The Puerto Princesa Underground River Tour is an amazing experience for those visiting the Palawan island in the Philippines. The underground river is part of the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as one of the New7Wonders of Nature. The underground river is 24 km long, with the river itself flowing 8.2 km through the St. Paul Mountain Range.
Visitors can take a tour of the first 1.5 km of the underground river, which is covered by regular-sized boats. The entire length of the underground river can be explored by obtaining a special permit. The tour of the underground river offers the opportunity to appreciate the natural rock formations and wildlife inside the cave system.
A packaged tour is the recommended way to visit the Puerto Princesa Underground River. This tour typically includes round-trip van transfer, buffet lunch, motorized boat transfer, entrance fee, permit, guide fee, and a 45-minute boat tour of the underground river. Pick-up time is usually between 7 and 8 a.m., with drop-off time in Puerto Princesa City between 4-5 p.m.
The drive from Puerto Princesa City to Sabang Wharf takes 2 hours and includes stops to view other natural attractions such as Elephant Mountain. Visitors must secure a time slot for their group in the Underground River Authorities Office upon arrival in Sabang. This may involve waiting for 1-2 hours, during which time there are optional activities available such as ziplining and a mangrove tour.
Before taking the tour, it is important to note that there are limited permits given to visitors daily to limit the impact of tourism on the underground river. It is therefore recommended to book a few days in advance, especially during peak season. Additionally, children under 3 years old are not allowed on the tour for safety reasons.
The Puerto Princesa underground river tour is a whole-day experience, not offered as a half-day tour, due to the 2-hour journey each way. The tour lasts approximately 45 minutes and takes visitors into the first 1.5 km of the Underground River cave. The tour showcases the beauty of stalagmites and stalactites that have taken thousands of years to form, as well as the thousands of bats that inhabit the cave. The clear water and beautiful surroundings outside the cave create an interesting contrast to the eerie yet fascinating atmosphere inside the dark cave.