Follow us on
Best Local Places
7 Outdoor Activities in Palawan to Make the Most of Your Island Trip
Explore the island's majestic beauty with our curated list of activities to do in Palawan.
By: Denisse Shawntel Tan | January 01, 2024
Palawan is not only beautiful, but it’s also filled with fun activities you can do during your trip.
Images: Sabang X Zipline Facebook page (L); Royal Island Watersports website (R)
With its crystal clear waters and gorgeous landscapes, it’s no wonder Palawan was hailed as the “best island in the world” in 2020. If you want to witness the island’s natural beauty, the best way to do so is by experiencing it through various outdoor activities in Palawan.
Many fun activities to do in Palawan are enjoyable and show what the island offers. Are you seeing an adventurous vacation to the province in the future? Check out this list of fun outdoor activities in Palawan!
1. Underground River Tour
Location: Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park
Rates (whole day tour): Start at PhP2,500 per head
Schedule: Tours start at 11:00 AM until 4:00 PM
The underground river tour takes tourists into the first 1.5 kilometers of the underground river cave.
Image: Puerto Princesa Underground River Tour Facebook page
First on our list of fun outdoor activities and things to do in Palawan is the famous underground river tour. This activity to do in Palawan is always included by many tourists as part of their trip itinerary because it lets visitors experience the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Seventh New Wonder of the Natural World. This whole-day outdoor activity in Palawan includes an hour-long tour of the underground river and caves featuring spectacular stalagmites and stalactite formations, which took thousands of years to form. Even the sights outside can be attractive, for the cave is surrounded by noteworthy forests and mountains that host diverse wildlife. It is a perfect outdoor activity in Palawan to start your adventure on the island.
2. Castaway Island Camping
Location: Tapik Beach Park Guesthouse, Tapik Road, Brgy Sibaltan, El Nido
Rates: Tours start at PhP10,600++/night for two persons
Schedule: 24 hours
The Castaway Island camping experience lets you enjoy nature privately.
Image: Tapik Beach website
Those who want an activity to do in Palawan to avoid crowded tourist spots might enjoy the castaway camping experience at Tapik Beach. This outdoor activity in Palawan will let you camp privately in Palawan’s immaculate islands. Moreover, you also get to experience activities like fishing, snorkeling, hiking, mangrove touring, firefly watching, motorbiking, kayaking, and island hopping during your stay. The tour package is suitable for up to four people and includes complete meals (lunch, dinner, and breakfast) that consist of grilled seafood, coconut, bread or rice, and coffee or tea. This outdoor activity in Palawan will let you experience a different vibe on the island!
3. Zipline Ride
Location: Sabang, Puerto Princesa and Las Cabanas Beach, El Nido
Rates:
Sabang X Zipline: PhP550 per person
Las Cabañas:
PhP500 sitting position-one way
PhP700 Superman position-one way
PhP900 sitting position-return
PhP1,000 combination of both positions-return
PhP1,100 Superman position-return
Schedule:
Sabang X: 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Las Cabañas: 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM
Not afraid of heights? You can also check out Palawan’s beauty while up in the air.
Image: Sabang X Zipline Facebook page
Another activity to do in Palawan is exploring Palawan’s vast natural beauty. It can take a long time, but with a zipline ride, you can get an aerial view of the islands in one go. A different thing to do in Palawan is to appreciate the island’s charm. The Sabang X Zipline in Puerto Princesa and Las Cabañas in El Nido offer a great and safe experience of island-to-island ziplining. With this outdoor activity in Palawan, thrill-seekers enjoy a picturesque view of the blue waters and surrounding lush greenery. Ziplining is open until late afternoon, so you can marvel at the spectacular high-up sunset.
4. Cave Tours
Location: El Nido
Rates: Price varies by group size
Schedule: Tours last for 6 hours and start early in the morning
The Cathedral Cave is one of the natural formations that you can visit on tours.
Image: El Nido Palawan Tours Facebook page
Another best outdoor activity in Palawan, besides the famous underground river in Puerto Princesa, is that there are more natural caves around Palawan. In El Nido, various tours highlight the majestic hidden caves and underground beaches. To complete your activity to do in Palawan, these tours feature spots such as Popolkan Island, Snake Island, Cudugnon Cave, Cathedral Cave, and Pinagbuyutan Island.
