Palawan: Honda Bay Island Hopping Cruise

Honda Bay’s appeal is simple: within about 30 minutes of Puerto Princesa, you can trade city streets for white beaches, warm water, tiny islands, and a boat day built around swimming and snorkeling. The three-stop route visits Starfish Island, Luli Island, and Cowrie Island, with lunch and transport included.

I like the easy hotel pickup and the fact that the package covers the boat, island fees, lunch, and life vest. I also like the social setup. A shared van and boat can be a pleasant way to meet people, especially if you are traveling alone. The main caution is that Honda Bay can feel crowded and commercial, and the snorkeling may disappoint if you expect the stronger coral and marine life associated with El Nido or Coron.

Key points to know before booking

• Three named island stops: The route includes Starfish Island, Luli Island, and Cowrie Island.
• A nine-hour day: Pickup, road transfer, boat time, island visits, lunch, and the return trip make this a full-day outing.
• Lunch is included: Expect a Filipino-style picnic or buffet meal, with BBQ fish praised as a highlight.
• Shared transport: The van holds 13 people, and the boat is shared with other tour participants.
• Extra costs apply: Bring money for the PHP 150 environmental fee, plus mask, snorkel, and aqua shoe rental if needed.
• Best for easy island time: This suits swimmers, sunbathers, and first-time visitors who want a straightforward day from Puerto Princesa.

Leaving Puerto Princesa for Honda Bay

The day begins with hotel pickup in Puerto Princesa’s city proper. You wait in the hotel lobby, and the guide calls when the vehicle is on the way. Pickup outside the proper may cost extra, so check your address before paying.

The shared van holds up to 13 people. That keeps the price down, but it also means the morning can feel less personal than a private trip. Pickup times may take longer when several hotels are involved. I would keep your schedule clear for the full nine hours rather than planning another major activity afterward.

The road transfer is part of the value here. Honda Bay sits on the eastern shore of Puerto Princesa, close enough for a practical day trip. You are not spending half a day on a long highway transfer just to reach the water. The boat portion begins after the terminal and wharf formalities, which are included in the package.

A DOT-accredited guide accompanies the outing, with English and Tagalog available. The guide should help with the day’s timing and movement between the van, boat, islands, and lunch. Still, the quality of communication may depend on how the group is managed. On one reported outing, the guide was not consistently with the van or boat, and the schedule was not clearly explained. I would ask early where to meet after each stop and who to approach if you need help.

The boat ride and the shape of the day

Honda Bay is made up of small islands with beaches, resorts, shallow water, and marine areas. The ride gives you changing views of the coast and open water, but this is not a private sailing trip. You share the motorized boat with other people, and the island stops can be busy.

That shared setup has two sides. I like it for the easy social atmosphere. You can compare plans, share a table at lunch, and meet people from different countries without making any special effort. The tradeoff is less control over how long you stay in the water or when the group moves on.

You receive a life vest, and the boat is part of the listed package. Bring a waterproof bag for your phone, wallet, and dry clothes. Sunscreen is essential, as much of the day takes place in direct sun. Swimwear makes sense from the start, since the schedule is built around swimming and beach time.

If you are prone to seasickness, this is not the best choice. The boat is motorized, and the tour spends much of the day moving between islands. Take normal precautions before departure, but note that the experience is specifically listed as unsuitable for people who often become seasick.

Starfish Island: a first look at the water

Starfish Island is one of Honda Bay’s better-known stops and gives the day its first clear taste of the bay’s marine life. The name points to the island’s starfish, while the shallow water and beach setting make it a natural place for swimming and casual snorkeling.

Do not treat the name as a promise of a private nature reserve. You may share the area with several boats, and the usable snorkeling space can be limited. The quality of the underwater view depends on weather, water conditions, and how many people are in the same area.

If you have your own mask and snorkel, bring them. Rental equipment is not included, and the additional charge for mask and snorkel hire is separate. Aqua shoes also cost extra. They can be useful if you are uncomfortable walking over rough or uneven areas, but the tour does not provide them as part of the base price.

I would use Starfish Island to settle into the day rather than expect a major reef experience. You can swim, take photographs, and get comfortable in the water before the later stops. If marine life is your main reason for booking, keep your expectations modest. Honda Bay offers fish, corals, and giant clams, but one reported outing found little coral at the snorkeling areas.

Luli Island and the island that feels more like a platform

Luli Island is another famous Honda Bay stop, with a beach and swimming area that form part of the standard route. It adds another setting to the day, but the central appeal is still simple: get into the water, enjoy the sun, and move at the group’s pace.

The most useful thing to know is that not every stop feels like a large natural island. One of the locations was described as closer to a pontoon used for snorkeling. That matters if you picture three broad, quiet beaches. The route is better understood as three organized water stops, with beaches and facilities at some locations and more compact platforms at others.

Crowds can affect the experience. A small snorkeling area may feel packed when several boats arrive together. The water can remain pleasant, but you may spend more time sharing the space than quietly watching fish or coral.

I would make Luli Island a relaxed stop rather than build your whole day around it. Swim if conditions look good, enjoy the view, and avoid comparing it too closely with a remote island beach. The tour gives you access to Honda Bay’s popular stops, not a secluded castaway setting.

Cowrie Island: the day’s easiest beach break

Cowrie Island is the stop most likely to appeal to anyone who wants a straightforward beach break. You can sunbathe, swim, and enjoy the horizon without needing a complicated plan. The island has the resort-style feel that comes with an organized day trip, including facilities and other groups sharing the area.

