Palawan – Subterranean Natural World Wonder!
On the romantic tropical island of Palawan in the far western reaches of the Philippines there is a river that is navigable for more than five miles… underground.
Azure waters, crystal clear and inviting, mark the entrance to the world’s second longest subterranean watercourse. An few hours away from the city of Puerto Princesa and a short boat ride from the Sheridan Resort, Sabang, yet a step back in time to an age when the earth was still young.
Limestone karst mountains surround the mouth of the river cave as birds swoop and flutter above your boat. There are 252 species of birds known to occur on Palawan, one hundred and sixty five species of birds have been recorded in the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park including Blue-naped Parrots, Hill Mynas, Palawan Hornbills and the majestic White Breasted Sea Eagle.
Along the beach shoreline near the river cave, long tailed macaques come to feed at low tide. The only primate found in the area, other mammals seen include bearcats, badgers, porcupines and bearded pigs. In the waters surrounding the underground river, sea cows (Dugong) and Hawksbill turtles can often be seen basking on the surface.
The subterranean river itself cuts through a cave strewn with stalactites, stalagmites, columns and all manner of cave formations. Entertaining and well informed local guides propel the canoes that are safe as well as ecologically sound and ideal for the silent appreciation of the cave. Visitors can enjoy and appreciate without worrying about causing harm to this wonder of the natural world.
23 Responses to “Palawan – Subterranean Natural World Wonder!”
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The New 7 Wonders of Nature are now being democratically voted for by people all around the world and its down to 28 Official Finalist Candidates (from an original 77) with the Palawan Underground River included.
You can cast your vote here to make sure the Palawan Underground River end up being one of the New 7 Wonders of the World.
Underground River
Wow we visited back in 2008 and the road was really bad with lots of mud and we even saw a truck get bogged. We did it as a day trip because there really was no where good to stay near the river and we had no time to check out any of the other stuff. The trip was amazing like dream. With the new road and a five star hotel in Sabang we are coming back very soon
I just hope that with all the new roads and infrastructure they keep the place d as natural as possible. Going there was an adventure in its own right but I can understand the need to make it more accessible so that everybody can have a chance to enjoy it. Luckily the Mayor they have now is very big on the environment so while he is in power I am sure all developments will be environmentally friendly.
This is a must see. On my Philippines trip I visited the Chocolate Hills in Bohol and a whole lot of other well knows attractions but nothing came close to this. It was a totally surreal experience to be in a boat floating on a river underground.
I was wanting to bring my parents to the underground river but thought it would have been way too much for them even to travel the 50km. It does not sound far but with the road before it felt more like 200km and seemed to take as long. Then there was the problem of accommodation. These improvements could not have come at a better time. They are visiting next August and I will be booking a week at the Sheridan Beach Resort. This is great news.
I stayed at the Sheridan Resort last month. It’s actually not fully open yet and the swimming pool was still under construction but I am not complaining because they are only charging 50% their normal tariff right now and this really is 5 star. The food is something else. I will be back next year with my fiancé and maybe for our honeymoon.
The Underground River is awesome but there are also many other caves to explore close by. If you are into exploring caves like me Palawan is the place to go.
I tried to visit one of the caves when I visited. Saw the sign on the road and walked down but the track became very dense and soon i was knee deep in mud having to grab on to vegetation to stop from having a mud bath. After 30 minutes of struggling I got very close to the cave but the last 30 feet may as well have been 3000 feet because it was just too difficult. There had been heavy raid during the night so maybe you need to visit when it dry. I am looking forward to returning and will check out the Sheridan which was just a construction site when I was there last.
