Wreck of Pandanan Shipwreck - Palawan
The Pandanan Wreck isn't about deep exploration; it's about history and the way the sea reclaims things. We’re still waiting on the full archaeological survey to learn its secrets, but what you can see now is pretty special. It's not a huge, intact vessel, but rather the scattered remains of an ancient trading ship, lying in relatively shallow, sandy bottom. We've often found ourselves hovering over pottery shards and ancient ceramics, imagining the cargo that once filled its hold. Visibility here can be a bit variable, often stirred up by the sandy bottom, so we'd suggest picking a calm day, perhaps early morning before any wind picks up. It’s perfect for divers who appreciate the subtle beauty of a historical site over grand wrecks. You won't find schools of fusiliers, but look closely amongst the fragments and you’ll spot gobies, blennies, and the occasional pipefish camouflaged against the debris. It’s a quiet, contemplative dive, a real window into Palawan's past. Our pick for an easy, shallow dive with a story to tell.
- Location
- Palawan, Philippines, Southeast Asia
- Coordinates
- 8.163333, 117.051670
- Type
- wreck
Marine Protected Area: Pusaka Koupu-upuan Logta Lawod Bangsa Molbog
Best Time to Dive in Palawan
The warmest water temperatures in Palawan occur in January, averaging 29.0°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 29.0°C.
Monthly Water Temperatures
- January: 29.0°C (air: 27.2°C)
- February: 29.0°C (air: 27.2°C)
- March: 29.0°C (air: 27.6°C)
- April: 29.0°C (air: 28.6°C)
- May: 29.0°C (air: 29.1°C)
- June: 29.0°C (air: 28.5°C)
- July: 29.0°C (air: 28.2°C)
- August: 29.0°C (air: 28.4°C)
- September: 29.0°C (air: 28.1°C)
- October: 29.0°C (air: 28.0°C)
- November: 29.0°C (air: 28.2°C)
- December: 29.0°C (air: 27.8°C)
Nearby Dive Sites in Palawan
- Alicia Annie Reef (reef)
- Amy Douglas Reef (reef)
- An Nhon Nam Reef - 5-20m (reef)
- Ardasier Reef (reef)
- ASIA PACIFIC - 0m (wreck)
- Bahura
- Bãi cạn Nâu Bắc Lớn - 5-15m (reef)
- Baker Reef (reef)
- Baker Reef - 5-20m (reef)
- Baker Reef - 5-20m (reef)
- Bamford Reef (reef)
- Bamford Reef (reef)
- Barque Canada Reef (reef)
- Bin Reef (reef)
- Block 1
Marine Life in Palawan
Home to 6 recorded species including 2 other, 2 sea snails & nudibranchs, 1 whales & dolphins, 1 sharks & rays.
Notable Species
- Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas)
- Leatherback Sea Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea)
- Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus) - Whales & Dolphins
- Fig cone (Conus figulinus) - Sea Snails & Nudibranchs
- Noble Cone (Conus nobilis) - Sea Snails & Nudibranchs
- Bluespotted bamboo shark (Chiloscyllium plagiosum) - Sharks & Rays
Recommended Packing List for Wreck of Pandanan Shipwreck
Based on average water temperature of 29.0°C.
- Shorty or Rashguard - warm 29°C water needs minimal exposure protection
- Mask - essential for every dive
- Fins
- BCD - buoyancy compensator
- Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
- Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
- Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
- Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
- Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories