Honest Puerto Princesa Firefly Watching Tour Review

If you’re researching the Puerto Princesa Firefly Watching Tour, you’re probably wondering one thing: Is it actually worth it? That’s why we decided to book the tour ourselves.

In our review, we’ll walk you through exactly what the evening looked like – from hotel pickup and the boat ride through the mangroves to the fireflies themselves and the dinner included in the tour.

If you’re planning a trip to Puerto Princesa and considering this activity, our honest guide will help you decide whether the firefly tour deserves a spot in your itinerary.

• Puerto Princesa Firefly Watching Tour Review
  • Puerto Princesa Firefly Watching Tour Itinerary
  • Puerto Princesa Firefly Watching Tour – Our Honest Opinion
  • What Other Travellers Say About the Puerto Princesa Firefly Tour
  • What Does Puerto Princesa Firefly Tour Include?
  • Conclusion: Is the Puerto Princesa Firefly Tour Worth It?
  • Where We Stayed in Puerto Princesa

Puerto Princesa Firefly Watching Tour Review

We chose this Puerto Princesa Firefly Watching Tour in Palawan.

Puerto Princesa Firefly Watching Tour Itinerary

This is the itinerary for the Puerto Princesa Firefly Watching Tour that we took. Your tour might vary due to weather conditions or other circumstances.

1. Start of the Tour

We were picked up on time from our accommodation and brought to the dock. Here, we boarded boats for the short ride to the river, where the firefly watching takes place.

Once we arrived, we boarded smaller boats and drove into the darkness.

2. Firefly Watching

The firefly watching started with an unexpected treat: We got to see bioluminescence in the water as our boat made its way through the darkness.

Soon after, we arrived at the fireflies’ habitat. We had plenty of time admiring their glow while also learning a great deal about fireflies.

3. Dinner

Last but not least, we were served a family-style dinner, which was absolutely yummy. We were served the food directly on the boat, and we didn’t expect much, but there were so many options – including vegetarian – that nobody had to leave hungry.

After dinner, we took the boat back to the dock in Puerto Princesa, from where we were driven back to our accommodation.

Puerto Princesa Firefly Watching Tour – Our Honest Opinion

Overall, the tour was very well organised from start to finish. The pickup was punctual, the transfers were smooth, and the guides and boat crew were friendly and knowledgeable. We especially appreciated that the guide shared interesting facts about fireflies and their ecosystem, which made the experience feel more meaningful than simply watching them glow in the dark.

Seeing the fireflies along the river was definitely a magical moment. The calm atmosphere, the darkness of the mangroves, and the tiny lights flickering in the trees created a unique setting that felt very peaceful. As an unexpected bonus, the bioluminescence in the water at the beginning of the ride was a pleasant surprise.

The dinner was another highlight. We honestly didn’t expect much from a meal served during a tour, but the food was delicious and plentiful. The family-style setup with several dishes – including vegetarian options – meant everyone could find something they liked.

What Other Travellers Say About the Puerto Princesa Firefly Tour

⭐ Rating: 4.1 / 5 (831+ reviews)

The driver was polite and on time. the tour guide and the boat crew were so hospitable. The food was delicious and definitely a must try. The tour itself was enchanting. Being able to see the firefles in their natural habitat was therapeutic.

What Does Puerto Princesa Firefly Tour Include?

The Firefly Tour includes:

• Sightseeing boat tour with English / Filipino-speaking guide
• Round-trip transfers to and from your hotel
• Dinner
• Insurance & life jacket

Conclusion: Is the Puerto Princesa Firefly Tour Worth It?

If you are already staying in Puerto Princesa, this tour is a lovely way to spend an evening (especially as there is not too much else to do). Gliding through the quiet mangrove river while watching hundreds of tiny fireflies light up the trees creates a peaceful and memorable atmosphere, and the dinner afterwards rounds off the experience nicely.

That said, we wouldn’t consider it a must-do highlight of the Philippines. It’s a beautiful and relaxing activity if it fits into your itinerary, but it’s probably not something we would recommend travelling to Puerto Princesa specifically for. Still, if you’re in the area and looking for a unique evening experience in nature, the firefly tour is definitely worth considering.

For the same price as a dinner in many places, you get both a delicious meal and a scenic tour, making it excellent value for money.

Where We Stayed in Puerto Princesa

We stayed at Lola Itang. The location, room, and staff were great. We also enjoyed the included breakfast.

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