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

The best part of this day is the quick change from Puerto Princesa hotel pickup to open-water island life. You can swim with fish, look for starfish near shore, enjoy a picnic lunch, and see three different island settings without arranging boats and permits yourself. I especially like the included lunch and the simple all-in-one transport.

The two details I value most are the three-island route and the included boat, entrance fees, guide, crew, shed, and terminal charges. The main caution is timing. One poorly managed outing reportedly spent hours at Luli and missed Starfish Island, while Cowrie Island received only a short visit. Confirm the day’s stop order with your guide, and be ready at your hotel at least 15 minutes early.

Key points to know before booking

• Three islands in one day: The planned route includes Cowrie Island, Luli Island, and Starfish Island.
• Starfish and snorkeling: Starfish Island is the place to look for starfish near shore and swim with fish.
• Lunch by the sea: A picnic lunch is served on Starfish Island, with food prepared by the tour team.
• Seven-hour schedule: Pickup begins around 7:00 am, with hotel drop-off planned for about 3:00 pm.
• Bring your own gear: Masks, snorkels, kayaks, bottled water, and snacks cost extra or are not supplied.
• Watch the timing: The experience can be excellent when all three stops are used well, but poor time management can weaken the day.

Setting out from Puerto Princesa at 7:00 am

This tour starts early, with pickup from your hotel in Puerto Princesa at about 7:00 am. You travel first by air-conditioned van, then transfer to a motorized boat for the island route. That combination is useful because you do not need to arrange a separate ride to the port or negotiate boat transport on your own.

You need to provide your full name, hotel name, and contact number when booking. On the morning itself, be ready at least 15 minutes before the scheduled pickup. Drivers are instructed to wait no longer than 15 minutes, so this is not the morning for a slow breakfast or a last-minute search for sandals.

The van transfer is included in the $41 price, along with the boat, island entrance fees, guide, captain, crew, shed, and terminal fees. An environmental fee is extra: PHP 150 for adults, or PHP 120 for anyone 18 and under and senior citizens. That fee is worth adding to your budget before you decide how much cash to carry.

The exact group size is not provided, so I would expect a shared excursion rather than a private boat experience. Your guide speaks English, and the boat captain and crew handle the practical work on the water. You should still ask about the planned order of stops at the start of the day. That small question can help you understand how much time you will have at each island.

Starfish Island, lunch, and a gentle start to the water

Starfish Island is the most distinctive stop because of its name and its shoreline sea life. The stated plan includes seeing starfish near the island shore and swimming with fish in the surrounding water. You may also find other small sea creatures in the shallows, so take your time looking down rather than treating the beach as only a photo stop.

The island is also scheduled to host lunch. A picnic meal prepared by the tour team is included, which makes the day easier and gives you a fixed break between water activities. Food on an island has practical value: you do not need to leave the route to find a restaurant, and you can spend more of the day outside.

Bring your own bottled water and snacks. The tour specifically asks you to do so, and lunch should not be treated as your only food or drink for seven hours in the sun. A waterproof bag is also sensible for money, phones, and dry clothes, though the supplied information does not state that one is provided.

The water activities are basic and open-ended. You can swim and use snorkeling equipment, but masks and snorkels are not included. If you already own a set, bring it. If you plan to rent, confirm the arrangement and price before boarding so the extra cost does not surprise you.

Cowrie Island for swimming and a longer beach break

Cowrie Island is included in the entrance fee and is often the stop most likely to please visitors who want a pretty, easy beach setting. The supplied experience details highlight swimming, snorkeling, and relaxing, while one especially positive account singled out Cowrie Island as the best part of the day.

I would use this stop for a mix of activities rather than trying to keep moving. Swim for a while, look for fish, and then allow yourself time to sit in the shade or on the beach. The tour includes shed fees, but that does not mean every moment will be shaded, so pack a hat and a cover-up.

The main issue is the amount of time available. The schedule lists three islands, lunch, boat transfers, and a return to Puerto Princesa by about 3:00 pm. That leaves little room for long stays at each stop. One reported experience allowed only about 50 minutes at Cowrie, after several hours had already passed elsewhere. If Cowrie is your priority, ask early how long the boat will remain there.

