Exploring the "Last Frontier" - PALAWAN

     You might somehow still thinking and daydreaming about experiencing Palawan, a remote province located in the southwest of the Philippines, then better think again. This short film (probably one of the most short film) that I found  featuring the wonderful islet of Palawan with the most pristine beaches you could imagine, a magical area with such an awesome view that until recently, was only for the birds eye. Filmed and edited by Scott Sporleder, this aerial journey of Palawan Islets is so nice and breath-taking.

     But wait, Palawan has more to offer. Before you wonder what else to do, you might run out of time to experience all this. Explore hundreds of remote islands from North to South. Explore secluded coves and underwater caves, snorkel pristine reefs, sunken shipwrecks and emerald lakes, visit hidden lagoons, explore water falls, trek lush jungles and experience the famous underground river (Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park).

credits: Matador Network

Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park

     One of the best places to visit in Palawan is the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, also known as the Underground River. It is a protected area of the Philippines located about 80 kilometres (50 mi) north of the city centre of Puerto Princesa, Palawan. The river was known as the world’s longest underground river until the discovery of a even longer river in Mexico. The national park is located in the Saint Paul Mountain Range on the western coast of the island. It is bordered by St. Paul Bay to the north and the Babuyan River to the east. The City Government of Puerto Princesa has managed the National Park since 1992. The entrance to the subterranean river is a short hike or boat ride from the town Sabang.

 

     The river is accessible by boat up to 4.2 kilometers deep, but tourist boats are only allowed 1.2 kilometers in, spending about one hour underground. Enough time to enjoy the gigantic caves, the bats and the stunning rock formations. The caves are particularly known for a type of dripstone called “speleothems.” They are basically mineral deposits often in the shape of spines, either hanging down from the ceiling or spiking upwards from the bottom of the cave.

     In 2010, a group of environmentalists and geologists discovered that the underground river has a second floor, which means that there are small waterfalls inside the cave. They also found a cave dome measuring 300 m (980 ft) above the underground river, rock formations, large bats, a deep water hole in the river, more river channels, another deep cave, as well as marine creatures and more. Deeper areas of the underground river are almost impossible to explore due to oxygen deprivation.

     Puerto Princesa Underground River was entered as the Philippine entry - and topped the first round of voting - in the New7Wonders of Nature competition. On July 29, 2011, after the second round of voting, it was declared 1 of 28 finalists. On November 11, 2011 it was provisionally chosen as one of the New7Wonders, together with the Amazonia, Halong Bay, Iguazu Falls, Jeju Island, Komodo Island, and Table Mountain.

     To really experience the greatness of Palawan Underground River you must pay it a visit. You won’t be disappointed!

El Nido, Palawan

     El Nido really is a magical place. From its ageless towering marble cliffs to its white sandy beaches with crystal clear water, many refer to it as paradise. There are over 50 beaches to discover, so many in fact that sometimes you feel as if you are on your own secluded private beach. You will also find enchanting lagoons with tranquil turquoise-green water, caves that can take you to hidden beaches, and a very diverse variety of wildlife.

     Yet El Nido has so many different treasures to offer beyond the obvious. Further activities available include cliff climbing, waterfalls, kayaking, cave exploration, windsurfing, plus you can also hire a motorbike and discover the surrounding north of Palawan.

 

     El Nido is composed of 45 islands and islets, each with its own unique features. Most of the islands have pockets and coves of fine white sand beaches, perfect for sunbathing and picnic lunches. Within some of the islands are ancient caves with fascinating dripstone formations. In other islands, limestone walls open up to lagoons. Weathering and erosion created and continue to shape these interesting geological formations.

Coron Island, Palawan

    Coron Island Palawan is a wedge-shaped limestone island, with few of its coastal areas being covered by mangrove forests. It has seven lakes, famous of which is the nationally-acclaimed cleanest lake in the Philippines, the Kayangan Lake. It also has a number of islands with white beaches and clear blue waters perfect for snorkeling, deepsea fishing and shipwreck diving.

 

     Coron Island is the third-largest island in the Calamian Islands in northern Palawan in the Philippines. The island is part of the larger municipality of the same name. It is about 170 nautical miles (310 km) southwest of Manila and is known for several Japanese shipwrecks of World War II vintage. The island is part of the ancestral domain of the indigenous Tagbanwa people. Known as Calis among the Tagbanwas and Coronians, its tribal chieftain is Rodolfo Aguilar I.

     The area around the wrecks has rock formations which provide for snorkeling opportunities, with underwater visibility extending up to 80 feet (24 m). The water is often calm. Coron is one of the most visited destinations for wreck diving in the Philippines. Wreck dive sites are found in depths as shallow as 10–30 feet and as deep as 120–140 feet (37–43 m). Most are in the range of about 60–80 feet.

     Dive sites around Coron include many different reef dive sites and "Günter´s Cave", also known as Cathedral Cave because during a certain time of the day, the sun throws a beam of light through a hole in the cave ceiling, illuminating the inside. It is possible to surface in the cave, as the hole in the cave-ceiling allows fresh air to enter. The cave is named after Günther Bernert, who was part of the first dive group to explore the cave, after hearing from local fishermen about its existence.

