Sabang Underground River Paddle-Boat Tour — Puerto Princesa UNESCO Cave Excursion
Difficulty
moderate
Duration
8 hours (including transport)
Fitness Level
Light fitness required: short flat walks and sitting through boat transfers; comfortable for most travelers.
Overview
Glide into Puerto Princesa’s UNESCO-listed Underground River by paddleboat and watch limestone caverns unfold like a page of geological history. This half-day excursion pairs mangrove approaches and karst geology with practical tips for planning permits, timing, and what to pack.
Sabang Underground River Paddle-Boat Tour — Puerto Princesa UNESCO Cave Excursion
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You step off the jeepney onto humid earth and a strip of concrete that leads to Sabang’s wharf where the jungle leans close to the shoreline. The sound of the sea is a steady exhale; beyond the mangroves a line of banca boats rocks in the blue-green water, each with a guide who knows the rhythm of the river and the cave. Tickets and permits are checked, life vests fitted, and the group pushes off in a wooden paddleboat that will carry you into one of the Philippines’ most elemental landscapes.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Book permits well in advance
Government permits control daily visitor numbers — reserve at least several days ahead, more during peak season.
Travel time matters
Allow 1.5–2 hours each way from Puerto Princesa; the full outing is roughly an 8-hour day door-to-door.
Bring a waterproof dry bag
Phones and cameras are best kept dry during boat transfers and at the mangrove wharf.
Expect variable weather cancellations
Tours can be cancelled in rough seas or heavy rain — build flexibility into your schedule.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Lesser adjutant stork
- Fruit bats and resident cave bat colonies
History
The Underground River was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1999 and has been protected as part of a national park that reflects Palawan’s karst landscapes and coastal ecosystems.
Conservation
Visitor numbers and permit systems limit impact on delicate cave formations and bat populations; stick to guides' paths and avoid touching speleothems.
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Adventure Hotspots in Puerto Princesa
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Waterproof dry bag
Protects camera, phone, and documents during boat transfers and inside the humid cave approach.
Lightweight closed-toe shoes with grip
Useful for wet docks and park trails; sandals can slip on boarding ramps.
Insect repellent
Mangrove and jungle approaches can be mosquito-prone, especially in the wet season.
summer specific
Light rain jacket
A compact shell helps if sudden tropical showers appear during transfers.
winter specific