Pandan Island, Philippines map.
Pandan Island, Philippines map.

Pandan Island, Puerto Princessa, Philippines.

I recently visited Philippines for vacations, and more specifically Palawan island. Now, I always like to go for a run in a new place, even if it is just a short one around the hotel, however, this time a new opportunity was presented to me: I would be able to literally run around an island.

Pandan (or Makesi) Island is about 40 minutes away from Puerto Princesa City by boat. It is situated in Honda Bay and it is very famous for snorkelling and island hoping.

When approaching the island I saw that it looked to be completely surrounded by beach, so the idea was planted in my head. After we had a quick dive, I had to try it out!

Pandan Island, Puerto Princessa, Philippines
Setting off for a run around Pandan Island

Early on I was approached by a dog playfully barking at me. He (she?) was limping, but started following me.

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Pandan Island, Philippines
Further away from the touristic area.

 

The sandy beach keeps going on around the island, apart from a 100m or so stretch where you have to go through some bushes, grass and trees. It is still very accessible and suitable for barefoot running or walking.

Pandan Island, Honda Bay, Philippines
The least accessible part of the island, still easy to walk through.

 

Bravely enough, the small, limping dog ran by my side for the whole time. When we arrived back to the main beach, it looked exhausted and went straight for a dive in the crystal clear waters – and so did I. It wasn’t a long run (the island circumference is about 1.8km according to my GPS), but it was very enjoyable. And I did make a new friend!

Later on, I went for a leg massage by the beach, and I found out that the dog was born on the island, and has been limping since he was born.

If you want to find out more about Pandan Island, I refer you to this blog entry.

 

2 COMMENTS

  1. Hello and thank you for writing this article. It gave me an idea of something to write about as well in my running blog (www.bicolanopenguin.blogspot.com. I am based here in Manila but I come from the Bicol region of our Philippine archipelago and we do have some small islands as well. Next time I get to visit our region, I will sure to run around one of them, probably in the Calaguas group of islands. Thank you for visiting our country.

    • Hey Macky, thanks for your comment – I checked your blog, it’s a good one.

      Yes I had fun in the Phils and I am really happy I had the opportunity to visit the archipelago. If you ever visit Pandan island, find that dog for me 😉

      And by all means come back and share your running stories with us.

      All the best

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