Palawan: Honda Bay Island Hopping Cruise

Three islands, one long day on Honda Bay. This $40 shared boat trip from Puerto Princesa makes it easy to reach Starfish Island, Luli Island, and Cowrie Island without arranging transport, boats, entrance fees, and lunch separately. I like the mix of swimming, beach time, snorkeling, and Filipino food, plus the chance to meet other people in a shared group. The main catch is that the stops can feel crowded, and the snorkeling may disappoint if you expect the coral and clear water found around El Nido or Coron.

The tour lasts about nine hours, with hotel pickup inside Puerto Princesa City Proper. I also like that the package includes a motorized boat, life vest, island fees, wharf fees, a DOT-accredited guide, and lunch. Plan for an extra 150 PHP environmental fee, and bring money if you want to rent a mask, snorkel, or aqua shoes.

Key points at a glance

• Three named island stops: The day includes Starfish Island, Luli Island, and Cowrie Island, each offering a different setting for swimming, beach time, or snorkeling.
• A 13-person van transfer: Pickup is shared, so your first part of the day may feel social rather than private.
• Lunch includes Filipino favorites: The buffet-style meal is filling, with BBQ fish receiving particular praise.
• Snorkeling quality can vary: Some visitors found the water crowded and the coral limited, while others enjoyed swimming and the sea views.
• The $40 price covers the basics: Boat transport, lunch, guide, entrance fees, terminal fees, and hotel transfers are included, but the environmental fee and equipment rentals cost extra.

Reaching Honda Bay from Puerto Princesa

Honda Bay sits on the eastern shore of Puerto Princesa, making it one of the city’s easiest ways to get out onto the water. The islands are close enough for a day trip, with the tour describing the first island area as roughly 30 minutes from the city.

That short distance matters. You do not spend the whole day in transit, and you can return to your hotel after a full morning and afternoon on the bay. At the same time, this is not a private escape. You share the van, boat, and island stops with other people.

Pickup is available from hotels within City Proper. The transfer uses a van carrying about 13 people, so you should wait in the hotel lobby and keep your phone available. The guide calls when the vehicle is on its way. An extra charge may apply if your hotel is outside the proper city area.

The shared format has a clear benefit: it keeps the price at about $40 per person and gives solo visitors an easy way to meet people. The tradeoff is less control over timing. If you prefer to linger on one beach or leave a crowded stop early, this group setup may feel limiting.

What the nine-hour schedule feels like

The exact starting time depends on availability, but you should expect a full-day outing rather than a quick boat ride. Hotel pickup, the drive to the terminal, boat boarding, three island visits, lunch, and the return transfer all fit into the nine-hour window.

The day works best if you treat it as a relaxed water outing, not a race between major sights. You will have time for swimming, sunbathing, snorkeling, and watersports, but the experience depends heavily on weather, crowd levels, and how long the group spends at each stop.

One practical issue is coordination. A clear guide makes a shared excursion much easier, especially when you need to know when to return to the boat or where lunch will be served. One account described the guide as difficult to find during parts of the trip, with little explanation about what happened next. That may not be typical, but it is worth keeping your phone, personal items, and schedule close at hand.

Starfish Island and the first taste of the bay

Starfish Island is one of the three well-known Honda Bay stops. The name sets an expectation of marine life, and the tour is designed to show you the bay’s underwater world, including fish, corals, and giant clams.

Do not assume this means a private reef experience. The islands draw day trippers, and water areas can become crowded. Snorkeling is included as an activity, but your mask and snorkel are not included in the price. You can rent equipment separately, or bring your own if you already have it.

The quality of the snorkeling can change from day to day. One account described the snorkeling area as small and packed with people, with little coral visible. Another described the whole day more positively, helped by bright sunshine, calm relaxation, and good views. You should arrive with modest expectations: this is a convenient introduction to marine life near Puerto Princesa, not necessarily the best reef trip in Palawan.

If you want to enjoy Starfish Island, focus on the whole setting. Swim if the water looks inviting, use your life vest if needed, and take time to look around rather than judging the stop only by the number of fish. A waterproof bag is useful for keeping your phone and dry clothes safe between the boat and shore.

Luli Island, with more water time than beach time

Luli Island is another scheduled stop, but the word island may not describe every part of the visit in the way you imagine. One visitor found that one of the stops felt more like a pontoon used as a snorkeling platform than a broad sandy island.

That detail is important if you picture three large beaches. Honda Bay’s stops can include resort-style areas, swimming platforms, and compact shorelines. You may get more time in the water than time walking along a long beach.

Luli Island can suit you if you want a simple swim and a place to sit in the sun. It may frustrate you if your main goal is quiet exploration or a wide stretch of empty sand. The tour promises white sandy beaches, but the three stops are not identical, and the experience at one may be more about access to the water than scenery on land.

Bring swimwear under your clothes and sunscreen that you can reapply during the day. The sun can make a pleasant boat trip feel tiring, especially when there is little shade. Aqua shoes are optional but available for rent, and they may be useful if you dislike walking over rough or uneven areas.

Cowrie Island and the best chance to slow down

Cowrie Island is the third named stop and is presented as one of Honda Bay’s popular beach areas. Like the other islands, it offers a mix of sand, swimming, and water activities.

The strongest part of the day for many people may be the simple pleasure of being out on the bay. Bright weather can turn the horizon into the main attraction, with mountain views across the water. This is not an elaborate cultural program or a guided nature lecture. It is a straightforward island day built around sun, sea, and shared meals.

