Shore excursion: Puerto Princesa Island Hopping Tour

Salt air, sandbars, and three very different stops. This Honda Bay boat trip gives you an easy day outside Puerto Princesa, with time for swimming, sunbathing, snorkeling, and a buffet lunch. I like the three-island route, since each stop offers a different setting, and I also like the helpful guides, who stay with the group through the day and can make the outing feel personal. The main drawback is that the islands can feel busy, and rough weather may shorten or change the route.

At $100 per person, this is not the cheapest day out in Palawan. Still, the price includes shared hotel transport from selected city hotels, a driver-guide, boat arrangements, and lunch. You should budget extra for snorkeling equipment, tips, and pickup if your hotel sits outside Puerto Princesa proper.

Key points at a glance

• Three island stops in about eight hours: Visit Cowrie Island, Lu-Li Island, and Starfish Sandbar Resort, with time for swimming and beach breaks.
• Starfish is the strongest stop: It offers the best chance to see many starfish in shallow water, although conditions can affect access.
• Lunch is included: The buffet is served picnic-style, either at Cowrie Island or in a cottage hut at Starfish Sandbar Resort.
• Snorkeling gear costs extra: Bring your own equipment if you have it, or rent masks and other gear locally.
• Weather controls the day: Wind and rain may limit the route, delay island access, or prevent a planned stop.
• Shared transport keeps things simple: Pickup is free at selected hotels in the city proper, with additional charges outside that area.

What your Honda Bay day looks like

The tour lasts about eight hours, so expect a full morning and afternoon rather than a quick half-day outing. Pickup is shared, using an air-conditioned minivan, and the first pickup begins at D Lucky Garden Inn before the vehicle continues to other hotels in the city.

That schedule matters. If you are staying at one of the later pickup points, you may spend some time collecting other people before heading to the boat. It keeps the cost under control, but this is a group excursion rather than a private, perfectly timed trip.

The boat ride from Puerto Princesa to Honda Bay is short, and the day is built around relaxed stops rather than a packed sightseeing schedule. You will spend much of your time in the water, on the beach, or under a simple shelter. Bring patience, sun protection, and clothes that can get wet.

The maximum group size is listed as 100 people. That is a sizeable group, though the actual number on your departure may be smaller. If you dislike shared excursions, the private option described by some cruise passengers may suit you better, but the standard price and arrangements here are for a shared tour.

Honda Bay: an easy start to island hopping

Honda Bay is the setting for the whole outing, and it is close enough to Puerto Princesa to make island hopping practical during a short stay. You do not need to spend hours on a long transfer before reaching the water.

The first portion generally gives you a chance to swim or snorkel before the longer island visits. The water activities are the heart of this excursion, not a narrated history tour, so pack accordingly. Water sandals are a smart choice, especially around shallow areas and boat access points.

Snorkeling equipment is not included. Masks, snorkels, and related gear must be rented separately unless you bring your own. If you already own a comfortable mask, pack it. It saves money and avoids spending part of the morning finding equipment that fits.

The bay is also where weather can change the plan. Wind and rain may make the water rough, and coast guard restrictions can limit how far the boat goes. One reported outing could not reach Starfish Island because of conditions. The operator may offer another island or adjust the route, but you should treat the exact sequence as flexible.

Cowrie Island: lunch, beach time, and a busy feel

Cowrie Island receives about two hours, making it one of the longer stops. The usual mix is swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, and lunch. You get a broad block of free time here, which is useful if you prefer not to rush from one activity to the next.

The beach is the main attraction. If you want to stretch out, take photographs, or simply sit with a meal, Cowrie can be pleasant. The buffet lunch is included, and some departures serve it here.

I would keep your snorkeling expectations modest at this stop. The beach is attractive, but the water may not be the best place for marine life viewing compared with other parts of the route. One useful way to approach Cowrie is as your lunch and beach stop, not as the main underwater highlight.

The island can also feel crowded, particularly when several boat groups arrive together. That does not ruin the stop, but it changes the mood. You are buying access to an organized island day, not a private beach with no other people around.

Lu-Li Island: photographs and shallow-water fun

Lu-Li Island receives roughly two hours, giving you plenty of time for swimming, pictures, and sunbathing. Its appeal is visual and easygoing. You can enjoy the setting without needing to spend the whole visit snorkeling.

This is a good place to use your camera, but protect it from salt water and crowded boat transfers. A waterproof pouch is practical if you want to take pictures near the water. The tour information does not specify changing facilities or storage, so keep valuables to a minimum.

Lu-Li can also offer fish watching in shallow water. If you bring snorkeling gear, you may find this stop more rewarding than Cowrie for seeing marine life. Still, conditions vary, and the quality of the water experience depends on weather, tide, and how many boats are present.

The two-hour allocation gives you breathing room. You can swim, dry off, eat a snack if you brought one, and take photographs without feeling pushed along every few minutes. For families and casual beachgoers, that slower rhythm is one of the tour’s strengths.

Starfish Sandbar Resort: the day’s best marine-life stop

Starfish Sandbar Resort is the most memorable stop for many people because of its starfish. In the right conditions, you can see numerous starfish in shallow water. The sight is unusual enough to make this stop worth prioritizing when the route allows it.

Handle the animals carefully and follow instructions from the guide or crew. The goal is to observe them, not pick them up or move them. Bring water shoes if you have them, since walking in shallow water can be uncomfortable on bare feet.

