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Sabang is a small village that’s part of larger Puerto Princesa, but is approximately 80 kilometers northwest of the city center. You must drive through heavily forested land along winding roads for more than one hour to get to the beautiful, remote Sabang area.

Activities in Sabang

Sabang Beach: The beach in this cute little village is absolute paradise. The waters are crystal clear, the sands pure white, and not a piece of trash can be found. It’s the perfect place to relax, swim, or sunbathe in serenity. When I think of “tropical paradise,” Sabang Beach is now what comes to my mind.

Travel tip #1: The beach faces the South China Sea, which is known for having tumultuous waters and strong riptides. It is easy to get caught in the undercurrent when swimming, so be aware of the tides and only swim where there is a lifeguard on duty. 

Ziplining: Right beside the mangroves is a famous zipline. The whole area around Sabang is beautiful, with mountains, beaches, and lush forests, making the zipline a special experience to be had. At 800 meters above sea level, you get to zip above the ocean and fly past mountains.

Mangrove Paddle Boat: Hire a local guide for PHP 300 (~$5.50 USD) and they’ll paddle you into the jungle amongst the mangroves. It’s a wonderful experience for nature lovers, but be sure to wear long sleeves or spritz some mosquito spray on yourself before embarking on the journey. Look out for the black and yellow mangrove snakes above, as well!

Subterranean River National Park: Sabang is well-known mainly because it’s home to one of the seven natural wonders of the world, the Underground River. A short boat ride from Sabang Beach across the teal waters and postcard-perfection scenery is the National Park. Impressive stalactite and stalagmite formations can be found inside the caves of the Underground River in addition to a wide variety of tropical flora and animals.

Travel tip #2: A tour should be booked to experience the Subterranean River as permits are needed to visit certain parts of the area. Although it may feel a bit tourist-y, you definitely get your money’s worth and get to see some insanely unreal parts of Earth.

About the Subterranean River National Park Tour

The National Park is located in the Saint Paul Mountain Range along the western coast of Palawan Island. It is a protected area in the Philippines that was officially listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999. In 2010, a group of environmentalists and geologists discovered that the Underground River has a second floor, meaning there are small waterfalls inside the cave in addition to river channels, more formations, and more cave-dwelling creatures. In 2012, it was voted as a “New 7 Wonders of Nature.”

From the Puerto Princesa city center, you can take a small van to reach Sabang. If you book through a tour company, they will most likely arrange pick-up from where you’re staying to Sabang. My tour cost PHP2,200 ($40 USD) and included:

• Pick-up and drop off
• Air conditioned van service
• Permit arrangements
• Buffet lunch
• Roundtrip boat ride to the National Park
• Underground River Tour
• Cool guides and new friends (not guaranteed)

The cave itself is 8.2 kilometers long, but most of the tours only venture about 1.5 kilometers deep. You hop in a small boat with a local guide and receive a handheld device with earphones to learn more about the caves during the ride. There are bats everywhere, and amazing formations are pointed out through the tour’s entirety. If not for the tour guides’ flashlights, it would be pitch-black during the tour—super creepy in my opinion! Overall, the Subterranean River National Park is something that’s worthwhile to experience if you have the time.

Peace & happy travels,

Tay