Palawan Sports & Activities
Calauit
Game Preserve & Wildlife Sanctuary.
It is a unique game reserve and wildlife sanctuary of exotic African
animals and endangered endemic animals of Palawan. Established
on August 31,1976 by virtue of Presidential Decree No.1578, this
was initiated in response to the appeal of the International Union
for the Conservation of Nature to help save African wildlife when
former President Ferdinand Marcos attended the 3rd world Conference
in Kenya. By virtue of RA 7611 (SEP), administrative jurisdiction
of DENR was given to the local government of Palawan, effective
December 31,1993. Management of the area is the responsibility
of the PCSDO (Palawan Council of Sustainable Development Office).
It is located in Calauit Island, Busuanga, Palawan.
Palawan
Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center (formerly Crocodile Farming
Institute).
It aims to preserve and conduct further research studies on endangered
species of crocodiles. One of the structures is a ""hospital""
for sick and disabled crocodiles. It also intends to make good
use of the raw materials derived from crocodile skin. The place
also maintains a mini-zoo featuring some of Palawan's endemic
animals, under the supervision and management of DENR-PAWB. Visiting
hours are from 1 :30 to 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday and 9:00 a.m.
to 12:00 nn, and 1 :00 to 5:00 p.m. Saturdays. Feeding time is
every Monday and Thursday afternoon. It is located in National
Road, Barangay Irawan, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, 30-40 minutes’
travel from the city proper. One can take a tricycle and get off
at Barangay Irawan where the crocodile farm is located. A jeepney
could be hired to get to the place.
Tubbattaha
Reefs.
It is a marine sanctuary located in the Middle Central Sulu Sea,
98 nautical miles southeast of Puerto Princesa City. Declared
a World Natural Heritage site by the United Nations Educational,
Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on December 1993,
it is under protective management by the Department of National
Defense (DND). It is under technical supervision by the Palawan
Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD) & the Department
of Environment & Natural Resources (DENR). It is located in
Cagayancillo town, Palawan. Trips to Tubbattaha from mid-March
to mid-June are all vessel-based and require planning for a minimum
of six weeks prior to departure. To reach the place, take a 70-minute
flight from Manila to Puerto Princesa City. From the airport,
a shuttle bus takes you to the dive boat. Boat ride from Puerto
Princesa City takes approximately 12 hours.
Coron
Reefs, Coron Bay, Busuanga.
Seven enchanting lakes surrounded by craggy limestone cliffs attract
hundreds of nature lovers to Coron Reefs in Northern Palawan,
near the town of Coron. Busuanga Island, whose main town is Coron,
is the jump-off point for numerous dive operators. The principal
dive sites are 12 WWII Japanese shipwrecks sunk on September 24,
1944 by US Navy action. They range in depth from the surface to
40M. This large variety offers exciting wreck exploration for
enthusiasts, from novice divers and snorkelers and recreational
divers to experienced TEC divers. Dive operators offer PADI dive
courses ranging from Discover Scuba to Assistant Instructor, Technical
and Enriched Air Diving, as well as other specialty courses. Dive
operators offer day diving, snorkeling trips, and overnight dive
safaris. Live-aboard and charter boats also offer diving in the
area.
El
Nido Marine Reserve.
Occupying an area of 96,000 hectares, this popular nature spot
boasts of diverse ecosystems such as rainforest, mangroves, white
sand beaches, coral reefs, and limestone cliffs. It is now one
of the country's premier tourist destinations. Blessed with extraordinary
natural scenery, El Nido is, the sanctuary of various forms of
wildlife. Countless varieties of fish are also found here. Manta
rays are a common sight; when in season, divers may see one of
the world's rarest marine mammal, the sea cow, known locally as
""dugong."" Accommodations are available at
El Nido Resorts on the Miniloc and Pangulasian Islands. El Nido
Resorts are noted for their hidden lagoons, palm forests, orchids,
and offshore cruise points. Apart from the cozy accommodations,
recreational facilities and aqua sports equipment are also available
for tourists. Tours to the resort are possible through Ten Knots
Corporation. The reserve is located in Miniloc Island, El Nido.
From the Manila Domestic Airport, a charter plane flies to mainland
El Nido, from where a pumpboat is taken for a trip to Miniloc
Island where the resort is situated. Travel time is two hours
by plane from Manila, 45 minutes by pumpboat to the resort area.
Puerto
Princesa Subterranean River National Park.
A world heritage site, this natural wonder features an 8.2 kilometer
navigable underground river, reputed to be the world's longest,
that winds through a spectacular cave before emptying out in to
the South China Sea. This river flows within a deep cavern under
rugged limestone and marble cliffs, special features of the park.
Known as one of the world's wonders, this river stretches eight
kilometers deep into an underground lagoon with crystalline waters.
