PUERTO PRINCESA CITY ECO-ADVENTURES
April 01, 2008 10:38 pm
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High Adventure
Mountain Peaks and Rugged climbs
Puerto Princesa is a vast land, so is the room for adventure. The city’s majestic mountain ranges roll into the distance as it beckons to lovers of explores and conquer.
Mt, Cleopatra’s awe-inspiring beauty will delight mountaineers, which at 1,593 meters is the city‘s highest peak may feast their eyes on panoramic vista of the city proper in the distance, and Cabayugan and the coastline on both sides of the city . Along the mountain unveils a visual treat of rivers strewn with boulders, cascading stream, a carpet of wild flowers and giant trees. A four-day trek to the mountain begins at Sitio Tagnaya , Barangay Concepcion.
Plenty of excitement awaits mountain climbing enthusiasts, from Mt. Beaufort and thumb peak lording over Puerto Princesa Bay and the city proper , to Mt. Peel in the central part to Mt. Bloomfield and Mt. St. Paul on the north, among the more interesting ones.
Local mountaineering groups may be contacted to plan mountain climbing expeditions and hiring of experienced guides is a must, from easy ascents for beginners to difficult and extreme for the seasoned climbers.
ECOTOURISM
Island Hopping tours
Honda Bay
Just a few minutes north of city proper, hop onto a boat and go island hopping at the Emerald waters of Honda Bay. Take your pick from several Islands, each offering different excitement.
Marvel at colorful tropical reef fishes and corals as you snorkel at snake Island, a long sandbar that slighter on the surface of the sea, much like the critter that bears its name. Go beachcombing with your kids for great family bonding at starfish Island, you’ll have fun finding what else starfishes in varied size and colors, and other aquatic life forms.
“lu-li” a short term for lulubog-lilitaw is a tiny islet that is visible at ebb tide but disappears under water during high tide. A diving board here invites acrobatic type for a plunge into the depths of the Pristine blue sea.
Community Ecotours
Ulugan Bay
Visit Ulugan Bay, a deep channel on the central western coast of Puerto Princesa. Inside the bay is Rita Island, a popular dive spot, Tres Maria’s, a cluster of three islets stand guard at the mount of the bay.
Local communities offer bay tours and adventurous eco-tourism activities. See lush mangrove forests amid a river cruise that will bring you to a Mangrove Foot walk Interpretive Area in bahile, or hit the water falls at kayulo after a short riverside forest trek.
Out into the bay, swim and snorkel into a number of coral reefs and peek into a colorful marine life. Delight the spectacular views of the surrounding seascape and mountains as you savor a picnic lunch at Isla Rita or in beach cove in Buena Vista.
The bay itself comprises more than 7,000 hectares, with, more than 110 kilometers of coastline characterized by small islands and inlets. Mangroves cover about 790 hectares and act as important breeding grounds and nurseries for diverse range of fishes and other marine life.
Ulugan Bay’s community-based eco-tourism activities link conservation and sustainable tourism, with the local people and the environment as the main beneficiaries
Diving
For Diving enthusiasts, the rich marine environment of Puerto Princesa City’s bays with colorful underwater coral garden and reefs, home to a variety of fishes, and other fascinating marine life.
Honda bay in the east coast facing Sulu Sea has dive sites around its lovely islands as the entire area is studed with patches of coral and sand . Submerged reefs maybe found close to the surface down to 24 meters, harboring stunning under water vistas.
Around Puerto Princesa Bay down south, go scuba diving where common sights are school of fishes , rays and sharks, while turtles and cuttlefish are occasionally spotted.
Ulugan Bay in the central coast of the city, has reef areas and colorful corals around Isla Rita , Manyukos Islet and Bulalacao great for diving and snorkeling.
Dolphin Watching
Go enjoy watching long –snouted Spinner Dolphins leap and play at the waters of Puerto Princesa Bay. These interesting warm-blooded , air breathing mammals are a delightful sight to see everytime they proudly strut their acrobatics. They are locally known as ‘lumba-lumba’.
Water fall and river journeys
From the imposing mountains, water overflows into rock –faced waterfalls and natural lagoons. Adventure seekers will find thrill in hitting the rapids of Bonton Waterfalls in Irawan ,Olanguan Waterfalls in Binduyan, Salakot Waterfalls in Napsan, Kayulo waterfalls in Bahile, in the waterfalls in Sabang, surely to refresh the senses after tiring trek or climb.
Babuyan River, the Longest river in the province at 64 kms, meanders through the upper valleys and mountainous region of Tagbinet, Cabayugan and Marufinas extending eastward to the low-lying Barangay’s of Mauyon and Babuyan before finally emptying into Honda Bay. By special arrangement. Experience a river kayaking safari of Babuyan river for the great outdoor adventure!
Others worth exploring are the mangrove-lined Bahile in Kayulo rivers. The scenic Tanabag river in Langogan river up north in the tranquil Iwahig and Inagawan rivers south of the City proper. Traversing the east end of Babuyan river will bring adventure seekers Marangreg cave in Mauyon.
The highland for forest assure adequate water shade into life-giving rivers and streams.
There are areas accessible to visitors such as the Irawan river and the Balsahan river inside Iwahig, both have facilities for excursionists.
Beach
The west coast
Wild and captivating
The city’s west coast is lined with pristine beaches washed by the vast south china sea. Lying on the mid-west are the lovely and tranquil beach coves of Sitio Talaudyong and Nagtabon where day picnic outings can be arranged and beach goars can have fun in the sun, sand and sea. Beachside cottages offer picnic facilities and native style accommodation for those who wish to stay overnight. For the more adventurous, beach camping is an option.
South of Nagtabon is fascinating Tagkawayan Beach, where city inhabitants and visitors frolic yearly to celebrate Karagatan Festival. Further down, check out Matinlo beach in Simpocan and Labtay Beach in Napsan. The ride may be rough but the beaches are well worth it. You couldn’t miss the lovely sight at sundown, when the sun descends from the horizon radiating warm sunset hues.
Simple Pleasures
Sabang Beach and Beyond
The Coastal cillage of Sabang has a stretch of line sand beach holding a mystique of its own. It could be the towering prescence of the twin peaks of Mt. Saint Paul and Mt. Bloomfield embracing both sides of the village, or the rocky promontories at the cast which make for perfect nature escapades.
Sabang beach serves as picnic grounds for tourists visiting the Underground River. Beachside resorts offer basic facilities for overnight accommodation and food. A leisurely walk through the rustic village gives a refreshing sight of the natural environs.
As if all these weren’t enough, beach worshippers may hie off to secluded beach coves in nearby Marta Fe, Marufinas and New Pangangan with more serene surroundings sans the trimmings of resort amenities, but to just simply get away from it all…
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