Top 10 Caves in the Philippines
The Philippines combines karst tropical caves with cultural and burial use unique in Asia. The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River is a UNESCO site and one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature.
1. Puerto Princesa Underground River, Palawan
Karst cave, UNESCO. An 8.2-km navigable underground river toured by paddle canoe from St Paul Bay. Tour grade A.
2. Sumaging Cave, Sagada
Karst cave. Active caving with river wading and chimneying — the "Spelunking" tour goes deeper than the standard route. Tour grade C.
3. Lumiang Burial Cave, Sagada
Cultural cave. Ancestral hanging coffins of the Igorot people stacked at the cave entrance. Tour grade A.
4. Callao Caves, Cagayan
Karst cave. Seven-chamber cave with natural skylights and a chapel built in one of the main rooms. Tour grade A.
5. Hinagdanan Cave, Bohol
Karst cave. Small but photogenic — natural light through two ceiling openings illuminates an underground lagoon swimable to visitors. Tour grade A.
6. Tabon Caves, Palawan
Karst cave. Archaeological site — origin of the 22,000-year-old "Tabon Man" skull. Tour grade A.
7. Langun-Gobingob Caves, Samar
Karst cave. The second-largest cave system in the Philippines — multi-day adventure tours into massive chambers. Tour grade C.
8. Capisaan Cave System, Nueva Vizcaya
Karst cave. Spelunking tours with formations of high colour and quality — an underrated mid-grade adventure cave. Tour grade B.
9. Crystal Cave, Mindoro
Karst cave. Reached by hike from Calapan — known for clear calcite crystals coating chamber walls. Tour grade B.
10. Bangaan Cave, Bohol
Karst cave. A small cave with a clear underground pool used for swimming; part of standard Bohol countryside tours. Tour grade A.
Planning a Philippines cave trip
Palawan combines well with Puerto Princesa's underground river and Tabon caves. Sagada's caves anchor a Cordillera trek. Samar caving requires booking with an experienced local operator.
From reading to planning
See every Philippine cave on the interactive map.