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BEACH
I DIVING I SNORKELING I WILDLIFE
I
HERITAGE
I
GOLF
I
ACTIVITIES |
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Brief
Description
 The
island
province
of
Palawan
has
been
declared
as a
nature
sanctuary
of
the
world,
and
for
good
reason.
It
is
wrapped
in a
mantel
of
rainforests,
outstanding
dive
sites,
majestic
mountains,
primeval
caves,
and
pristine
beaches.
It
is
surrounded
by a
coral
shelf
that
abounds
with
varied
and
colorful
marine
life.
It
boasts
of
exotic
flora
and
fauna,
like
the
mousedeer
and
the
scaly
anteater,
that
are
found
nowhere
else.
Palawan
waters
are
among
the
best
in
the
world,
not
only
for
diving
but
also
for
fishing.
A
diver's
paradise,
it
has
miles
of
sub-surface
coral
and
rainbow
reef
walls
which
surround
the
coasts
and
coves
teeming
with
rich
marine
life.
The
El
Nido
Marine
Reserve
in
Miniloc,
El
Nido,
occupying
an
area
of
96,000
hectares,
is a
popular
nature
spot
in
the
province.
It
boasts
of
diverse
ecosystems,
such
as
rainforests,
mangroves,
white
sand
beaches,
coral
reefs,
and
limestone
reefs
as
well
as a
variety
of
fishes,
like
manta
ray
and
the
sea
cow
or
""dugong,""
known
as
the
world's
rarest
marine
mammal.
It
is
now
one
of
the
country's
premier
destinations,
blessed
with
amazing
natural
scenery,
and
considered
as a
sanctuary
for
various
forms
of
wildlife.
Sta.
Lourdes
Tagbanua,
Puerto
Princesa
City
is
where
the
Honda
Bay
can
be
seen.
The
bay
consists
of
several
islets
with
shallow
reefs,
bordering
fabulous
beaches
and
small
resorts
which
have
become
the
favorite
water
sports
destination
of
local
and
foreign
tourists
alike.
The
province
boasts
of
extraordinary
scenic
wonders.
African
animals
from
Kenya
in
Africa
-
giraffes
and
elands,
zebras
and
gazelles
–
co-exist
with
endemic
Philippine
animals,
like
the
Palawan
bearcat,
mousedeer
and
peacock
(pheasant),
in
the
Calauit
Island
Wildlife
Sanctuary
in
Busuanga,
considered
one
of
the
province’s
most
amazing
sites.
Another
sanctuary
found
in
Rio
Tuba
Village,
Bataraza
is
the
Ursula
Island
Game
Refuge
and
Bird
Sanctuary.
This
island
is a
haven
for
birds
that
rest
and
converge
two
hours
before
sunset,
after
a
day's
flight. |
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Geography
Palawan
is
approximately
586
kilometers
southwest
of
Manila,
between
Mindoro
Island
on
the
north,
Borneo
on
the
south,
China
Sea
on
the
west,
and
Sulu
Sea
on
the
east.
Its
total
land
area
of
1,489,655
hectares
spreads
across
the
peripheral
islands
of
Busuanga,
Culion,
Linacapan,
Cuyo,
Dumaran,
Cagayanes,
and
Balabac.
Its
main
island
measures
425
kilometers
long,
and
40
kilometers
wide.
Puerto
Princesa,
the
capital
city,
is
the
chief
seaport
and
the
center
of
trade
and
commerce.
A
chain
of
mountain
ranges
cut
down
the
length
of
the
main
island.
The
mountain
heights
average
3,500
feet
in
altitude,
with
the
highest
peak
rising
to
6,800
feet
at
Mount
Matalingahan.
The
vast
mountain
areas
are
the
source
of
valuable
timber.
The
terrain
is a
mix
of
coastal
plain,
craggy
foothills,
valley
deltas,
and
heavy
forest
interspersed
with
riverine
arteries
that
serve
as
irrigation. |
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Palawan
Is
Famous
For...
Calauit
Game
Preserve
&
Wildlife
Sanctuary.
It
is a
unique
game
reserve
and
wildlife
sanctuary
of
exotic
African
animals
and
endangered
endemic
animals
of
Palawan.
