Pandan Island is ideal for snorkelling and swimming thanks to its intensely blue sea.
The waters surrounding Palawan's Honda Bay are so clear that even the starfish indulge in a spot of sunbathing
Palawan, an island province of the Philippines between the South China Sea and the Sulu Sea, is identified as much by the tourist staple, the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, as by the waters that surround it. Boasting almost 2,000 kilometres of coastline, it offers dozens of white sand beaches and endless opportunities for snorkelling, diving, kayaking and swimming.
Honda Bay, which frames the coast of the capital Puerto Princesa, is home to a scattering of islands that are rich in marine life and live corals and is perfect for a day of island hopping and snorkelling.
The turquoise waters of Honda Bay beckon our group, in Palawan as part of a media junket, arrives at Santa Lourdes Wharf after a short drive north of the city centre. Along the way to the wharf, we spot a number of dive shops renting out diving and snorkelling gear including useful camera casing. We are provided with the necessary gear though our host, the Philippine Department of Tourism, which is fortunate as, compared to Thailand, prices seem extraordinarily high.
The wharf is busy, with several tourist buses arriving and disgorging eager day-trippers. They all have an eye on the same destinations and it seems there are not enough boats. But after a 45-minute wait, we are on the boat, a simple wooden structure with wings that work as stabilisers. It can carry 15 people. The sea is calm. We pass Bat Island, Luli Island and Starfish Island before stopping at Pandan Island.
This oval-shaped island lies south of Snake Island and offers a spectacular view of Honda Bay. It gets its name from the giant pandan grass that grows there. The sand is white, soft and powdery and the shore is green. Rows of cottages on the beach are available to visitors to relax, lunch or keep their belongings.
It's easy to spot a scattering of giant orange starfish on the beach. Our boatman picks one from the sand for us take photos. We are the first to arrive on this island so the atmosphere is tranquil, the only other people the locals who run the small restaurants.
Snorkelling is permitted only in a designated zone to protect the island's fragile eco-system. The clarity of the water is world-class, similar to that around the Similan and Surin islands in the Andaman Sea, though visitors would be hard-pressed to see starfish on Thai beaches.
The snorkelling zone boasts shallow-water corals that are home to a variety of fish. You don't even have to go that far from short to see the corals and the colourful fish swimming past in shoals.
As we snorkel, more boats come ashore and soon the beach is covered with bikini-clad day-trippers.
After two hours we leave Pandan for Pambato Reef Marine Sanctuary, which is 15 minutes away.
We stop at the floating station, a wooden structure kept afloat on rows of large plastic tanks. The water is clean and clear. Here, the change from shallow to deep water is sudden and the regulations are strict. Casting garbage overboard is prohibited as are littering, drinking alcohol, fish feeding and fishing. No visitors are allowed to bring from the boat plastic bags or any non-biodegradable materials. Wearing a life vest is mandatory.
The sky turns dark so it's difficult to see the reefs, many of which are at greater depths. But the fish, giant starfish and clams among them, are in abundance.
After an hour and a half, we head back to the wharf for lunch at Badjao Seafront Restaurant. While not cheap, Badjao is a good place to relax with views of the bay and a cool breeze. It also serves excellent butter garlic crabs and salt and pepper prawns, though without the spicy Thai kick. Mango ice cream rounds off the meal.
On our way back to the hotel, we stop at a handicraft centre and find many souvenirs at reasonable prices. Many of us buy wood sculptures, giant masks and other chunky items, which are incredibly cheap.
Puerto Princesa has a strong environmental policy and mayor Edward S Hagedorn's "Operation Cleanliness", which ensures litter free streets and ecofriendly tourism management, is impressing even the National Geographic team in town to film a documentary on the island's rich natural heritage.
No one is exempt from punishment for littering so if you are planning on visiting the island, make sure you do not drop a candy wrapper or a cigarette butt.
The writer travelled courtesy of the Philippine Department of Tourism and Philippine Airlines. He would like to thank Puerto Princesa's mayor Edward S Hagedorn for hosting our visit there.
If you go
Palawan is in the central Philippines and can be reached by air and boat. If visiting from overseas, you can fly to Manila or Cebu. Philippine Airlines flies daily from Manila to Puerto Princesa. Flight time is about 75 minutes. Check www.PhilippineAirlines.com.
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Article source: http://www.thethailandlinks.com/2012/12/06/the-cool-blue-of-eco-heaven/
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