Puerto Princesa Discovery: Underground River & Honda Bay 4 Days | Puerto Princesa · Palawan

Puerto Princesa is the vibrant, green-hearted capital of Palawan — the island province that National Geographic has repeatedly named one of the most beautiful destinations on earth. Known as the "City in the Forest" for its remarkable commitment to environmental conservation, Puerto Princesa is both a dynamic gateway city and a destination of extraordinary natural wonders in its own right.

Palm Tree Travel and Tours presents a focused 4-day exploration of Puerto Princesa's most iconic experiences, combining two of the finest activities Palawan has to offer. The first is the Puerto Princesa Underground River — a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature, stretching 8.2km through a magnificent limestone mountain system before emptying directly into the South China Sea. The second is the Honda Bay Island Hopping Tour, a full-day adventure across three stunning islands — Starfish Island, Cowrie Island, and the extraordinary tidal Luli Island — offering snorkeling, swimming, beach relaxation, and some of the clearest waters in the Philippines.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

• Board a paddleboat and navigate the Puerto Princesa Underground River — the world's longest navigable underground river at 8.2km, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature
• Marvel at the river cave's extraordinary limestone formations: towering stalactites and stalagmites, vast cathedral chambers, and colonies of swallows and bats overhead
• Explore the surrounding national park, home to long-tailed macaque monkeys, monitor lizards, and a remarkable diversity of endemic bird species
• Discover Starfish Island — a charming oval-shaped paradise where the shallow waters are scattered with bright starfish, clownfish, and colorful reef life in every direction
• Enjoy a full day of activities on Cowrie Island — the largest island on Honda Bay — with swimming, kayaking, snorkeling, beach volleyball, and a beachside lunch
• Experience the magical Luli Island, named from the Filipino words for "submerge and emerge," because this remarkable tidal island quite literally disappears beneath the sea at high tide and reappears at low tide
• Spend your free time exploring Puerto Princesa's cultural highlights — the Crocodile Farm, Baker's Hill, Mitra's Ranch, the Immaculate Conception Cathedral, and the historic Plaza Cuartel

TOUR AT A GLANCE

• Duration: 4 Days / 3 Nights
• Destination: Puerto Princesa, Palawan
• Tour Type: World Heritage · Nature · Island Hopping · Culture · Beach
• Price: From USD 799 per person

WHAT'S INCLUDED

• Professional English-speaking guide and private driver throughout the tour
• Complimentary airport transfers on arrival (Day 1) and departure (Day 4)
• Admission and conservation fees for all attractions listed in the itinerary
• Hotel accommodation in Puerto Princesa (twin-sharing) for 3 nights
• All boat transportation during island-hopping and Underground River tours
• Breakfasts on Days 2, 3, and 4
• Lunch is included on Days 2 and 3
• Basic snorkeling equipment (mask and snorkel) during island-hopping activities
• Complimentary bottled water during all vehicle and boat transfers
• 24/7 support throughout your stay

WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED

• Travel insurance — recommended for all travelers; purchase before departure
• Philippine entry visa fees (if applicable)
• International airfares to and from Puerto Princesa
• Personal expenses: additional meals, beverages, souvenirs, laundry, etc.
• Single room supplement (available on request)
• Optional activities not listed in the itinerary (e.g., Crocodile Farm visit, Mitra's Ranch zipline, scuba diving)
• Tipping for guides, drivers, and boat crew

DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY

DAY 1 — ARRIVAL IN PUERTO PRINCESA
Mabuhay! Welcome to Puerto Princesa — the gateway to Palawan, the Philippines' Last Ecological Frontier! Your Palm Tree Travel and Tours representative will be waiting for you at the arrivals exit of Puerto Princesa International Airport to transfer you to your hotel for check-in. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy at your own pace. If you have energy after your journey, the city offers several excellent ways to spend your first afternoon: visit the Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center (the Crocodile Farm), enjoy a panoramic view from Mitra's Ranch, try fresh-baked pastries at Baker's Hill, or stroll along the City Baywalk Park as the Puerto Princesa sunset lights up the bay. Overnight in Puerto Princesa.

DAY 2 — HONDA BAY ISLAND HOPPING: STARFISH ISLAND, COWRIE ISLAND & LULI ISLAND
After breakfast, your guide collects you and transfers you to Santa Lourdes Pier, where you board a boat into the sparkling blue waters of Honda Bay. Your first stop is Starfish Island — a petite, oval-shaped paradise whose shallow, crystal-clear waters are scattered with an extraordinary number of bright starfish, clownfish, and colorful reef life. Ideal for snorkeling and a leisurely walk along the soft white shore. Next is Cowrie Island — the largest and most activity-packed stop on the Honda Bay tour — where swimming, kayaking, snorkeling, beach volleyball, banana boat rides, and a beachside lunch await. Your final destination is the extraordinary Luli Island, named from the Filipino words "lulubog-lilitaw" (to submerge and emerge), because this tiny tidal island literally disappears beneath the sea at high tide and resurfaces at low tide. Walk the long cream-colored sandbars, feed colorful fish in the shallows, and take the plunge off the diving board into the clear emerald sea. Transfer back to your hotel in the evening. Overnight in Puerto Princesa.

DAY 3 — PUERTO PRINCESA UNDERGROUND RIVER NATIONAL PARK
After breakfast, depart for the 75km drive to Sabang (approximately 2 hours). From Sabang Wharf, a short boat ride brings you to Sabang Beach, where you board a park-operated paddleboat to enter the famous Underground River — the longest navigable underground river in the world at 8.2km, flowing directly into the South China Sea. This UNESCO World Heritage Site and New Seven Wonders of Nature is a geological marvel of the highest order: vast cathedral chambers hung with thousands of stalactites, extraordinary limestone formations in every shape imaginable, and the constant soft movement of swallows and bats overhead as your boatman guide illuminates each wonder with a searchlight. After the 45-minute cave journey, explore the surrounding national park — home to long-tailed macaque monkeys, monitor lizards, and remarkable endemic birdlife. Enjoy a fresh Filipino lunch at Sabang Beach before the drive back to Puerto Princesa. Overnight in Puerto Princesa.

DAY 4 — DEPARTURE FROM PUERTO PRINCESA
After a final breakfast, check out of your hotel and prepare for your onward journey. Your Palm Tree Travel and Tours driver will transfer you to Puerto Princesa International Airport in good time for your departure. If your flight is in the afternoon, your guide can suggest additional ways to enjoy your remaining hours in the city. Puerto Princesa is a city that tends to leave a warm and lasting impression, and we hope it has done exactly that for you. Thank you for exploring Palawan with Palm Tree Travel and Tours — safe travels, and we hope to welcome you back again soon!