Honda Bay Island: Island Tour with Lunch & Transfer

Honda Bay’s best feature is variety: one stop puts you in the water with starfish, another gives you a white-sand beach, and a third serves lunch beside the sea. The three-island route packs plenty into one day without sending you far from Puerto Princesa.

I like the included hotel transfer and boat service, which remove much of the usual island-hopping fuss. I also like the small-group limit of 15 people and the chance to upgrade to a private tour. The main drawback is that instructions may be light at each stop, so you should ask your guide how long you have and what you need before leaving the boat.

Key points

• Starfish Island offers the day’s best water stop, with swimming and snorkeling in clear water.
• Cowrie Island is the lunch base, giving you time for a beach break and a picnic meal.
• Luli Island changes with the tide, so its shoreline may look quite different during your visit.
• Hotel and airport pickup are available, with about 45 minutes of transfer time.
• The group is limited to 15 people, or you can pay more for a private outing.
• Bring your own snorkel if possible, since snorkel rental, kayaks, and the P200 environmental fee are extra.

Why Honda Bay works as an easy island day

Honda Bay is a practical choice when you want a taste of Palawan’s island scenery without arranging several separate rides. The day begins with pickup in Puerto Princesa or at Puerto Princesa International Airport, followed by a transfer of roughly 45 minutes to the Honda Bay terminal.

That transfer matters. You do not need to find a tricycle, taxi, or private van to reach the pier, and the return ride is included as well. On tour day, wait in your hotel lobby for the driver, who will look for you with a sign bearing your name. An extra charge applies for pickup at Astoria Hotel within Puerto Princesa.

The schedule is built around an eight-hour outing, usually running from about 7:00 AM until 5:00 PM. Exact pickup times are given as a window, so keep your morning free rather than planning a tight breakfast or airport connection.

The group size is limited to 15 people. That is small enough to make boarding and beach time less awkward than on a large excursion, though the pace still follows a shared schedule. A private upgrade makes more sense if you want control over your time, prefer extra privacy, or are traveling with a group that does not want to follow the common rhythm.

The 45-minute ride to Honda Bay

Your driver takes you from town to the Honda Bay terminal, where you check in before boarding the boat. The terminal is the practical start of the day, not a sightseeing stop, so arrive ready with swimwear, sunscreen, water, and a towel.

The boat ride is included for the full island-hopping route. That gives you a simple cost structure, but remember the environmental fee of P200 per person is not included. Snorkel equipment and kayaks also cost extra, so ask about rentals before you leave the terminal if you do not bring your own gear.

The water can make or break a boat day for some people. This tour is not suitable for people prone to seasickness, and non-swimmers should think carefully before booking because swimming and snorkeling are central parts of the route. A hat and sunscreen are useful on the open boat, where shade may not always cover everyone.

Starfish Island: the clearest water stop

The first island stop is usually Starfish Island, reached after the boat leaves the terminal. You get about an hour for swimming and snorkeling, with the chance to spot starfish and other sea life in clear water.

This is the stop where your own gear can save money and time. Snorkels are not included, and rental availability is not guaranteed in the supplied details, so bringing a mask and snorkel is sensible if you already have them. If you rent equipment, check it before entering the water.

The name sets a clear expectation, but wildlife is never arranged on command. Treat the starfish gently and do not lift or handle them. The best use of this hour is to swim calmly, look below the surface, and leave enough time to dry off before boarding.

If you are not a confident swimmer, ask the guide about the safest way to enjoy the stop. The tour is described as suitable for children, seniors, and people with disabilities, but the water activities still require personal judgment. The wider trip may be accessible, while snorkeling itself is not a good fit for someone who cannot swim.

Cowrie Island: beach time and lunch by the water

Cowrie Island is the main pause in the middle of the day. You get roughly an hour and a half here, with time for a photo stop, swimming, relaxing on the sand, and lunch.

The meal may be a packed picnic or a buffet, depending on the operator’s arrangement. Local food outlets are also available on the island, according to the tour details. Since the exact meal format can vary, bring snacks in case you prefer more food or have dietary needs that are not addressed by the standard lunch.

This is a good place to slow the pace. After the first swim, you can sit on the white sand, take photographs, or simply stay dry for a while. The island gives the day a useful middle section instead of making the whole tour one long sequence of boat rides and water stops.

Do not assume every minute is explained for you. One useful lesson from a past outing is to ask clearly how long you have at each island and what you should take with you. A guide may be friendly and energetic, but that does not always mean the schedule is explained in detail. Before leaving the boat, confirm the meeting point, return time, and whether you need your towel, phone, or lunch items.

Luli Island and its changing shoreline

Luli Island is the most distinctive stop because its shore is shaped by the tide. The name is connected with the island’s changing appearance, and the route allows about an hour for swimming, walking, and photographs.

At one point, parts of the shoreline may be exposed. Later, water can cover areas that were easier to reach earlier. That means your experience here depends more on the tide than at the other stops. If you have your heart set on a particular beach photograph, keep your expectations flexible.

Luli is a pleasant place to compare with Cowrie Island. Cowrie is the lunch and relaxation stop, while Luli is more about seeing how the shore changes and enjoying another swim. You may find the island more appealing for photographs than for a long beach stay, especially if the tide is high.

