Palawan is commonly referred as the Philippine’s last frontier. Lush vegetation, scenic jungle terrain, a multitude of beaches and islands, and the resplendent blue-green waters are barely compromised by commercial establishments and overreaching human population. This region northwest of the country has plenty of attractions to explore, from an international animal sanctuary to not one but two UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

You can start your Palawan journey in El Nido Marine Reserve, one of the best dive spots in the Philippines, with 96,000 hectares of protected ecosystems and 50 nearby islands providing numerous opportunities for beach-hopping, snorkeling and diving. The rainforest, mangroves, coral reefs, and limestone cliffs all make El Nido a sight-filled spot for you to use up your camera’s memory card. You can also catch the countless species of marine life which reside here, including the rare sea manatee (dugong). There are also plenty of fishermen who sell their catch right off the beach, allowing for a very tasty meal of grilled fish with tomatoes, salted eggs, and rice. On the way to El Nido from Sabang, you can stop over at Port Barton, a sleepy fishing village and backpacker haven.

The Coron Reefs possess seven beautiful lakes surrounded by limestone cliffs. Near the town of Coron, Busuanga, visitors can navigate through the rough steps and marvel at these watery delights. You can also enjoy wreck diving in Coron Bay, provided by 11 Japanese ships which were packed near the bay when they were sunk by American dive bombers. The wrecks are excellently preserved, and can be seen on the surface by snorkeling or up close through mask diving.

Honda Bay is comprised of islets with shallow reefs, including Cannon (Cowrie) Island, Lu-li Island, Bat Island, Starfish Island, Snake Island, and many more. The bay is in Sta. Lourdes, Tagbanua in Puerto Princesa City. Some islands require an entrance fee, while others are privately owned and need permission from the owners.

The Calauit Island Game Preserve and Wildlife Sanctuary is home to a diverse array of African creatures. This island sanctuary was created by presidential decree back in 1976 based on an appeal by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. There is an open truck for visitors which tours the island and its residents. Giraffes will approach the truck for its meal of leaves and even eat from the branches held aloft by tourists while zebras stroll in the background.  Another wildlife preserve is Ursula Island Game Refuge and Bird Sanctuary, a shelter for birds that roost here after sunset. Located near Tuba Village, Bataraza, some 5 hours’ drive from Puerto Princesa, the island can be reached by pumpboat.

Tabon Caves is called “The Cradle of Philippine Civilization”  due to the series of subterranean chambers where researchers uncovered the remains of ancient humans and their tools. The remains have been carbon-dated to around 22,000 years ago. Tabon Caves is located in Lipuua Point, some 155 kilometers south of Puerto Princesa, and can be reached by taking a bus or jeepney to the wharf, then a pumpboat ride to the caves.

Tubbataha Atoll Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is part of  the famous Coral triangle, which include the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and the Celebes Sea in Indonesia. It is also a contender in the New 7 Wonders of Nature. The fragile corals of Tubbataha form an ecosystem that accommodates a tremendous number of marine life, including turtles, manta rays, and tropical fish. Located in the Sulu Sea around 181 kilometers southeast of Puerto Princesa, the reef is composed of two coral atolls which are divided by an 8 kilometer-wide channel. Divers from around the world hail the coral “walls” of Tubbataha, where the shallow coral layer suddenly ends to the deep ocean, providing habitats for many species of fish.

Finally, Palawan’s Subterranean River, the other UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a wonder to behold. The river stretches 8.2 kilometers under the earth, half of which is accessible to tourists. A special permit is needed from the environment authority, together with a boat and guide, which any of several tour groups can provide. Your adventure starts from Sabang Beach, where a hike through a jungle path called Monkey Trail will lead you to the river. A round trip boat ride will take about 3 hours. The interior is dark, and the passengers in front of the boat have to hold up lanterns to see the stalagmites and stalactites. The cave ceiling is also home to thousands of bats, so watch out for their droppings!

The best time to visit Palawan is during the dry season between March and June and during the Christmas Season from November to January. You can get to Palawan by boat or plane, then take a pumpboat to each of the attractions. The nightlife consists of bar visits, where you can play billiards, sing videoke, drink and dance to your fill.

Posted in Attractions, Philippines

This entry was posted on Monday, February 16th, 2009 at 4:55 pm and is filed under Attractions, Philippines. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.