Private Underground River Tour in Sabang (Puerto Princesa)
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Palawan » Private Underground River Tour in Sabang (Puerto Princesa)
Sabang is a nice, secluded and quiet beach off the beaten path but also a launching point for the famous Underground River Tour. So if you would like to see that one-of-the-seven-wonders-of-the-world, you could consider it a smarter plan to already be there in the morning, so you can beat the crowds.
Road network in the area.
And the crowds to this wondrous natural spectacle can be overwhelming indeed. Hours waiting for registration, then for the boat ride out there, then stand around with the rest of the tourists waiting for your turn, only to finally get onto the tour boat with your group to trail behind and ahead of other boat groups, while another string of boats pass you by in the opposite direction on the other side of the river. This while your tour guide tries his humour at explaining how such and such a stalagmite looks like a penis, and so on.
Remote section of Sabang beach.
Which is why you might consider a private river tour instead. Although not as glamorous, you get to experience the cave nevertheless, further up river away from the crowds and requiring a two and a half hour hike through the jungle (although you can opt to circumvent that workout by jumping on a moped instead). There are also other sites to see in the area, such as spelunking and climbing adventures at Ugong Rock, the 800 meter zipline over the ocean, or the Sabang Mangrove Forest Paddle Tour.
Many resorts may be found along the beach, but because only one was responsive to our queries and who are able to arrange tours to all these mentioned sites, we will only mention Daluyon Beach and Mountain Resort. Their prices are listed on this page and we have no affiliation with them, but we have only posted this info to give our customers additional options along our Balabac to Dugong Ultimate Palawan Tour.
Daluyon beach and mountain resort in Sabang
What to do?
Besides obviously enjoying the beautiful, peaceful beach…
Wife and I enjoying one of the many fine establishments on the beach.
Private Underground River Tour (upriver, away from the crowds)
Not as glamorous as the official, commercial tour:
but then again you’ll never see the commercial site as in this image above, but rather swamped with boats filled with other tourist.
If you prefer to break away from the crowds you can consider a private tour, which requires a two and a half hour hike up the river, although you can opt for a ride on moped to avoid the workout. Following are some pics of the cave upriver:
Two people embark on an underground river tour, exploring a rocky, moss-covered cave. One of them pauses to capture a photo of this hidden wonder, capturing the essence of island hopping beneath the surface.
A person climbing a rocky cave wall with jagged formations and some vegetation, reminiscent of rugged landscapes found during an adventurous island hopping journey.
Stalagmite formations resembling human figures are bathed in warm light inside a dark cave, offering a mesmerizing sight on an underground river tour.
A person climbing a rocky surface in a dimly lit cave, wearing a tank top and shorts, as part of an adventurous underground river tour.
To get a feel for what the jungle hike might be like, here are some pics from a tour guide who approached us for cooperation, but when we finally showed up so he could take us on a tour, he turned out unreliable and why we cooperate with the resort mentioned above instead.
Four people sitting together at the entrance of a rocky cave, smiling at the camera, after an exhilarating underground river tour.
Two people sit on rocks by the water, with a forested shoreline in the background hinting at their island hopping adventure. One wears a bandana, and the other a red wrap dress.
A person climbing a rocky cave wall with jagged formations and some vegetation, reminiscent of rugged landscapes found during an adventurous island hopping journey.
Two people cooking under a rocky cave, embraced by the echoes of an underground river tour. One stirs a pot on a wooden table, while the other stands nearby on sandy ground, immersed in the serene environment.
Silhouettes of three people on a rocky outcrop, one raising a fist triumphantly, against a bright sunlit sky, capture the spirit of island hopping adventure.
A group of people relaxes on a bamboo bench under a thatched roof, with sunlight filtering through, taking a break from their island hopping adventure.
In a dimly lit room, a group of six people poses playfully and smiles for the camera, their camaraderie reminiscent of an island-hopping adventure.
A group of five people, all smiles, pose under a thatched roof in a beachside Wi-Fi zone, recounting tales from their island hopping adventures.