The island is a good match for you if you want a straightforward beach stop, not a highly structured lesson or a long guided nature walk. The guide may point out practical details, but the supplied information does not promise a formal marine presentation or specialist wildlife talk.

Luli Island and the famous jump area

Luli Island is included for its swimming and diving area. In practical terms, this is the stop where you can get into the water from a designated jump point, swim, and enjoy a change of scene from the beach at Cowrie and the shoreline at Starfish.

Bring swimwear under your clothes and pack a complete change of clothes. Water shoes can help protect your feet, especially if you prefer not to go barefoot around boat landings or shallow areas. The tour does not include kayak use, so kayaking should not be part of your spending plan unless you arrange it separately.

Luli can be fun when the timing is controlled. It is less appealing if you are left there for much of the day with little to do. A particularly poor account described spending around five hours at Luli while waiting for lunch and missing Starfish Island entirely. That is not the intended route, but it shows why you should keep an eye on the clock and ask the guide when lunch and the next boat departure are scheduled.

The best approach is to treat Luli as one part of the day, not the whole day. Enjoy the jump area if you are comfortable in the water, then make sure the group continues to the other two islands. If the schedule starts slipping, speak up politely and ask whether Starfish Island is still planned.

The boat ride and what the $41 covers

At $41 per person, this tour offers fair value if you want the basic components handled for you. The price includes round-trip air-conditioned van transfers, a motorized boat, entrance fees for all three islands, picnic lunch, shed and terminal fees, and the services of a licensed guide, captain, and crew.

That is a useful bundle. Booking transport separately would require more planning, and you would still need to account for island entry and port charges. The price is less attractive if your main goal is a long stay on one favorite island, since the route divides the day among three stops.

The environmental fee is separate, as are snorkeling equipment, kayak use, bottled water, and snacks. These extras are not major in isolation, but they matter when you are comparing the total cost with a private boat or a shorter excursion. Bring Philippine pesos for the environmental charge and any personal purchases.

The motorized boat is the heart of the day. You get the views and sea air between stops, but you also spend time boarding, unloading, and waiting for the full group. That is normal for a shared island trip. I would choose this format if you prefer convenience and a set route. If you want complete control over departure times, a private arrangement may suit you better, though that is not what this activity provides.

Lunch, shade, and the small things that make the day better

The included picnic lunch is one of the strongest practical features. You do not have to find food on a small island, and the meal is prepared by the tour team. Several positive accounts praised the food and the scenery, which fits the simple appeal of eating outdoors between swims.

Still, pack snacks. The stated plan specifically tells you to bring them, and the timing may not always be perfectly even. If lunch is delayed, a granola bar, fruit, or sandwich can save the mood. Bring your own bottled water too, since drinks are not listed among the inclusions.

Sun protection is essential. One visitor advised wearing long sleeves to avoid getting burned, and that is sensible advice for a full day on the water. Add sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and a light long-sleeved shirt to your bag. The supplied packing guidance also recommends swimwear, beachwear, sandals, water shoes, a towel, a camera, and a waterproof camera.

Keep your belongings simple. You need enough for swimming and changing, but not a heavy beach bag that becomes awkward on the boat. A waterproof phone pouch or dry bag is especially useful, even though it is not listed as included.

Intoxication is not allowed. This is a water-based group outing, so arrive sober and stay clear-headed throughout the day.

Timing problems are the main risk

The advertised plan is easy to understand: hotel pickup at 7:00 am, Starfish Island and lunch, Cowrie Island, Luli Island, then hotel drop-off around 3:00 pm. The actual order may matter more than the island names. A smooth day should give you meaningful time at all three stops.

The overall rating attached to this experience is 3.4 from 13 ratings, which reflects a mixed result rather than a dependable five-star pattern. Several accounts praised the scenery, food, swimming, and organization. Others reported a missed pickup, weak communication, an unengaged guide, or very uneven time allocation.

That mixed record does not mean the tour will fail. It does mean you should manage the practical details yourself. Confirm the hotel pickup, keep your phone available, arrive early, and ask the guide to repeat the day’s plan. If you have a favorite island, say so at the start and ask how much time is planned there.

