaching 20 meters/66 feet, although it can decrease slightly during the rainy season.

Diving is possible all year, but the best conditions are from December to May when the weather is drier and the seas are calmer. June to November sees more rain and occasional strong winds, which can affect visibility and water currents, making these months slightly less favorable for diving.

Dive Centers

Mariposa Diving@Pandan Island

Pandan Island Dive Resort, 5104 Sablayan, Mindoro - PHL

Dive Sites

Aqualung

Corner (★4.5)

This dive site on the SW-side of Pandan Island consists of a steep slope with occasional big rocks and canyons that offer shelter to a wide array of reef fishes and attract predators such as mackerels and trevallys. There is a variation of different corals and big sea fans up to 2 meters diameter to be found.
Mares

House Reef (★4.4)

Depths 2 – 18m. Ideal for beginners, courses or a warm-up dive. No current ever. Still, a wide variety of coral fish can be seen. Nearby ‘Lion fish den’ consists of a group of corals & rocks.
Mares

Anchor (★4.5)

On an underwater hill at a depth of 32 m, completely overgrown by corals, a huge anchor has come to rest here at least 50 years ago. During the right time of the month, currents can be quite strong.
Aqualung

Neptunes Land (★4.6)

This dive site is a flat plateau connecting Napoleon Wall and the Coral Garden east. As the name indicates, Neptune cups to a considerable size can be found. Also turtles seem to favor this site.
Mares

Coral Garden East (★4.6)

This is an easy but beautiful dive. In a lively garden of mainly hard corals with patches of sand in between, all kinds of marine life can be observed at this beautiful spot.
Mares, Predrag Vuckovic

Coral Garden West (★4.6)

Easy but beautiful dive. In a lively garden of mainly hard corals with patches of sand in between all kinds of marine life can be observed at this spot.
Mares, Janez Kranjc

Napoleon Corner (★5.0)

At the end of the Napoleon Wall a rocky outcrop forms the Napoleon corner. Exposed to the current this divesite ranges from 30 to 45 meter and is exposed to the currents.
Scubapro

Trevally Rock (★5.0)

A group of outlying rocks at around 40 meters depth that is home to big schools of trevally. The big gorgonian fans are another attraction of this spot.
Scubapro

Barracuda Deep (★4.9)

Probably the most advanced dive around the island. The whole wall is overgrown with hard and soft corals and the gorgonians reach a considerable size.
Scubapro, Stephen Frink

North Wall (★4.5)

A sheer drop from about 7 - 35 m makes this an interesting dive site. Although not as many fish are seen as in other parts of the island, the overhanging corals create a very special atmosphere.
Mares, Janez Kranjc

Napoleon Wall (★4.6)

At the deeper end of Neptune’s Land, there is a small wall with a depth ranging from 28 to 38 meters that is a popular gathering place for schools of snappers, rainbowrunners, and occasionally, napoleon wrasse.