We show you some of the best dive sites in the Philippines
A small yet well equipped SSI dive center for beginners and experienced divers
Scuba Diving is the main attraction on Pandan Island / Philippines. The dive sites around the island vary from shallow coral gardens to deep drop-offs on the north side, ideal for all levels. Our fully equipped SSI dive center offers dive courses of all level from Try Scuba Diving to Master Diver.
Apart from diving around Pandan Island / Philippines, we are no doubt the experts when it comes to organize dive trips to Apo Reef.
Apo Reef can be reached with the big outrigger boats “M/B Karla” or “M/B Rainbow’s End” within ninety minutes. This forty square kilometer big atoll offers uncountable dive sites and a good chance to see sharks and other pelagics.
Another specialty are the four to five days safaris to Busuanga (Coron) to dive the Japanese wrecks from WWII.
For special offers on temporary dive insurance programs please check the website of www.diveassure.com
Divesites around Pandan Island
All divesites around Pandan Island are within short distance from the beach or accessible by our custom built dive-catamaran.
Below is a description of the main dive sites around Pandan Island and what you can expect to see:
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House Reef
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, hideout of numerous lion fish, cleaner-shrimp & surgeon fish. Sometimes leaf and ghost-pipe fish.
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Coral Garden East
Depths 5 – 25m. Easy but beautiful dive. In a lively garden of mainly hard corals with patches of sand inbetween all kinds of marine life can be observed: surgeon fish, trigger fish, coral trouts, schools of fusiliers, stingrays, moray & sand eels, and some of our 10 resident sea-turtles.
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Coral Garden West
Depths 5 – 30m. An area totally covered by hard and soft corals. all kinds of marine life can be observed: surgeon fish, trigger fish, coral trouts, shools of fusiliers, unicorn fish, cuttle fish. In the deeper parts of the dive, large gorgonians and Neptune cups are abundant. Bumphead parrot-fish most often here.
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Neptune’s Land
Depths between 18 – 30 m. This dive 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 place.
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Corner
Depths between 5 – 30 m. This dive site on the SW-side of the 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.
North Wall
A sheer drop from about 7- 35 m makes that place an interesting dive site. Although not as many fish as in other parts of the island can be seen, the overhanging corals create a very special atmosphere. Pelagic fish such as tuna and mackerel are frequent
Gorgonian Drift
Depths 10 – 35 m. Following the North Wall westwards the the wall becomes less steep and the stronger currents favour the growth of fan corals (Gorgoninans). Away from the wall shcools of snappers and fusiliers can be seen as wall as tunas or mackerels.
Mystic Grounds
Depths 20 – 35 m. This site extends to the S-SE of Pandan, between here and Sablayan. Owns the name to the often limited visibility. Many soft corals, gorgonians, elephant ears, sponges.
Pandan South
Depths 5 – 30 m. This site is great for macro.
Deep dives for experienced divers, best enjoyed with Nitrox
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Anchor
Depths between 25 – 42 m. On a underwater hill at a depth of 32 m, completely overgrown by corals, a huge anchor has come to rest at least 50 years ago. Snappers, barracudas and pelagic fish can be seen. At the bottom of the hill is a tree-like sea nettle, all white.
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North Wall
A sheer drop from about 7- 35 m makes that place an interesting dive site. Although not as many fish as in other parts of the island can be seen, the overhanging corals create a very special atmosphere. Pelagic fish such as tuna and mackerel are frequent.
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Barracuda Deep
Depths from 30- 40 m. Probably the most advanced dive around the island. A wall at 30 m depth facing the South China Sea is the place to see big schools of trevallys, fusiliers, surgeon fish, spanish mackerels and unicorn fish. Eagle rays and napoleons are often seen as well as barracudas up to a size of 1,5 m. The whole wall is overgrown with hard and soft corals and the gorgonians reach a considerable size.
Courses
Mariposa Divers Pandan offers the whole range of SSI courses from Try Scuba dives until Dive Master as well as specialties like Nitrox (EaNX) and Wreck Diver.
We provide you with a high level education, customized schedules and a personal and relaxed environment to help you to get the most out of your dive course. The SSI digital Training System sets the standard in diver education, with comprehensive, first-rate videos, illustrations, and photos that connect your training to real-world dive experiences. They make learning engaging, interactive, and fun – all in one package, without hidden costs or extra fees. Sign up now for free access to the basic student Materials!
All our courses are held in either English or French, course material is available in more than 30 languages.