     Wreck diving sites in Coron Bay include the Irako wreck, Okikawa Maru wreck, Akitsushima wreck, Kogyo Maru wreck, Olympia Maru wreck, Kyokuzan Maru wreck, East Tangat gunboat wreck (the real name of the ship, Terukaze Maru, was recently discovered by a group of Dutch divers, who spent a couple of days digging into bottom sand around the stern), Nanshin Maru wreck, Lusong Gunboat Wreck, and Skeleton Wreck.

     The aquatic views from the sunken Japanese ships off Coron Island are listed in Forbes Traveler Magazine’s top-10 best scuba diving sites in the world.

Honda Bay

     Just 45 minutes north of the city proper, hop onto a boat and go island hopping at Honda Bay located in the mid-eastern coast of the city. With visits to stunning islands, with white sand beaches. Each island at Honda Bay offers different thrills but Luli Island, StarfishIsland, Panden Island and Cowrie Island are all great for swimming and snorkeling.

     Dive sites abound here, as the entire area is studded with patches of coral and sand. Submerged reefs may be found close to the surface down to 24 meters. Small reef and aquarium fish can also be found here.

 

     Please be advised that the islands featured in the Honda Bay Tour may vary on your visit. The Tour normally takes in Starfish, Luli and Cowrie Islands. However, changes may occur either due to weather conditions or when one of these three islands are shut by the Local Government, which regulates the impact of visitors on the islands, and on their surrounding corals and marine life.

     On such occasions the tour may be reduced to two island visits, in order to take in the delights of Pandan Island, which is the island furthest from the tours start point and a true beauty.

     Starfish Island has the greatest population of Star Fish (Sea Stars) in all of Palawan, as evident in its name. Symmetric five-armed orange Star Fish are the most abundant type in the area but you may be lucky to spot other varieties.

     Luli Island is actually a short term for "Lulubog - Lilitaw", which means Sink & Rise, which is what the Island does; at high tide the island disappears and at low tide, it reappears.

     Cowrie Island is named after the small-to-large sea snail, marine gastropod mollusc called "cowrie." The island has a number of cabanas, a pavillion and thatched-roof spa huts, all over looking the sea and creating a beautiful, picturesque scene. Cowrie Island has recently opened to the public as an alternative to the crowded Pandan Island, situated nearby.

     Pandan Island, is a private island with just one small resort. The island has the finest, whitest sands of all the islands and a lush tropical forest. This oval shaped island offers stunning views of the Honda Bay. The only structures on this island are wood and nipa cottages and stalls selling drinks and massages. The lack of concrete structures enhances the feeling of an island left to be at one with nature.

     Join in, and explore these wondeful Islands, and make your vacation an unforgettable one.

Tabon Cave

     The Tabon cave complex is located on Lipuun Point, Quezon, Palawan . It is a 138-hectares, of rugged cliffs and deep slopes. Discovered by an American, the late Dr. Robert B. Fox and his team of Archaeologist from the National Museum in 1962. The discovery of the caves have yielded an important Archaeological find - Fossil human bones tentatively dated from 22,000 to 24,000 years ago. Excavations were done from 1962 to 1970. Of the 200 caves found in Lipuun Point only 29 caves were fully explored, including Tabon Cave, which were found to been used for habitation and / or burial sites by ancient people.

  

     Because of its importance to Philippine History and heritage, the site was declared a Museum Reservation Site by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 996 in 1972 by the Philippine Government. Out of the 29 explored caves, only three caves are available or open for the visitors. The Tabon cave complex is currently being maintained and managed by the National Museum.

     Tabon cave complex is a 30-minute banca ride from the town of Quezon, a Southern municipality of Palawan. It is 155 kilometers away from Puerto Princesa City.

Calauit Island

   

     The Calauit Island lies in the Northwestern coast of Palawan was declared a game preserve and wildlife sanctuary in 1977 as the Philippines responded to an appeal by the IUCN or the International Union of Conservation of Nature to save endangered animals in Africa.

     The Game Preserve and Wildlife Sanctuary is a natural area where the entire environment and all the plants and animals are allowed to live in a natural state with the absolute minimum of human interference or disturbance. In order to protect the sanctuary and preserve it for future generations, certain standards of Visitor Conduct are provided for in the National Integrated Protected Areas Act and the Strategic Environmental Plan for Palawan.

     Covering an area of 3,700 hectares Calauit Island Wildlife Sanctuary is home to both endemic animals and African wildlife. At first, eight species of African animals from Kenya, which includes giraffes, zebras, impalas, waterbucks, bushbacks, gazelles, elands and topis live in harmony with endemic Philippine animals like the Calamian- and mouse- deer, bearcat, Palawan peacock pheasant, sea turtles and Philippine crocodile. Their numbers have increased from a hundred to well over six-hundred as they thrive in their new Pacific home.




     So if you feel like you want to experience paradise and have some fun, you might now consider a costly visit to this heavenly place - Palawan. Surely, you will not regret loosing some bucks while gaining more than some fun and adventure. Time is spilling fast, so hurry and pay a visit now. 

     For further information about Palawan hotel accommodation, you can just leave a comment or send an email. We are so please to help you with your thrilling and exciting adventures in the "Last Frontier". Travel and enjoy life to the fullest.