2026 SABANG MANGROVE FOREST TOUR: PUERTO PRINCESA

Detailed journey weblog on the way to get to Sabang Mangrove Forest tour, entrance charge, boat tour charges, consuming tamilok, and different issues to do in Sabang, Puerto Princesa.

If you happen to fancy tropical seashore cliché, forest street, and pastoral surroundings, then Sabang village is for you. Pleasantly located in Brgy. Cabayugan in Puerto Princesa, it’s best referred to as the jumping- off level of the Puerto Princesa Underground River in St.Paul’s Bay.  Whereas most vacationers usually depart Sabang instantly after the underground river tour, there’s extra to this sleepy village. Sabang is definitely dwelling to a few of Puerto Princesa’s pristine seashores like Sabang Seaside, Manlipien Seaside, and Central Park Station Seaside, usually overshadowed by the extra well-known islands in Honda Bay. Including as much as its uncooked enchantment is the bountiful Sabang Mangrove Forest hidden close by. On our latest journey to Palawan, we visited this often-overlooked vacationer vacation spot.

IMPORTANCE OF SABANG MANGROVE FOREST

Sabang Mangrove Forest is without doubt one of the eco-tourism locations in Puerto Princesa. Like another mangrove forests on the earth, it performs an essential function in our biodiversity; serving as nutrient-rich habitats and breeding grounds for quite a lot of birds, snakes, monkeys, reptiles, fish, crabs, and different marine organisms. One other significance of mangrove forest is its local weather resilience, because the mangrove roots above the bottom decelerate water flows and encourage sediments deposits thereby serving to stop erosion. Their roots additionally filter pollution within the coastal waters, they usually shield coastal communities throughout typhoons by absorbing storm surges and flooding. Mangroves are additionally utilized in livelihood as timber, gasoline, meals, and drugs. Research additionally present that mangroves are colossal carbon sinks, absorbing 4 instances extra carbon than rainforests or another ecosystems.  The carbon is saved of their soil underwater referred to as blue carbon. To sum it up, mangroves have huge contribution to the environment, communities, and ecosystem. Regardless of that, many mangrove forests are below risk.

SABANG MANGROVE FOREST TOUR

Fortunately, the local people of Sabang realized the significance of defending and conserving the Sabang Mangrove Forest. The Sabang Manrgove Forest Paddle Boat Tour was based to empower native communities, present extra revenue to residents, foster environmental consciousness and supply sustainable tourism exercise that minimizes unfavorable affect  to the setting.

Upon arrival at Sabang Mangrove Forest, register and pay the tour charges. You may be assigned to a ship along with your boatman who will paddle the boat and tour information who will clarify concerning the mangrove forest. Every boat can sit as much as 8 passengers.  Put on your life jacket on your security earlier than hopping on the boat, as a result of the fern inexperienced water right here is sort of deep.

Woman Mangrove, Sabang Mangrove Forest Tour Information

I actually recognize my expertise of the Sabang Mangrove Forest. It jogs my memory of the time we kayaked on our personal via the mangrove forest in San Vicente.  However for this tour, we actually paddled via the mangrove forest that gave us an astounding view into the center of this serene territory. Our boatman, Tamilok King, rowed via the niches of this salty paradise, whereas Woman Mangrove, our amiable tour information, defined the historical past and tales of the mangrove and confirmed us the wildlife that can make you recognize this eco-tourism exercise.

Sabang Mangroves Forest Tour in Puerto Princesa, Palawan

Sabang Mangrove Forest is dwelling to many marine animals and reptiles together with the the  mangrove snake (Bioga dendrphila) and the water Asian monitor lizard (Varanus salvator), which appears to be like like a smaller Komodo dragon of Indonesia.  Throughout our mangrove tour in Sabang, we additionally noticed some resident monkeys enjoying above the mangrove bushes. Sabang Mangrove Forest can be a birding spot, it’s reportedly dwelling to some endangered birds such because the Palawan peacock pheasant (Polyplectron emphanum), the stork-billed Kingfisher (Halcyon capensis), and the white-collared kingfisher (Egretta sacra). We didn’t encounter any of these birds, however for those who go to the Palawan Wildlife and Rescue Middle (Crocodile Farm), you’ll be able to see a few of these rescued birds.

