Palawan is one of the pearl of the Philipppines. This stunning region is one which divers come back to time and time again for very good reasons. Palawan offer a host of different dive sites which are teeming with life, it also offers great value for money and friendly locals. El Nido, Puerto Princesa and Coron are three of the best known regions for scuba divers and with almost 1,800 islands making up the island province of Palawan, there is simply no better way to explore than underwater!
The island was voted one of the “Best Islands in the World” by Travel and Leisure and Conde nast Traveller and quite frankly it is heaven on earth. This island is still relatively untouched, so is perfect for anyone looking for an adventure that will be the envy of all their friends and family (I mean, who doesn’t want to say they discovered something before everyone else). We suggest getting on over there as soon as possible, so you can enjoy Palawan Island in all its glory before everyone else does.
A trip to the subterranean river national park is absolutely worth the effort if you're visiting Palawan. It's an otherworldly experience as you paddle through the dark. The clicking of bats and the echoing drips of water are the only sounds you hear. You'll glide through cavernous rock cathedrals and past stalactites into the centre of the earth.
Most tours will take you 4 km (2.5 miles) along the river. Some tours with special permits organised in advance can explore all 8.2 kilometres (5 miles). That far into the cave, boats can no longer pass and visitors have to swim between the rock walls.
Conquer your fears of small, dark spaces however, and you’ll be treated to the rare sights of waterfalls gushing through the cave walls, a unique 20 million-year-old fossil of a sirenia or manatee, and a tiny rock passage that leads into a vast room, carpeted from floor to ceiling in glimmering crystals.
