Honda Bay Island: Island Tour with Lunch & Transfer

Honda Bay’s appeal is simple: three very different island stops in one day, with sea time, soft beaches, and lunch worked into an easy round trip from Puerto Princesa. Starfish Island is the main water stop, while Luli Island brings the odd pleasure of a shore that changes with the tide.

I like the hotel pickup and small group of up to 15 people, which keeps the morning manageable, and I like that the boat, island fees, guide, and lunch are bundled into the $54 price. The main caution is that the day is not ideal for non-swimmers or people prone to seasickness, and the schedule can feel unclear if you need firm instructions at every stop.

Key points to know before booking

• Starfish Island is the best stop for swimming and snorkeling, but bring or rent your own mask and snorkel because gear is not included.
• Luli Island changes with the tide, so the beach experience depends on the water level when you arrive.
• Cowrie Island combines lunch and beach time, giving you the longest single stop at about 90 minutes.
• Hotel pickup and drop-off are included in Puerto Princesa, with an extra charge noted for Astoria Hotel.
• The group is limited to 15 people, a useful middle ground between a private boat and a crowded large-group trip.
• The $54 price covers the main tour costs, but you still need to budget P200 per person for the environmental fee and any kayak or snorkeling rental.

Why Honda Bay makes a good day trip from Puerto Princesa

Puerto Princesa is often used as a base for Palawan trips, and Honda Bay gives you a full day on the water without requiring an overnight island stay. The transfer from the city to the bay takes about 45 minutes, so you spend part of the morning getting to the boat rather than dealing with a long road journey.

The experience is built around contrast. At Starfish Island, you are there for the water and marine life. At Luli Island, the point is the changing shoreline and a slower beach break. Cowrie Island is the practical center of the day, with lunch, swimming, photos, and time to sit on the sand.

That mix matters. If you want only serious snorkeling, this tour may feel too spread out. If you want a relaxed introduction to Honda Bay with several settings and no need to arrange separate transport, the format makes good sense.

The morning pickup and 45-minute ride to Honda Bay

Pickup usually takes place between 7:00 and 8:00 AM, with the exact window depending on your hotel. Wait in the lobby so the driver can find you, and look for a sign with your name. Pickup and drop-off are available in Puerto Princesa, and the airport is also listed as a possible starting and ending point.

The transfer to Honda Bay takes about 45 minutes. This is useful if you are staying in the city, since you do not need to arrange a taxi or find the terminal yourself. It also means you should keep breakfast simple and bring water and snacks. The full day lasts about eight hours, so a little food between stops is sensible even with lunch included.

At the Honda Bay terminal, you check in before boarding the boat. The boat ride begins around 8:30 AM. Exact timing can shift, so do not plan a tight afternoon appointment immediately after the stated 5:00 PM return to your hotel.

Starfish Island brings the first swim

The first island stop is Starfish Island, reached around 9:00 AM. You get about an hour for swimming and snorkeling in clear water, with starfish and other marine life as the main attraction.

This is the stop where your swimwear, towel, sunscreen, and camera earn their space in your bag. The water is the reason to book the tour, not simply a backdrop for photographs. If you enjoy looking beneath the surface, this should be the most rewarding part of the morning.

Snorkeling equipment is not included. You can rent a snorkel, and kayak rental is also separate. Ask about the rental arrangement before you leave the terminal so you are not trying to sort out equipment after the boat has reached the island.

Non-swimmers should think carefully before booking. The activity is specifically not suitable for non-swimmers, and the schedule includes swimming at several stops. You also need to consider seasickness. The boat ride is a central part of the day, not a short transfer between land-based sights.

Luli Island and its disappearing shore

Luli Island is the most unusual stop because the shoreline changes with the tide. The name is tied to the island’s tendency to emerge and submerge, so the beach you see may not look the same later in the day.

You get about an hour here for swimming, photos, and rest. Treat Luli as a flexible beach stop rather than a place with a fixed amount of dry sand. If the tide is high, the island experience will be more about the water and less about stretching out on a wide beach.

This is also a good place to keep your belongings organized. The schedule includes several stops, and you will want to take only what you need off the boat. A dry bag or waterproof pouch is useful for a phone, wallet, and camera, though those items are not listed as supplied equipment.

Cowrie Island is the lunch and beach anchor

Cowrie Island is scheduled for about 90 minutes, making it the longest stop. It includes lunch, a photo opportunity, and time for swimming or relaxing on the sand.

Lunch may be a packed meal provided by the operator or a buffet, depending on the arrangement. Food may also be available from local restaurants on the island. Since the exact lunch format is not fixed, bring snacks in case you prefer a little extra food or need something between the morning swim and the afternoon stop.

I like the way Cowrie Island breaks up the day. After the first water stop and the changing tide conditions at Luli, you get a longer pause where you can eat without rushing straight back into the boat. Use the time for a swim, a walk, photos, or simply sitting on the beach.