I would use Cowrie Island as a chance to slow down. Swim, sit on the sand, and enjoy the open view instead of trying to force every stop into a major event. The best memories may come from the spaces between activities, especially when the weather is clear.

Still, crowd levels matter. If several boats arrive together, a small beach or swimming area can feel packed. You may also spend much of your time repeating the same basic activity, swimming in one place and then another. One account summed up the day as paying to swim in several different spots. That is fair criticism if you want variety beyond water access.

Filipino lunch, including BBQ fish

Lunch is included, which makes the $40 price easier to judge. The meal is described as a picnic or buffet-style lunch with Filipino food. You do not need to arrange a separate restaurant stop, and the food gives the day a local touch that a purely beach-focused trip would miss.

The BBQ fish received especially strong praise for flavor. The meal was also described as filling and delicious in good weather conditions. Another assessment called it an ordinary buffet that was acceptable rather than memorable. Both views can be true: the food may satisfy you after swimming without being the reason you book the tour.

Pack a waterproof bag for anything you want to keep dry, including cash, medication, and a change of clothes. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed. Bring sunscreen and swimwear, and consider carrying a small towel if your hotel does not provide one for excursions.

What the $40 price really covers

At $40 per person, the tour is priced as a practical package rather than a luxury boat day. The included items are useful:

• Hotel pickup and drop-off within City Proper
• A motorized boat
• A DOT-accredited guide
• Picnic lunch
• Life vest
• Island entrance fees
• Terminal and wharf fees

Buying these parts separately could take more planning, and the shared arrangement keeps the cost manageable. The tour is particularly useful if you have only one day in Puerto Princesa and want a ready-made outing.

The price does not include the 150 PHP environmental fee. Mask and snorkel rental are also extra, as are aqua shoes. These are not huge additions, but they affect your final budget. If you already own snorkeling gear, bring it. If not, ask about rental costs before setting out.

Value depends on your comparison point. For a first island day near Puerto Princesa, the package is convenient and reasonably broad. If you have already spent time around El Nido or Coron, you may find Honda Bay less impressive, especially if you are searching for strong coral, large reef areas, or quieter water.

Guides, group size, and the shared-tour tradeoff

The tour provides an English and Tagalog-speaking guide, and the guide is described as DOT accredited. That is useful for basic coordination and communication, especially during pickup, boat boarding, lunch, and return times.

The shared format can be friendly. You may meet people from several countries, and solo visitors do not have to arrange a private boat. A 13-person van also gives the transfer a manageable group size, though the boat and island areas may include people from other tours.

The weak point is that guiding quality can affect the whole day. One account described a guide who was not always in the van or on the boat and who offered little information about the next step. If your guide is active and clear, the tour should feel organized. If not, you may need to ask fellow passengers for directions.

You can protect yourself from confusion by confirming the pickup time, keeping the operator’s contact details, and asking where to meet before leaving each stop. This is simple advice, but it matters on a boat day where the schedule is shared.

Weather, seasickness, and what to bring

People prone to seasickness may not enjoy this tour. It includes motorized boat travel and several hours around the bay, so the movement of the water can affect your comfort. If you already know you get sick on boats, this is a serious consideration rather than a minor footnote.

Clear weather can make the day excellent for sunbathing, swimming, and seeing the mountainous horizon. Cloudy or rough conditions may reduce the pleasure of the beaches and make the boat ride less comfortable. You cannot control the weather, so keep expectations flexible.

Bring:

• Swimwear
• Sunscreen
• A waterproof bag
• Cash for the environmental fee and rentals
• Your own mask and snorkel if you have them

Life vests are included. The tour also offers aqua shoe rentals, which may help you feel more secure around water access points.

Who should book this Honda Bay tour?

I would recommend this trip to first-time visitors who want an easy day on the water from Puerto Princesa. It suits people who enjoy swimming, sunbathing, basic snorkeling, Filipino lunch, and meeting others in a shared group.

It also works well for budget-conscious visitors. You get transport, boat travel, lunch, fees, and a guide in one booking, without the higher cost of a private charter. Solo visitors may appreciate the built-in company.

I would be more cautious if you have already visited El Nido or Coron and expect a more impressive reef setting. Honda Bay may feel tame by comparison. I would also look elsewhere if you want empty beaches, detailed guiding, or a private schedule.

The rating of 3.9 out of 5 fits the experience. Good weather, attractive views, a filling lunch, and easy logistics can make it a pleasant day. Crowding, modest snorkeling, and uneven guide attention can pull it down.

Should you book it?

Book this Honda Bay tour if you want a convenient, affordable introduction to Puerto Princesa’s nearby islands and you are happy with a shared, full-day outing. The package has solid practical value, especially for a first visit.

Skip it if your priority is outstanding coral, solitude, or a polished private experience. For the best chance of enjoying the day, bring your own snorkeling gear, expect crowds, budget for the 150 PHP environmental fee, and think of the trip as a relaxed swim-and-beach day rather than a major reef expedition.

FAQ

How long does the Honda Bay island-hopping tour last?

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

Which islands does the tour visit?

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

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included for hotels within Puerto Princesa City Proper. An additional charge may apply for hotels outside the proper city area.

How many people are in the transfer van?

The van is described as carrying 13 people. The tour itself is shared with other participants.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A picnic or buffet-style Filipino lunch is included in the package. BBQ fish is one of the meal items specifically praised.

Are snorkeling equipment rentals included?

No. Mask and snorkel rental are not included. Aqua shoes are also available at an additional cost.

Is the environmental fee included?

No. You need to pay an additional environmental fee of 150 PHP per person.

What languages does the guide speak?

The live guide speaks English and Tagalog.