Puerto Princesa Subterranean River tour from Puerto Princesa

Paddle into a limestone cave and float the underground river for 45 minutes

A full-day tour from Puerto Princesa to the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, with a 45-minute boat ride through the cave system, stops at Elephant Mountain and Sabang en route, a local English-speaking guide, buffet lunch, and air-conditioned transport with pickup from your hotel. The tour runs 6 to 8 hours and includes the environmental management charge.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Puerto Princesa Underground River

• Travel from Puerto Princesa to Sabang
• Stop to view Elephant Mountain
• Take 45-minute underground river tour

The experience

The day starts with pickup from your Puerto Princesa hotel and a drive to Sabang, where you board a small boat for the main event: a 45-minute paddle into the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River cave. The boat glides through a limestone cavern lit only by the guide's lamp, revealing stalactites, stalagmites and rock formations shaped over millennia. The river itself is one of the Seven Wonders of Nature, and the cave entrance opens directly onto the water. You're floating through geology, not walking past it behind a rope.

On the way to and from Sabang, the tour stops at Elephant Mountain, a natural rock formation that was featured on Amazing Race Asia. The drive itself takes you through Palawan's landscape, and you'll have a local guide with a headset system so you can hear clearly over the engine noise and the cave acoustics. Lunch is a buffet served after the river tour, giving you time to process what you've just seen before eating.

The full itinerary runs between 6 and 8 hours depending on boat schedules and traffic. You're traveling in an air-conditioned vehicle, which matters in Palawan's heat. The environmental management charge (a reef tax that funds park conservation) is included in the price, so there are no surprise fees at the gate. Souvenir photos are available to purchase if you want a record of the cave, and drinks can be bought along the way.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned vehicle and driver.
• local English-speaking guide with headset system.
• 45-minute boat tour of the underground river.
• buffet lunch.
• environmental management charge (park entry fee).
• hotel pickup from Puerto Princesa.

Before you book

Days and timesTuesday to SundayDepartures at 07:00 and 08:00

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (7 to 60 years) · Senior (61 and older) · Child (3 to 6 years) · Infant (under 3)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Natural Arts Travel and Tours

Is this one for you?The full day means an early start and a long drive each way, which is what makes the cave tour and both stops possible in one outing. If you have only an afternoon free, ask about shorter options. This one is built for travelers with a full day to spend.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 6 years); Infant (under 3).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What exactly happens during the 45-minute underground river tour?

You board a small boat at Sabang and paddle into the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River cave, floating through a limestone cavern with stalactites, stalagmites and rock formations lit by the guide's lamp. The boat stays on the water the entire time. There is no walking inside the cave.

Is the tour physically demanding, and do I need to be a strong swimmer?

The tour requires at least a moderate level of physical fitness, but you do not need to swim. You sit in the boat the entire time. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and infants can sit on an adult's lap during the boat ride.

What is Elephant Mountain, and why is it on the route?

Elephant Mountain is a natural rock formation near Sabang that was used as a filming location for Amazing Race Asia. It is a photo stop on the drive between Puerto Princesa and Sabang, giving you a break during the journey to the river.

Does the price include everything, or are there extra charges at the park?

The tour includes the environmental management charge (reef tax), so entry to the national park is covered. Souvenir photos and alcoholic drinks are available to purchase separately if you want them.

How long is the full day, and what time does it start?

The tour runs 6 to 8 hours total, including the drive, the cave tour, stops and lunch. Pickup is from your Puerto Princesa hotel, and the timing depends on your hotel location and boat schedules at Sabang.