Travel Guide: Pandan Island, Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro

Pandan Island is a small private island located in the town of Sablayan in the province of Occidental Mindoro. It is an island resort with limited amenities. There are only few rooms and cottages available for guests. The island has its own bar and restaurant with billiards hall. The resort also has its own dive center. A solar and electric generator provides electricity to the island. The island also has its own source of fresh water.

How to get there:

Option 1

From Manila, ride a bus bound for Batangas port. From Batangas port, ride a ferry boat bound for Abra de Ilog. From Abra de Ilog port, ride a van or a bus bound for San Jose and get off at Sablayan town proper. From the town proper, go to the port and rent a boat to Pandan Island.

Option 2

From Cubao, Quezon City, there are buses that are bound directly to San Jose, Occidental Mindoro. Ride the bus bound for San Jose and be sure to get off at Sablayan town. The bus will ride the ferry boat in Batangas port going to Abra de Ilog port. In Sablayan town proper, go to the port and rent a boat to Pandan Island.

Option 3

From Manila, ride a plane bound for San Jose, Occidental Mindoro. From San Jose Airport, ride a tricycle going to the bus and van terminal and then ride a bus or a van bound for Sablayan town. From Sablayan, you need to go to the port and rent a boat to Pandan Island.

Travel time:

Option 1

Manila to Batangas port - 2 to 3 hours
Batangas port to Abra de Ilog port - 2 to 3 hours
Abra de Ilog to Sablayan - 2 to 3 hours
Sablayan port to Pandan Island - 15 to 20 minutes

Option 2

Cubao, Quezon City to Sablayan - 7 to 9 hours
Sablayan port to Pandan Island - 15 to 20 minutes

Option 3

Manila to San Jose Airport - 45 minutes to 1 hour
San Jose Airport to bus/van terminal - 5 to 10 minutes
San Jose to Sablayan - 2 to 3 hours
Sablayan port to Pandan Island - 15 to 20 minutes