From Puerto Princesa: Honda Bay Island Hopping Full-Day Tour

Honda Bay’s appeal is simple: in one long day, you can trade Puerto Princesa’s roads for warm water, small islands, and a picnic by the sea. This tour takes you to Cowrie, Luli, and Starfish islands, with time for swimming, fish watching, and a shore visit where starfish may be visible.

I like the practical all-in-one setup: hotel pickup, boat transport, island entrance fees, lunch, and crew are covered. I also like the chance to spend time at Cowrie Island, which is often the most scenic and enjoyable stop. The main concern is time control. A recent poor outing involved a missed Starfish Island visit, five hours waiting around Luli, and only about 50 minutes at Cowrie, so clear coordination matters.

Key points at a glance

• Three islands in one day: The plan includes Cowrie, Luli, and Starfish Island, with a 7:00am pickup and hotel return around 3:00pm.
• Lunch at Starfish Island: Your picnic meal is prepared by the tour team and included in the price.
• Swimming and sea life: You can swim with fish and look for starfish along the shore.
• Bring your own gear: Snorkeling masks and equipment are not included, and kayak use costs extra.
• Budget-friendly package: The $41 price includes transfers, boat transport, island admission, lunch, terminal and shed fees, and staff.
• Plan for the environmental fee: Adults pay an additional PHP 150, while people aged 18 and under and senior citizens pay PHP 120.

Leaving Puerto Princesa at 7:00am

The day begins with hotel pickup in an air-conditioned van. Be ready at least 15 minutes before your assigned time. The driver will wait no more than 15 minutes after the scheduled pickup, so this is not the morning to linger over a second cup of coffee.

You need to provide your full name, hotel name, and contact number when booking. The tour includes round-trip transport, which is valuable in Puerto Princesa because you do not need to arrange your own ride to the port or find your way back after a full day in the sun.

The exact group size is not provided, so expect a shared excursion rather than a private boat day. Your boat has a licensed captain and crew, and an English-speaking guide accompanies the trip. No individual guide names are provided, so you should not book this expecting a personalized tour led by a specific named host.

The morning start is early, but it serves a purpose. You have roughly seven hours for transport, boat time, three island stops, lunch, and swimming. If the schedule slips, the later stops can become rushed, which makes punctual pickup and efficient loading important.

Cowrie Island offers the strongest beach stop

Cowrie Island is likely to be the high point of the day for many people. It is the place to expect a pleasant combination of sand, sea views, swimming, and time to relax away from Puerto Princesa.

You can swim here and enjoy the water without needing a packed sightseeing program. One of the clearest positive reactions to the tour focused on Cowrie’s beauty, and that fits the island’s role in the itinerary: it is the stop where you most want enough free time to enjoy the setting.

The catch is that time at Cowrie can be short if the day runs late. One badly managed outing allowed only about 50 minutes there. That is enough for a quick swim and some photographs, but not enough if you want a slow lunch, extended beach time, and snorkeling in the same stop.

I would treat Cowrie as a reason to protect the schedule. If you are choosing between a long period of waiting and more time at the beach, you will want the guide and boat crew to keep the group moving earlier in the day.

Luli Island is better for a quick water stop

Luli Island is included as one of the three main stops. The supplied plan identifies it as a swimming and water-activity area, but it gives fewer specific details about facilities or sights than it does for Starfish Island and Cowrie.

That means you should keep your expectations modest. Luli may suit you if you want time in the water and a change of scene, but it may feel underwhelming if you expect a full schedule of sights, shopping, or guided activities.

A serious timing problem occurred on one outing when the group spent almost five hours at Luli while waiting for lunch space. That is far too long for a stop with limited planned activity. The issue was not simply that Luli was quiet. It was that the day lost its balance, leaving too little time for the other islands.