Established
on
August
31,1976
by
virtue
of
Presidential
Decree
No.1578,
this
was
initiated
in
response
to
the
appeal
of
the
International
Union
for
the
Conservation
of
Nature
to
help
save
African
wildlife
when
former
President
Ferdinand
Marcos
attended
the
3rd
world
Conference
in
Kenya.
By
virtue
of
RA
7611
(SEP),
administrative
jurisdiction
of
DENR
was
given
to
the
local
government
of
Palawan,
effective
December
31,1993.
Management
of
the
area
is
the
responsibility
of
the
PCSDO
(Palawan
Council
of
Sustainable
Development
Office).
It
is
located
in
Calauit
Island,
Busuanga,
Palawan.
Palawan
Wildlife
Rescue
and
Conservation
Center
(formerly
Crocodile
Farming
Institute).
It
aims
to
preserve
and
conduct
further
research
studies
on
endangered
species
of
crocodiles.
One
of
the
structures
is a
""hospital""
for
sick
and
disabled
crocodiles.
It
also
intends
to
make
good
use
of
the
raw
materials
derived
from
crocodile
skin.
The
place
also
maintains
a
mini-zoo
featuring
some
of
Palawan's
endemic
animals,
under
the
supervision
and
management
of
DENR-PAWB.
Visiting
hours
are
from
1
:30
to
5:00
p.m.,
Monday
to
Friday
and
9:00
a.m.
to
12:00
nn,
and
1
:00
to
5:00
p.m.
Saturdays.
Feeding
time
is
every
Monday
and
Thursday
afternoon.
It
is
located
in
National
Road,
Barangay
Irawan,
Puerto
Princesa
City,
Palawan,
30-40
minutes’
travel
from
the
city
proper.
One
can
take
a
tricycle
and
get
off
at
Barangay
Irawan
where
the
crocodile
farm
is
located.
A
jeepney
could
be
hired
to
get
to
the
place.
Tubbattaha
Reefs.
It
is a
marine
sanctuary
located
in
the
Middle
Central
Sulu
Sea,
98
nautical
miles
southeast
of
Puerto
Princesa
City.
Declared
a
World
Natural
Heritage
site
by
the
United
Nations
Educational,
Scientific,
and
Cultural
Organization
(UNESCO)
on
December
1993,
it
is
under
protective
management
by
the
Department
of
National
Defense
(DND).
It
is
under
technical
supervision
by
the
Palawan
Council
for
Sustainable
Development
(PCSD)
&
the
Department
of
Environment
&
Natural
Resources
(DENR).
It
is
located
in
Cagayancillo
town,
Palawan.
Trips
to
Tubbattaha
from
mid-March
to
mid-June
are
all
vessel-based
and
require
planning
for
a
minimum
of
six
weeks
prior
to
departure.
To
reach
the
place,
take
a
70-minute
flight
from
Manila
to
Puerto
Princesa
City.
From
the
airport,
a
shuttle
bus
takes
you
to
the
dive
boat.
Boat
ride
from
Puerto
Princesa
City
takes
approximately
12
hours.
Coron
Reefs,
Coron
Bay,
Busuanga.
Seven
enchanting
lakes
surrounded
by
craggy
limestone
cliffs
attract
hundreds
of
nature
lovers
to
Coron
Reefs
in
Northern
Palawan,
near
the
town
of
Coron.
Busuanga
Island,
whose
main
town
is
Coron,
is
the
jump-off
point
for
numerous
dive
operators.
The
principal
dive
sites
are
12
WWII
Japanese
shipwrecks
sunk
on
September
24,
1944
by
US
Navy
action.
They
range
in
depth
from
the
surface
to
40M.
This
large
variety
offers
exciting
wreck
exploration
for
enthusiasts,
from
novice
divers
and
snorkelers
and
recreational
divers
to
experienced
TEC
divers.
Dive
operators
offer
PADI
dive
courses
ranging
from
Discover
Scuba
to
Assistant
Instructor,
Technical
and
Enriched
Air
Diving,
as
well
as
other
specialty
courses.
Dive
operators
offer
day
diving,
snorkeling
trips,
and
overnight
dive
safaris.
Live-aboard
and
charter
boats
also
offer
diving
in
the
area.
El
Nido
Marine
Reserve.
Occupying
an
area
of
96,000
hectares,
this
popular
nature
spot
boasts
of
diverse
ecosystems
such
as
rainforest,
mangroves,
white
sand
beaches,
coral
reefs,
and
limestone
cliffs.
