Shore excursion: Puerto Princesa Island Hopping Tour

Honda Bay gives you a full day of simple island pleasures: a boat ride, warm water, white sand, fish, and a picnic lunch under a cottage hut. Starfish Island is the star of the outing, while Cowrie and Lu-Li add beaches, swimming, and different places to stretch out.

I like the included hotel pickup and lunch, which take much of the fuss out of a day on the water. I also like the helpful guide service, with guides such as Ana earning special praise for personal care and even cooking lunch herself. The main catch is that island quality varies, and rough weather can shorten the route or cancel the trip.

Key points to know before booking

• Starfish Island is the strongest stop: It offers the best chance to see many starfish and is often the most memorable part of the day.
• Cowrie Island is better for beaches than snorkeling: Enjoy the sand, swimming, and lunch, but do not expect the finest underwater stop here.
• Lu-Li adds fish watching and photos: It is a pleasant place for swimming and pictures, though conditions can change the experience.
• Lunch, guide service, and shared pickup are included: This makes the $100 price easier to justify, especially if you want a ready-made day.
• Bring your own water shoes and snorkeling gear if possible: Equipment rental is not included, and practical footwear helps around the shore.
• Weather controls the schedule: Wind and rain can limit the islands you reach, so keep your plans flexible.

A full day on Honda Bay from Puerto Princesa

This is an eight-hour group outing from Puerto Princesa to Honda Bay, a convenient choice if you want to see several islands without arranging boats, transport, meals, and guides separately. The tour includes a shared air-conditioned minivan pickup from select hotels in the city proper, a driver and guide, boat transport, and buffet lunch.

The advertised rate is $100 per person. That is not the cheapest way to spend a day in Palawan, but the value depends on what you would otherwise need to organize. Transport to the port, a boat, island access, a guide, and lunch are bundled together. For a first visit, or for anyone who prefers a planned shore excursion, that convenience has real worth.

This is also a practical choice for cruise passengers. A guide can meet you as you leave the ship or port area, then take you onward to Honda Bay. One booking described a taxi transfer to the bay rather than the boat ride some people expected from Puerto Princesa itself. That detail matters: the actual route begins with land transport, followed by the boat trip from the bay.

The tour can accept up to 100 people, so the feel may be busy rather than private. A smaller booking may still feel manageable, but you should not expect a quiet Robinson Crusoe day. If you want complete control over timing and island choice, ask about a private arrangement instead.

Getting from your hotel to the port

Pickup is free when your hotel is in the city proper. Hotels outside that area may require an extra charge, and pickup and drop-off are not included for those locations. Confirm your hotel address before booking so the price does not surprise you later.

The first pickup is at D Lucky Garden Inn, followed by other hotels in the city. That means the morning can include several stops before the minivan reaches the port. Shared transport saves money, though it is rarely as quick as a private car.

The included vehicle is air-conditioned, a welcome feature in Puerto Princesa’s heat. Bring a small day bag rather than heavy luggage. You will want space for swimwear, a towel, dry clothes, sunscreen, a phone, water, and footwear that can handle a wet shore.

If you are joining from a cruise ship, make the timing clear when you book. The experience lasts about eight hours, and the day includes road travel, boat loading, island stops, lunch, and the return trip. Leave enough margin before your ship’s departure.

Honda Bay sets the scene

The first stop is Honda Bay itself, where the main island-hopping activity begins. You can swim, snorkel, and move between the islands listed for the day. The boat ride is short enough to keep the outing easy, yet it gives you that pleasing sense of leaving town behind.

Conditions on the bay matter a great deal. In gentle weather, the water can make the trip feel relaxed and festive. With wind and rain, the ride may be rough, and the coast guard can limit how far the boat goes. One outing could not reach Starfish Island because of the conditions, so do not treat every stop as guaranteed in poor weather.

A good guide should help you understand the day’s options if the route changes. The staff have been praised for staying with the group, explaining the islands, and helping with practical details. Ana received especially warm praise for taking personal responsibility for the meal and for making the day feel cared for.

