Joiners Honda Bay Island Hopping Tour

Honda Bay’s appeal is simple: three islands, clear water, a picnic lunch, and a full day away from Puerto Princesa’s streets. Starfish Island is the best stop for seeing fish, while Luli offers a calm sandbar setting and a platform for swimming.

I like the small maximum group of 10 and the easy hotel pickup in an air-conditioned van. I also like that boat transfers, island entrance fees, a licensed guide, and lunch are included in the $38 price. The main catch is the extra cost for the environmental fee and snorkeling equipment, plus the early start and weather dependence.

Key points at a glance

• Three distinct island stops: Cowrie Island for beach time and facilities, Luli Island for its sandbar and swim platform, and Starfish Island for fish viewing.
• A practical $38 package: The price includes hotel-to-wharf transport, boat rides, guide service, entrance fees, and picnic lunch.
• Small-group format: The tour accepts a maximum of 10 people, which should make transport and instructions easier to manage.
• Extra costs to budget: Add the ₱150 environmental fee per person. Snorkeling equipment costs ₱200 per person if you need it.
• Long but manageable day: Pickup is listed between 7:30 and 8:00 a.m., with a return to your hotel around 4:00 p.m.
• Good weather matters: If conditions cancel the tour, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

Why Honda Bay makes a good day trip from Puerto Princesa

Puerto Princesa is often used as a base for Palawan trips, but you do not need a long transfer to reach open water. Honda Bay gives you a full day of island scenery without the more demanding schedule of a distant excursion.

This is a classic joiner tour, so you share the van and boat with other people. That keeps the price down and removes the need to arrange a boat, permits, and island fees yourself. If you prefer a private boat and a slower pace, this is not the right format. If you want a straightforward day with the main arrangements handled, it makes good sense.

The day lasts about seven hours. That includes your hotel pickup, drive to the wharf, boat transfers, time on three islands, lunch, and the return trip. You should treat it as a full-day outing rather than a quick morning activity.

The early pickup and ride to the wharf

The stated start time is 7:00 a.m., while the tour description gives hotel pickup between 7:30 and 8:00 a.m. That difference is worth confirming when you book. Be ready at the hotel lobby early, since the guide is expected to meet you there.

The air-conditioned van is a useful inclusion in Puerto Princesa’s heat. You do not need to find your own way to the wharf, and the transfer is especially helpful if your hotel is not close to the departure point. One person who drove independently found parking easily, so self-driving may also be possible, but the included pickup is the simpler choice.

At the wharf, you board the boat with the rest of the group. A licensed guide assists throughout the day, giving you one point of contact for transfers, timing, and basic information about the area. Since the maximum group size is 10, the day should feel more controlled than a large coach-and-boat operation.

Cowrie Island: the practical first stop

Cowrie Island is known for its white beach and clear blue water. It is also the most developed of the three stops, with space for activities such as volleyball, a bar, and massage services. That makes it a useful base for settling into the day.

You can swim, sit by the beach, or simply take in the bay before the next boat ride. If you want a little more activity, this is the stop with the most obvious extras. The tradeoff is that Cowrie feels less quiet than Luli or Starfish because it functions as a service point as well as a beach stop.

The island is not only about scenery. It gives you somewhere to relax between boat transfers, and the facilities mean you are not relying on one short swim to fill your time. I would use Cowrie for a mix of beach time and lunch rather than expecting a completely untouched island.

Luli Island and its changing sandbar

Luli Island has a different character. Its name is linked to the island’s changing sandbar, and the stop is described as a relaxing place with a dive platform. You can expect the water and exposed sand to shape the feel of the visit, so this is a stop for slowing down rather than rushing through a checklist.

The platform adds a simple bit of fun for confident swimmers. You can also sit on the sandbar and enjoy the open-water setting. Compared with Cowrie, Luli has fewer of the practical beach services mentioned, which is part of its appeal.

Keep your expectations sensible. This is an island-hopping stop, not a private beach day with unlimited time. The boat schedule and the other two islands determine how long you stay. Still, Luli gives the tour some variety and helps prevent the three stops from feeling identical.

Starfish Island for fish and swimming

Starfish Island is the stop to prioritize if seeing fish is your main aim. The water provides the clearest reason to bring or rent snorkeling equipment, and the fish-viewing aspect is one of the strongest features connected with this island.

Snorkeling equipment is not included in the base price. You can rent it for ₱200 per person, so add that amount if you want to look beneath the surface. The supplied information also describes equipment being made available for swimming with fish, but the official inclusions list puts snorkeling gear outside the package, so confirm the arrangement on the day.

You do not need to make Starfish Island your only reason for booking. The boat ride, beach stops, and lunch are part of the overall day. But if you are choosing how to spend your time, this is where I would focus on the water.

Lunch on one of the three islands

A picnic lunch is included and is prepared on one of the islands. The exact island is not specified, so you should not plan around having lunch at Cowrie, Luli, or Starfish in particular.

