The most beautiful natural sites to discover Puerto Princesa

It can be reached in five minutes from the centre of the city. Tables and benches are installed for picnic. It is a superb beach of fine sand, ideal for bathing or snorkeling.

These islands are an ideal place for a day trip. The bay is located in Santa Lourdes (Tagburos), on the east coast of Palawan, 10 km from the capital's docks, and is made up of several islets with outcropping reefs bordering beautiful beaches, favorite spots for swimmers and divers. These lands are called Cowrie Island (shells); Bat Island, home to bats that hang in the mangroves; Lu-Li Island, visible only at low tide (derived from lulubog-lilitaw meaning "floating" and "sinking"); Meara Island, a peaceful private island; Starfish Sandbar Resort, known for its white sandbar and clear waters with starfish (you can camp there if you have your own equipment); Snake Island and its long stretch of white sand in the shape of a snake; Pandan Island with its white sand and coral reefs; Senorita Island, a place where lapu-lapu fish are bred; Arrecife Island, with its white sand and luxury hotel (the Dos Palmas Island Resort).

Getting there. Jeepneys and tricycles run the Puerto Princesa-Tagburos route daily (40 minutes). At the Santa Lourdes de Tagburos port (10 km north of Puerto Princesa), fishermen rent their motorboats for islandhopping. The nearest one can be reached in 30 minutes. All travel agencies in Puerto Princesa also organize day trips to Honda Bay: it's not expensive and everything is included!

Nagtabon Beach is a beautiful stretch of white sand, more than 800 meters long and surrounded by crystal clear waters. It is located at one hour drive from Puerto Princesa. Still preserved from the influx of tourists, it reigns there a certain softness of life which invites to the relaxation and the contemplation. That of marvelous sunsets, for example. Be careful between October and February, the waves are too strong but otherwise it is possible to swim and surf. A camping site is not far away for those who want to prolong the pleasure.

This 97,000-hectare marine park was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1993 and has since become a natural sanctuary under high protection. Located 180 km from Puerto Princesa in the Sulu Sea, it is, according to specialists, the ultimate in diving in the Philippines, and one of the most beautiful spots in the world. Captain Cousteau used to say that it was one of the most beautiful places he had seen. Totally uninhabited, except for a few coastguards, divers can only go there from mid-March to mid-June when the weather conditions are good (one must also be aware of the risks involved in such an expedition in such an isolated place. In April 2023, for example, a ship of divers was wrecked there). Traditionally, the boats leave Puerto Princesa in the evening to arrive in the early morning and they stay 5 days on the spot. It is necessary to count about 10 000 PHP per day (all included), plus 5 000 PHP of entrance fee per day. Underwater, we find ourselves in front of vertiginous reefs like underwater mountains, with a visibility that can reach 30 to 45 meters. The site is covered with 75% of splendid corals. More than 1,200 species, many of them endangered, live in these waters, such as manta rays and turtles, dolphins, whale sharks and grey sharks by the hundreds. It is definitely one of the most majestic diving spots in the country and even in the world.

Stellar Ground is a kind of large park where one comes to relax, spend a day or evening with family or friends. On a large square in the shade of hundred-year-old acacias, some stalls offer various foods from around the world. There are also small stores selling typical Palawan handicrafts and on some evenings there are live music performances by local bands. It is a place where children can play, stroll around and buy nice souvenirs.