Keep track of the boat departure time. A past participant found the guide cheerful and willing to play volleyball for a long stretch, but felt the group needed clearer directions about what to do and how long to stay. That is easy to manage if you take the lead and ask at the start of every stop.

The return boat and ride back to town

After Luli Island, the boat returns to the Honda Bay terminal, usually around 4:30 PM. From there, the included vehicle takes you back to Puerto Princesa or the international airport, with the full day generally ending near 5:00 PM.

The airport drop-off is useful if your flight timing allows a generous margin. Still, an eight-hour tour has several moving parts: hotel pickup, road transfer, check-in, boat travel, three island stops, and the return drive. I would not pair this outing with a flight that leaves soon after the scheduled return.

For hotel guests, the roundtrip transfer is one of the tour’s strongest practical features. You can swim, eat, and get back into town without negotiating transport at the pier. For airport pickup or drop-off, confirm that the timing suits your flight before booking, since the published schedule is a full-day plan.

What the $54 price really covers

At $54 per person, the price is reasonable if you value convenience. You are paying for hotel or airport transport, the boat, island entrance fees, lunch, and an English-speaking local guide. Those inclusions remove several small costs that can otherwise add up during a day on the water.

The price is less complete than it first appears. You still need to budget P200 for the environmental fee, plus any snorkel or kayak rental. Snacks and drinking water are also listed among the items to bring, so carry enough for the day rather than counting only on lunch.

The value improves for first-time visitors who want a ready-made route. You do not need to compare boats at the terminal or work out which islands can be visited together. The tradeoff is less control over timing, especially if one island interests you far more than another.

A private upgrade costs more but may be worthwhile for couples, families, or small groups who care about privacy and flexibility. The standard small group, capped at 15, should suit most people who want a social day without a crowded boat.

Practical packing for a water-based day

Pack lightly, but do not arrive empty-handed. The useful basics are:

• Swimwear and a towel
• Hat and sunscreen
• Water and snacks
• Camera or phone in a waterproof case
• Your own snorkel if you have one
• Cash for the P200 environmental fee and optional rentals

Smoking, alcohol, and drugs are not allowed. Keep personal items together because you will move between a vehicle, boat, beach, and water several times.

Wear something easy to change out of after swimming. The provided information does not specify changing-room facilities at every island, so a cover-up can make the transitions more comfortable.

Who will enjoy this island route most

I would recommend this day to people staying in Puerto Princesa who want a simple introduction to Honda Bay. Families may appreciate the included transport and the range of activities, while older visitors can choose beach time instead of swimming at every stop.

The tour is also a good match for photographers who like changing scenery. Starfish Island offers underwater subjects, Cowrie Island provides beach and lunch images, and Luli Island gives you tide-dependent views.

It is less suitable for anyone who dislikes boats, gets seasick, or wants a quiet day with no shared schedule. Non-swimmers can still enjoy the beaches, but the trip is built around water time, so they should not book it expecting a land-only excursion.

The guide can add a lot to the day. The available experience points to a friendly guide with good energy and a willingness to join in volleyball. At the same time, you should ask direct questions rather than waiting for every instruction, especially about departure times and what to carry ashore.

Booking details worth knowing

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the tour for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Puerto Princesa plans are still shifting.

The activity is offered in English and uses a small-group format of up to 15 participants. Pickup is included from Puerto Princesa hotels and the international airport, though Astoria Hotel carries an additional charge.

The published rating is 4.2 from four reviews, so treat it as a useful signal rather than a firm guarantee. The strongest practical praise is for the hotel pickup and return transfer. The clearest caution is the need for better instructions at island stops, something you can handle by confirming the schedule with the guide.

Should you book the Honda Bay island tour?

Book it if you want a straightforward full-day outing with transport, boat service, island fees, lunch, and three different stops arranged for you. The mix of snorkeling, beach time, lunch, and Luli Island’s shifting shoreline gives the day enough variety to justify the eight-hour schedule.

Think twice if you are prone to seasickness, cannot swim, or want complete control over where you spend your time. Bring your own snorkel, budget the P200 environmental fee, and ask for clear instructions at every island.

For most visitors based in Puerto Princesa, this is a fair-value way to see Honda Bay in one day. The private option is worth considering for a special occasion or a group that values flexibility, while the standard small group should be enough for anyone focused on convenience and cost.

FAQ

How long does the Honda Bay island tour last?

The tour lasts about eight hours. A typical schedule runs from hotel pickup around 7:00 AM to return in Puerto Princesa near 5:00 PM.

Where can I be picked up and dropped off?

Pickup and drop-off are available in Puerto Princesa and at Puerto Princesa International Airport. Pickup at Astoria Hotel within Puerto Princesa requires an additional charge.

Are lunch and island entrance fees included?

Yes. Lunch and island entrance fees are included, though the meal may be packed or buffet-style depending on the operator. The P200 environmental fee per person is not included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

No. Snorkel rental is not included, so bring your own equipment or budget for a rental. Kayak rental is also not included.

Is the tour suitable for children, seniors, and people with disabilities?

The day tour is designed to offer a safe, enjoyable, and accessible experience for children, seniors, and people with disabilities. Swimming and snorkeling still require personal judgment, and the tour is not suitable for non-swimmers.

Can I cancel or pay later?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Reserve now and pay later is also available.