Palawan: Firefly Watching at Iwahig and Dinner at Kinabuchs Bar & Grill

photo credit

Fireflies are nature's indication of how good the ecosystem in a particular area is. It signifies a healthy natural environment. Although Puerto Princesa is a city, it remains to be about 75-80 percent forest hence the name "city in a forest"

While growing up in our province, I used to catch fireflies at night whenever I see one. My husband shares the same childhood experience.

The mention of fireflies in the Filipino romantic TV series Dolce Amore is how my kids came to know about these pretty little insects. Growing up here in the desert, our kids never had the same experience as we have. We wanted them to experience it too so when I was planning our trip to Palawan last year, I included firefly watching in our itinerary.

Once we've reached Puerto Princesa, I called Mangrove Eco-Tourism & Wildlife Park to book our visit. Booking ahead of your visit is necessary especially during peak season as it gets quite full easily. We went in August so it was off-peak but I still called to make sure we can be accommodated.


The package tour cost about 1200 pesos per person which includes van transfer and buffet dinner.

We didn't book the tour and decided to DIY it. People in Puerto Princesa are friendly and it is best if you can find a trusty tricycle driver to take you back and forth and around the city. Tricycle hire is between 600  to 700 pesos to Iwahig and the paddle boat is 600 pesos good for 3 people. We hired two boats.

From our hotel, our trusted tricycle driver came to pick us up at 5 pm. Took us to the city center where we had some snacks. I think we've reached Iwahig around 7 pm.

We were received by Ms. Bing. She checked the log book for our booking and led us to the waiting area.

Each of us was given a life vest for safety.

Traversing in wooden stairs, we went down to the riverbanks until we reached the platform where the paddle boats are waiting for us. We cruised down the river in complete darkness with just the stars as our guiding light and our boatman as the tour guide. As we go deep into the river and our eyes get used to the darkness, we started to see the fireflies.

It was a.ma.zing!!! Jaw-dropping amazing!

Never in my life have I seen so many fireflies. They were like fairy lights glowing in every mangrove tree. So mesmerizing. Some trees have less while others were crowded by them. Whenever our boatman flashes a tiny red beam, they would all glow brighter in unison. The red light to them is like the predators' eyes so when they see one, they will all light up as a defense mechanism so as not to be intimidated by their predator.

Flash photography is forbidden and it was actually way too dark to even have a decent photo using my phone camera.

Then our boatman asks us to turn our eyes to the water. We were surprised to see that the water was also glowing every time he paddled. He explained that it was due to the presence of bioluminescent plankton. They illuminate when disturbed, a kind of defense mechanism just like the fireflies. I can't explain how pretty it was. It was truly magical and it feels like we were in a different world. You can think of Avatar.

Then we move to the sky above us as our boatman started pointing to different constellations. It was so dark and without the light pollution, we could see so many stars.

From the trees to the water and to the sky, everything was glowing.

It was one helluva experience.

Too bad I have no pictures to show you so you just have to see it yourself.

All the more reason to visit Palawan right?

The tour was about half an hour but believe me, I wish it was longer. We alighted the boat and back to the platform. Gave back our life vests and bid them goodbye.

Armed with great experience and beautiful memories, we headed back to the city and went to Kinabuchs Bar & Grill for dinner.

Kinabuchs is an open-air restaurant and bar and is known for serving exotic dishes such as tamilok and crocodile meat.

We were not in the mood for exotic dining that night. All we wanted was a proper sit-down dinner with good food and Kinabuchs delivered.

There were lots of people that night but the place is huge and there were still many vacant tables.

We were immediately led to a big table and menus were handed over.

We gave our orders and in less than 10 minutes, our food was on the table. I promise it was the quickest food service I've ever had in a restaurant. It was good because we were really hungry.

It was a long but fun and very fulfilling day. It was also very tiring. We had four activities squeezed all in a day and I am so proud of my two little explorers, my mother-in-law was all in for adventure enjoying every minute.

The best way to end it was a family dinner with all the comfort food we could have.

Starting off with this delicious meaty-fall-off-the-bones Bulalo Steak

Battered and deep-fried Calamari - Mica and Prince's favorite

Ensaladang Talong for me and pork BBQ stick for Prince

Grilled liempo to share

Cheese sandwich for my daughter

Pancit Guisado to share

Everything was nice and fresh satiating our cravings. We were offered with sizzling crocodile but we politely declined.

Maybe next time.

Iwahig Firefly Watching: Mangrove Eco-Tourism & Wildlife Park
Km. 20 Ferry Area, Brgy. Iwahig Puerto Princesa City Palawan 5300
Telephone Number: (048) 717-8035/ 09085620040

Ms. Bing - 09167809118
Email Address: cbst_ppc@yahoo.com

Kinabuchs Bar & Grill
Address: 369 Rizal Avenue, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan
Tel. No.: (048) 434 5194
Operating Hours: Daily 5 PM to 3 AM