A Palawan Underground River Tour is the star attraction on this Philippine Island. As part of the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, it is overall one the most unique and spectacular cave systems in the world, with dramatic karst landscapes. Taking a boat tour into the cave is overall an intriguing adventure. As an Acupuncturist-at-Sea, I enjoyed this tour exploring the wonderous cave system and love sharing my experience.
Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park
This splendid site is located on the southwestern island, Palawan, in the Philippine Archipelago. Overall, it’s dramatic and diversified old-growth forests spread throughout a limestone karst mountains-to-sea ecosystem.
Furthermore, the Cabayugan River is one of the longest underground rivers in the world at 8.2 km long, from brackish swamp waters that empty into the West Philippine Sea. Also, the lower, brackish half is subject to tidal influences, making this river even more unique. The best time to visit the site is during the dry periods, from November to May.
My Palawan Underground River Tour Adventure
From Puerto Princesa, a group of us hailed a taxi and embarked on a crazy 76 km ride to Sabang Wharf. If you have driven in SE Asia, you know what I mean by “crazy:” Chaotic and spontaneous traffic moves, crisscrossing scooters from all directions, seamless Games of Chicken and instinctive guidance that catapults you to an unbelievably safe and uneventful arrival. Finally, we safely arrived at Sabana Wharf.
Firstly, we hopped on a colorful Philippines Outrigger boat called a Bangka to Sabana Beach. Just like the crazy car ride, this also was a wild leg of the journey, crossing rough seas on a 20-minute journey to a quiet beach. Our adventurous rigger ride, also, included seeing mysterious karst cliffs and getting drenched. However, we make it safely to Sabana Beach sanctuary, the Gateway to the Underground River Tour.
From Sabana Beach, we walked among the lush rainforest, seeing monkeys, lizards, abundant plant life and intriguing rock formations.
Then, we find the cave entrance as the brackish still waters at the cave entrance, and our group hopped on a canoe with a guide and searchlight, setting off for the cave on the underground river tour. The boat explored inside the cave for about 4 km (2.5 mi), with much of it in pitch darkness. We went in the Cathedral, one of the largest cave rooms in the world. Overall, there are many stunning chambers, stalactites and stalagmites in the cold, dank darkness. Our Guide elaborated on details, with his searchlight and narration, explaining the underground river system.
Lastly, we repeated backwards our arduous journey back to the ship: Sabana Beach, catching the Outrigger boat for a rough ride back to the wharf and finally the whirlwind 90-minute car ride back to the ship.
Overall, Palawan Underground River Tour
This is another one of those: It’s about the journey not the destination stories. Yes, the the underwater river and cave system is fantastic, and I highly recommend seeing it if you are in the Philippines. However, don’t forget to take in the whirlwind culture of the Philippines and the breathtaking beauty of Palawan along the way…
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