The best part of this stop is the ease. You are not expected to hike, paddle, or arrange anything on your own. The boat brings you in, the guide helps keep the schedule moving, and the included lunch gives you a proper break from the water.

Weather can make a big difference. In clear sunshine, the view opens toward the horizon and the mountainous Philippines, creating the kind of postcard setting that makes a day on the bay worthwhile. Cloud, wind, or heavy boat traffic can make the same stop feel less special.

I would save some energy for Cowrie Island instead of trying to swim hard at every earlier stop. The day is long, and sun exposure adds up quickly. Reapply sunscreen, drink water, and use the island time for a mix of swimming and shade.

Lunch and the Filipino food included in the price

Lunch is included, usually as a picnic or buffet-style Filipino meal. This is a useful part of the package because you do not need to find food on an island or carry a full day’s meal with you.

The food is practical rather than fancy. One especially positive detail is the BBQ fish, which was described as filling and delicious. A separate account called the buffet ordinary but acceptable. That is a fair way to frame it: lunch should satisfy you during a busy beach day, but it is not a special restaurant meal.

I like having local-style food built into the schedule. It gives you a chance to try familiar Filipino flavors without turning the day into a food tour. The meal also helps with the energy demands of swimming, sunbathing, and boat travel.

If you have dietary needs, the supplied details do not confirm special meal arrangements. Ask before booking rather than assuming the lunch can be changed. Bring water and a snack if you know you need more than a standard group meal.

What the $40 price really covers

At $40 per person, the tour offers reasonable convenience for a full day. The price includes hotel pickup and drop-off within the city proper, a DOT-accredited guide, the motorized boat, life vest, lunch, island entrance fees, and terminal and wharf fees.

Those inclusions remove several small costs that can add up. You do not need to arrange separate transport to the pier, negotiate a boat on arrival, or pay each island entrance fee yourself. For a first visit to Puerto Princesa, that simplicity has real value.

The price is less attractive if your main goal is excellent snorkeling. You still pay the base fee even if the water is crowded, coral is limited, or one stop feels more like a pontoon than an island. Mask and snorkel rental are extra, as are aqua shoes. The PHP 150 environmental fee per person is also not included.

Compared with a private boat, the shared tour should be cheaper and easier to book. Compared with the stronger marine areas around El Nido or Coron, the experience may feel expensive if you have already seen those places. I would choose Honda Bay for convenience from Puerto Princesa, not as the region’s top underwater trip.

How to prepare for a better day

Pack lightly, but bring the essentials:

• Swimwear and a change of clothes
• Sunscreen, with extra for reapplication
• A waterproof bag
• Cash for the PHP 150 environmental fee
• Your own mask and snorkel if you have them
• Aqua shoes if your feet are sensitive
• Any personal snacks or water you may need

Alcohol and drugs are not allowed. Follow the basic boat rules and keep your belongings secure when you enter the water.

The weather deserves attention. Sunshine can turn the day into an excellent mix of swimming, views, and relaxation. It can also make the heat tiring, especially during a nine-hour schedule. A hat and light cover-up would be sensible additions, even though they are not specifically required.

I would also confirm the pickup area and the meeting plan before departure. The guide is expected to call from the road, but you want to know where to wait if the van is delayed or if the group separates at a stop. Since the tour uses a shared van and boat, clear communication matters.

Who will enjoy Honda Bay most

This tour suits you if you want a simple full-day outing from Puerto Princesa. It works well for people who enjoy swimming, beach time, boat rides, and casual snorkeling without arranging each part themselves.

It is also a good fit for solo visitors who like shared activities. The group format makes conversation easy, and meeting other people is one of the nicer parts of the setup.

Families and mixed groups may appreciate the range of activities. Someone can swim while another person sunbathes, takes photographs, or stays near the beach. The day does not depend entirely on one hard activity.

I would hesitate if you are seeking quiet beaches, expert guiding, or a serious coral experience. The stops can be crowded, the snorkeling areas may be small, and the guide may not always provide as much explanation as you expect. If you have already visited El Nido or Coron, Honda Bay may feel like a weaker choice for marine scenery.

Should you book this Honda Bay tour?

Book it if you are staying in Puerto Princesa and want an easy, all-in-one day on the water. The location is convenient, lunch and transport are covered, and the sunny beach views can be excellent. The BBQ fish and the chance to relax between swims are real positives.

Skip it if pristine coral, uncrowded water, or a private island feeling matters most. In that case, compare the price with other boat trips before paying, especially after adding the environmental fee and equipment rentals.

My practical verdict: Honda Bay is a convenient introduction to island hopping, not a must-do marine adventure for experienced island visitors. Keep your expectations focused on swimming, sun, shared company, and a pleasant day away from the city. That is where this tour offers its best value.

FAQ

How long is the Honda Bay island-hopping tour?

The tour lasts about nine hours, including hotel pickup and drop-off, the road transfer, boat travel, island visits, lunch, and the return journey.

Which islands are included?

The route includes Starfish Island, Luli Island, and Cowrie Island.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included for hotels within Puerto Princesa’s city proper. An additional charge may apply outside that area.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A picnic or buffet-style lunch is included in the package. BBQ fish may be part of the meal.

Are snorkeling equipment and aqua shoes included?

No. Mask and snorkel rental and aqua shoe rental are not included. You can bring your own equipment or pay to rent it separately.

What languages are available for the tour?

The live guide service is available in English and Tagalog.