Photo by Roland Nagy / Alamy

Looking to vacation on the world’s best island? Then look no further than the Philippines’ own Palawan, which was named the Top Island in the World by Conde Nast Travel Magazine in its 27th Readers Choice Awards.

The island beat out the likes of Bora Bora in French Polynesia, Maui in Hawaii, and Bali in Indonesia.

Conde Nast noted one of Palawan’s most popular tourist destinations, the Puerto Princesa Underground River in Sabang: “Palawan’s natural wonder is one of the longest underground rivers in the world, traveling five miles through a subterranean cave system. Guided boat tours take visitors down a portion of the waterway, where karsts, natural rock formations created by dissolving limestone, loom in every direction.”

Another tourist hotspot, Boracay, was number 12 on the list. “This itty-bitty island…is as close to the tropical idyll ideal as you’ll find in the Philippines, with gentle coastlines and transporting sunsets. Add in a thriving nightlife scene, and you have one of the top tourist spots in the region,” the survey said.

The Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Survey, held every year since 1988, received 76,659 responses this year. The survey is available on the magazine’s website.

The Readers’ Choice Awards are announced in the November issue of Conde Nast Traveler, on newsstands nationwide on October 28, 2014.

Source: GMANetwork

The Tabon Caves, also known as the Philippines’ Cradle of Civilization, are a set of caves located on Lipuun Point, Quezon, Palawan. It is currently being maintained and managed by the National Museum. The caves are named after the Tabon Scrubfowl, a large-footed bird that lays eggs in huge holes it digs into cave floors, many of which have been found in the cave. It is a 138-hectares, of rugged cliffs and deep slopes. Discovered in 1962 by an American, the late Dr. Robert B. Fox and his team of Archaeologist. The discovery of the caves have yielded an important Archaeological find – skull cap remains of the Tabon Man found in the cave which is believed to be approximately 22,000-24,000 years old. The team also found burial jars, like the Manunggul Jar (another National Cultural Treasure) earthenware, jade ornaments and other jewelry, stone tools, animal bones, and human fossils dating back to 47,000 years ago, earliest human remains found in the Philippines.

Out of the total 215 caves known to exist on Lipuun Point, the Tabon Caves complex has 29 explored caves where only seven of which are open for public viewing. The major caves open to the public are Tabon Cave (the largest cave), Diwata Cave (home of the Tabon birds, or balinsasayaw), Igang Cave (the longest cave), and Liyang Cave (the first cave, serving as the entrance to the complex). The Tabon Man was discovered in the caves, one of the oldest remnants of human inhabitants found in the Philippines.

How to get there: Tabon Caves Complex is a 30-minute boat ride from the town of Quezon, a Southern municipality of Palawan. It is 155 kilometers away from Puerto Princesa City. Visitors, however, are advised to stop at the National Museum branch at Poblacion, Quezon for orientation and briefing.

Hours of Operation:
Mondays-Fridays / 9:00 am – 4:00 pm;
Saturdays, Sundays and holidays by appointment

Tubbataha Reef | Photo via More Fun in the Philippines

Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park is home to the most beautiful coral reefs in the world and are the largest concentration of coral reefs in the Philippines. Rising from the volcanic depths of the Sulu Sea in the western Philippines, these magnificent atolls encompass an astonishing diversity of marine life. Hundreds of different species of vivid corals cover more than two-thirds of the area. This intact and remote ecosystem rivals the Great Barrier Reef – having 300 coral species and 400 fish species. Animal species that inhabit the reefs include whales, manta rays, lionfish, turtle, clownfish, spotted dolphin and sharks.

Tubbataha is the Philippines’ first national marine park and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a place of global importance being preserved for future generations of humankind. Tubbataha supports an unparalleled variety of marine creatures. Colorful reef fish crowd corals growing in the shallows while sharks and pelagics haunt the steep drop offs to the open sea.

Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park covers a pristine atoll reef ecosystem with a very high diversity of marine life. The park consists of three reef areas: North and South Atoll, divided by 8km, and Jessie Beazley Reef 20km to the north. It is located within the Coral Triangle, a global focus for coral biological diversity.

Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park (TRNP) lies in the middle of the Sulu Sea and falls under the political jurisdiction of Cagayancillo, an island municipality situated 130km to the north. The park is 150km southeast of Puerto Princesa City – capital of the Province of Palawan – the usual jump-off point for visitors and dive boats going to Tubbataha. A team of rangers are stationed on the reef year-round and, from March until June, divers visit Tubbataha to experience the wonders of this unique underwater world.

Aside from being a marine sanctuary, Tubbataha is also renowned for being a bird sanctuary. It holds nesting sites for seabirds. For more information, visit Tubbataha Reef.

