Puerto Princesa, Palawan Experience#1 Firefly Watching in Iwahig Eco Park

Opening Hours: 1900H-0200H

Travel Time from the City: 30-45 mins

Duration of Tour: Waiting time depends on the bulk of registered tourists (It took us 30 minutes before we had out turn). Boat ride time is about 40 minutes (Our boatman said that when the current is strong, it took then one hour to one hour and half to do a full turn).

Ways to get there: Rent a van or a tricycle; or a pick-up in the Baybay (But this doesn't allow you to take picture in the entrance of the place)

Entrance Fee: Boat Rental is 600.00Php good for three (3) persons.
A bit of history and facts: The place was opened in 2008 thru the efforts of ABS-CBN Foundation and became a joint venture with the City's government. The river is 7 kilometers but due to the security reasons, only the 1 Km water path is allowed to navigate.
NO CROCODILES. I asked this when I was waiting for my turn to hop on the boat. A clever answer was responded, that is, "If there would be crocodiles in the area, no one would dare to paddle and tour you." Convincing, right?

Mobile Number for Reservation: (0908) 562-0040; This is to make sure that your group would be accommodated on the time that you are scheduled. Be on the area 15 minutes before your scheduled time.
Experience Meter: 4.5 Stars

I have been planning to treat our crew members to an exciting tour and one of my friends said that one of the nicest and for you to feel nature is the firefly watching.

Once we docked in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, I immediately coordinated with the Tourism  Department of Puerto Princesa who willingly assisted me in reserving our group for the night's tour. We were fourteen that night (most are CAC members and first time to join is our staff captain). 

From the Puerto Princesa port, we head our way going to Iwahig. Travelling towards the place makes you see the development of Puerto Princesa. They got Jollibee, McDonalds, KF, Chowking, Mang Inasal, Dunkin Donuts and many others which you wish to jump in once your done with our tour. 

I want the tour for our crew to be like "do-it-yourself" (DIY) tour. No agents, no extra charges, getting to the place on a lesser cost. So for us, I rented a van for 14 persons for a very low cost of 2,000.00 Php which would be staying with us for the next four hours. 

Our group to check out the Iwahig Firefly Eco Park.

The entrance of the Iwahig Firefly Watching Eco Tour and Wildlife Park.

The first part of our trip was smooth and relaxing but then we got close to the area, it became a bit bumpy due to uncemented road. What makes me nervous was, we are being welcomed by a heavy pouring of rain. How would we able to see the self-illuminating creatures if it is raining. For sure they would hide and they would be nowhere to be found.

After half an hour, we have reached the Iwahig Eco Tourism and Wildlife Park. We were welcomed by the frontdesk people and we were told that the boat rent costs Php600.00 for three persons plus a boatman to assist in the course of the tour. We have paid and we were given our numbers and we just waited for our turn to check the "light-creatures".

The reception area where you register and pay for the boat rental.

If you are a bit hungry, you may purchase in their mini canteen.
They also have a souvenir shop for your presents.

The weather is still not fine and the rain is still dripping but miraculously, when it was our turn, the rain suddenly stopped and we had a great time as our boat rows in the darkness of the river. We also got a good view of the clear sky and constellation which was also part of the spiel of all the boatmen. Things about the stars and names which you never heard of.

The landing area for you to get on the paddle boat.

After a while when we were released to the water, Nurse Yayang and I  were asked by our guide (named Anthony) to check on the first batch of fireflies on our right. This time you may feel that it is Christmas time now. A tree being lit by a good number of "rice-lights" entertaining you with their self-lit bodies.

Nurse Yayang as we wait for our turn.

Time to hop on our boat. Getting ready for the adventure.

We went on our tour and each tree has different number of fireflies. Anthony said that on a really good weather, the number of fireflies is more. "Not all trees were lighted by these small creatures.", Anthony added. According to him only those trees with flowers are the spots were fireflies could be seen.

Souvenir photos are also available for you to purchase. 200.00Php-300.00Php for a souvenir is worth it.

Our entertainer-dancer, Anastasiia as she checks her pics.

Some interesting facts about the firefly:

1. The light of the fireflies are actually not located on the tip of their "butt", it is in their abdomen.

2. The light comes from the oxygen they inhale when it combines with a certain enzyme.

The best shot that I could get.

Firefly on my palm.

We were fortunate to have experienced a firefly in our hands, too. In the darkness, you will just see a glow on your palm coming from an escaping firefly.

It is an amazing nature tour and even our Staff Captain enjoyed and said "It was a wonderful experience and the travel going there is worth it."

November 17, 2014