Puerto Princesa Underground River

Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park

An 8.2 km underground river that flows straight into the sea. Take a boat into a 1.5 km limestone cave to see stalactites and bats. Named a World Heritage Site in 1999 and one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature in 2012.

The Puerto Princesa Underground River lies in Sabang, about 80 km north of Puerto Princesa city. It winds 8.2 km through limestone karst beneath Mount St. Paul before flowing directly into the South China Sea. It is one of the longest navigable underground rivers in the world. It was inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 1999 and named one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature in 2012.

How to visit: From the Sabang pier, take a 15-minute trip by outrigger boat to the national park beach. Walk through a short stretch of rainforest (where monkeys and monitor lizards often appear) to the cave entrance. Transfer to a small boat for 8 to 10 people, wear a helmet and an audio guide headset, and the boatman uses a spotlight to illuminate the cave walls as you travel about 1.5 km in (45 minutes round trip). Inside, there is a 'cathedral' chamber up to 60 m high, stalactites and stalagmites shaped like vegetables, the Holy Family, and mushrooms, and tens of thousands of bats and swiftlets roost overhead. Going beyond the 4.3 km mark requires a separate cave exploration permit.

Costs: Foreign visitor admission is about ₱500–800, plus boat fees, environmental fees, and permit fees. A day package (including about 2 hours' transfer from Puerto Princesa and lunch) costs about ₱2,000–3,000 per person. Because the daily limit is 1,200 visitors, you must book 1–3 days ahead through a travel agency or the city hall.

You can also paddle through the mangroves in Sabang (₱250) or stay one night at Sabang Beach. Transport: From Puerto Princesa, it's about 2 hours by chartered or shared vehicle to Sabang. On the way from El Nido to Puerto Princesa, you can arrange a stop here (El Nido to Sabang is about 4 hours).

Notes: Inside the cave, avoid loud talking and flash photography, and wear a hat, as bat droppings may fall. Boat service is suspended when sea conditions are poor (during the rainy season). Permits are issued in your name, so bring your passport.

Puerto Princesa Underground River

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