Infos for visiting yachts

Pandan Island on the West coast of Mindoro is a good day sail or, more likely, an overnighter from Puerto Galera.

Pandan Island is a small, private, eco-tourism resort with 22 bungalows/rooms and a dive center; the rest of the island is uninhabited. Electric power is supplied by solar panels totalling 5kW charging a 48V battery-bank. Apart from a designated mooring/anchorage area the whole reef around the island is a protected marine park. So it is absolutely forbidden to drop anchors on/near the reef or isolated coral blocks from about E, throughout N, W until S of Pandan !! you are responsible for your dragging anchor-chain in shifting winds. Also, no fishing unless 300 meters or further offshore! These laws are strictly implemented.

Pandan Island is the gateway to Apo Reef. For cruising yachts from Puerto Galera en route to Coron-Busuanga, it is the perfect midpoint, being 90 NM from Puerto Galera Yacht Club and 70 NM from Coron town.

As of January 2018 there are no more moorings available for visitors, although we plan to replace one this year. However, if our dive-boats are gone for a few days, you may tie up to their moorings:
Mooring 1: 12° 51.331 north 120° 45.266 east depth: around 20 metres
Mooring 2: 12° 51.406 north 120° 45.304 north depth: around 4 metres

Please contact us on VHF channel 10 (156’500) if the boats are due to return late afternoon or the mooring is available.

Pandan Island offers fairly good anchorage for all sizes of vessels SE to S of the beach, in fair and medium weather conditions. For vessels with less than 2 metre draft there is a plateau, a sandy area 3-5 metres deep, between and slightly SE of above mentioned moorings. vessels with more draft need to anchor further offshore in about 22-30 metres of water (good holding in sand/mud). N.B. Avoid dropping your anchor between the two areas as the steep slope may cause your anchor to drag in NE winds.

The resort boasts a european/filipino restaurant with buffet-style dining at dinner, especially fresh fish, seasonal fruit and vegetables. Short order spaghettis, burgers, sandwiches, soups, milk-shakes or salads are also available.

At the dive shop you can have your scuba-tanks filled and rent dive-equipment. Depending on how busy we are, we may also be able to help you with small repairs, including welding.

Need a day in a bed that does not move with the waves? The resort offers family houses, standard bungalows and budget rooms. As an eco-tourism resort, all of the electricity needed to run the lights comes from a solar system (12V) installed in each cottage. 5V outlets for charging cell phones can be found in most cottages. More power-demanding gadgets need to be charged at the bar, wi-fi shack or dive-centre. Both Globe and Smart signals are good and there is free Internet in the wi-fi shack.

Sports and stuff: volleyball, ocean kayaks, petanque, darts, pool/billiards, ping pong and a babysitter can be arranged.

If you panic in the peace and tranquility and just need to know there is a big island nearby, a 1.5 mile banka trip will deliver you to Sablayan town (30,000 inhabitants) from where you can get road transport to the  provincial capitol, San Jose, where there are scheduled flights to Manila.

Nearest Typhoon shelter:
San Jose harbour, GPS Position: 12° 20’ N 121.0° E;
40NM distance from Pandan Island