Iwahig Firefly Watching [Puerto Princesa 2013]

It has been a tiring day but the adventure isn't finished yet. Our last stop for today would be in Iwahig to do firefly watching.  No public transportation is available going there.  Either you join a tour or rent a tricycle/van. Tour operators charge PhP900/person for this tour, or if you opt for one that includes dinner, that would be PhP1100-PhP1300/person.

After reading some blogs, we decided to just hire a tricycle. A staff of the hotel recommended his brother's tricycle for our transportation which would cost us PhP800 (but he could lower it to PhP700). I thought it was too much as from what I've read, it would just be around PhP500 (although those posts are from 2010-2011). We decided not to get it and just try to look for a tricycle on the main road.

We went out past 5PM (we wanted to be early as we don't have any reservation) and scouted for a tricycle. We hailed one and asked if he could take us to Iwahig (wait for us and bring us back), he told us it would be PhP800. We bargained for the price and we got it for PhP650, hoping that it wouldn't take us that long.

And so we're on our way to Iwahig. The route is the same as the one we took to Crocodile Farm, but it's still way past it. We also passed by the Iwahig Penal Colony.

The road to Iwahig

Iwahig Penal Colony

After about an hour, we got to our destination.  It was on an area on the right side of the street right after a bridge.  First thing you have to do is to register.  Good thing we were there early as they have reservations for a later time.  Since we were only 2, and we would just rent 1 boat, they could accommodate us before the others get there.  Boat rental is PhP600/boat for maximum of 3 passengers.  Capacity of the boat is 4 persons, but one slot is reserved for your boatman cum tour guide.

Note: Senior citizens get PhP40 discount.

Signage

Entrance

Registration Area

After registration, we got our number.

We then proceeded to the waiting area.

The tours begin at 7PM, so we still had some time to take some pictures.

Restroom

Boats that would be used for the tours

 

Passenger loading area

Passenger loading area -- It's getting dark now

As 7PM is nearing, the area is filling up.  A little past 7, they started calling out the numbers.  They give out life jackets to the passengers and after suiting up, passengers proceed to the boats.

Passenger dock

The tour was educational and amazing.  The fireflies really looked like Christmas lights.  Besides firefly watching, the tour also includes star gazing.

Tried hard to get a good picture but this the best I got (flash photography is not allowed)

Here are just some notes I got from our tour guide:

• Iwahig Firefly Watching is a joint project of Puerto Princesa/Iwahig and ABS-CBN Foundation.
• Fireflies indicate that the ecosystem is still healthy.
• Fireflies respond to the infrared lights by emitting light from their abdomen.  They think of it as a threat.
• There are no crocodiles in Iwahig river (or, at least no sighting of it).
• Mangroves have different species.
• Nilad is one specie of mangrove, which is abundant in Manila a long time ago.  During those times, places are known by landmark.  Since there are plenty of Nilad in the area before, when the people were asked where they're going, they'll say "sa may nilad", reason why it's called Maynilad (now known as Manila).  

After about 30 minutes, the tour has come to an end.  They say that normally the tour takes about 45 minutes, but that depends on the flow of the river.

End of the tour

We enjoyed this tour and would recommend to those going to Puerto Princesa.

Got to picture this sign as we're heading out of the area

Expenses:
Tricycle Rental               PhP650
Boat Rental                    PhP560   (we got PhP40 discount)


For reservations, call 0916 780 9118.