Thinking of a great island hopping experience in Cebu? Head to Mactan where you can find a wide range of island hopping companies willing to take guests to up to 10 nearby islands, including the mesmerizing Pandanon Island, which is already part of the province of Bohol.
Pandanon Island is one of the many Visayas islands that are known for sandbars, white-sand beaches, and crystal clear waters. It’s about 120 minutes away from Mactan Island, making it one of the most famous destinations of visitors wanting to discover the best of Cebu’s beaches.
Transportation and Costs
A day tour in this island would entail the following boat rental costs (weekend rates only):
- P10,900 – big boat rental
- P8,700 – medium-sized boat rental
Know that these rates may change without prior notice. For a complete info about the boats, their capacity, and rental inclusions, visit www.funsundivetravel.com (one of the reliable island hopping companies in Mactan). You may also contact them directly through +63-918-825-2500 or send them an email at [email protected] Their resort’s address is Queensland Beach Resort, Punta Engano, Mactan Cebu, just beside Be Resorts.
arrival at Queensland Beach Resort in Mactan, where we took off for Pandanon
one of the small boats used for island hopping
lounging comfortably in the clean and spacious boat
group pic on the boat’s rooftop
Other than boat rental, you have to budget for your transportation from the city to Mactan Island, particularly the resort where your rental boat docks; that’s if you are not staying in Mactan. Renting one air-conditioned Kaohsiung bus, for example, would cost Php1,500 (with a capacity of up to 50 pax). Also, in case you won’t avail of the buffet packages that most island hopping companies offer, you may include your food in your budgeting, which of course greatly depends on the number of people participating. Some of the food and drinks you should consider bringing are puso, dry viands like grilled pork belly and lechon manok, fruits, chips, softdrinks/alcoholic drinks, and water. This is to make sure that you and your companions won’t be hungry while in the boat and during your swimming escapade in Pandanon.
left: Fun&Sun Dive and Travels’ food packages/ right: a map showing the company’s island hopping destinations
enjoying lechon for lunch!
What to See in Pandanon Island
The boat trip to Pandanon takes about 1 hour from Mactan Island. On your way there, you may also come across different islands that surround Cebu. Plus, you’ll have a peek of Bohol as Pandanon is near the said province.
Once you set foot on the island, you will automatically notice the white sands. There’s also a wide range of wooden cottages that provide shade for you and your things as well as tables and seats for all your dining and lounging plans. Entrance fee in Pandanon costs P150 per head, while the cottage (good for 10-20 people) is P250. For a big group, there’s a cottage that costs P2,000.
Aside from the vast sandbar found at the far right side of the island, you can leisurely take pictures of the seemingly unfinished structure that’s located near the cottages. This spot boasts of all-white columns that are perfect for picture-taking opportunities!
There’s also a beach volleyball facility that could be a great group recreation while on the island’s white-sands.
side view of the sandbar with a small hut in the middle of the sea
the other side of the island that shows the white temple-like ruins and a little chapel.. perfect for picture taking!
cottages worth P250 (tip: cottage use is on a first-come-first-served basis, so the earlier you arrive the better)
playing tug of war on the beach’s vast white sands
Other Noteworthy Details
If a whole-day island getaway in Pandanon is not enough, you can always ask your boatmen to bring you to another nearby island where you can swim, snorkel, take pictures, and do other fun under-the-sun activities. During our trip, our boatmen brought us to the waters surrounding Olango Island so we could swim in deeper waters without paying for another entrance fee. (Lol)
taking a refreshing dip into the enticing waters while the boat is docked near Olango Island
one of the many picture-perfect spots in Pandanon (image source: Jin Freecss)
Back in the resort in Mactan, you can easily bathe in fresh water and change clothes before boarding on your bus or any other kind of transportation that will then lead you back to the city. All in all, our outing lasted for about 11 hours. We boarded the bus at 8:00 AM (from Cebu City), reached the resort in Mactan past 9:00, had a 1-hour sea travel to Pandanon Island, enjoyed the island until around 5:00 PM, went back to Mactan afterwards, and finally boarded the bus again at 6:00 PM to go back to the city. Of course, you can always opt for an earlier meeting time if you want to start your escapade early and make the most of your island day tour. Or better yet, consider booking a room in any of the nearby resorts in Mactan so you won’t have to travel far just to enjoy an island hopping getaway in Cebu.
Thanks to Fun & Sun Dive & Travel, we were able to experience a smooth-sailing and uber fun outing in Pandanon Island! Hopefully, this sample itinerary may also give you a great time in your next outing or upcoming island hopping activity. 🙂