These islands have distinct characteristics and charms that are perfect if you want an outdoor activity in Palawan and explore the island’s hidden gems. For example, the Cadugnon Cave is a historical site that is said to house prehistoric people 12,000 years ago. Meanwhile, there’s also Cathedral Cave, known for its impressive rock formation resembling a cathedral. You must add this thing to do in Palawan to complete your adventure on this island.
5. Parasailing
Location: San Agustin St, Brgy Poblacion 2, Coron
Rates:
Double/Triple flyer (PhP2,250 per head)
Solo flyer (PhP1,900 per head)
Schedule: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Looking for an adventure? Explore more of Palawan while you’re 150 meters up.
Image: Royal Island Watersports website
If you want to experience a thrilling activity to do in Palawan and enjoy the aerial view of Palawan longer, you can try the parasailing adventures at Royal Island Watersports. This outdoor activity in Palawan will let you see a panoramic view of Coron for 15 minutes while gliding through the air at more than 150 meters up. You also have the option to go solo, tandem, or triple and take a short dip in the water. After parasailing, guests can enjoy other amenities like the floating sea pool, clear bottom kayaking, and the sitting deck. An additional adventure on your bucket list of outdoor activities in Palawan.
6. Scuba Diving
Location: El Nido
Rates: Depends on the package
Schedule: 7:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Palawan divers are dedicated to providing safe, fun, and eco-friendly diving sessions.
Image: Palawan Divers Facebook page
Palawan is known for its waters and diverse wildlife. If you want an underwater activity to do in Palawan, it will be great to experience these wonders through scuba diving. If you want to learn how to scuba dive, this outdoor activity in Palawan is teeming with certified, skilled, and professional diving instructors who can teach you the basics. For one, Palawan Divers has diving packages that offer a safe way for non-certified divers to test the waters. You wouldn’t be afraid to experience this thing to do in Palawan since their diving team is fully equipped with professional gear and years of experience. Each diving boat has first-aid kits, spare equipment bags, and emergency oxygen tanks. Experiencing this outdoor activity in Palawan is a story to tell your friends and family.
7. Snorkeling
Location: via El Nido ArtCafe
Rates: PhP17,000 to PhP19,000 (up to 6 pax)
Schedule: Tours start at 9:00 AM
Guests can rent or bring their own snorkels, masks, and fins.
Image: El Nido Boutique Artcafe Facebook page
This last outdoor activity in Palawan is for those who don’t want to go too deep to see Palawan’s marine wildlife; snorkeling is an equally exciting activity to do in Palawan that lets you get close to aquatic life. For a hassle-free trip, El Nido Boutique’s snorkel tour will take you to various beautiful spots. Four tour packages for this outdoor activity in Palawan cover different areas around El Nido. The tour involves snorkeling at Tapiutan and Matinloc Islands, where you can see a variety of colorful corals and sea creatures. Tourists also have an excellent chance to spot a turtle in the tour areas.
Like the stunning scenery, these outdoor activities will give you fond memories of Palawan that won’t be easy to forget.
Visit Yoorekka Magazine to discover more stunning spots and outdoor activities in Palawan!
This article was initially published in Yoorekka on July 28, 2020.
Check out this video:
About Denisse Shawntel Tan
Denisse Tan is currently a work in progress: she’s an aspiring writer, artist, and fashion designer! She’s trying to figure out how to manage her time in achieving all of her goals while also taking in life as humanly possible. Aside from art, she’s a big fan of the color pink, disco music, Bratz dolls, and Genshin Impact. By age 35, she plans to travel to New York City 🗽.
Learn more stories on:
Location Tags:
Disclaimer: All articles in the Consumers Magazine of Yoorekka are
for general information and entertainment purposes only. Although
careful research has been made in writing them, Yoorekka does not
make any warranty about the completeness and accuracy of all
information presented in our articles. Our content is not intended
to be used in place of legal, medical, or any professional advice.
ALSO READ
CATEGORIES
VIDEO MARKET PLACE
FOLLOW US ON
MORE STORIES AROUND THE PHILIPPINES