An overview over the courses offered:
Try Scuba | Beginner Level | 1/2 day
The SSI Try Scuba program is your introduction to the underwater world. This entry-level program gives you the opportunity to experience the underwater world, in a confined water setting. You will earn the SSI Try Scuba recognition rating.
| Minimum Age: | 8 |
| Certification Prerequisites: | None |
| Academic Sessions: | Try Scuba Pool |
| Pool/Confined Water Sessions: | 1 |
| Open Water Dives: | 0 |
| Maximum Training Depth: | 5 meters / 15 feet |
| Suggested Duration: | None |
| Please refer to the SSI website for more detailed information | |
Scuba Diver | Beginner Level | 2 days
This program is for students who do not have the time to complete the Open Water Diver program, and provides you with the training and experience required to dive in open water environments under the supervision of a dive professional. You will earn the SSI Scuba Diver certification, which can be upgraded to the SSI Open Water Diver certification with additional training.
| Minimum Age: | 10 |
| Certification Prerequisites: | None |
| Academic Sessions: | Online Program |
| Pool/Confined Water Sessions: | 3 |
| Open Water Dives: | 2 |
| Maximum Training Depth: | 12 meters / 40 feet |
| Suggested Duration: | 10 – 16 hours |
| Please refer to the SSI website for more detailed information | |
Open Water Diver | Beginner Level | 3 days
This globally-recognized certification program is the best way to begin your life-long adventure as a certified scuba diver. Personalized training is combined with in-water practice sessions to ensure you have the skills and experience required to become truly comfortable underwater. You will earn the SSI Open Water Diver certification.
| Minimum Age: | 10 |
| Certification Prerequisites: | None |
| Academic Sessions: | Online Program |
| Pool/Confined Water Sessions: | 6 |
| Open Water Dives: | 4 |
| Maximum Training Depth: | 18 meters / 60 feet (age 15+) |
| Suggested Duration: | 16 – 32 hours |
| Please refer to the SSI Website for more detailed information | |
Specialty Diver | Advanced Level | 1 day
SSI Specialty Diver is your first step toward becoming an SSI Master Diver, and can begin as soon as you complete your Open Water Diver training. By completing any two SSI Specialty programs that interest you, and logging 12 open water dives, you will automatically receive the SSI Specialty Diver recognition rating along with your SSI Specialty program certifications.
| Minimum Age: | 10 |
| Certification Prerequisites: | Prerequisite for this program is the SSI Open Water Diver certification or its equivalent. See individual program descriptions for further information. |
| Academic Sessions: | Varies |
| Pool/Confined Water Sessions: | Varies |
| Open Water Dives: | 12 |
| Maximum Training Depth: | Varies |
| Suggested Duration: | Varies |
| Please refer to the SSI Website for more detailed information | |
Advanced Adventurer | Specialty course | 2 days
This program allows you to experience five different open water dives from five SSI Specialty programs without requiring you to complete the entire Specialty. If you are unsure of your next step, this is the perfect way to advance your dive skills and experience, and to identify which Specialty programs interest you. You will earn the SSI Advanced Adventurer certification after completing this program.
Completing this Program is equivalent to PADI Advanced diver course.
| Minimum Age: | 10; 12 if Deep Diving dive is included |
| Certification Prerequisites: | Open Water Diver
Note: Max depth is 30m /98 ft if Deep Diving dive is included. |
| Academic Sessions: | Online learning |
| Pool/Confined Water Sessions: | Not more than 5 |
| Open Water Dives: | Not more than 5 |
| Maximum Training Depth: | Varies |
| Suggested Duration: | 6 – 10 hours |
| Please refer to the SSI website for more detailed information | |
Advanced Open Water Diver | Advanced Level | 3-4 days
SSI Advanced Open Water Diver is the next recognition rating on the path to becoming an SSI Master Diver, and includes four SSI Specialty program Digital Kits. After completing the four SSI Specialty programs that interest you, as well as 24 logged dives, you will automatically receive the SSI Advanced Open Water Diver recognition rating, along with your SSI Specialty program certifications.
