Things to Do in Puerto Princesa Beyond the Underground River
Puerto Princesa's top activities include the whale shark and dolphin tour (April–October, ₱3,500, Tour Z), Honda Bay island hopping (year-round, ₱1,200–1,800), the Underground River (year-round, permits required), Palawan Wildlife Rescue Centre (crocodile sanctuary, daily), firefly watching on Iwahig River (evening tours), and the Rizal Avenue seafood strip. The whale shark tour is the most highly rated and time-sensitive activity — book first.
Puerto Princesa has earned its reputation as one of the Philippines' most liveable cities — clean streets, friendly locals, and a food scene that punches well above its size. More importantly for travellers, it offers an extraordinary range of tours within easy reach. The Underground River gets all the publicity, but here's what else deserves your time.
1. Whale Shark & Dolphin Tour — April to October
The highest-rated activity in Puerto Princesa. Tour Z's 30ft speedboat delivers Puerto Princesa's only 2-in-1 marine wildlife expedition — swim with wild whale sharks in open ocean, then cruise alongside spinner and bottlenose dolphin pods on the same morning. Hotel pickup at 7:00 AM, returns 1:00 PM. Professional drone video included. ₱3,500 per person, maximum 12 guests.
Book this first — it sells out weeks ahead in peak season and anchors everything else in your Puerto Princesa schedule.
2. Honda Bay Island Hopping
Puerto Princesa's own island hopping circuit is often overlooked by travellers rushing north to Port Barton or El Nido. Honda Bay's cluster of islands — Cowrie Island, Starfish Island, Luli Island, and Pandan Island — offer snorkelling, swimming, and beach time within 30 minutes of the city. Half-day tours cost ₱1,200–1,800 including lunch and fees. Good option for a second day or for those short on time.
3. Puerto Princesa Underground River
The city's headline attraction. A UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature — an 8.2km underground river flowing through a cave system with soaring limestone formations and bat colonies. Tours run by boat through the cave with a mandatory guide. Permits are capped daily and sell out weeks ahead December to April. Book as soon as you know your dates.
4. Palawan Wildlife Rescue & Conservation Centre
The largest crocodile facility in the Philippines, also housing other native Palawan wildlife including bearcat, pangolin, and Philippine cockatoo. Guides walk you through the sanctuary explaining conservation work. Open daily, ₱80 entrance fee, 1–2 hours. A genuinely interesting addition to a rest morning in Puerto Princesa.
5. Firefly Watching on Iwahig River
One of the most unexpectedly beautiful experiences in Puerto Princesa. Evening boat tours on the Iwahig River observe thousands of fireflies synchronising their flashing in the mangrove trees — an almost surreal light show that's especially impressive during new moon phases when ambient light is minimal. Tours depart around 6:00 PM and return by 9:00 PM. ₱500–800 per person.
6. Rizal Avenue Food Strip
Puerto Princesa's main dining street offers the best concentration of seafood restaurants in Palawan. Grilled fresh tuna, tiger prawns, oysters, and squid at prices that are a fraction of what you'd pay in Manila or El Nido. Kinabuch's, Ka Lui, and Badjao Seafront are the consistently recommended names — but the whole strip is good. Go hungry, order too much.
7. Day Trip to Port Barton
The 2–3 hour van transfer to Port Barton makes it possible as an extended day trip for travellers without enough time for an overnight stay — though spending at least 2 nights in Port Barton is strongly recommended for the full experience including the island hopping tour.
Make the Most of Your Puerto Princesa Time
The whale shark tour runs April–October and returns by 1:00 PM — leaving your afternoon free for the Underground River, Honda Bay, or onward travel to Port Barton.
🦈 Book Whale Shark Tour 🐢 Port Barton Island HoppingFrequently Asked Questions
Two days covers the whale shark tour, Honda Bay or the Underground River, and the city food strip. Three days allows for a more relaxed pace with all main attractions and no rushing.
Kinabuch's on Rizal Avenue is famous for grilled tuna jaw and local seafood. Ka Lui is legendary for a set-menu Filipino feast in a bamboo house setting. Both require advance booking during peak season.
No — the whale shark tour departs at 7:00 AM and returns around 1:00 PM. The Underground River requires a separate half or full day. Plan them on consecutive days for the most efficient Puerto Princesa schedule.