The Underground River, the classic day

About this experience

Corazon Travel & Tours collects you from your hotel in Puerto Princesa, within about 5 km of the airport, which covers the downtown hotels. It runs as a small group of up to 13 people per van, with a guide and a driver. The drive north to Sabang takes about 1.5 hours, and the guide talks you through the city and the countryside on the way. There is a stop at the Buenavista viewpoint, high above the wide sweep of Ulugan Bay.

At Sabang Wharf a pump boat takes you along the coast for about 20 minutes to the cave beach, where monitor lizards and long-tailed macaques wander under the trees. A short walk brings you to the lagoon. Then comes the part you came for: a park paddle boat glides out of the green water and into the cave, hard hat on, the boatman's lamp picking out the limestone, bats and swiftlets overhead. The cave tour lasts about 45 minutes to an hour, on a river the park calls reputed to be the longest navigable underground river in the world. An audio device tells the story in your language, from English to Korean.

What this day adds is lunch in Sabang: back at the wharf, a Filipino meal is served buffet-style at one of the restaurants by the beach, with about 1.5 hours to eat and wander. After lunch you can add the Sabang X Zipline or a paddle boat through the mangroves for an extra fee, or simply sit by the sea. Your tour arranges the cave permit. The environmental fee of PHP 150 is not included, so keep it in cash. A friendly tip: book before noon on the day before, as later bookings are automatically given a later pickup.

• The paddle boat from the lagoon into the cave, with hard hat and audio guide
• The Buenavista viewpoint over Ulugan Bay on the way north
• A pump boat ride along the jungle coast from Sabang Wharf
• Monitor lizards and macaques at the cave beach
• A buffet-style Filipino lunch at a restaurant in Sabang
• Optional zipline or mangrove paddle boat after lunch

How the day runs

1. About 1.5 hoursPickup and the drive to Sabang

   The van collects you from your hotel and heads north, with a stop at the Buenavista viewpoint over Ulugan Bay.

2. 30 minutesSabang Wharf

   A short stop while the guide sorts the boat. This is where the environmental fee is paid in cash.

3. 20 minutesPump boat to the cave beach

   Along the coast under forested cliffs, then a short walk past the macaques to the lagoon.

4. About 45 minutesInside the Underground River

   A park paddle boat into the cave, with an audio device and a boatman steering by lamp.

5. 1.5 hoursLunch in Sabang

   Back by pump boat to a Sabang restaurant for a buffet-style lunch, then the optional zipline or mangrove paddle boat.

6. About 1.5 hoursBack to Puerto Princesa

   The van drops you at your hotel. A massage add-on is offered at checkout if you want a slow end to the day.

What's included

Who it suits

What guests say

Tips before you book

• Book before noon on the day before. The listing gives later bookings a later pickup automatically, and a confirmation email follows within the day.
• Bring the environmental fee of PHP 150 per person in cash. It is paid at the wharf and is not part of the GetYourGuide price.
• Leave snacks and plastic bags in the van. The park asks visitors not to carry them at the cave beach, where the long-tailed macaques have learned to grab food.
• Mention any dietary needs when you book. The operator arranges the lunch around them.
• Still deciding how the day works? Our guide to the Underground River permit explains the daily cap and what your tour handles.

Read next:

• How to book the permit
• What the tour costs
• What to wear

Frequently asked questions

Compare with

Underground River, Zipline & Mangrove Paddle BoatThe cave, lunch on the beach, an 800 m zipline along the coast and a paddle boat through the mangroves.★ 4.6 · 10 hours · from $72Underground River Tour from the City with Buffet LunchThe top-rated day from the city proper: permit, both boats and terminal fees covered, with a buffet lunch.★ 4.8 · 9 hours · from $50Underground River Tour with Permit & PickupThe lowest price for the cave: hotel pickup, the permit, both boats and the gear, with lunch your own choice.★ 4.2 · 7 to 8 hours · from $38