Do not assume every extra activity is part of the price. Kayak rental is excluded, and snorkeling equipment is also separate. The included package covers the boat, island fees, lunch, guide, and transport, but not every activity available on the islands.

What the guide adds, and where the day needs clarity

An English-speaking local guide accompanies the tour and helps with the stops, boat movements, and general flow of the day. The guide is also part of what makes the group format useful, especially when you are unfamiliar with the Honda Bay terminal and island access rules.

The strongest personal account available praises the guide’s good humor and energy, including a long game of beach volleyball. That tells you this is not necessarily a stiff, lecture-heavy outing. You may get a friendly guide who joins in with activities and keeps the mood light.

The same account points to a practical weakness: instructions about how long to stay at each stop and what to take along were not always clear. I would handle that by asking two questions as soon as you arrive at each island: What time do we meet back at the boat, and what do I need to bring? That small habit can prevent a rushed return or a forgotten towel.

The guide’s role is most useful when you need help with timing and local procedures. Do not expect a detailed naturalist talk based on the information available. Think of the guide as the person who helps the day run and gives you local assistance.

What is included in the $54 price

At $54 per person, the tour offers fair value if you want a ready-made day with transport. The price includes hotel pickup and drop-off, the boat for the island-hopping portion, island entrance fees, lunch, and an English-speaking guide.

Arranging those pieces independently could be more work than the savings are worth, particularly if you are unfamiliar with Puerto Princesa and Honda Bay. The small group limit of 15 also gives the package more appeal than a large coach-and-boat outing.

You still need to add the P200 environmental fee per person. Snorkel rental and kayak rental are not included. The extra costs are modest compared with the base price, but you should know about them before deciding that the tour is fully all-inclusive.

A private upgrade is available for a more exclusive outing. The supplied details do not give the private-tour price or explain exactly how the schedule changes, so ask for those specifics before paying more. The shared version is likely the better value if you are comfortable with a small group.

Timing, comfort, and what to pack

This is an early start followed by a full day outdoors. Bring a hat, swimwear, towel, sunscreen, water, snacks, and a camera. You may also want a waterproof bag for electronics and cash, though those items are personal additions rather than tour inclusions.

Smoking, alcohol, and drugs are not allowed. The experience is described as suitable for children, seniors, and people with disabilities, with the important exception that non-swimmers and people prone to seasickness should not book it.

The tour is presented as fully accessible, but the supplied details do not explain boat boarding, dock surfaces, toilets, or beach access. If you need specific mobility support, contact the operator before booking and ask about those points directly.

The day ends with the boat returning to the Honda Bay terminal around 4:30 PM, followed by the drive back to Puerto Princesa. Hotel arrival is expected around 5:00 PM, though the actual time can depend on traffic and the morning pickup schedule.

Who should book this Honda Bay tour

I would recommend this tour to you if you want a straightforward introduction to Honda Bay, prefer having transport arranged, and enjoy mixing swimming with beach time. It suits couples, families with confident swimmers, and solo visitors who would rather join a small group than organize a boat alone.

It is also a good fit if you value convenience over a completely private experience. You get several islands, lunch, and a guide in one day, with booking flexibility through free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and a reserve-now, pay-later option.

I would look elsewhere if you are a non-swimmer, get seasick easily, or want long, uninterrupted snorkeling sessions. You should also reconsider if you need a tightly managed schedule with constant instructions. The tour can be enjoyable and relaxed, but you may need to ask for meeting times and activity details yourself.

Should you book it?

Book this Honda Bay tour if you want a practical eight-hour island day for $54, with hotel transfers and the major costs handled in advance. Starfish Island gives you the best reason to bring swim gear, Cowrie Island provides a useful lunch break, and Luli Island adds a tide-dependent change of scenery.

Skip it if the environmental fee and equipment rentals make the final cost less attractive, or if you need a private, highly structured day. For a first taste of Honda Bay from Puerto Princesa, though, the mix of clear water, beach stops, lunch, and a small group is a sensible choice.

FAQ

How long does the Honda Bay island tour last?

The tour lasts about eight hours, with pickup generally scheduled between 7:00 and 8:00 AM and return to your hotel expected around 5:00 PM.

Where can pickup and drop-off take place?

Pickup and drop-off are available in Puerto Princesa and at Puerto Princesa International Airport. An additional charge applies for pickup at Astoria Hotel.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Round-trip hotel transport in Puerto Princesa is included. You should wait in the hotel lobby for the driver, who will hold a sign with your name.

Which islands are included?

The tour visits Starfish Island, Luli Island, and Cowrie Island.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included and may be served as a buffet or packed meal, depending on the operator. Food may also be available from local restaurants at Cowrie Island.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

No. Snorkel rental is not included. You should bring your own equipment or arrange a rental.

How much is the environmental fee?

The environmental fee is P200 per person and is not included in the tour price.

Is the tour suitable for children and seniors?

The experience is designed to be safe and accessible for children, seniors, and people with disabilities. However, it is not suitable for non-swimmers or people prone to seasickness.

Can I cancel or pay later?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.