It
is
now
one
of
the
country's
premier
tourist
destinations.
Blessed
with
extraordinary
natural
scenery,
El
Nido
is,
the
sanctuary
of
various
forms
of
wildlife.
Countless
varieties
of
fish
are
also
found
here.
Manta
rays
are
a
common
sight;
when
in
season,
divers
may
see
one
of
the
world's
rarest
marine
mammal,
the
sea
cow,
known
locally
as
""dugong.""
Accommodations
are
available
at
El
Nido
Resorts,
it
has
two
properties
being
Miniloc
Island
Resort
and
Lagen
Island
Resort.
Miniloc
is
set
in a
cove
surrounded
by
sheer
limestone
cliffs.
Lagen
on
the
other
hand,
is
the
most
luxurious
resort
in
the
area,
set
in a
lush
forest
with
a
magnificent
view
of
the
bay
and
the
El
Nido
sunset.
While
each
resort
has
its
own
special
charm,
both
offer
the
same
distinct
quality
of
service
that
is
attuned
and
responsive
to
the
unique
needs
of
each
guest
and
focuses
on
making
sure
that
your
holiday
is
worry-free
and
filled
with
enriching
experiences.
Accommodations
are
available
at
El
Nido
Resorts
on
the
Miniloc
and
Pangulasian
Islands.
El
Nido
Resorts
are
noted
for
their
hidden
lagoons,
palm
forests,
orchids,
and
offshore
cruise
points.
Apart
from
the
cozy
accommodations,
recreational
facilities
and
aqua
sports
equipment
are
also
available
for
tourists.
Tours
to
the
resort
are
possible
through
Ten
Knots
Corporation.
The
reserve
is
located
in
Miniloc
Island,
El
Nido.
From
the
Manila
Domestic
Airport,
a
charter
plane
flies
to
mainland
El
Nido,
from
where
a
pumpboat
is
taken
for
a
trip
to
Miniloc
Island
where
the
resort
is
situated.
Travel
time
is
two
hours
by
plane
from
Manila,
45
minutes
by
pumpboat
to
the
resort
area.
Puerto
Princesa
Subterranean
River
National
Park.
A
world
heritage
site,
this
natural
wonder
features
an
8.2
kilometer
navigable
underground
river,
reputed
to
be
the
world's
longest,
that
winds
through
a
spectacular
cave
before
emptying
out
in
to
the
South
China
Sea.
This
river
flows
within
a
deep
cavern
under
rugged
limestone
and
marble
cliffs,
special
features
of
the
park.
Known
as
one
of
the
world's
wonders,
this
river
stretches
eight
kilometers
deep
into
an
underground
lagoon
with
crystalline
waters.
Within
the
hallowed
recesses,
one
winds
through
the
tunnel
aboard
a
paddle
boat
with
outriggers
to
be
enthralled
at
every
turn
which
reveals
stalactite
pillars,
rock
formations,
and
domed
amphitheaters.
The
park
is
located
in
Bahile,
Puerto
Princesa,
Palawan.
Located
81
kilometers
from
the
city
proper,
the
place
can
be
reached
through
Barangay
Cabayugan
to
Sabang,
from
where
one
could
take
a
pumpboat
ride
to
the
Underground
River,
or
hike
through
a
monkey
trail.
An
alternative
way
to
reach
the
river
is
through
a
hired
pumpboat
ride
from
Bahile
wharf.
Travel
time
through
Barangay
Cabayugan
is 1
1/2
hours'
jeepney
ride
and
10
to
15
minutes’
pumpboat
ride
or 1
1/2
hours’
hike.
Honda
Bay.
The
bay
consists
of
several
islets
with
shallow
reefs
bordering
fabulous
beaches
which
have
become
the
favorite
swimming,
snorkelling,
and
diving
destinations
of
local
residents
and
tourists.
These
islets
are
the
Cannon
(Cowrie)
Island,
Bat
Island,
Lu-Ii
Island
(derived
from
the
word
""lulubog-lilitaw"",
meaning
floating
and
sinking
island,
is
visible
only
during
low
tide),
Meara
Marina,
Starfish
Island
(known
for
its
fine
white
sand
and
clear
water
that
teems
with
starfish),
Snake
Island
(an
island
with
a
long
stretch
of
fine
white
sand
shaped
like
a
snake),
Pandan
Island,
and
Senorita
Island
(the
breeding
site
of
lapu-lapu
fish).