One report described no pickup and no contact from the operator. Because of that, I would not rely on a silent morning. Make sure the provider has your correct hotel and phone number, and if the pickup time passes without contact, use the booking contact details promptly.

Guide quality can also shape the day. The experience includes a licensed English-speaking guide, but the guide’s level of commentary may vary. One account described a guide who said very little and stayed apart from the group. You should expect practical assistance with the route, but do not book this mainly for a long, detailed talk about marine life or local culture.

Who will enjoy this island day most?

I would recommend the tour to you if you want an affordable, organized introduction to Honda Bay and prefer a ready-made route. Families, first-time visitors to Puerto Princesa, and anyone who likes swimming, light snorkeling, beach time, and a picnic lunch can get good value from the format.

It also suits people who want to try island hopping without committing to a private boat. The van pickup removes one layer of planning, and the included fees make the quoted price easier to understand.

I would be more cautious if you need exact control over the schedule, dislike shared transport, or want a serious snorkeling trip with high-quality equipment supplied. The tour does not include masks or snorkeling gear, and the time at each island may be limited.

You should also think twice if you are uncomfortable with early starts, hot sun, or changing between van, terminal, boat, beach, and boat again. The trip is active in a simple way. It is not a resort day with a fixed lounge chair and a guaranteed slow pace.

Booking tips for a better day

Reserve up to 24 hours ahead if your plans are still uncertain, since free cancellation is available up to that point. The reserve-now, pay-later option also lets you hold a place without paying immediately, which can help while you finalize your Puerto Princesa schedule.

Before leaving your hotel, check that you have:

• Your valid ID
• Bottled water and snacks
• Swimwear and a change of clothes
• Towel, sandals, and water shoes
• Sun protection and a long-sleeved shirt
• Personal snorkeling gear if you have it
• A waterproof way to protect your phone and money

Ask three quick questions when you meet the guide: Are all three islands confirmed today? How long will we stay at each one? When and where is lunch? Those answers will give you a clear sense of whether the day is running properly.

Should you book the Honda Bay island hopping tour?

Book it if you want a reasonably priced, full-day introduction to Cowrie, Luli, and Starfish Island, with transport, lunch, boat service, and basic fees bundled together. The best parts are the chance to swim with fish, look for starfish, enjoy Cowrie’s beach setting, and eat lunch outdoors without arranging the details yourself.

Book with realistic expectations. Equipment is extra, the group may move on quickly, the guide experience can vary, and time management has been the biggest concern. Confirm pickup details, bring your own water and gear, and keep track of the route.

If the operator delivers the planned seven-hour schedule, this is a practical way to sample Honda Bay. If your priority is long, unhurried time at one island, a private or more flexible boat option would likely be a better fit.

FAQ

How long does the Honda Bay island hopping tour last?

The tour lasts about seven hours. Pickup is scheduled around 7:00 am, and hotel drop-off is planned for approximately 3:00 pm.

Which islands are included?

The tour includes Cowrie Island, Luli Island, and Starfish Island. Entrance fees for all three islands are included.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Round-trip pickup and drop-off by air-conditioned van are included for customers staying in Puerto Princesa.

What time should I be ready for pickup?

You should be ready at least 15 minutes before your designated pickup time. Drivers will wait no longer than 15 minutes after the scheduled time.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A picnic lunch is included and is served on Starfish Island.

Is the environmental fee included?

No. The environmental fee is separate. It is PHP 150 for adults and PHP 120 for people 18 and under and senior citizens.

Are snorkeling masks and equipment included?

No. Masks and snorkeling gear are not included. You should bring your own snorkeling equipment or ask about availability before the tour.

Is kayak use included?

No. Kayak use is not included in the tour price.

What language does the guide speak?

The live tour guide speaks English. The service also includes a licensed guide, boat captain, and crew.

What should I bring?

Bring a valid ID, swimwear, a change of clothes, a towel, sandals, beachwear, water shoes, a camera, waterproof camera equipment if desired, snorkeling gear, bottled water, and snacks.