Tamilok King, Sabang Mangrove Forest Boatman

Straddling each land and sea, the towering age-old mangroves in Sabang are so enchanting.  The dense knot of their prop roots that serves as nurseries for fish and marine life make them look like standing on stilts above the water. They usually assist the bushes endure the informal rise and fall of tides. The mangrove branches that provide habitat to birds and different wildlife sway superbly to the cool breeze. And their beautiful leaves are mirrored on the emerald inexperienced waters. I think about the way it appears to be like like early within the morning, it should have been breathtaking to see the mist-filled jungle. However since we visited within the afternoon already, I discovered consolation in experiencing the nice  Komorebi, a Japanese phrase for scattered gentle that filters via the cover of the forest when the daylight shines via the bushes.  Whereas making our means again, our educated information, Woman Mangrove, sang her personal model of a Tagalong music for the Sabang Mangrove Forest.  It was an unreal expertise.

EATING TAMILOK 

tamilok inside a useless mangrove wooden

After our  Sabang Mangrove Tour, our boatman excitedly confirmed us the way to get the well-known Puerto Princesa delicacy referred to as tamilok (woodworm). It’s truly a species of salt water clam referred to as Teredoi navalis, nicknamed naval shipworm as a result of it makes its strategy to the wooden. Tamilok within the Philippines thrive on mangroves, largely discovered on useless submerged mangrove bushes.  Our boatmen cut up the rotten wooden open and located tamilok.  Woman Mangrove, our information, then cleaned it with saltwater earlier than lastly cleansing it with tapwater.  Tamilok is often served like kinilaw (ceviche). It’s cured in vinegar, salt, lime juice, and chili. Then, you’ll be able to swallow it entire.

Tamilok

I’ve tasted tamilok earlier than, however I‘ve by no means seen it ready uncooked, its process, from getting the deadwood, to splitting it open, retrieving tamilok, cleansing it,  and curing it. It was a novel expertise. How does tamilok style? For me it tastes like oyster, sort of milky, salty, and gummy. I extremely encourage you expertise consuming tamilok whereas in Sabang or Puerto Princesa. It appears to be like outrageous, nevertheless it’s scrumptious!

cured Tamilok

SABANG MANGROVE FOREST SIDETRIP

Sabang Seaside, Puerto Princesa

If you happen to nonetheless have extra time, you’ll be able to swim or hang around on the close by Sabang Seaside. If you happen to’re up for extra adventures, strive the Sabang X Zipline at Manlipien Seaside.

Sabang X-Zipline: RESERVE HERE

HOW TO GET TO SABANG MANGROVE FOREST

Street to Sabang Mangrove Forest from Sabang Port

After your Puerto Princesa Underground River Tour, you’ll be able to search for the Sabang Mangrove Forest in Sabang village and do the Sabang Mangrove Forest Paddle Boat Tour.  The mangrove wetland is strolling distance from the Sabang Port the place boats to the subterranean river are docked.

Use Google Maps, or higher but, ask the locals. Take the primary filth street alongside the seashore fringed by tower coconut bushes. If you happen to’re going through the ocean and the boats parked on the coast, it’s on the appropriate facet.  You’ll move by homestay, guesthouses, and luxurious resorts. It’s proper after the Daluyon Seaside and Mountain Resort.

SABANG MANGROVE FOREST BOAT RENTAL + ENTRANCE FEE

Contained in the Boat through the Sabang Mangrove Forest Tour (life vest taken off for picture functions)

When you’re there, register and pay the charges. Right here’s the present Sabang Mangrove Forest Tour entrance charges:

You are able to do a DIY Mangrove Paddle Tour or ebook the tour together with the Puerto Princesa Underground River via the hyperlinks beneath.

✅ UNDERGROUND RIVER + MANGROVE: RESERVE HERE

WHERE TO STAY IN SABANG, PALAWAN

Daluyon Seaside and Mountain Resort, the place we stayed throughout our Puerto Princesa Journey

If you happen to’re planning to remain in a single day in Sabang, Puerto Princesa, listed below are a number of the lodging within the village:

✅ SOLOAGODA – CLAIM CODE HERE Agoda Low cost Code (as much as 10% off, 5x use)

DOT-accredited inns in Sabang, Puerto Princesa:

PUERTO PRINCESA TRAVEL TIPS AND REMINDERS

• Put on your life vest through the Sabang Mangrove Forest Tour (I solely eliminated my life jacket throughout picture ops when the boat isn’t shifting.)
• Dispose your trash correctly.
• Keep hydrated. Carry your individual refillable water bottle.
• Observe wildlife from afar to keep away from disturbing them.
• Let nature’s sound prevail. Maintain your voice down and be thoughtful to different guests.
• Depart what you discover – rocks, sand, vegetation, and so on.
• Flying of drone is prohibited in Sabang Protected Areas.

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