I invite you all to discover Palawan’s 1,780 islands and the natural wonders that surround the province.
What can one expect to see in Palawan? Diving and snorkeling pleasures, inviting resorts to go to, mountain climbing, fully-equipped hotels to stay in...there are too many to mention.
Consider as the Philippine' last ecological frontier, Palawan is one of the best places that depicts the beauty and grandeur of the Philippine islands. It's unique natural resources and attractions continue to awe visiting tourists both domestic and foreign. It is endowed with pristine white sand beaches that make it a viable vacation destination.
A dreamer's destination and a diver’s paradise, Palawan waters are among the best in the world, not only for diving but also for fishing. It has miles of sub- surface coral and rainbow reef walls which surround the coasts and coves teeming with rich marine life. It is the perfect playground for the adventurous.
There is still so much to say about this beautiful and beloved island. But, why not welcome the opportunity to come and visit the place to learn more of its secrets?
See for yourselves the sights of Palawan and learn about the local government program that leads them to the continuos success of their conservation efforts as they move forward in the travel trade and surge toward economic development.
Experience tranquility...experience Palawan...experience the hospitality of its people. Come and visit Palawan… every island an adventure!
The name 'Tubbataha' is the Samal word for "long reef exposed at low tide". Samals are seafaring people of the Sulu Sea and are one of the few people who have accessed the Park in early1980's. Cagayanen people who are more geographically associated with Tubbataha Reefs referred the Park as 'gusong'.
TubbatahaReefsNaturalPark covers 33, 200 ha. Including the North and South Reefs and is home to some of the most beautiful coral reefs in the world. Rising from the volcanic depths of the Sulu Sea in the western Philippines, these magnificent atolls encompass an astonishing diversity of marine life. It is a unique example of an atoll reef with a very high density of marine species; the North Islet serveing as a nesting site for birds and marine turtles. The site is an excellent example of a pristine coral reef with a spectacular 100-m perpendicular wall, extensive lagoons and two coral islands.
More on Tubbataha
The park is an underwater sanctuary where nature can thrive. Tubbataha is the Philippines' only NationalMarinePark and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a place of global importance, being preserved for generations to come.
From majestic whale sharks to elusive seahorses - Tubbataha supports an unparalleled variety of marine creatures. Colourful reef fish crowd corals growing in the shallows while sharks and manta rays haunt the steep drop offs to the open sea.
Location
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 around 150km south-east of Puerto Princesa City - capital of the Province of Palawan - the usual jump-off point for visitors and dive boats going to Tubbataha.
Formation
The coral atolls of Tubbataha and Jessie Beazley began to form thousands of years ago as fringing reefs of volcanic islands along the Cagayan Ridge. Over millennia - as the volcanoes became extinct and the islands sunk into the ocean depths - only the corals remained, as they continued to grow upwards towards the sunlight.
History
Tubbataha is well known to fishermen of the southern Philippines but until the late 1970s, Cagayanons were the primary users of the reefs' resources. During the summer, they would make fishing trips to Tubbataha in fleets of traditional wooden sailboats.
Tubbataha's isolation and its susceptibility to harsh weather once protected it from over-exploitation. But by the 1980s, fishermen from other parts of the Philippines started visiting Tubbataha in motorized boats, many using destructive fishing techniques to maximize their catch.
In 1988 - in response to a vigorous campaign by Philippine scuba divers and environmentalists alike - President Corazon Aquino declared Tubbataha a NationalMarinePark.
Biodiversity
After more than twenty years of conservation efforts, TubbatahaReefsNaturalPark is home to no less than:
483 species of fish
396 species of corals (about half of all coral species in the world)
44 species of birds
9 species of dolphins & whales
Nesting Hawksbill & Green sea turtles
The park contains roughly 10,000 hectares of coral reef, lying at the heart of the coral triangle - the centre of global marine biodiversity.
Larvael Dispersal
It is now known that Jessie Beazley and Tubbataha Reefs are sources of coral and fish larvae, seeding the greater Sulu Sea. This is of huge significance, since the Philippines - the second largest archipelago in the world - relies heavily on its marine resources for livelihood and food.
Management
The Tubbataha Protected Area Management Board (TPAMB) is the multi-sector body that formulates policies for Tubbataha. Day-to-day park management is carried out by the Tubbataha Management Office (TMO), based in PuertoPrincesaCity.
The Manila city council passed a resolution on Thursday urging Filipinos to vote online for the Tubbataha Reef in Palawan as one of the "New Seven Wonders of Nature." According to District 2 Councilor Numero Lim, author of the resolution, it is time for Filipinos all over the world to use their Internet skills to vote at www.new7wonders.com for the benefit of the country.
