Puerto Princesa shore excursion to Luli, starfish, cowrie island

Puerto Princesa’s best day on the water is a simple one: board a boat in Honda Bay, move between small islands, swim when the water looks inviting, and eat lunch on the beach. This $60 group tour covers Cowrie Island, Luli Island, and Starfish Sandbar Resort in about eight hours, with transport from the city included.

I like the easy door-to-door arrangement and the fact that lunch, boat transport, entrance fees, and an air-conditioned vehicle are part of the price. Guides such as Jake and Ana have also received strong praise for keeping people safe and adjusting the day to suit the group.

The main tradeoff is size. The group can reach 50 people, so this is a budget island day rather than a quiet private cruise. Snorkeling equipment costs extra, and the tour is not a good fit if you have serious mobility problems.

Key points to know before booking

• Three island stops: Spend time at Cowrie Island, Luli Island, and Starfish Sandbar Resort, with swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, and photos at each.
• City pickup is included: Hotel pickup is free within Puerto Princesa city proper, with airport and port pickup also offered.
• Lunch is part of the deal: You do not need to arrange a separate midday meal.
• Group size can reach 50: Expect a social, shared outing rather than a private boat and flexible schedule.
• Bring or rent your own snorkeling gear: Equipment is not included in the advertised price.
• Guide quality matters: Jake and Ana are specifically praised for clear explanations, safety, and personal attention in the water.

What the $60 price really buys you

At $60 per person, this tour is priced for convenience and access rather than privacy. You get round-trip transfers within the main city, an air-conditioned vehicle, a licensed guide, the boat, entrance charges, lunch, and a full day around Honda Bay.

That bundle can be good value if you are staying in central Puerto Princesa and want to see the islands without arranging separate transport, boat hire, meals, and admission fees. The city pickup also helps if you are arriving through the airport or leaving from the port, since the service offers collection from those locations.

I would not compare this directly with a private boat charter. A private trip can offer a more convenient start time and more room to linger, but it costs more. Two people mentioned upgrading to a private tour because they wanted the boat to themselves, and one couple found that especially helpful because the boatman could focus on them while they snorkeled.

There are also extra charges for hotels outside the central pickup area. Properties listed outside town include Astoria, Four Points, and Daluyon, with a stated $100 per booking surcharge. Check your hotel location before paying, since that fee can change the value of the tour for a resort stay.

Leaving Puerto Princesa for Honda Bay

Your day begins with pickup at your hotel, airport, or port, as long as the location falls within the stated service area. From there, an air-conditioned vehicle takes you toward the boat departure point.

Honda Bay is the setting for the day, and the boat ride links the island stops. The schedule allows room for swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, and taking photos rather than rushing from one beach to the next. The exact order can vary, and the tour notes that you will visit two to three islands.

The group format keeps the cost down, but it also affects how the day feels. With a possible maximum of 50 people, boarding, disembarking, meal service, and gathering everyone can take time. If you enjoy meeting people and do not need every minute controlled, that is a reasonable exchange for the lower price.

Guides appear to be an important part of the experience. Jake is praised for his personality, local activity skills, and attention to safety. Ana is praised for explaining what was happening during the long day and for helping the group stay informed. If you want underwater photos, ask the guide directly how photos will be shared before you leave the water.

Cowrie Island, your first beach stop

Cowrie Island is scheduled as a two-hour stop, giving you enough time to settle into the island rhythm. The main activities are swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, and taking photos.

This is the kind of stop where you should resist trying to do everything at once. If you want good swimming time, put your belongings in order first, then choose between the water and the beach. If snorkeling is your priority, remember that equipment is not included, so bring your own or budget for rental use.

The island visit works well as an opening stop because you can test the water, get used to the boat routine, and see how much time you want to spend in the sea. The drawback is that two hours can feel short if your group takes a while to get organized.

The day is built around shared timing. You are free to explore each place at your own pace within the scheduled stop, but you still need to return when the guide calls the group together. Keep your phone and camera protected from splashes, and do not assume you can stay behind if you want extra beach time.

Luli Island and lunch by the water

Luli Island is another roughly two-hour stop, with swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, photos, and lunch. The combination makes this the central pause in the day.

A beach lunch is useful on a full-day boat outing. You can eat without giving up time to search for a restaurant, and you will have a chance to recharge before returning to the water. The operator has changed the restaurant caterer after receiving criticism about an earlier meal, so the food arrangement has been adjusted over time.

I would keep your expectations practical. Lunch is included to keep you going, not to turn the excursion into a food tour. If you have dietary needs, the supplied details do not promise special menus, so ask before booking rather than assuming the meal will suit you.

Luli is also a good place to decide how active you want the rest of your day to be. You can swim and snorkel, or simply use the beach for a slower break. The tour is not designed around nonstop activity, which helps if your group includes people with different energy levels.

Starfish Sandbar Resort for a final swim

The final named stop is Starfish Sandbar Resort, scheduled for about one hour. The focus here is swimming and photography.

A one-hour stop is enough for a quick swim and a final set of pictures, but it is not a long beach session. If you have already spent the day in the water, this shorter stop can feel like a pleasant last look at Honda Bay. If you want extended snorkeling at every island, the schedule may feel too spread out.

