Ön Pandanon i Filippinerna - by och drömmig strand

Writer: Helena Bergström

Pandanon Island in the Philippines is a small island with a village at one end and a dreamy beach at the other. The two parts of the island are connected by a narrow tongue of land, which is flooded by the sea during high tide.

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Pandanon Island in the Philippines

The island of Pandanon in the Philippines is certainly not large, and yet some tourists come here. It's the fine sandy beach and crystal-clear waters that attract them, and because it's relatively close to Bohol, Cebu City and Olango Island, it's possible for many to make excursions here.

Pandanon Island is located between Olango Island and Bohol Island, just east of the large city of Cebu City.

From Jao Island to Pandanon

We went to Pandanon Island during our boat trip with the Philippine boat Dotche. We started this morning on the island Jao and after some googling and map reading, we set our sights on Pandanon.

We saw the village to the left and aimed for the sandy beach, where it was easier to moor. The first thing we saw here was a large house, which looked to have been a beautiful restaurant or similar, but which has now been completely destroyed in a typhoon. Just this, houses and hotels destroyed in typhoons, we have unfortunately seen a lot of in the Philippines.

We moored at the beach and went to ask for permission to stay overnight. Here we had to pay 500 peso (about 100 kronor) per person to both get access to the paid beach and get permission to pitch our tent. This is more than we paid on most islands, which is probably because this is a more touristy place, close to major centres.

A small town

The village on the island of Pandanon is small and densely populated, and if you walk there from the beach part of the island you can expect to get wet. You may go there during low tide and return during high tide, and then you may have to wade in high water ...

A beautiful beach

What attracts tourists is of course the beautiful beach on the island. The sand is fine-grained and the water is crystal clear and a lovely turquoise blue colour. Although the large building was destroyed by a typhoon, there are smaller huts where you can sit down and get sun protection. At the bottom of the typhoon-damaged building there is also a small shop where you can buy beer, drinks and snacks.

A small chapel

The Philippines is a predominantly Catholic country, and you can see churches and chapels everywhere. Even on this small sandy beach there is a chapel.

Grilling of chicken

For our part, we grilled chicken at a barbecue site on the beach, and then had dinner together on the boat Dotche.

Grilla kyckling Filippinerna — Hildem spinning the chickens on the spit

Camping on the beach - and meeting village children

We camped on the beach and here, just like on the Himokilan Island, we were visited by a group of children from the village. These kids were a bit younger, but even younger Filipino kids know some English so you can always communicate. They told us that they go to school on the island and we showed some photos of snow, and where Sweden is on the map. Mostly these guys wanted to play and joke with us!

We were asked if the children in the Philippines expect gifts or similar, but we have never experienced that. The children we meet are usually just curious, want to try their English, talk a bit and maybe joke or play around.

One of the guys thought it was fun to press the trigger on Peter's iPhone and took some selfies of his own.

When it was time to go home, the guys waved goodbye and we could enjoy the peace and quiet and a beautiful sunset over the sea.

More to see and do in the neighbourhood

Near the island of Pandanon is the larger island of Olango, where there are several resorts. It is also close to the large city Cebu City and to the popular Bohol Island, where you can visit, for example The chocolate hills and see ghost animals. Even more tips on the Philippines can be found below.

Videos from Pandanon and other islands

Facts about Pandanon Island in the Philippines

Country: Philippines
Region: Visaya Islands
Municipality: Getafe
Location: Between Olango Island and Bohol, east of Cebu City.
Fee: To visit the private beach you have to pay a fee. If we recall correctly, it was 250 pesos (about 50 euros) per person.
Getting here: By boat, for example from Hilton Port on Lapu-Lapu Island (Cebu City) or from Jetafe Port (Bohol).

10 Comments

Add yours →

Lena - gott för själen says:

These are really charming and lovely places you find! So much fun to follow your adventures!

Hug Lena

28 March 2023 - 16:29

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  I'm glad you like to "hang out"! Have fun! 🙂
  
  29 March 2023 - 4:00
  
BP says:

Yes, the Philippines is "notorious" for its typhoons, earthquakes and tsunami, even "ordinary" floods. The country is often mentioned in these unfortunate contexts. But the islanders seem to recover time and time again. I admire the people for staying on the often inaccessible islands.
Somehow I understand that there is a charge for setting up tents on the beach. The islanders are not exactly rich...
Thank you for the feedback that the children are not begging or expecting gifts.

28 March 2023 - 19:34

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Yes, it's true that they experience a lot of typhoons and terrible storms. Many people we meet have terrible stories about it! And yes, you can admire the fact that they stay on their small islands, but they may not have much choice. Many live very simply and often cannot afford to go more than to a neighbouring island to run errands or similar sometimes. And sure, it's perfectly reasonable that they want a fee for camping. Most often it has been about 100-150 peso (20-30 kronor).
  
  29 March 2023 - 4:04
  
Ditte says:

Lots of sea, lots of islands and a good life. I can imagine that the islands are absolutely perfect for relaxing and getting away. This is important even if you work a lot.
Keep up the good work.

28 March 2023 - 20:43

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Yes, fantastic islands! Thank you Ditte!
  
  29 March 2023 - 11:07
  
Lena i Wales och lite överallt says:

Looks lovely!
It's awful that these various natural disasters destroy so much.
What fun it must be to meet all these lovely children.
Take care!

29 March 2023 - 9:10

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  The typhoons are really bad here. And also, many houses are not built to withstand such forces, unfortunately.
  
  29 March 2023 - 11:08
  
Monica says:

Can't you tell us a little more about life on board? I am curious about how it works with meals, the small kitchen, the toilet and how it is emptied, for example, and how you all fit? Do you eat all meals together or "crew" and guests separately? What kind of food do you get - there seems to be a rather limited supply?

I'm asking because I have a lifetime of boating behind me and know what it's like to live in limited space. But maybe you are mostly on land?

29 March 2023 - 9:29

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  What great questions! I will tell you about this on Friday!
  
  29 March 2023 - 11:09

Pandanon Island in the Philippines - village and dreamy beaches

Writer: Helena Bergström

Pandanon Island in the Philippines

From Jao Island to Pandanon

A small town

A beautiful beach

A small chapel

Grilling of chicken

Camping on the beach - and meeting village children

More to see and do in the neighbourhood

Videos from Pandanon and other islands

Facts about Pandanon Island in the Philippines

You might also like:

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10 Comments

Lena - gott för själen says:

Helena says:

BP says:

Helena says:

Ditte says:

Helena says:

Lena i Wales och lite överallt says:

Helena says:

Monica says:

Helena says:

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