For this reason, ask about the order of stops and lunch timing when you meet the guide. The advertised sequence lists lunch at Starfish, followed by Cowrie and Luli, but real conditions can alter the order. A flexible route is normal for a boat day, yet the guide should explain any changes so you know what is happening.

Starfish Island is the lunch and sea-life stop

Starfish Island gives the tour its most distinctive promise. You can look for starfish along the shore, swim in the surrounding water, and enjoy a picnic lunch prepared by the tour team.

This is a good place to slow down after the boat ride. The lunch is included, which means you do not need to find a restaurant on a small island. Several positive ratings specifically appreciated the food and scenery, making the picnic an important part of the value rather than a minor extra.

You should still bring your own bottled water and snacks. The instructions specifically require these, and a seven-hour day in the sun creates a steady need for drinks. Snacks also help if lunch is delayed or served later than expected.

Starfish viewing is a natural activity, not a guaranteed wildlife show. The tour is designed to let you see starfish at the island shore, but sea conditions, tide, crowding, and timing can affect what you see. Look carefully and treat the animals gently. Do not lift or handle them unless the guide clearly says it is safe and allowed.

The lunch stop also needs sensible expectations. It is a picnic meal, not a restaurant meal with a broad menu. You are paying for convenience and a meal in a beautiful setting. If you have dietary restrictions, ask before booking because no special meal information is provided.

Swimming is central, but equipment costs extra

The tour is made for people who want to get wet. You can swim with fish, look for sea creatures, and spend time in the water at the islands. Bring swimwear, a towel, water shoes or sandals, and a full change of clothes.

Masks and snorkeling equipment are not included. This is one of the most important details in the package. If you want to see fish below the surface, bring your own mask and snorkel or confirm where rental equipment is available before you go. The tour specifically lists snorkeling gear as something to bring.

Kayak use is also excluded. If paddling is important to you, budget for that separately and check the local availability on the day. Do not assume the kayak is part of the $41 package.

Long sleeves are a smart addition. One satisfied participant specifically advised wearing them to avoid sunburn, and that is useful advice for any full day on exposed water. Add sunscreen, a hat, and a waterproof pouch for your phone. A waterproof camera is also listed among the recommended items.

You should not bring alcohol or attend while intoxicated. The activity specifically prohibits intoxication, which is sensible on a shared boat and around swimming areas.

What the $41 price really covers

At $41 per person, this is a fairly useful package if you want a straightforward day without arranging every piece yourself. The price includes:

• Round-trip air-conditioned van transfers
• Motorized boat transport
• Entrance fees for Cowrie, Luli, and Starfish islands
• Picnic lunch at Starfish Island
• Shed and terminal fees
• A licensed tour guide, boat captain, and crew

That list removes several small costs that can otherwise add up. You are paying for transport from your hotel, the boat, three island admissions, lunch, and basic tour support.

The price does not include the environmental fee. Adults pay PHP 150, while people aged 18 and under and senior citizens pay PHP 120. Snorkeling equipment and kayak use are also extra.

I consider the package good value if you want convenience, lunch, and access to three islands in one day. It is less compelling if you already have transport, gear, and a private boat arranged. The tour also loses value if the schedule is poorly managed and you spend most of the day waiting at one island.

The strongest value comes from the included boat and transfers. For a first visit to Puerto Princesa, this removes a lot of planning. Just remember that the environmental fee and water activities are not part of the headline price.

The biggest risk is uneven time management

The most important thing to understand is that the quality of this day depends heavily on how the schedule is handled. The intended plan is clear: hotel pickup around 7:00am, island visits, lunch at Starfish, and hotel drop-off around 3:00pm.

One poor experience involved no Starfish visit at all, an extremely long wait at Luli, and a very short Cowrie stop. The guide was described as quiet and distant, with little explanation during the day. That is a serious concern because a boat trip needs more than transport. You need someone to tell you where to go, when to return, and why the route has changed.