Within the hallowed recesses, one winds through the tunnel aboard
a paddle boat with outriggers to be enthralled at every turn which
reveals stalactite pillars, rock formations, and domed amphitheaters.
The park is located in Bahile, Puerto Princesa, Palawan. Located
81 kilometers from the city proper, the place can be reached through
Barangay Cabayugan to Sabang, from where one could take a pumpboat
ride to the Underground River, or hike through a monkey trail.
An alternative way to reach the river is through a hired pumpboat
ride from Bahile wharf. Travel time through Barangay Cabayugan
is 1 1/2 hours' jeepney ride and 10 to 15 minutes’ pumpboat
ride or 1 1/2 hours’ hike.
Honda
Bay.
The bay consists of several islets with shallow reefs bordering
fabulous beaches which have become the favorite swimming, snorkelling,
and diving destinations of local residents and tourists. These
islets are the Cannon (Cowrie) Island, Bat Island, Lu-Ii Island
(derived from the word ""lulubog-lilitaw"",
meaning floating and sinking island, is visible only during low
tide), Meara Marina, Starfish Island (known for its fine white
sand and clear water that teems with starfish), Snake Island (an
island with a long stretch of fine white sand shaped like a snake),
Pandan Island, and Senorita Island (the breeding site of lapu-lapu
fish). Lodging facilities are available for overnight stays in
the islands of Meara Marina and Starfish (Sandbar Resort). The
bay is located in Sta. Lourdes Tagbanua, Puerto Princesa City.
About 12 kilometers east of Puerto Princesa City is Sta. Lourdes
wharf where pumpboats could be hired to take tourists to the island
of their choice. Some islands require an entrance fee; others
are privately owned, thus, permits from the owners are necessary.
Sta. Lourdes wharf is 25 minutes away by hired tricycle or jeepney.
A pumpboat ride from the wharf to the different islands is from
15 to 50 minutes.
Tabon
Caves.
Known as the ""Cradle of Philippine Civilization,""
Tabon Caves consists of a series of chambers where anthropologists
discovered the remains of crude man and his tools. Anthropological
significance came to the fore with the discovery of the remains
of the 22,000 year old Tabon Man in one of its interiors, along
with other artifacts decades ago. The caves are located in Lipuua
Point, Quezon, Palawan. About 155 kilometers south of Puerto Princesa
City, the place can be reached by taking a bus or jeepney ride
from the provincial capital to Quezon. It is followed by a pumpboat
ride from Quezon wharf to the caves. Travel time is 3-4 hours
by bus or jeepney to Quezon and 20-30 minutes’ boat ride
from Quezon pier to the caves.
Archeological
Exploration.
The activity can be fun and endlessly appealing to both new and
perennial visitors to Palawan. Visit the Tabon Caves and be enthralled
by the chambers which yield knowledge about life 50,000 years
ago.
Baragatan
sa Palawan.
A grand celebration of the founding of the civil government of
Palawan is celebrated every third week of June in Puerto Princesa
City. Highlights of the Baragatan are the LGU Trade and Food Fair,
and colorful parade with participation from the different municipalities
and private sectors, featuring the ethnic groups and the coronation
of Ms. Palawan.
Turtle
Island
On nine islands found within the Sulu-Celebes region, rare species
of turtles have found a haven to nest and breed. The Turtle Islands,
territories shared by the Philippines and Malaysia, are South
East Asia's only remaining major green turtle rookery. It is also
a vital nesting ground for the hawksbill turtle. Because it is
in the sea turtles' nature to have fixed nesting sites, they can
not interbreed with other populations of even the same species.
Seacows
Palawan is home to the seacow, known locally as dugong, a unique
animal, being the only herbivorous mammal in existence today.
We probably owe our childhood fantasies of the mythical mermaid
to the dugong, which, because of its fish-like tail, smooth brownish
skin, mammary glands, and woman-like genitalia, was often mistaken
by sailors, weary from long voyages, as a mermaid. The dugong
can grow to more than three meters in length and can weigh more
than 400 kg. Its body is torpedo-shaped with small short flippers
and whale-like flukes. Its lip is shaped like a disk with thick
hair.
Palawan
Sea Kayaking
The islands scattered north of Palawan offer one of the world’s
most spectacular marine environments. Towering limestone cliffs
rear straight up from seas teeming with marine life, and hidden
bays offer deserted beaches for camping. The coral reefs here
are amongst the most extensive in the country, so be sure to bring
your snorkeling gear. Many islands are also covered in jungle,
the habitat of rare bird species. If you are willing to carry
your boat, you can explore some of the lakes on Coron Island,
home of the reclusive Tagbanua Tribe. Internationally known tour
operators run regular sea kayaking tours among the islands around
northern Palawan.
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