The river, the zipline and the mangroves

About this experience

Pickup is from your hotel within 5 km of Puerto Princesa Airport, in an air-conditioned van that takes up to 13 guests. The drive to Sabang takes about 90 minutes. On arrival there is a 30-minute break on Sabang Beach for a safety briefing and a look at the stalls, while the guide does the paperwork for the cave.

A motorboat runs you about 20 minutes along the coast to the cave beach. You have time to look around the forest edge, then put on your hard hat and board the paddle boat. The tour inside lasts about 45 minutes, with an audio device explaining how the river formed and why the cave matters to the bats and swiftlets that live there. Talking is kept low inside, and the only light is the lamp at the bow.

The day adds the zipline and the mangrove paddle boat, both in the price along with the entrance fees, the zipline fee and the audio device. After lunch at a Sabang beach restaurant (vegetarian options available), you walk along the beach to the Sabang X Zipline: a low-speed ride of 800 m with the mountains on one side and the sea on the other. It ends at the mangroves, where a paddle boat takes you through the roots for about 30 minutes. Your tour arranges the permit. The environmental fee of PHP 150 is paid in cash at the wharf. A friendly tip: wear sandals or water shoes, as guests mention a short uphill walk to the zipline platform and plenty of water contact.

• The Sabang X Zipline, 800 m at low speed above the coast
• A paddle boat through the mangrove forest at the end of the day
• The cave tour with hard hat and audio device
• Lunch at a Sabang beach restaurant, with vegetarian options
• Entrance, zipline and audio fees all in the price

How the day runs

1. 90 minutesPickup and drive to Sabang

   An air-conditioned van from your hotel near the airport, up to 13 guests.

2. 30 minutesSabang Beach

   A safety briefing and some free time while your guide arranges the cave paperwork.

3. About 20 minutesMotorboat to the cave

   Along the coast to the cave beach, then time at the park before boarding.

4. About 45 minutesThe paddle boat inside

   Hard hat on, audio device in hand, into the cave under the limestone.

5. 1.5 hoursLunch in Sabang

   A beach restaurant with Filipino dishes and vegetarian options.

6. About 1.5 hoursZipline and mangroves

   The 800 m zipline, then about 30 minutes by paddle boat through the mangroves before the van back.

What's included

Who it suits

What guests say

Tips before you book

• Wear sandals or water shoes and quick-dry clothes. Between the boats, the beach and the mangroves, your feet get wet more than once.
• 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. The listing also asks you to bring an ID card (a copy is fine).
• 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.
• Book before noon on the day before. Later bookings are given a pickup after 08:00, and the listing offers a full refund if that time does not suit you.
• Coming straight from a flight? Our guide to getting to the Underground River covers the airport pickups and the drive.

Read next:

• How to get there
• What to wear
• What the tour costs

Frequently asked questions

Compare with

Underground 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 $45Underground River & Firefly Watching with DinnerThe river by day with lunch, a rest at your hotel, then the fireflies in the mangroves after dark, with dinner.★ 4.5 · 10 hours · from $81Underground 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 $50