Cowrie Island: lunch, swimming, and sand

Cowrie Island receives about two hours, making it one of the longer stops. The main attractions are swimming, sunbathing, snorkeling, and lunch. It is the kind of place where you can stop trying to see everything and simply enjoy the beach.

The buffet lunch is a useful part of the package. On some departures, lunch is served at Cowrie Island, while the schedule also describes a picnic-style meal in a cottage hut at Starfish Sandbar Resort. The exact lunch location may depend on the day’s route and local arrangements. Expect a shared meal rather than a restaurant-style dining experience.

I would treat Cowrie as the beach stop, not the top snorkeling stop. The shore may be pleasant and the water inviting, but the underwater viewing can feel ordinary compared with the fish watching elsewhere. If you have limited time in the water, save energy for Starfish Island and Lu-Li.

Still, Cowrie can be valuable for families and mixed groups. A strong swimmer can snorkel, someone else can sit in the shade, and children can enjoy the beach with adult supervision. The two-hour window gives you room to do more than jump off the boat, take a photo, and leave.

Lu-Li Island for fish and photographs

Lu-Li Island also receives about two hours. The plan here is straightforward: swim, take pictures, and sunbathe. It is an easygoing stop, especially if you want a break from organized sightseeing.

Lu-Li is also the place to watch fish, and it can offer a closer look at marine life than Cowrie. Bring a mask if you have one, since rental gear costs extra. Fish viewing depends on water clarity and conditions, so keep your expectations practical rather than treating it like a guaranteed underwater spectacle.

The island’s name is often written as Luli or Lu-Li in tour materials. Do not let that variation confuse you when checking your schedule. The experience is the same listed stop, with time for photographs and water activities.

Two hours is generous for a small island if you only want a quick swim. That is good news if you prefer a slow pace, but it can feel long if the weather is poor or you are not interested in sunbathing. Use the time for a relaxed lunch finish, a swim, or a quiet stretch in the shade.

Starfish Island is the day’s best bet

Starfish Island is usually the most distinctive stop. The name is not just decoration: you may see many starfish in the shallow water. One person described never having seen so many in one place, and that captures the island’s appeal better than another promise of perfect sand.

Handle marine life carefully. Look closely, take photographs, and leave the starfish where they are. The chance to see them at close range gives the tour a little more character than a standard beach day.

The stop is listed at about one hour, with lunch served picnic-style in a cottage hut. That shorter visit can work well because the main attraction is focused. You get time to look for starfish, eat, and enjoy the sand without needing a full afternoon.

Starfish Island is also the stop most vulnerable to weather-related route changes. If the water is rough, the boat may not reach it. Ask your guide about alternatives, and remember that the coast guard may set the final limits. A forecast with gentle wind gives you the best chance of completing the planned route.

Snorkeling costs extra, so pack carefully

Snorkeling masks, fins, and other equipment are not included. You can rent gear at the bay or near the islands, but the supplied details do not give a rental price. If you already own a mask, bringing it is the simplest way to avoid an extra charge and fit concerns.

Pack water shoes if you have them. They are useful when walking near a sandy or shallow shore, and one person specifically advised bringing them. They also make the transition from boat to beach more comfortable than bare feet.

Bring your own drinking water as well. Some past participants suggested carrying water and even old bread for feeding fish, but I would not recommend feeding marine life unless your guide specifically says it is allowed. Protecting the bay matters more than getting a close-up feeding photo.

A waterproof phone pouch is sensible, though it is not listed as supplied. Keep cash available for rentals and tips. Gratuities are not included, and tipping is optional but appropriate if your guide and boat crew provide especially good service.

What the guides add to the day

The driver and guide accompany the group, and the guide stays with you through the outing. That is useful when the weather changes, the boat schedule shifts, or you need help finding rental gear.