Other outings received high marks for organization, food, scenery, and enjoyment. That mixed pattern suggests you should be ready to speak up politely if the plan begins to drift. Ask how long you have at each island, when lunch will be served, and whether Starfish Island remains on the route.

You should also keep your own watch. If the boat is scheduled to leave, return promptly. At the same time, it is fair to expect the guide to communicate delays rather than leave you waiting without information.

A practical packing list for this boat day

Pack light, but cover the basics. Your bag should include:

• Swimwear and a change of clothes
• Towel
• Sandals or water shoes
• Sunscreen and a hat
• Waterproof phone case or camera
• Your own snorkeling mask and equipment
• Bottled water and snacks
• A valid ID
• Cash for the environmental fee and optional kayak use

Beachwear is useful during the island stops, but a dry change of clothes will make the van ride home much more comfortable. Water shoes can help if the shoreline is rocky or uneven, although the tour does not specify the exact footing at each island.

Keep electronics protected. The boat, swimming, and wet beach gear create obvious risks for phones and cameras. A waterproof camera is specifically recommended, so you can take pictures without constantly worrying about splashes.

Bring patience as well as sunscreen. Boat routes can change, and the day depends on several moving parts. Patience is useful, but it should not mean accepting hours of unexplained waiting.

Who will enjoy this experience most?

I would recommend this outing to you if you want a simple introduction to Honda Bay and prefer a package with transport, boat, lunch, and admissions handled together. It suits couples, friends, and families who are happy with a shared day and want time in the water without building a custom itinerary.

It is also a good fit if you are staying in Puerto Princesa for a short visit. Seven hours gives you a full island day without requiring an overnight stay or a complicated independent plan.

You may want a different option if you need a private schedule, guaranteed long periods at one island, specialist snorkeling equipment, or a named personal guide. The tour does not promise a private boat, a specific guide, or a fixed length of time at each stop.

Families should note that swimming ability and supervision matter. The tour includes water activities, but it does not state that flotation devices, childcare, or special assistance are provided. Keep close watch over children and ask the crew about safe swimming areas.

Booking flexibility and practical details

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately, which is useful when your Puerto Princesa plans may change.

The tour is conducted in English. A valid ID is required, and hotel pickup is included. Be ready 15 minutes before the stated pickup time, since the driver will wait no longer than 15 minutes after the scheduled time.

The tour provider is Wild Expeditions Travel and Tours. The stated duration is seven hours, though the exact rhythm depends on transfers, boat loading, lunch, and conditions at the islands.

Should you book the Honda Bay island tour?

Book it if you want an easy, reasonably priced day of swimming, island scenery, lunch, and basic sea-life viewing. The included transfers, boat, three island admissions, and meal give the $41 price solid value, especially for a first visit to Puerto Princesa.

Before committing, accept two limits: snorkeling gear and kayak use cost extra, and the time at each island may not be perfectly even. Bring your own gear, water, snacks, sun protection, and a watch. When the day begins, confirm the planned order and lunch timing with the guide.

I would choose this tour for convenience and variety, not for a slow, private beach day. If the crew keeps the schedule moving and communicates clearly, you get a pleasant island escape in one day. If the timing slips badly, Luli can feel too long and Cowrie or Starfish too short. That is the key decision point.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts seven hours. Pickup is scheduled around 7:00am, with hotel drop-off approximately 3:00pm.

Which islands are included?

The tour includes Cowrie Island, Luli Island, and Starfish Island. Entrance fees for all three islands are included.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A picnic lunch is included and is served at Starfish Island.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

No. Masks and snorkeling gear are not included. You should bring your own snorkeling equipment if you want to use it.

How much is the environmental fee?

The environmental fee is PHP 150 for adults and PHP 120 for people aged 18 and under and senior citizens. It is not included in the tour price.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Round-trip air-conditioned van transfers from your hotel are included. You should be ready at least 15 minutes before the assigned pickup time, and the driver will wait no longer than 15 minutes after the scheduled time.