Man with dreadlocks wearing white sunglasses, looking down at the camera from a tilted angle, with a clear sky in the background, as if he's contemplating his next island hopping adventure.
Three people smiling and posing closely; one is wearing glasses, another a "The Dude" shirt, and the third has a headscarf and raised fist. They just returned from an exhilarating underground river tour, their spirits high from the adventure.
Three people in casual clothing sit and stand on large tree roots in a dense forest, seemingly ready to embark on an underground river tour.
Smiling woman in an orange vest on a bamboo walkway among trees, perhaps preparing for an exhilarating underground river tour, with another person wearing a vest in the background.
A group of five people enjoying a swim in a natural rocky pool, surrounded by water and stones, after an exhilarating underground river tour.
A group of people sits on rocks by a river, savoring a meal and the beauty of nature, as they share stories from their recent underground river tour.
Various fish lay on a charred, rustic outdoor grill with flames visible on one side, creating the perfect meal after an exciting day of island hopping.
A group of people is smiling and giving thumbs up, seated and standing together in a cozy room, perhaps sharing stories from their recent island hopping adventure. A dog sits contentedly in the foreground, adding to the lively atmosphere.
Amidst lush foliage, two people cook rice and vegetables on the ground using makeshift utensils and a large leaf, perhaps taking a break from their exhilarating island hopping adventure.
A child swims in a stream while another walks on sunlit rocks beside the water, surrounded by large stones and trees, as if exploring an underground river tour.
People enjoying an island hopping feast, eating rice, fish, and vegetables on banana leaves outdoors. A pot of soup and a dish of vegetables sit nearby, capturing the essence of this coastal adventure.
Four people sitting on a colorful vehicle roof, surrounded by lush greenery, with one giving a thumbs-up, as they prepare for an adventurous island hopping escapade.
A group of people posing outdoors on grass, with trees and a large rock in the background, reminiscent of an island hopping adventure. Some are standing, while others are kneeling.
In the depths of a hidden cave, a person collects soil samples, dressed in a tank top and shorts. Equipped with a purple mesh bag and a yellow plastic bag, they explore the rocky backdrop as if on an underground river tour.
Person wearing a tank top and headband poses inside a mossy cave, pointing at a large rock formation, during an underground river tour.
A person climbs a rocky, forested hillside surrounded by lush greenery, wearing shorts and a sleeveless top. This adventure feels like an exhilarating prelude to an island hopping escapade.
Three people sit in a small boat navigating through a lush, green mangrove forest, embarking on an island hopping adventure.
A person wearing shorts jumps off a large rock into a sparkling body of water, surrounded by the lush greenery typical of an island hopping adventure.
Two people enjoy a delightful outdoor meal on the rocks, giving a thumbs-up amidst plates and a bottle of water, after an exhilarating underground river tour.
A person kneels by a lush, green tropical river surrounded by dense forest and mossy rocks under a clear sky, dreaming of island hopping and the mysteries of an underground river tour.
Two people sit near a campfire under a wooden shelter at night, with sparks flying into the dark sky, sharing stories of their island hopping adventures.
A person with curly hair and a necklace takes a selfie outdoors, capturing the excitement of an island-hopping adventure.
A group of people posing in a tropical forest, surrounded by lush greenery and palm trees, after an adventurous underground river tour. They are dressed casually for a hike.
Prices for the commercial version:
Schedule: 7:30am
Special rate: Php2,800 + 5% SC per person
Inclusions: tour permits, environmental fee, government taxes, travel insurance, audio guide, and a scrumptious meal at our Pawikan restaurant.
Prices for the jungle trail private version:
PRIVATE TOUR RATE: PHP 3,940.00 per person.
You may choose the following options:
Option 1: Jungle Trail, Underground River, then ride a motorized vehicle back going back.
Option 2: Jungle Trail, Underground River, then walk going back (same trail)
Option 3: Motorized boat going to the Underground River, then do the Jungle Trail going back.