The River is so awsome I went 3 times it does not look like a place on earth
DOT / Dept of Tourism should act more active when it comes to our treasures we have in Pinas , we need to inform the world that we can be one of the best destinations..with great people SMILE ….WOW PHILIPPINES! IF WE HAVE ENOUGH BUDGET, D.O.T CAN MAKE PINAS MORE GREENY AND CLEAN FRIENDLY ENVIRONMENT DESTINATIONS FOR ALL…
well ive been to lots of beautiful places in pinas talaga….we are the best….well some places needs to explore and discover the treasures of Pinas….everytime i go home Pinas for vacation, i always visit some nice and relaxing places….like ilocos region wow its fantastic! food and people are great, relaxing places to stay and extra ordinary hotels too…God bless Philippines!
I love exploring caves and this is they do not get any better than this one. I am planning to go back with some others and arranged a special trip deeper than they take everyone else.
It really is an awesome wonder of the world and as a Pinay I am proud to take foreign friends there. The roads are better than before and the Sheriden resort was wonderful. Overall the whole thing is better run than many in our country where ripper offers try to fleece you and tourists and that gives us a bad name overseas. Make sure you put it on your bucket list.
Excellent place to have. Palawan should be proud to have this treasure. The only unfortunate part of our visit was the cancellation of the boat ride from Sabang to the underground river site due to high waves (for safety reason). Instead we hike the 5 kms to the site which was difficult due to slippery slopes and muddy condition (again due to weather) in the summer months I imagine this trek to be a wonderful experience for nature lover. One thing I would like to suggest to D.O.T. Palawan – Require tour guides using the trail to pick up plastic bottles and discarded slippers/waste that litters the trail this will tarnish the beautiful experience of a lifetime.
I hope D.O.T. takes notice.
After the hardship of the hike the effort was well worth it. Very beautiful indeed.
it is BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
this river is so B-E-A-U-T-F-U-L i canot belive my eyes i soon plan on going here if i can afford it
Yeah I’ve been there last week. We navigated inside aboard a paddle boat and it takes more or less 45 minutes inside. Tour groups explored only the part of the river around 1.5km inside, beyond that you have to secure a special permit from the city government.
The experience inside the cave is AWESOME!
By the way if you’re looking for affordable place to stay at Puerto Princesa City you may consider JLC Hostel @ #26 Old Buncag, Mandaragat Puerto Princesa City, just 100 meters from Palawan Technological College (PTCI). For aircon room only 500 per night and P 250 for the fan rooms, probably the best value backpacker accommodation. I stayed there for two nights and I recommend it. Dr. Dienes Cabular and his wife are good host, you may contact him thru this # 09122536728.
This is a must see place in Puerto Princesa Palawan which is in the Philippines territory…a place to go to when you are in the Philippines…the river so clean..AMAZINGLY PERFECT…..
The view was breathtaking, it was like a surreal world and in every place the flashlight shines on inside the cave was like a piece of art that only nature can make. I really like the guide, with his awesome humor, naming each chamber as different rooms, and each piece of stalactite or stalagmite with their own names. I was smiling throughout the tour inside the cave but then I cannot control my laughter after we finished the tour. Until now, I can still vividly recall his jokes and the view inside the majestic underground river even that was seven years ago. Still brings a smile to my face. I am hoping I can visit this place again soon.
NICE PLACE! AWESOME! I am proud to be a Filipino!
The look of a green river scares me as if lots of snakes will emerge on the water. Fortunately, I conquered my fear experiencing the beauty of tracking the underground river. it’s truly amazing seeing the images brought about by the stalactites and stalagmites. The boatman,Randy is commendable. He made our underground river trip an informative one and a joyous one. It was full of laughter starting from the entrance to the cave as well as the exit.
Let’s all vote for the Underground river as the 7th wonder of the world.
We visited this cave last Jan 2011 and it was an awesome experience.My son enjoyed much being in front of the boat as the light operator.
We’ve been into this cave last Jan 2011, it was awesome!
Amazing place. I really love the Underground river, it’s so beautiful. I will come soon to Palawan. I even consider living in that place. So clean, peaceful and the people there were very accomodating and polite.
i visited u.r. and i was like heaven… it\’s the closet thing to heaven you could ever get. amazing!!! given a chance, ill be back and back for more.