The river with every fee paid

About this experience

The van collects you from your hotel in the town proper. The listing names 12 pickup options, from Hotel Centro and the Puerto Princesa City Baywalk Park to small pensions around Rizal Junction, and the group is limited to 12 people. The tour leaves the pickup area at 09:00 sharp, so be ready in the lobby a little before. From there it is the scenic drive of about 1.5 to 2 hours north to the coastal village of Sabang.

At Sabang a shared motorized boat crosses to the beach by the cave. Expect wet feet getting off: guests mention it. Then the park paddle boat glides into the dark, and your guide talks you through the stalactites, the stalagmites and the chambers high as a cathedral, with bats and swiftlets overhead. The cave itself takes about 45 minutes to an hour, inside a park block of about 4 hours on the listing's itinerary. The park lets in 900 visitors a day, and the rule is no permit, no entry. Your tour arranges the permit for you, which matters: turning up in Sabang on your own does not guarantee one.

What the day adds is simple: lunch and the environmental fee. Most tours leave the PHP 150 environmental fee for you to pay in cash at the wharf. Here it is paid, along with the entrance fee, and lunch comes with bottled water. Optional extras such as Ugong Rock cost extra and are paid locally. The day wraps up around 17:00 with drop-off at your hotel. Practical tip: wear comfortable shoes, not beach flip-flops, and bring a hat and insect repellent.

• Entrance and environmental fees both in the price
• Lunch with bottled water
• A small group of 12 at most
• Local English-speaking guide
• Shared hotel pickup at 12 places in the town proper

How the day runs

1. MorningPickup in the town proper

   The van collects you at your hotel. The tour sets off from the pickup area at 09:00.

2. About 1.5 to 2 hoursThe drive to Sabang

   North through the hills of Palawan to the coastal village and the wharf.

3. Short boat rideAcross to the cave beach

   A shared motorized boat over the bay to the beach by the cave entrance.

4. About 45 minutesPaddle boat into the river

   Stalactites, chambers and bats, with your guide on the geology and wildlife.

5. About 2 hoursLunch

   Lunch with bottled water after the cave tour.

6. Around 17:00Back to your hotel

   Drop-off at your hotel in the town proper.

What's included

Who it suits

What guests say

Tips before you book

• Wear closed, comfortable shoes. You will get your feet wet stepping off the boat.
• Bring a hat, sun cream, insect repellent and a camera, as the listing asks.
• Book early for busy dates. The listing says availability is limited.
• Flash, drones and smoking are not allowed on the tour.
• Want to see what the other tours leave out? Read our guide to what the day costs.

Read next:

• What the tour costs
• How to book the permit

Frequently asked questions

Compare with

Underground River Tour with Buffet LunchA 6-hour day: the boat from Sabang, the paddle boat into the cave, then a Filipino buffet lunch back at the wharf.★ 4.4 · 6 hours · from $51Underground 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 Full-Day Trip with LunchThe most booked day: pickup, the boat from Sabang, the paddle boat into the cave and a buffet lunch by the sea.★ 4.5 · 8 to 10 hours · from $45