Underground River Tour from El Nido to Puerto Princesa

Paddle through an underground cave system carved by limestone and time.

A ten-hour tour from El Nido to Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, traveling by private van and paddle boat to explore the cave system, limestone formations and jungle trails. Pickup from your El Nido accommodation, lunch, and an English-speaking guide are included. You'll spend roughly eight hours in transit and on the water.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Puerto Princesa Underground River

• Travel from El Nido to Puerto Princesa
• Boat ride along limestone cliffs
• Explore underground river by paddle boat
• View rock formations and cave features
• Spot wildlife like monkeys and birds
• Nature walk through jungle trails

The experience

The day starts with a private van pickup from your accommodation in El Nido: Nacpan Beach, Lio or town center, depending on which you choose at booking. The drive to Puerto Princesa takes you through Palawan's coastal landscape, and from the port you board a boat for a scenic ride along the coast before reaching the subterranean river entrance. The guide meets you there and walks you through what you're about to see: a cave system carved into limestone cliffs, with stalactites and stalagmites formed over millennia.

Once on the paddle boat inside the cave, the guide points out rock formations as you move deeper into the underground river. The passage narrows and opens again. Light filters through openings in the rock. You may spot monkeys or birds in the jungle canopy near the cave mouth, and the guide shares details about the cave's geology and the park's ecosystem as you drift through. After the river tour, nature walks through the park's jungle trails let you move at your own pace before heading back to the boat.

Lunch is a buffet served at the park, and the return journey to El Nido follows the same route: eight hours of travel time across the full day. Drop-off happens in Puerto Princesa City, at your accommodation or the airport if that's where you're headed next. All park fees, taxes and the van are covered. Tips are separate.

What’s included

• Private van transfer from El Nido to Puerto Princesa and back.
• English-speaking guide throughout the tour.
• paddle boat access to the underground river.
• buffet lunch at the park.
• all park entry fees and taxes.

Options for this experience

3 options

Pickup from the El Nido town centerGuide in English · 05:00 and 08:00Pickup in El Nido town is included, with the trip to Underground River and then Puerto Princesa

Lio Area PickupGuide in English · 05:00Pickup in Lio is included, covering the Underground River and Puerto Princesa

Pickup from the Nacpan Beach areaGuide in English · 05:00Pickup in Nacpan is included, with the Underground River stop and then Puerto

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 05:00 and 08:00

AgesAdult (7 to 80 years) · Child (4 to 6 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

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

Low physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by El Nido Adventure Tours

Is this one for you?Choose your pickup location based on where you're staying in El Nido, since the van collects from Nacpan Beach, Lio or town center and the tour ends in Puerto Princesa City rather than returning to El Nido.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

3 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 6 years); Infant (under 4): free.

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 wildlife might I see on this tour?

Monkeys and birds are commonly spotted near the cave entrance and along the jungle trails within the park, though wildlife sightings are not guaranteed.

Can I choose where to be picked up in El Nido?

Yes, you pick your pickup location at checkout: Nacpan Beach Area, Lio Area, or El Nido Town Center.

What's included in the buffet lunch?

The tour includes a buffet lunch at the park, though the specific menu items are not detailed in the tour information.

Do I need to arrange my own transport from Puerto Princesa back to El Nido?

The tour ends with drop-off in Puerto Princesa City at your accommodation or airport. Return transport to El Nido is not part of this booking and would need to be arranged separately.