That uncertainty is minor, but useful to know. You can think of lunch as part of the day’s island rhythm, not a separate restaurant stop. Since transport and boat arrangements are already covered, having lunch included makes the $38 price easier to assess.

The meal also saves you from needing to arrange food while moving between islands. You should still bring any personal snacks or drinks you require, since no additional food or drink details are provided.

What the $38 price really covers

At $38 per person, this tour bundles several costs that can add up if arranged separately. You receive air-conditioned hotel transport to the wharf, boat transfers, a licensed guide, entrance fees for all three islands, and picnic lunch.

That is a solid package for someone who wants a simple booking. The value is strongest if you use the pickup and need the boat and island fees handled for you. You are paying for convenience as well as scenery.

Budget for the separate ₱150 environmental fee per person. If you want snorkeling equipment, add another ₱200 per person. These are not large charges, but they change the final cost, so include them when comparing this tour with a private boat or another group trip.

The joiner format is another reason the price stays reasonable. A maximum of 10 people is a favorable limit for a shared tour, though it still means you will follow a group timetable. You will not have unlimited control over how long to stay at each island.

Who will enjoy this tour most

I would recommend this experience to you if you want to see Honda Bay’s main island stops in one organized day. It suits couples, families, and solo visitors who prefer a set plan over negotiating boat arrangements at the wharf.

It is also a good fit if your main goal is variety. Cowrie gives you a beach with facilities, Luli gives you a sandbar and platform, and Starfish gives you a reason to spend time in the water. The three stops offer more than repeating the same beach three times.

You should have a moderate level of physical fitness. The day involves hotel transfer, boarding a boat, moving between islands, and taking part in beach or water activities. The tour is not presented as suitable for people who need a fully accessible, low-movement outing.

It may not suit you if you dislike early mornings, shared transport, or fixed schedules. It is also a poor choice if you need a guaranteed departure in bad weather, since the activity requires suitable conditions.

Practical details that make the day easier

Wear clothing that can handle water and sun. Bring swimwear, a towel, sun protection, and a dry place for your phone and other valuables. These items are not listed as included, so you should plan to bring your own.

Arrive at the hotel lobby before the stated pickup window. Because the information gives both a 7:00 a.m. start and a 7:30 to 8:00 a.m. pickup period, confirm the exact time with Palawonderful Adventures Travel And Tours.

The tour offers a mobile ticket, and confirmation is received at booking. It is also near public transportation, though the included hotel pickup is more convenient for most people.

If you are driving to meet the group, parking was found easily by one person, but parking arrangements are not formally listed as an inclusion. Ask ahead if you plan to leave a vehicle at the departure point.

The main strengths and the fair tradeoffs

The strongest point is the combination of three islands in one day. You get different settings without having to plan individual boat routes or pay separate entrance charges.

The guide service also matters. A licensed guide is included, and the tour has received strong marks for professional communication and staff support. That is particularly useful on a shared boat day, when clear instructions can prevent small timing problems.

The small group size is another plus. Ten people is not private, but it is small enough to make the day feel more manageable than a large group excursion.

The drawbacks are clear. You pay extra for the environmental fee and snorkeling gear, the pickup time needs clarification, and the schedule depends on weather. Cowrie may feel more commercial than the quieter stops, and the fixed itinerary leaves less room for lingering at one favorite island.

Those are normal tradeoffs for a low-cost island-hopping day. The important question is not if the tour is flawless, but if the structure matches your travel style.

Should you book the Honda Bay island hopping tour?

Book it if you want an affordable, organized introduction to Cowrie, Luli, and Starfish islands, with lunch, transport, boat rides, and entrance fees in one package. The $38 price is reasonable, especially with a maximum of 10 people and a licensed guide included.

I would book this for a first day on Honda Bay or for a short Puerto Princesa stay when you want to see several islands without spending time arranging logistics. Add the ₱150 environmental fee to your budget, and include the ₱200 snorkeling rental if Starfish Island is a priority.

Skip it if you want a private itinerary, a late start, or a guarantee that weather will not affect your plans. For everyone else, this is a practical day of beach time, fish viewing, boat rides, and island variety.

FAQ

How much does the Honda Bay island hopping tour cost?

The listed price is $38 per person. A ₱150 environmental fee per person is not included.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts about seven hours. The planned return to your hotel is around 4:00 p.m.

What time does hotel pickup take place?

Pickup is described as taking place between 7:30 and 8:00 a.m. The meeting information also lists a 7:00 a.m. start time, so confirm your exact pickup time after booking.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The tour visits Cowrie Island, Luli Island, and Starfish Island in Honda Bay.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A picnic lunch is included and is prepared on one of the three islands.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

No. Snorkeling equipment costs ₱200 per person. It is listed separately from the included services.

How many people can join the tour?

The activity has a maximum of 10 people.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You can choose a different date or receive a full refund if the tour is canceled because of poor weather. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the experience start time.