Reef, Wrecks and Pass Island

 

Months before finalizing the Coron leg of my Philippines expedition, I came across a video of this small islet called Pass Island. Upon seeing this, I new I had to visit this beautiful island covered in fine white sand. The distance was quite a ways from the town of Coron and I wondered how I would be able to get there. I new I always had the option of hiring a boat for the day but I searched for a more economical way of getting there. Then, I saw a post on Instagram of a woman in Pass Island so I asked her how she got there. Fortunately, she replied and stated that there was a tour called “Reef and Wrecks” which included Pass Island. I researched the tour and it did included the island and I knew my wish would come true.

 

 

Upon my arrival to Coron, I checked in to my hotel, dropped my bags in the room, and made my way back down to the lobby and booked my admission to the Reefs and Wrecks Tour. The next morning I was gathered from my hotel and brought to the harbor where it seems a hundred Banca boats where tightly tide together, five deep in each row. If your boat was unfortunately the fifth and last boat, then you would have to walk across the first four to board that fifth boat. Reef and Wrecks was the tour name and, as it indicates, Pass Island isn’t the major draw on this tour but the lunch stop for the day. But, not in my eyes, of course.

 

 

The island is actually two hours away from the town of Coron. The ride to the island is broken up with a swim and snorkel stop over one of the many ship wrecks in the area. It’s a somewhat of a unique experience but the novelty factor wears off quickly. I’ve snorkeled in so many beautiful sights around the world so I may be a little jaded. We had about 45 minutes for the snorkel which turned out to be a 30 minute swim for me since the guide failed to bring enough snorkels and had to borrow one from another tour boat. Snorkeling over a wreck had now been checked off and we were on our way and the next stop would be Pass Island.

 

 

 

We could see islands come and go as we went along and in the horizon we could see an islet surrounded by clear turqouis waters. There it was, Pass Island. Jaws dropped as we got closer and closer. The boat docked right on the fine white sand. We all scattered as the boat crew prepared lunch. The crew eventually reunited the group again and we had our lunch. We, once again, scattered to explore the small island to enjoy our piece of heaven. I quickly prepared my drone and sent it into the air and got some amazing video. Photos and videos, check, it was now time to enjoy the water. It was warm and as refreshing as it looked. At this moment, nothing else existed. My life and worries back home didn’t exist. I was wrapped up in the moment. The island was everything I had hoped it would be. The distance to this island is a curse and blessing at the same time. It keeps the number of visitors to a minimum and it makes the whole experience so much better.

 

 

All good things must come to an end and it was time to go. The two hour ride back would be broken up again with another snorkel spot over a ship wreck. We also made another stop at a coral garden which much more enjoyable than the ship wrecks. The garden was filled with different species of coral and several species of fish swimming through the garden.

 

 

The day was an experience I will truly remember. I don’t mean to belittle the snorkeling portion of the trip but the experience on Pass Island was that memorable for me. If you ever get the opportunity to visit, I would definitely recommend it. Who knows, maybe I’ll see you there.