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

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.

May 1, 2026 +13 More
$56.74
₱3,500.00
Open Water Diver

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.

May 1, 2026 +13 More
$348.55
₱21,500.00
Enriched Air Nitrox (40%)

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.

May 1, 2026 +13 More
$194.54
₱12,000.00
Stress & Rescue

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.

May 1, 2026 +13 More
$356.66
₱22,000.00
Perfect Buoyancy

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.

May 1, 2026 +13 More
$194.54
₱12,000.00

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

Green Turtle
122 Sightings
J
30
F
21
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 approx.: 200

Alamy-WaterFrame
Moray Eel

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 approx.: 27

iStock-Global_Pics
Barracuda

Barracuda
45 Sightings
J
12
F
9
M
7
A
5
M
5
J
3
J
1
A
1
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
2
Shutterstock-Andrey Armyagov
Hawksbill Turtle

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 approx.: 600

iStock/ultramarinfoto
Wrasse

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

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

Total number of species approx.: 28

Udo Kefrig
Clownfish

Clownfish
95 Sightings
J
20
F
10
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 approx.: 40

iStock-wrangel
Triggerfish

Triggerfish
68 Sightings
J
16
F
10
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 approx.: 100

iStock-burnsboxco
Parrotfish

Parrotfish
61 Sightings
J
13
F
8
M
6
A
10
M
2
J
2
J
2
A
2
S
0
O
0
N
3
D
13

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

Total number of species approx.: 90

Shutterstock-Rich Carey
Angelfish

Angelfish
58 Sightings
J
12
F
5
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 approx.: 12

iStock/cinoby
Lionfish

Lionfish
56 Sightings
J
10
F
7
M
11
A
10
M
1
J
4
J
2
A
3
S
0
O
0
N
4
D
4
Show More

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

Total number of species approx.: 110

iStock-Rainer von Brandis
Snapper

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 approx.: 150

Shutterstock-aquapix
Sweetlips and Grunts

Sweetlips and Grunts
52 Sightings
J
17
F
11
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 approx.: 80

iStock/Extreme-Photographer
Stingrays

Stingrays
48 Sightings
J
7
F
5
M
2
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 approx.: 130

Shutterstock_Krzysztof Odziomek
Butterfly Fish

Butterfly Fish
45 Sightings
J
8
F
0
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 approx.: 250

Shutterstock-Henry_and_Laura_Whittaker
Grouper/Basslets

Grouper/Basslets
40 Sightings
J
3
F
8
M
4
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 approx.: 8

Alamy-Reinhard Dirscherl
Bannerfish

Bannerfish
34 Sightings
J
5
F
3
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 approx.: 3000

SSI-Peter-Schinck
Nudibranch

Nudibranch
32 Sightings
J
10
F
3
M
2
A
6
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 approx.: 40

iStock-Hoatzinexp
Jackfish

Jackfish
28 Sightings
J
8
F
5
M
2
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 approx.: 130

AdobeStock-JirinaVFR
Pufferfish

Pufferfish
27 Sightings
J
0
F
2
M
5
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 approx.: 85

iStock-mirecca
Surgeonfish

Surgeonfish
24 Sightings
J
7
F
2
M
4
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 approx.: 120

SSI-Peter-Schinck
Cuttlefish

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
AdobeStock-Richard Carey
Banded Sea Krait

Banded Sea Krait
18 Sightings
J
5
F
4
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 approx.: 55

Shutterstock-RLS Photo
Lobster

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

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

Total number of species approx.: 350

Alamy-Andre Seal
Damselfish

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 approx.: 60

iStock-Global_Pics
Soldierfish

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 approx.: 25

AdobeStock_Vladimir Wrangel
Boxfish

Boxfish
11 Sightings
J
3
F
0
M
2
A
2
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 approx.: 3

Shutterstock_Leo Lorenzo
Trumpetfish

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 approx.: 30

Shutterstock-s_a_j
Sand Eel

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 approx.: 90

Shutterstock-Levent Konuk
Goatfish

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 approx.: 15

Shutterstock-Al McGlashan
Tuna

Tuna
9 Sightings
J
0
F
1
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 approx.: 3400

Shutterstock-Shane Gross
Shrimp

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 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

Mariposa Diving@Pandan Island

Pandan Island Dive Resort, 5104 Sablayan, Mindoro - Philippines

Dive Sites

Aqualung
Corner <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.6)</span>

Corner (★4.6)

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 <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.4)</span>

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 <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.5)</span>

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 <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.6)</span>

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 <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.6)</span>

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 <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.6)</span>

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 <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.5)</span>

Napoleon Corner (★4.5)

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 <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★5.0)</span>

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 <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.9)</span>

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 <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.5)</span>

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 <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.6)</span>

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.