Pandanan Island is a tranquil haven in the Semporna Archipelago perfect for those seeking an off-the-beaten-path tropical getaway.
Located some 30 km east-northeast of Semporna, where the territorial waters of Malaysia and the Philippines meet, the beautiful sand cay of Pulau Pandanan offers a serene escape.
Part of the Semporna Archipelago, Pandanan Island is immediately surrounded by other popular islands such as Mataking (a similar looking sand cay with a famous resort), Pom Pom, Kulapuan, Timba Timba, and Tun Sakaran Marine Park.
Though less than one kilometer long, Pulau Pandanan lies at the center of a much larger reef in the clear waters of the Celebes Sea, offering brilliant visibility.
The island is ringed with powdery white sandy beaches and its forest is home to various species of wild fruit that support communities of fruit bats.
A pioneer dive operator built a lookout tower to observe the bats as they mate, suckle, and care for their young. These bats, along with several resident fish-eating eagles, are almost tame.
Arcadia Resort
Pandanan is home to the brand new Arcadia Resort, the only accommodation on the island. Guests can enjoy stunning sea views, relax in well-appointed rooms, and partake in island excursions and water sports.
The Arcadia Resort is built at the edge of the island, providing wonderful vistas of Malaysia to the west and the Philippines to the east.
Access and Transportation
Pandanan Island can be reached by boat from Semporna. Many dive operators and resorts in the region offer day trips and island-hopping tours that include Pulau Pandanan as part of their itinerary. The journey from Semporna typically takes around 40 minutes.
Diving and Snorkeling
Underwater, the island is surrounded by mixed leathery and stony corals. The east side slopes gently down, while the west side features a drop-off to 70 meters.
The east side has more pronounced areas of stony corals, harboring many species of sweetlips, including the photogenic Oriental sweetlips (Plectorhinchus orientalis). These fish vary considerably between adult and juvenile forms and gather in groups during the day to shelter in caves, dispersing at night to feed on bottom-dwelling invertebrates.
On the west side, Green turtles sleep in small caves, and small groups of caranx shoal. There are many varieties of gobies and numerous true Giant Clams at around 30 meters depth. Elephant’s Ear Polyps (Amplexidiscus fenestrafer), often solitary, can be found here in tightly packed groups.