The supplied details call this stop Starfish Sandbar Resort, while the tour description also refers to Starfish Island. Use the exact meeting instructions from your guide on the day, since island names and stop order can be presented differently. The important point is that this is the shorter final beach stop, not the main lunch break.

Snorkeling, swimming, and safety

The strongest reason to book this outing is access to several places for water time in one day. The most favorable feedback focuses on clear water, fish, coral, and guides who stay attentive while people snorkel.

The guide can make a real difference if you are not a confident swimmer. One couple who could not swim well upgraded to a private trip and appreciated the boatman’s close attention. On the group version, you should not expect the same level of one-to-one supervision, so tell the guide clearly about your ability before entering the water.

The tour is not recommended for people with mobility problems. You need to manage transfers between vehicle, boat, and island areas, and the operator does not promise special accessibility support.

Snorkeling gear is excluded. Bring your own if you have it, or confirm rental arrangements before the boat leaves. Also pack the basics for a full day outside: swimwear, sun protection, a towel, and a secure way to carry valuables. Those items are practical suggestions rather than included services, so plan for yourself.

Group boat or private upgrade?

The advertised product is a group excursion, with a maximum of 50 participants. That is the main reason the price stays at $60. You trade some flexibility for a lower cost and a ready-made plan.

A private option may suit you better if:

• You want a later or more convenient start time.
• You prefer having the boat to yourself.
• You need more help in the water.
• You want to move at your own pace.
• You are traveling as a small group and value privacy.

The private upgrade is not automatically better for everyone. If you are happy to follow a shared schedule, the group tour includes the core pieces you need. You still visit several islands, receive lunch, and have a licensed guide without paying the full cost of a private boat.

The reviews supplied for this experience include both group and private bookings, so do not treat praise for a private boat as proof that the standard group outing will feel the same. Private service gives the crew fewer people to manage. That matters most during snorkeling and when you want to change the timing.

Guides, communication, and the small details

Several guides are named in the feedback, including Jake, Ana, and Ann. Jake receives particular praise for his personality, local activity skills, and attention to safety. Ana is praised for explaining the day clearly, and for helping the group understand what was happening during the long excursion.

That makes the guide more than a person who checks tickets. You will rely on the guide for stop times, safety instructions, boat coordination, and information about the islands. Speak up if you need help, especially before snorkeling.

If a guide takes underwater photographs, ask how you will receive them. One person wanted the photos emailed afterward and had not made that request clearly at the time. A quick conversation before entering the water can prevent confusion.

Weather, cancellation, and practical risks

This activity needs good weather. If poor conditions force the operator to cancel, you are offered another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not met, with the choice of a different date or experience, or a full refund.

Your own cancellation is different. The stated policy says the booking is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. That is important if you are arranging the tour around a cruise stop, a tight flight schedule, or uncertain weather.

One booking problem arose when a ship could not call at Puerto Princesa because of a typhoon. The operator later stated that the refund had been processed after an initial internet problem. I would still treat this as a reason to confirm the cancellation terms carefully and keep written records if your port call is weather dependent.

The tour confirmation is provided at booking, and most people can participate apart from those with mobility concerns. Since the day lasts about eight hours, it suits you best if you can manage a full day of transport, boat travel, beach time, and shared scheduling.

Who should book this island day?

I would choose this tour if you want a straightforward introduction to Honda Bay and prefer a set package to arranging everything yourself. It is especially useful for a first visit to Puerto Princesa, a short stay, or a port day when you want transfers and lunch handled together.

Families and mixed groups may like the choice between active swimming and quiet sunbathing, though everyone still needs to follow the shared schedule. Confident swimmers and casual snorkelers should get good use from the island stops, provided they arrange equipment.

I would hesitate if you need complete flexibility, dislike crowded boats, have mobility limitations, or want a long, focused snorkeling session at one site. In those cases, ask about a private alternative or a smaller boat before booking.

Should you book the Cowrie, Luli, and Starfish tour?

Book it if you want a full day of island stops for a moderate price, with city transfers, lunch, boat transport, and entrance fees already arranged. The guides, particularly Jake and Ana, are a real plus, and the water activities give the day a clear purpose.

Skip it if your priority is quiet beaches, a private boat, or a highly flexible schedule. The group can reach 50 people, snorkeling equipment costs extra, and the non-refundable policy demands careful planning.

For many visitors staying in central Puerto Princesa, this is a sensible way to see several Honda Bay islands without building the day from scratch. Go in expecting a shared outing, ask about equipment and pickup details, and you will have a fair picture of what the $60 buys.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours.

Which islands are included?

The named stops are Cowrie Island, Luli Island, and Starfish Sandbar Resort. The tour information also says the boat visits two to three islands in Honda Bay.

Is hotel pickup included?

Free hotel pickup is included for hotels within Puerto Princesa city proper or the main city area. Pickup from the airport or port is also offered.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included as part of the tour.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

No. Use of snorkeling equipment is not included in the price.

How many people can join the group?

The activity can have a maximum of 50 participants.

Is the tour suitable for someone with mobility problems?

The tour is not recommended for people with mobility problems.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. If the minimum number of participants is not met, you can choose a different date or experience, or receive a full refund.