The strongest guide service appears personal rather than formal. Ana, in particular, was praised for going beyond the basic job and personally preparing a delicious lunch. Another guide was noted for being helpful and explaining the islands clearly. Those small acts matter on a day built around shared transport and changing conditions.

At the same time, group tours vary by guide and departure. The maximum capacity of 100 people means the quality of the day may depend on how well the group is managed. If clear communication and personal attention are your top priorities, a private tour may offer a better fit, though the price could differ.

Weather, crowds, and the trade-offs

Honda Bay is not a private island fantasy. The popular islands can feel crowded, especially when several boats arrive at once. One account found the friendly crew enjoyable but the busy islands less special than hoped. That is the honest trade-off for easy access and a fixed price.

Weather is the bigger issue. The tour requires good weather, and rain or strong wind can cancel it. If the operator cancels for poor conditions, you are offered another date or a full refund. If the minimum number of participants is not met, you are offered another date, another experience, or a full refund.

Your own cancellation is different. The booking is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. Do not reserve this on a tight schedule if a change of plans is likely.

The tour requires at least two people per booking, and children must be accompanied by an adult. Most people can participate, but you should be comfortable with a boat outing, swimming conditions, and a full day in the sun.

Is $100 a fair price?

I see the $100 price as fair for someone who values convenience. Shared pickup, an air-conditioned minivan, a guide, boat travel, island stops, and buffet lunch remove several separate expenses and decisions. You can book one outing and spend the day focusing on the bay.

The value drops if you already have transport, boat access, snorkeling equipment, and a preferred lunch plan. In that case, you are paying for the group structure and guide service more than for rare scenery. Cowrie can feel average for snorkeling, and the islands may be crowded.

The strongest reason to pay is the complete package. The strongest reason to hesitate is that the experience is a popular, structured day rather than a quiet private escape. At this price, I would book it for a first Honda Bay visit, particularly if I had limited time in Puerto Princesa.

Who should book this Honda Bay outing?

You are a good match if you want:

• A full day on the water without arranging each part yourself
• Several islands in one outing
• Time for swimming, sunbathing, and casual snorkeling
• A guide to help with transport and changing weather
• Included lunch and hotel pickup within the city proper
• A family-friendly plan with an accompanying adult for children

You may want another option if you dislike group tours, need a guaranteed private setting, or want serious snorkeling above all else. You should also think twice if your schedule cannot handle a weather-related change.

My verdict on the Puerto Princesa island tour

I would book this tour for an easy introduction to Honda Bay, with one clear condition: choose a day with a gentle weather forecast. Starfish Island and the included lunch give the outing its best value, while Lu-Li adds fish watching and Cowrie supplies a pleasant beach break.

Do not expect every island to be equally memorable, or every stop to offer excellent snorkeling. Bring water shoes, your own mask if you have one, and a flexible attitude. With those expectations, this is a practical, enjoyable day that lets you see the bay without the usual transport and meal planning.

FAQ

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

The tour lasts approximately eight hours, including hotel pickup, transport to Honda Bay, boat travel, island stops, lunch, and the return journey.

What islands does the tour visit?

The planned stops are Cowrie Island, Lu-Li Island, and Starfish Island or Starfish Sandbar Resort, with island hopping around Honda Bay.

Is hotel pickup included?

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

What is included in the price?

The experience includes buffet lunch, a driver and guide, shared hotel pickup and drop-off from eligible hotels, and admission to the listed stops.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

No. Masks, snorkeling gear, and other equipment are not included. You can rent equipment separately, or bring your own.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Buffet lunch is included. Depending on the day’s arrangements, it may be served at Cowrie Island or picnic-style in a cottage hut at Starfish Sandbar Resort.

Can children join the tour?

Yes. Children can participate, but they must be accompanied by an adult.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If the operator cancels because of poor weather, you are offered another date or a full refund. Rough conditions may also limit the islands you can visit.

Can I cancel or change my booking?

No. The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. A minimum of two people is required per booking.