Puerto Princesa Underground River paddleboat tour: UNESCO cave

Paddle into a centuries-old cave system beneath the forest canopy

An eight-hour guided paddleboat tour of the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, a UNESCO world heritage site and one of the seven wonders of nature. The tour includes hotel pickup from the city center, transport to Sabang, a guided cave paddle, lunch and all government permits and environmental fees. Advance booking is required to process the permits needed for cave entry. Cruise ship passengers can book if their ship departs after 4:30 pm.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Puerto Princesa Underground River

• Pick up from city center hotels
• Travel to Sabang
• Ride paddleboat in Underground River Cave
• Guided tour of cave and forest
• Return to hotel

The experience

The tour starts with pickup from your Puerto Princesa hotel in an air-conditioned van, then heads west toward the St. Paul mountain range and the Sabang cave entrance. Once there, you board a paddleboat and enter the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River, guided through a cave system that has formed over centuries. The river winds through limestone passages, and the guide points out the cave formations and the forest and wildlife visible from the water. The paddle is the core of the day. You're on the boat for the main stretch, moving at an easy pace through the underground passages.

Lunch is included and served after the cave paddle. The full day runs eight hours from pickup to return, covering the van journey, the cave exploration, and the boat transfers. An English-speaking guide leads the tour. All government environmental development fees and taxes are built into the price, so there are no surprise charges at the site.

If you're arriving by cruise ship, let the operator know your ship's name and return time when you book. Pickup happens at the International Cruise Ship Pier, and the tour is only available if your ship departs after 4:30 pm. Bad weather can force a cancellation for safety reasons, in which case the operator offers a refund or an alternative tour date. Hotels outside the city center incur an extra pickup fee. City center hotels have free pickup included.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup from Puerto Princesa city center.
• air-conditioned van transport to Sabang.
• paddleboat ride through the underground river cave.
• lunch.
• all government environmental development fees and taxes.
• English-speaking guide.
• boat transfers.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day5 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 09:00

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (3 and older) · Under 3: can't be booked

GroupUp to 100

Live guideEnglish

Audio guideSpanish, French, German, Italian, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Russian and Vietnamese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.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

Low physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Puerto Princesa World Holiday Transport and Rental Service

Is this one for you?The paddleboat requires you to sit in the boat for the main stretch of the day, so it suits travelers comfortable with water and a moderate pace. The eight-hour duration includes travel time and lunch, not just cave time, so plan for a full morning and afternoon away from the city.

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. No refund if you cancel.

How long is the paddleboat ride through the underground river?

The paddleboat section is the centerpiece of the tour, and the full day runs eight hours from hotel pickup to return. The exact time spent on the water depends on the cave conditions and the guide's pace, but the paddle is the main event.

What is the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River?

The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River is a UNESCO world heritage site and one of the seven wonders of nature, officially called the St. Paul Subterranean River National Park. It is a centuries-old cave system with an underground river running through limestone passages beneath the St. Paul mountain range on the west coast of Puerto Princesa.

Is lunch included in the tour?

Yes, lunch is included in the tour price. It is served after the cave paddle, and all government environmental fees and taxes are also included.

Do I need to arrange my own transport to the cave?

No. The tour includes air-conditioned van pickup from your hotel in Puerto Princesa city center at no extra charge. If your hotel is outside the city center, a pickup fee applies. Boat transfers to and from the cave are also included.

Can I book this tour if I'm arriving on a cruise ship?

Yes, but only if your ship departs after 4:30 pm. Pickup happens at the International Cruise Ship Pier in Puerto Princesa. You must inform the operator of your ship's name and return time when you book so they can arrange the timing.

What happens if the weather is bad?

If bad weather makes the cave unsafe, the operator will cancel the tour for safety reasons and offer you a refund or the option to reschedule for another date.