Puerto Princesa: the river that flows underground

On the island of Palawan, a navigable underground river flows for kilometres through a system of limestone caves, among the seven natural wonders of the modern world.

The underground river requires permission and an organised boat tour.

The Underground River of Puerto Princesa, a UNESCO heritage site, flows for over eight kilometers through a system of limestone caves before flowing directly into the sea.

Rowing by boat in the caves, you observe stalactites, stalagmites and colonies of bats and swallows nesting in the darkness, in an almost absolute silence.

Continuing along the coast, you visit Honda Bay, an archipelago of small islands accessible by boat, ideal for snorkeling among shallow corals and colorful fish.

In the evening, the Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center hosts native animal species of the island rescued from illegal trade.

The underground river of Puerto Princesa was voted among the new seven wonders of the natural world in a 2012 global survey, bringing strong tourism growth to Palawan island.

Access to the underground river is regulated by a maximum number of daily visitors, precisely to protect the fragile cave ecosystem and the fauna that inhabit it.