"We Filipinos love to vote, that's why in beauty pageants like Miss Universe we usually win the Miss Photogenic award. So why not make our votes count in something [that] can help to promote the Philippines?" he said. The Tubbataha Reef in the Sulu Sea is a "unique example of an atoll reef with a very high density of marine species," according to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco), which placed the protected sanctuary in its World Heritage list.
Palawan is a famous tourist destination in the Philippines, known for its beautiful natural features. One can only appreciate the breathtaking views offered by the white sand beaches and its mystical jungles. Indeed, Palawan is a haven for nature-lovers and adventure seekers alike. This is why the famous El Nido, a marine park reserve as well as a municipality in Palawan comes to place, simply because this famous spot stands out among the rest of Palawan’s beautiful hubs. Eighteen barangays form part of El Nido with a total population of approximately 27,000.
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 mammals, the sea cow, known locally as "dugong".
El Nido boasts of a natural beauty that can be matched by only a few places in the world which makes it a famous tourist destination. One can never tire of the place, as it offers marine and geographical wonders. Its magnificent marble cliffs and white sand beaches truly brag its nature-given gift. Its beautiful forests contain caves that take you to hidden lagoons and rivers, and some shores are isolated enough to give you the feel of tranquility and relaxation.
To quickly access this Palawan municipality, one has to take a direct flight from Manila. However, if you are planning to savor the trip, there are ships that depart from Manila that arrive in El Nido via the other beautiful towns in Palawan. There are many hotels and lodges in El Nido. Most of these resorts offer basic amenities and are a short distance from the beach. Hotels range from luxurious to budget friendly ones.
Obviously, marine activities can be done in El Nido. One can ride a boat and hop around the island and marine reserves. Tour packages are available on boat rentals. Food is also of no problem—one can bring along the coolers or avail of the food package offered by the local tourism services. Scuba diving is also a popular choice, since the marine reserves are protected by natural law.
The geographical features of El Nido, Palawan also offers a wide range of activities. Motor biking is popular because it brings opportunities to appreciate the scenery of the town and jive with the traditional Catholic festivals of the locals. Roads are available for both motorcycles and mountain bikes. One can also avail of the cliff climbing, crawl their ways upwards the proud marble cliffs and view the fantastic white beach. The forests are also a sanctuary of hidden caves that shelter scenic waterfalls.
El Nido is usually on the vacation list of beach lovers and nature seekers who are either from the Philippines or from foreign countries. Tourists love staying in El Nido, Palawan not only to admire the beauty of nature but also to experience the comfortable and relaxing feeling brought about by El Nido resorts which are noted for their hidden lagoons, palm forests, orchids, and offshore cruise points.
There are many hotels, lodges and resorts in El Nido ranges from luxurious to budget friendly ones. But, actually there are two El Nido resorts that tourists always love to stay in, namely, the Lagen Island Resort and the Miniloc Island Resort.
LagenIsland Resort
The Lagen Island Resort has fifty-one guest rooms that are composed of forest rooms and suites, beach front cottages, and water cottages. Guests will be enthralled by the architectural and interior design of the rooms because of their floors that are made of antique woods, the furniture and fixtures that are made of old wood, and the sliding glass doors that lead guests to a veranda.
The amenities of this El Nido resort include an air-conditioned dining area that serves both a la carte and buffet meals, a conference room, a clinic, a library, a game area, and a boutique. Guests can also enjoy its swimming pool as well as its poolside bar.
This El Nido resort in Palawan is highly recommended because there are a lot of activities here that guests can actually enjoy doing. Some of those activities include bird watching, windsurfing, hat making, sunset cruising, mangrove river tours, cave tours, lagoon tours, and hiking. If guests would like to take up dive courses, this is possible by arranging a schedule with the Lagen Island Resort management.
MinilocIsland Resort
The Miniloc Island Resort is another highly-recommended resort in El Nido, Palawan. This resort has forty-three guest rooms, and just like the Lagen Island Resort, it features a variety of room styles such as sea view rooms, water cottages, cliff cottages, and garden cottages. These rooms also have a stellar architectural and interior design, featuring wooden floors, walls that are made of bamboo, and furniture and fixtures that were built using Filipino materials, such as rattan. Even the bathrooms were constructed and designed using Filipino materials.
Just like the Lagen Island Resort, this El Nido resort also offers several amenities for guests to enjoy. It features a conference room, a Pavilion Bar, a game area, a video room, a boutique, and a restaurant. Its conference room is capable of accommodating approximately thirty to forty persons.
Some guests prefer to stay in the Miniloc Island Resort because of its near proximity to other islands and sites.
Well, whichever El Nido resort you choose, we guarantee you that you will experience a lot of fun in Palawan.
