Tara Let's Go: The Puerto Princesa Underground River

Welcome to the Puerto Princesa Underground River

Palawan, Philippines

The Puerto Princesa Underground River is a protected area in Palawan province and was chosen as one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature in 2011.

The Puerto Princesa Underground River is a protected area in Palawan province and was chosen as one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature in 2011. It is located in Sabang town north of Puerto Princesa City. It is approximately two hours drive from the city proper. The most convenient way to go there is by shuttle service that will be arranged by a legitimate tour operator. The tour package costs Php 1340.00 that includes roundtrip transportation, permits, environmental fees, buffet lunch and boat transfer and tour to the underground river. The first part of the tour is picking up of guests from their respective inns or hotels then drop by the provincial capitol to get the required permits. The road going to Sabang town is well paved and there is one stopover of 30 minutes along the way. The tour will consume most of your day during peak season and half day during off peak.

Upon arrival at Sabang, guests will have to wait before boarding a motorized boat that will bring them to the docking area where you will transfer in a paddle guided small boat that will then take you to the underground river. While waiting for your turn, you might as well spend your precious time exploring Sabang. You can splash into the waters of Sabang beach or go on a side trip to Ugong Rock or go on a Mangrove tour or try the Sabang X zip line. We tried the zip line which costs Php 550.00 each for the sitting position. It is an 800 meters over the water zip line fun ride from the top going to the other end of the shore.

Sabang Beach

We took the opportunity to splash into the waters of Sabang Beach and try the Sabang X zipline while waiting for our tour of the underground river.

Getting to the starting point of the Sabang X Zipline requires a little bit of off road driving and hiking,

Our photo taken by the zipline crew.

Somewhere on the leftmost tip of the dense vegetation is the starting point of the zipline.

And the small island on the right is the end point of the exhilarating 800 meters fun ride.

After that thrilling ride at Sabang X zip line, you may have your buffet lunch which consists of rice, noodles, different variety of meat and fish dishes, desserts and soda. After you finished your meal, it's now time for the underground river tour. Guests will be ferried to the docking area where they will transfer to a smaller boat with a guide who will paddle your way through the underground river inside a massive cave. You are required to wear a life vest and an audio device to listen to the pre recorded description and facts about the underground river. The river is 8.2 kms long but only 4.3 kms is navigable by boat and the water inside the cave runs to almost 27 feet deep. The cave is pitched black but there is a flashlight held by a volunteer in your group. The tour lasts about 45 minutes and you will be ferried back to Sabang port and head back to Puerto Princesa city.

The motorized boat that we will be riding to the docking area going to the underground river.

Together with our new found Danish friends

The docking area with magnificent limestone cliffs and white sand beach.

The entrance to the cave of the underground river.

All participants are required to wear a safety helmet, a life vest and an audio device if you want to listen to the narrative description of the tour.