| Minimum Age: | 10 |
| Certification Prerequisites: | See individual prerequisites. |
| Academic Sessions: | Varies |
| Pool/Confined Water Sessions: | Varies |
| Open Water Dives: | 24 |
| Maximum Training Depth: | Varies |
| Suggested Duration: | Varies |
| Please refer to the SSI Website for more detailed information | |
Deep Diver | Specialty course| 2 days
Many exciting dive sites are located in deeper water. Without proper training, this kind of diving puts you at risk. The SSI Deep Diving Specialty will give you the ability to safely and comfortably plan and conduct dives beyond 18 meters, and is a prerequisite for some advanced training. You will earn the SSI Deep Diving Specialty certification. after completing this program
| Minimum Age: | 15 |
| Certification Prerequisites: | Prerequisite for this program is the SSI Open Water Diver certification or its equivalent. Further prerequisites vary depending on the programs included. |
| Academic Sessions: | 1 |
| Pool/Confined Water Sessions: | Optional |
| Open Water Dives: | 3 |
| Maximum Training Depth: | 40 meters |
| Suggested Duration: | 2 days |
| Please refer to the SSI Website for more detailed information | |
Enriched Air Nitrox | Specialty course | 1 day
The SSI Enriched Air Nitrox program will teach you how to safely plan and dive with enriched air mixtures of up to 40% oxygen. Diving with enriched air can increase your no-decompression limits, increase your safety, and reduce the required length of your surface intervals when compared to air. You will earn the SSI Enriched Air Nitrox 32% or 40% certification after completing this program.
| Minimum Age: | 10 |
| Certification Prerequisites: | Open Water Diver if in-water training is included |
| Academic Sessions: | Online learning |
| Pool/Confined Water Sessions: | Optional |
| Open Water Dives: | Optional |
| Maximum Training Depth: | Optional |
| Suggested Duration: | 6 – 10 hours |
| Specialized Equipment: | Knowledge Program |
| Please refer to the SSI Website for more detailed information | |
Perfect Buoyancy | Specialty course | 3 days
Do you want to increase your buoyancy control, minimize your breathing gas consumption, or move effortlessly above the ocean floor? The SSI Perfect Buoyancy program teaches you the skills and techniques needed to maximize your dive experience, increase your comfort in the water, and get the most from your equipment. You will earn the SSI Perfect Buoyancy Specialty certification..
| Minimum Age: | 10 |
| Certification Prerequisites: | Open Water Diver |
| Academic Sessions: | Online Learning |
| Pool/Confined Water Sessions: | 1+ |
| Open Water Dives: | Optional |
| Maximum Training Depth: | Optional |
| Suggested Duration: | 6 – 10 hours |
| Please refer to the SSI website for more detailed information | |
Diver Stress & Rescue | Specialty course | 3 days
Stress is a major cause of diving accidents and negatively impacts rescue situations. This program teaches you the skills and knowledge required to recognize and deal with stress, prevent accidents and properly deal with emergency situations encountered by divers. You will earn the SSI Diver Stress and Rescue Specialty certification after completing this program.
| Minimum Age: | 12 |
| Certification Prerequisites: | Open Water Diver Students must have proof of current training within two (2) years of First Aid and CPR |
| Academic Sessions: | 2 |
| Pool/Confined Water Sessions: | 2 (+1 Optional) |
| Open Water Dives: | 3 |
| Maximum Training Depth: | 30 meters / 100 feet |
| Suggested Duration: | 10 – 15 hours |
| Please refer to the SSI website for more detailed information | |
Dive Guide | Professional Level | 3 weeks
This program gives you the skills and experience required to safely lead groups of certified divers, and is the first step towards an exciting career as an SSI Dive Professional without requiring you to complete an instructor program. Professional Dive Guides can work for SSI Dive Centers, guiding dives in a variety of environments and conditions. You will earn the SSI Dive Guide certification after completing this program.
| Minimum Age: | 15 / 18 if active status |
| Certification Prerequisites: | Advanced Adventurer, Diver Stress & Rescue certification, 40 logged Dives, certification or equivalent experience: Navigation, Night & Limited Visibility, Deep Diving. |
| Academic Sessions: | Varies |
| Pool/Confined Water Sessions: | Varies |
| Open Water Dives: | 10 or at least 50 total |
| Maximum Training Depth: | 40 meters / 130 feet |
| Suggested Duration: | 35 – 45 hours |
| Please refer to the website for more detailed information | |
Master Diver | Advanced Level | 3 weeks
The much sought-after SSI Master Diver is the final step in your recreational diving career. The SSI Master Diver Digital Kit Bundle is composed of four SSI Specialty program Digital Kits and the SSI Diver Stress & Rescue Digital Kit. By completing the five specialty programs, and logging 50 open water dives, you will automatically earn the SSI Master Diver recognition rating, as well as the SSI Specialty program certifications.
| Minimum Age: | 15 |
| Certification Prerequisites: | Prerequisite for this program is the SSI Open Water Diver certification or its equivalent. Further prerequisites vary depending on the programs included. |
| Academic Sessions: | Varies |
| Pool/Confined Water Sessions: | Varies |
| Open Water Dives: | 50 |
| Maximum Training Depth: | Varies |
| Suggested Duration: | Varies |
| Please refer to the SSI Website for more detailed information | |