The stop lasts about an hour, and lunch is served picnic-style in a cottage hut. That arrangement is simple rather than polished, but it fits the casual nature of the day. You can eat under cover, rest, and enjoy the setting before returning to the boat.

Starfish Island is not guaranteed. Strong wind or poor weather may prevent the boat from reaching it, and the coast guard may restrict the route. If seeing starfish is your main reason for booking, check the forecast and ask the guide about conditions early in the day. The operator may suggest another stop when access is limited.

Lunch and the practical value of the $100 price

The included buffet lunch adds real convenience. You do not need to arrange a separate meal while moving between islands, and the food is served during the route rather than requiring a return to Puerto Princesa.

The exact lunch location may vary. It can be served at Cowrie Island or in the cottage hut at Starfish Sandbar Resort. One especially warm account praised a guide named Ana, who personally cooked lunch and took great pride in caring for the group. That kind of personal effort is not something you can guarantee, but it shows how much the guide can shape the day.

At $100, value depends on what you need. If you want transport, a guide, a boat day, several island stops, and lunch in one booking, the package is convenient. If you already have transport and equipment, or if you prefer choosing your own beaches, the cost may feel high.

The average booking lead time is about 38 days, which suggests that planning ahead is sensible, particularly during busy periods. A minimum of two people is required per booking. Group discounts are available, so larger parties may find the price easier to justify.

Guides, transport, and cruise-port details

The driver-guide is an important part of the experience. The guide stays with the group through the day, explains the islands, helps with the schedule, and can suggest alternatives if wind or rain disrupts the planned route.

Several outings were praised for friendly, helpful guides. One guide, Ana, received especially strong praise for her care and cooking. Another guide helped arrange a proposal, showing that the team may be willing to assist with a special moment when you plan it in advance.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included only for selected hotels in Puerto Princesa city proper. If your hotel is outside the city area, an extra pickup charge applies. Confirm your location before booking so the final cost does not surprise you.

Cruise passengers should pay close attention to the pickup arrangement. Some cruise passengers were met at the port and taken by taxi to Honda Bay rather than using the advertised minivan pickup. That worked well for them, but the exact port transfer should be confirmed directly before you book.

Weather, crowds, and what can change

This is an outdoor boat trip, so weather is not a minor detail. Overcast skies may still allow the tour to operate, but rain and rough seas can alter the route. A tour may be canceled in poor weather, in which case you are offered another date or a full refund.

If the boat operates but conditions limit the route, the result can be less satisfying. You may miss Starfish Island or spend less time at certain stops. Ask about the forecast and sea conditions before departure, and keep your expectations flexible.

The standard booking is non-refundable and cannot be changed for personal reasons. If you simply decide not to go, your payment is not returned. The stated exceptions are cancellation because of poor weather or failure to meet the minimum number of participants.

Crowds are another consideration. With capacity for up to 100 people, this is not a quiet, private island escape. Cowrie in particular may feel more commercial and busy. The tradeoff is a straightforward, organized day that is easy to arrange.

Who will enjoy this tour most

I would recommend this outing to you if you want a simple way to see several Honda Bay islands without arranging boats, meals, and transfers separately. It suits first-time visitors to Puerto Princesa, families who want flexible beach time, couples looking for a full day outdoors, and cruise passengers who can confirm their port pickup.

It is also a good fit if you enjoy variety. You get a beach and lunch stop at Cowrie, photographs and swimming at Lu-Li, and the chance to see starfish at Starfish Sandbar Resort.

I would think twice if you want solitude, a strong snorkeling focus, or a tightly controlled private schedule. You may find Cowrie too crowded, snorkeling gear costs extra, and the route can change with the weather.

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, water sandals, and a waterproof phone pouch. Add your own snorkeling gear if you have it. Keep cash available for equipment rental and tips, and avoid carrying valuables you do not need.

Should you book the Puerto Princesa island-hopping tour?

Book it if you want an easy, all-in-one day on Honda Bay and you are happy with a shared group setting. The combination of three islands, included lunch, hotel transport from the city proper, and a guide makes the $100 price reasonable for convenience.

The strongest reasons to go are Starfish Island, when conditions permit, and the chance to let the guide handle the practical work. The main reasons to hesitate are the possible crowds, extra snorkeling costs, and weather-related changes.

For the best chance of a good day, check the forecast, confirm your pickup point, ask about Starfish access, and bring your own water gear. If those details suit you, this is a pleasant and practical way to add Honda Bay to a Puerto Princesa visit.

FAQ

How long does the Puerto Princesa island-hopping tour last?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours, including shared pickup, boat travel, island visits, activities, lunch, and return transport.

Which islands are included?

The route includes Cowrie Island, Lu-Li Island, and Starfish Sandbar Resort, with island hopping around Honda Bay.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A buffet lunch is included. It may be served at Cowrie Island or picnic-style in a cottage hut at Starfish Sandbar Resort.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

No. Masks, snorkels, and other snorkeling equipment are not included. You need to rent equipment or bring your own.

Is hotel pickup included?

Shared pickup and drop-off are included for selected hotels in Puerto Princesa city proper. Hotels outside the city area may require an additional pickup charge.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes the experience to be canceled, you are offered a different date or a full refund. If weather limits the route but the tour still operates, the islands visited may change.