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

Three islands, one long day at sea. From Puerto Princesa, this Honda Bay trip gives you three island stops, a motorized boat ride, and a picnic lunch for $41 per person. I like the simple mix of swimming, fish watching, island time, and scenery, and I like that transport, entrance fees, lunch, and a guide are included. The main concern is timing: one recent booking missed Starfish Island entirely and spent far too long waiting at Luli.

You’ll be picked up around 7:00 a.m. in an air-conditioned van and returned at about 3:00 p.m. I especially like that the tour includes a cooked picnic lunch at Starfish Island, rather than asking you to arrange food between boat trips. Still, bring water, snacks, and sun protection, because the day can feel long if the schedule slips.

Key points to know before booking

• Cowrie Island is the scenic favorite: It is the stop most likely to please you if you want clear water, swimming, and an easy beach break.
• Starfish Island is the lunch and sea-life stop: The shore is associated with starfish, and the picnic meal is served here when the schedule runs as planned.
• Luli Island has a marked swimming and jump area: You can enjoy the water here, but the stop may feel less rewarding if you are expecting a long beach stay.
• The $41 price covers most core costs: Van transfers, boat transport, three island entrance fees, lunch, terminal and shed fees, and staff are included.
• Bring your own water and snorkeling equipment: Masks and snorkels are not included, and the environmental fee is paid separately.
• Timing is the biggest variable: The planned day lasts seven hours, but poor coordination can reduce time at the islands.

Starting from Puerto Princesa at 7:00 a.m.

The day begins with hotel pickup in Puerto Princesa, usually around 7:00 a.m. You should be ready at least 15 minutes early. The driver will wait no longer than 15 minutes after the scheduled pickup time, so this is not the morning to move slowly over breakfast.

Round-trip transport uses an air-conditioned van. That matters in Puerto Princesa, where an early road transfer can feel much easier in a cool vehicle than in an open tricycle or ordinary car. You need to provide your full name, hotel name, and contact number when booking.

One serious operational problem has been reported: a customer said no one arrived for pickup and no one contacted them. I would save the operator’s contact details, keep your phone charged, and confirm the hotel name carefully. This is a sensible precaution for any early tour, especially one with a strict waiting limit.

The operator, Wild Expeditions Travel and Tours, provides an English-speaking guide, boat captain, and boat crew. The guide is meant to help with the island visits and meal arrangements, but the quality of the guiding can vary. One low-rated experience described a guide who stayed quiet and distant, while other bookings praised the organization and enjoyable day.

The boat ride across Honda Bay

After the van transfer, you board a motorized boat for the island circuit. The boat is part of the package, as are the terminal and shed fees, so you do not need to negotiate separate charges at the port.

Honda Bay is best appreciated from the water. The boat ride connects three different types of island stop: a beach-style visit at Cowrie, a more activity-focused stop at Luli, and the sea-life and lunch stop at Starfish. That variety gives the day a clear rhythm, even if each stop is not equally strong.

The exact order can change. The advertised plan lists Starfish Island, Cowrie Island, and Luli Island, but the actual time at each place may depend on boat movement, available tables, and local conditions. This flexibility is normal for a boat day, but you should pay attention to the schedule once you arrive.

Keep your camera protected from spray. A waterproof camera or waterproof phone pouch is useful, and water shoes are a good idea if you dislike walking over rough or wet ground.

Starfish Island for sea creatures and lunch

Starfish Island is the stop most closely connected with the tour’s sea-life theme. You may see starfish near the shore, and the surrounding water is intended for swimming and looking at fish. The experience is not a formal wildlife excursion, so conditions, visibility, and animal sightings can vary.

The picnic lunch is served on Starfish Island and is prepared by the tour staff. Several high ratings specifically liked the food, and that is an important part of the tour’s value. A meal provided on an island saves you the trouble of carrying a full lunch or searching for food between boat transfers.

The practical drawback is that lunch arrangements can affect the entire day. One particularly unhappy booking reported waiting about five hours at Luli for a place to eat before moving on. That is an extreme complaint, not the planned schedule, but it shows why you should ask the guide early about lunch timing.

Bring your own bottled water and snacks. The tour includes lunch, but bottled water and extra food are specifically your responsibility. Snacks also help if you are hungry before the meal or if the boat schedule runs late.

Cowrie Island and the best beach break

Cowrie Island appears to be the most consistently appealing stop. The island received especially warm reactions for its beauty, and another booking called it the best part of the day. You can expect a pleasant setting for swimming, relaxing, and taking photographs.

The supplied schedule does not specify a fixed amount of time at Cowrie. One unhappy booking had only about 50 minutes there, which felt too short after a long wait elsewhere. That is a useful warning: the value of the tour depends not only on visiting the three islands, but on receiving a reasonable amount of time at each one.

I would treat Cowrie as the stop where you want to make the most of your time. If the guide gives you a choice between lingering and moving on, ask how much time remains at the other islands. A short stop can still be worthwhile, but you should not assume the advertised three-island plan guarantees equal time everywhere.

