Exploring Philippines 136 - Palawan (Post 3 - Pandan Island and Dolphin Watching)

Give or take 10 minutes and we were already on the last island, the Pandan Island.   Time and again, it is really hard to entertain some expectations of places because apparently you’ll just get disappointed.  Anyway, we were hoping that the last island would offer something different.

From a distance, the multi-colored flags of the island are noticeable.  The flags freely wave because of the constant presence of wind in the area.  They seem to be inviting and they add life to the island.  As we were approaching the island, we saw that there were more boats on this island compared with the Snake Island.  Something must be interesting on this island.

Just like in the Starfish Island, the entrance fee is 50 pesos per head.  There are enough cottages for the visitors and the island is quite spacious and shady for one to freely roam around.  It was already 12 noon when we set foot on the island and the coconut trees (including other trees) provide a cool and shady comfort for everyone in the island.  Most visitors were eating their lunch while some continue to have their fun enjoying the sun, sea, and the sand.  By the way, there’s a meal station in the island where a decent meal costs at 100 pesos and up.  And a fresh refreshing buko is available at 25 pesos.

We were surprised to find a massage station within the area.  Well, in a place like this, enjoying a good massage out in the open after a day’s swimming activity is indeed a heavenly experience.  I still have to try an outdoor massage and for sure, with the setting of this place, I will easily doze off.

Anyway, after exploring the island, we ate our lunch and stayed idle under the shades of trees.  It was indeed one relaxing moment, free of worries and hustles of our busy lives.  Again, we felt sorry for not bringing extra clothes because the water of Honda Bay is really something to enjoy with.

After visiting and exploring the three islands, is there really something extra different on these islands?  The water is crystal clear, the swimming areas are shallow and quite safe even for kids, entrance fees are affordable, the air is really refreshing, no irritating videokes to worry about, and the white fine sand is soothing and relaxing to the feet.  A whole day activity on any or all of these islands is an experience to look forward to.  These islands and the whole of Honday Bay is also a living witness of the strong will of the local government and its people to preserve and nurture which they can be proud of. 

After an hour of stay at Pandan Island, we decided to leave the place.  Prior to this experience, I happened to visit Coron and I was trying to compare the two places.  Actually, I was looking forward to similar scenic awes of Coron but Honda Bay is modest of its own wonders.  As we left the place, I thought the element of excitement was missing but I was wrong.

As we took another route towards Honda Bay Tourist Assistance Center, we content ourselves watching the view.  As usual, during summer time, the sea is always calm and the bay proved to be friendly.  The lush green mangroves along the shoreline of some islands within the bay only prove that the local government and its people are very much into protecting and nurturing this part of the island.  The mangroves provide a sanctuary for the fishes as well as deterring soil erosion.  In some instances, we happened to see some fish cages within the bay but their numbers are quite minimal.

After 10 minutes of cruising the bay, I happened to see what looked like a big fish from a distance.  Our boatmen were on their feet when I pointed the direction of the big fish.  They said that those were dolphins.  Wow!  This was my first time to see a live dolphin and in the wild.

Our timing was just right for this unexpected and thrilling experience.  I can still recall way back during my younger years about similar instances.  During those times, we would ride in a vessel through and fro Manila and during the course of the trip, we would wake up early in the morning before the sun rises.  We would then rush to the side of the ship near its front and patiently wait for the dolphins enjoying their morning bow ride.  If time permits, I still manage to ride a ship in going home but gone were the days when dolphins would ride the waves early in the morning.

Anyway, upon seeing the dolphins that were about to cross our path, the other boatman maneuvering the boat stopped the boat’s engine.  They observe this protocol in order not to disturb and harm the dolphins.  The one who was giving us orientation and information of the place hurriedly picked a small metal and repeatedly knocked the side of the boat.  According to him, the sound that he was making would normally make the dolphins come closer to the boat and would playfully engage with the people.  He further added that dolphins are oftentimes seen along Honda Bay because the bay provides a good refuge to all sorts of marine species. 

With the sight at hand, my excitement was really overwhelming.  Not in my wildest imagination that I dream of this encounter.  The fact that I was seeing several dolphins out in the open was really something worth sharing.  And without wasting that particular precious moment, I made sure to capture as much pictures as possible as the dolphins freely swim passing the channel. 

It was good that we were the only ones in the boat and our boatmen are kind enough to follow the dolphins.  As I continuously capture the dolphins, I was wishing that they would show off even for just a spur of a moment.  I was hoping to capture their acrobatic stunts which I often see on tv.  But as I intently look at the viewfinder of my camera, I noticed something.  The group happens to have a baby with them and was swimming closely to its mother.  The baby dolphin was most likely made in the Philippines and it is good to know that the Philippine waters can provide the much needed sanctuary and support for the marine species, like the dolphins, to increase their population. 

Our encounter with the dolphins lasted for about 10 minutes.  Even with the short span of time, it was still one exciting and most unforgettable moment that I cherish.  This was the kind of adventure that I was looking for and though unexpected, it made my trip to Honda Bay truly memorable.

I hope that the continuous preservation and protection effort of the local government of Palawan and together with the support of the local community will remain productive and vigilant.  And for the marine species, including the dolphins, to multiply rapidly in the friendly environment of Palawan where the province has been tagged as the last frontier of the Philippines.  With the given experience, it is always a delight for a tourist like me to keep coming back to a place like this.

Pandan Island

Dolphin watching