Ubong Caves

Useful Information

Location:	Hinobaan Port Road, Talacagay, Hinoba-an, Negros Occidental, Negros Island Region, 6114, Philippines. Hinoba-an, 202 km from Bacolod City. From Bacolod City Bacolod South Road 190 km south to Hinoba-an. To Barangay Bacuyangan. By boat to the cave. (9.6230503, 122.4427814)
Open:	no restrictions. [2026]
Fee:	free. [2026]
Classification:	Karst Cave Sea Cave
Light:	none, bring torch
Dimension:
Guided tours:	self guided
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:
Address:	Ubong Caves.
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

Description

Ubong Caves, also Obong Caves or Obong Paradise Cave, are actually three different caves. Two of the caves have a dry entrance, while one is accessible only from the sea. The caves with dry entrances are easy to visit. There are no restrictions, the caves have mostly flat floor, and they are rather small with many daylights. Nevertheless, a torch might be a good idea. Unfortunately the easy access resulted in several damages and vandalization, so officials started to appeal to the visitors to protect the caves.

The third cave, which is accessible from the sea is a little different. The entrance of the karst cave is widened by the sea and forms a huge and impressive portal. The cave behind is accessible only with small fishing boats or by swimming, but swimming is not recommended as the sharp rocks and the waves often cause bad injuries. Because of its inaccessibility this cave and its speleothems are in the best state of all three caves.

The caves played a role during World War II, when the Philippines were occupied by the Japanese. The American Forces landed near Hinoba-an and used the town as their island headquarters. The submarine USS Gledgeon landed at Ubong Point and occupied Ubong Cave as command post. The cave was used to supply guerillas with food and arms.

The caves are named after their location, Ubong Point, which is a peninsula on the west coast of the island near the former timber town Hinoba-an. There are even more caves, or at least cave ruins, like Salvacion, which forms an underground swimming pool. Most caves are easily accessible, but very secluded, so it is best to join a party or take a guide to find them. The location is developed for tourists and has several resorts, it is easily reached from Iloilo City by Oceanjet, Seajet, Weesam ferries and RoRo. Several resorts offer trips to the caves. There is also a company named Obong Paradise Caving and Trekking Adventure which offers tours. They provide helmets, which are actually unnecessary, and lamps, which sre definitely necessary.