Swimming is one of the main reasons to book this outing. Wear swimwear beneath your clothes, pack a dry change of clothes, and carry a towel. Sandals work for ordinary walking, while water shoes are better if you expect wet or uneven surfaces.

Luli Island and its swimming area

Luli Island is included for swimming and its designated jump area. If you enjoy getting into the water quickly, this can be the most active stop. The tour description also presents it as a place for snorkeling and fish watching, provided you bring or rent your own equipment.

Luli may not satisfy you if you are looking for a broad beach, long stretches of quiet, or a full range of activities. One poor experience described spending most of the day there and finding little to do. The issue may have been the schedule rather than the island itself, but it is still worth keeping expectations realistic.

Do not count on the tour supplying a mask or snorkel. Those items are excluded, along with kayak use. You should bring your own snorkeling gear if you want to look below the surface, and you should ask locally about any rental options rather than assuming they are available.

The operator lists swimming, fish watching, and sea creatures as key parts of the outing. The actual experience will depend on the water and the amount of time assigned to the stop. In practical terms, Luli is best for you if you enjoy a short water activity more than a long beach visit.

What the $41 tour price really covers

At $41 per person, the tour is fairly good value if all three islands are visited and the day runs close to plan. The cost includes several items that can otherwise add up:

• Air-conditioned van transfers to and from your hotel
• Motorized boat transport
• Entrance fees for Cowrie, Luli, and Starfish islands
• Picnic lunch at Starfish Island
• Shed and terminal fees
• An English-speaking licensed tour guide
• Boat captain and crew

That package makes the price easier to justify than a basic boat-only trip. You are paying for transport, food, staff, and access rather than just a seat on a boat.

Two costs are not included. The environmental fee is listed as PHP 150 for adults and PHP 120 for people aged 18 and below or senior citizens. Kayak use and snorkeling equipment also cost extra if you want them.

The value drops sharply if one island is skipped or if the boat spends most of the day waiting. This is why I would judge the tour by its coordination as much as by its inclusions. The food and scenery received strong praise, but the mixed overall rating of 3.4 from 13 bookings shows that the operation has not been equally reliable for everyone.

Packing for a hot, wet island day

Pack for sun, salt water, and a long day away from your hotel. The most useful items are:

• Swimwear and beachwear
• A towel and a dry change of clothes
• Sandals and water shoes
• Bottled water and snacks
• Sunscreen and a hat
• A camera or waterproof camera
• Your own mask and snorkel

One booking specifically advised wearing long sleeves to avoid getting burned. That is practical advice for a boat day, where sun exposure can be stronger than it feels at first.

You must present valid identification. Intoxication is not allowed, so this is not the right outing for anyone planning a drinking-focused boat party. The tone is better suited to swimming, eating, taking photographs, and spending time outdoors.

Who will enjoy this Honda Bay outing

I would recommend this tour to you if you want an easy, organized introduction to island hopping from Puerto Princesa. It suits couples, families, and small groups who value hotel pickup, a prepared meal, and a guide rather than arranging every detail independently.

It also works well if you want several kinds of island time in one day. You can swim, watch fish, look for starfish, relax on Cowrie, and visit Luli without arranging separate boats.

I would be more cautious if you want a slow, carefully paced day with long stays at each island. The reported schedule problems matter. If your priority is snorkeling for hours at one excellent site, a more specialized trip may be a better fit.

The tour has earned strong marks for food, scenery, organization, and the pleasure of visiting three islands. At the same time, the poor scores point to real weaknesses in pickup communication, guide involvement, and time management. I would book it with realistic expectations and a little patience.

Booking, cancellation, and practical details

The experience lasts about seven hours, with pickup at approximately 7:00 a.m. and hotel drop-off around 3:00 p.m. Starting times should be checked when you reserve, since availability can change.

The tour is conducted in English. You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately.

Because the tour depends on several transfers, provide accurate contact details and arrive early. I would also confirm that the operator has your correct hotel name, especially if your accommodation is difficult to identify.

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

Book this trip if you want a reasonably priced, full-day introduction to Honda Bay with lunch and transport handled for you. Cowrie Island, the included meal, and the chance to see fish and starfish are the strongest reasons to go.

I would skip it if you need guaranteed time at every island, close personal guiding, or a perfectly controlled schedule. The tour can be a good-value day on the water, but the mixed rating means you should confirm pickup details, bring your own water and snorkeling gear, and ask the guide about the island order and lunch timing at the start.

FAQ

How long does the Honda Bay island hopping tour last?

The tour lasts approximately seven hours. Pickup is scheduled around 7:00 a.m., with hotel drop-off at about 3:00 p.m.

Which islands are included?

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

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Round-trip air-conditioned van transfers from your hotel are included.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A picnic lunch served at Starfish Island is included in the tour price.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

No. Masks and snorkeling gear are not included, so you should bring your own equipment.

Is the environmental fee included?

No. The environmental fee is PHP 150 for adults and PHP 120 for people aged 18 and below or senior citizens.

Is kayak use included?

No. Kayak use is not included.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The live tour guide service is provided in English.

What happens if I need to cancel?

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