reefcheck.org.my · Official
Reef Check Malaysia coral survey data for Pandanan Bay.
Dive Spot Guide•
Pandanan Bay
Sabah reef-and-drift site with strong marine life.
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Local operator required
Speedboats, park fees, and site selection are normally handled by Semporna-based operators.
Semporna-area boat dive with reef and wall sections, variable current, and clear-water windows in the dry season.
About Pandanan Bay
Pandanan Bay is a boat-accessed Sabah dive site in the Semporna and Mataking orbit, with reef and wall profiles, variable current, and a strong mix of turtles, rays, sharks, frogfish, and macro life. It works best as a guided island dive rather than a casual shore snorkel stop.
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Research Estimate At Pandanan Bay
Conservative baseline from public research. No community dives logged yet.
VisibilityVisibility: 25m
AccessSimple entry
CoralMixed health
Aquatic LifeExceptional variety
FacilitiesGood facilities
Crowd / PopularityFew visitors
CurrentModerate current
Where Is Pandanan Bay?
This spotNearby spotsExplore nearby spots on the map
Community sourced coordinates.
Pandanan Bay Planning Details
Depth range, seasonality, and planning context.
Reported Depth
5m - 30m
Depth Note
The Mataking and Pandanan area is listed at 5-30m, with reef and wall profiles and variable current across sites.
Best Season
February to November, with the clearest water usually April to June.
Typical Conditions
Boat access, reef and wall profiles, variable current, and warm water around 25-29 C.
Safety & Access At Pandanan Bay
Hazards, restrictions, and access requirements.
Key Hazards
Boat trafficStrong current
Safety Notes
Check current before entry, choose the sheltered line when conditions are moving, and keep a lookout for boat pick-ups around the dive schedule.
Access Restrictions
Follow Tun Sakaran Marine Park rules and book through local operators that handle park entry and boat logistics.
Legal Notes
Tun Sakaran Marine Park charges conservation and scuba-diving fees, with park rules for day visitors.
Local Intel For Pandanan Bay
Community notes to help plan your visit.
Scuba Diving
Good for beginners on calmer reef sections and for more experienced divers on drift and wall profiles. Site choice matters more than one fixed depth band.
Freediving
Not the main use case; guided scuba is the better fit for the variable reef and wall conditions.
Snorkeling
Snorkeling is possible on calmer days and in shallower reef sections, but the site is primarily a boat-dive destination.
Chill / Non-diver
Semporna works well as a base for island hopping, but Pandanan itself is more of a dive-day stop than a lounge destination.
Wildlife at Pandanan Bay
Species commonly reported at this site, with direct links into their wildlife guides.
Recent Logged Visits At Pandanan Bay
Community dive logs and visit reports for this site.
Dive Spot Log Averages At Pandanan Bay
Average conditions based on logged dives & visits.
Conditions
Avg. Visibility25m
Activity
No dive activity logged yet.