Lodging
facilities
are
available
for
overnight
stays
in
the
islands
of
Meara
Marina
and
Starfish
(Sandbar
Resort).
The
bay
is
located
in
Sta.
Lourdes
Tagbanua,
Puerto
Princesa
City.
About
12
kilometers
east
of
Puerto
Princesa
City
is
Sta.
Lourdes
wharf
where
pumpboats
could
be
hired
to
take
tourists
to
the
island
of
their
choice.
Some
islands
require
an
entrance
fee;
others
are
privately
owned,
thus,
permits
from
the
owners
are
necessary.
Sta.
Lourdes
wharf
is
25
minutes
away
by
hired
tricycle
or
jeepney.
A
pumpboat
ride
from
the
wharf
to
the
different
islands
is
from
15
to
50
minutes.
Tabon
Caves.
Known
as
the
""Cradle
of
Philippine
Civilization,""
Tabon
Caves
consists
of a
series
of
chambers
where
anthropologists
discovered
the
remains
of
crude
man
and
his
tools.
Anthropological
significance
came
to
the
fore
with
the
discovery
of
the
remains
of
the
22,000
year
old
Tabon
Man
in
one
of
its
interiors,
along
with
other
artifacts
decades
ago.
The
caves
are
located
in
Lipuua
Point,
Quezon,
Palawan.
About
155
kilometers
south
of
Puerto
Princesa
City,
the
place
can
be
reached
by
taking
a
bus
or
jeepney
ride
from
the
provincial
capital
to
Quezon.
It
is
followed
by a
pumpboat
ride
from
Quezon
wharf
to
the
caves.
Travel
time
is
3-4
hours
by
bus
or
jeepney
to
Quezon
and
20-30
minutes’
boat
ride
from
Quezon
pier
to
the
caves.
Archeological
Exploration.
The
activity
can
be
fun
and
endlessly
appealing
to
both
new
and
perennial
visitors
to
Palawan.
Visit
the
Tabon
Caves
and
be
enthralled
by
the
chambers
which
yield
knowledge
about
life
50,000
years
ago.
Baragatan
sa
Palawan.
A
grand
celebration
of
the
founding
of
the
civil
government
of
Palawan
is
celebrated
every
third
week
of
June
in
Puerto
Princesa
City.
Highlights
of
the
Baragatan
are
the
LGU
Trade
and
Food
Fair,
and
colorful
parade
with
participation
from
the
different
municipalities
and
private
sectors,
featuring
the
ethnic
groups
and
the
coronation
of
Ms.
Palawan.
Seacows
Palawan
is
home
to
the
seacow,
known
locally
as
dugong,
a
unique
animal,
being
the
only
herbivorous
mammal
in
existence
today.
We
probably
owe
our
childhood
fantasies
of
the
mythical
mermaid
to
the
dugong,
which,
because
of
its
fish-like
tail,
smooth
brownish
skin,
mammary
glands,
and
woman-like
genitalia,
was
often
mistaken
by
sailors,
weary
from
long
voyages,
as a
mermaid.
The
dugong
can
grow
to
more
than
three
meters
in
length
and
can
weigh
more
than
400
kg.
Its
body
is
torpedo-shaped
with
small
short
flippers
and
whale-like
flukes.
Its
lip
is
shaped
like
a
disk
with
thick
hair.
Palawan
Sea
Kayaking
The
islands
scattered
north
of
Palawan
offer
one
of
the
world’s
most
spectacular
marine
environments.
Towering
limestone
cliffs
rear
straight
up
from
seas
teeming
with
marine
life,
and
hidden
bays
offer
deserted
beaches
for
camping.
The
coral
reefs
here
are
amongst
the
most
extensive
in
the
country,
so
be
sure
to
bring
your
snorkeling
gear.
Many
islands
are
also
covered
in
jungle,
the
habitat
of
rare
bird
species.
If
you
are
willing
to
carry
your
boat,
you
can
explore
some
of
the
lakes
on
Coron
Island,
home
of
the
reclusive
Tagbanua
Tribe.
Internationally
known
tour
operators
run
regular
sea
kayaking
tours
among
the
islands
around
northern
Palawan. |
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