Palawan

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Tubbataha Reef Marine Park

Inside the Subterranean River

Palawan, according to the National Geographic Traveler magazine, is the best island destination in East and Southeast Asian region in 2007. It is also the 13th best island in the world. One can say that it is a paradise to its truest sense.

Palawan is an island province of the Philippines located in the MIMAROPA region. Its capital is Puerto Princesa City, and it is the largest province in the country in terms of total area of jurisdiction. The islands of Palawan stretch from Mindoro in the northeast to Borneo in the southwest. It lies between the South China Sea and the Sulu Sea. The province is named after its largest island, Palawan Island, measuring 450 kilometers (280 mi) long, and 50 kilometers (31 mi) wide.

Palawan is composed of the long and narrow Palawan Island, plus a number of other smaller islands surrounding the main island. The Calamianes Group of Islands, to the northwest consists of Busuanga Island, Culion Island, and Coron Island. Durangan Island almost touches the westernmost part of Palawan Island, while Balabac Island is located off the southern tip, separated from Borneo by the Balabac Strait. In addition, Palawan covers the Cuyo Islands in the Sulu Sea. The disputed Spratly Islands, located a few hundred kilometers to the west is considered part of Palawan by the Philippines, and is locally called the Kalayaan Group of Islands.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palawan

This part of the country boasts of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites and also candidates for the 7 Wonders of the World which are:

The Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park (1999)
– It is an underground river with features of large limestone karsts landscape and promotes a full “mountain-sea” ecosystem. The river emerges directly into the sea and its lower portion is subject to tidal influences.

Tubbataha Reef Marine Park (1993)
- A unique example of an atoll reef with a very high density of marine species. It is a nesting site for marine turtles and birds. It also has a pristine coral reef, extensive lagoons and two coral islands. 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.


Other notable sites which make Palawan a must-visit place:

Calauit Game Preserve and Wildlife Sanctuary
- It is the Philippines major conservation showcase for wildlife habitat holding the single distinction as the first successful wildlife translocation experiment in Asia.


Coron Reefs, Coron Bay, Busuanga
- Seven enchanting lakes surrounded by lined limestone cliffs attract hundreds of nature lovers and divers to Coron Reefs in Northern Palawan, near the town of Coron.
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 exhilarating wreck exploration for enthusiasts, from novice divers 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
- El Nido is the sanctuary of various forms of wildlife. This popular nature spot boasts of diverse ecosystems such as rainforest, mangroves, white sand beaches, coral reefs, and limestone cliffs. 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 mammals, the sea cow, known locally as "dugong."

Malampaya Sound Land and Seascape Protected Area
- This important ecological and economic zone is a watershed and fishing ground, and the habitat of Bottle-nosed and Irrawaddy dolphins

For more information:
http://www.elnidoresorts.com
http://www.experiencepalawan.com


Palawan can be reached within an hour and five minutes' flight from Manila to the capital city of Puerto Princesa or a 20-hour trip by sea. A choice of regular Philippine Airlines (PAL) or direct chartered flight can be made depending on the desired destination.

PAL flights will take one directly to the heart of the province where connectoing trips to nearby premier sites can be made. Charter flights via Soriano Air or Pacific will take one to the Island of desire, be this Cuyo,Curon, Busuanga, or El Nido. WG & A Shipping Company plies the Manila-Palawan routes regularly.




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