How to get there: The Tubbataha Reef is accessible only by sea transport. It generally takes 10 hours to get to the park from Puerto Princesa, depending on the speed of the boat. Most of the vessels leave after dinner and arrive in Tubbataha at around 6 a.m. Some slower vessels, however, leave the wharf earlier in order to arrive in the Park at first light.

Feeding Time | Photo by Jec Mate

Calauit Island is one of the Philippine’s wildlife Sanctuary. This Island is the Philippine’s showcase for wildlife conservation. It is an ideal sanctuary because of its relative isolation. It is home to various species of exotic African and Palawan endemic flora and fauna. Varieties of birds, giraffes, calamian deers, antilopes and zebras freely roam the island. The forests, grasslands and mangrove swamps are also the habitat of some of the country’s rarest and most endangered species.

{take a tour} Coron Tour: Kayak & Calauit Safari Overnight Adventure
{take a tour} Coron Tour : Calauit Safari Expedition

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.

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.

This Calauit Island is truly a must-see for all nature- and wildlife- lovers and enthusiasts. It caters for scientific, educational, tourism and recreational activities by providing enjoyment of the wilderness and opportunities for greater awareness on the importance and appreciation of conservation of the natural and cultural heritage of this beautiful area.

How to get here: Sea transport to Calauit Island is available from the town of Coron in Busuanga. Private transport may be arranged at the resorts in and around Busuanga.

Big Lagoon, Miniloc Island, Bacuit Bay | Photo by julesnene via Flickr

Miniloc Island is in the middle of Bacuit Bay, El Nido. The island’s jagged coastline is filled with pockets of white beaches and lagoons and caves, both shallow and deep. It is a forty-minute pump boat ride away from the town of El Nido, and derives its fame from its towering limestone formation and its two lagoons – Big Lagoon and Small Lagoon.

{take a tour}: El Nido Tour A – Lagoons and Beaches

According to Wikipedia, scientists believe that these lagoons were actually caves which abound in these islands. The roofs of these caves must have collapsed millions of years ago, and these lagoons have emerged in their stead.

The Big Lagoon is one of the more popular snorkeling spots in El Nido. It has deep emerald waters and is frequented by sea turtles. It is a bay carved into the island, with dazzlingly clear water and corals below; pointed limestone cliffs tower above you as you drift into the lagoon. Water and coral conditions made this lagoon relatively free of marine life, but kayakers will find this a magnificent backdrop to paddle through.

Entrance to the Big Lagoon } Photo by Riza Mira Photography

Big Lagoon | Photo by denAsuncioner

Nearby the Big Lagoon is the Small Lagoon. The Small Lagoon is accessible through a gap between two giant limestone rocks that appear to be about to kiss each other. Through this little space, one can swim or kayak into the lagoon. It is actually these cliffs, and the rocks and corals in the shallow part of the area that temper the waves, protecting the water in the lagoon from the all whatever violent events in the open sea.

Entrance to the Small Lagoon | Photo by currystrumpet

Small Lagoon | Photo by Glazaro

tour

Barracuda Lake is a freshwater lake in a volcano crater. Located in the northwest part of Coron Island, the lake is about 40m deep and surrounded by sharp limestone cliffs. Picturesque palm beaches, steep limestone cliffs and turquoise waters surround this island, which is home of the Tagbanua Tribe. Barracuda Lake, which is near Kayangan Lake, is one of two lakes (out of 8 lakes) in Coron island that is open to the public. Lake Barracuda is one of Coron’s primary attractions.  The lake is known for it’s unique thermo-clines, which are distinct layers of cold, warm water and hot water. These thermo-clines can be experienced while diving. This is caused by the meeting of the cold fresh water and the warm salt water.

Barracuda Lake is a beautiful place but to get there after a 20-minute boat ride from Coron Island you have to climb for 30 min for 30-40 wooden steps meandering through the jagged limestone cliff surrounding the lake. The entrance of Barracuda Lake, is very small, and only a handful of people can be accommodated at the wooden platform at the mouth of the lake. During peak season when there are lots of visitors, the entrance can get very crowded. It is therefore advised to leave your things in the boat and only bring your swimming gear, as there is no place to put your bags inside the lake, unlike in Lake Kayangan where there is a long wooden platform and some seating area.

Palawan is wonderful to visit any time of year. Travelers to the island will find stunning beaches, hidden lakes, pristine lagoons, together with a wealth of water activities and trekking opportunities, as well as fascinating wildlife that Palawan has long been known for. There is a wide range of tours and activities in Palawan to suit all tastes, ages, wonders, levels of adrenaline, and much more.

Our Top 10 tours list present you with select excursions from Palawan’s treasure trove of attractions. These tours offer some authentic experiences and have been specially designed by local operators who really care about Palawan. Get the most out of your visit with these options, and journey to see the very best of Palawan!

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