Anchorage· South Pandan Island (Sablayan)· Philippines
South Pandan Island Anchorage (Sablayan)
12° 50.6′ N · 120° 45.5′ E
An anchorage in the lee of South Pandan Island just off Sablayan, closer to town than North Pandan and the place to sort Apo Reef permits and buy fresh food before heading out.
Practical
Position: hackingfamily 12 50.58N 120 45.51E, 20 ft sand, Globe and Smart 4G; table note 'be careful going into town'. Hackingfamily: sand shoals predictably; anchor as far south as possible - the island blocks most but not all of a slight west swell. The public market is in town (hackingfamily calls it Sabang; the municipality is Sablayan), with a covered structure on the river as a dinghy tie-up; Apo Reef permits are obtained there. Entering the river: the bottom changes often and satellite imagery is misleading - go well north, then south over the shoals, then a sharp left; not for rough conditions. North Pandan charges an entry fee of about USD 3 per person (hackingfamily; see Pandan Island entry for 2025-26 rates). Hazard (Sail The Philippines): a high-voltage cable strung between South Pandan and Mindoro is low over the water at high tide - pass WEST of South Pandan to reach Pandan Island; at Pandan anchor in 5-6 m on sand because rocks lie near 10 m.
Best for
Town access and Apo Reef permits
Season
NE monsoon; slight west swell
Nearby
- Pandan Island Anchorage (Sablayan)0.8 NM away
- Pandan Island (Sablayan)0.9 NM away
- Pandan Island House Reef Snorkel0.9 NM away
- Pandan Island Resort Restaurant and Beach Bar0.9 NM away
- Sablayan Port0.9 NM away
- Sablayan Town Market1 NM away
- Apo Reef Entry Permits and Fees1.3 NM away
- Jollibee Sablayan (Town Fast Food)1.3 NM away