Palawan: Honda Bay Island Hopping Cruise

Honda Bay gives you a quick escape from Puerto Princesa, with white-sand islands reached in about 30 minutes from the city. The day includes Starfish Island, Luli Island, and Cowrie Island, plus swimming, snorkeling, watersports, and a Filipino lunch.

I like the easy hotel pickup and the fact that lunch, boat transport, entrance fees, and a life vest are covered. I also like the shared setup, which can be a good way to meet people if you are traveling alone. The tradeoff is that this is a commercial group tour, and some stops can feel crowded, with snorkeling quality that depends heavily on conditions.

Key points to know

• Three named Honda Bay stops: Starfish Island, Luli Island, and Cowrie Island form the day’s basic route.
• A full nine-hour outing: Pickup, road transfers, boat time, island stops, lunch, and the return trip fill most of your day.
• Shared transport: The van carries about 13 people, and the boat is shared with other tour participants.
• Lunch is included: Expect a picnic-style Filipino meal, with BBQ fish noted as a particularly good part of the spread.
• Bring your own snorkeling kit if possible: Mask and snorkel rental costs extra, as do aqua shoes.
• Extra environmental fee: Budget 150 PHP per person, in addition to the advertised tour price.

Leaving Puerto Princesa for Honda Bay

Honda Bay sits on the eastern shore of Puerto Princesa, making it one of the easier water excursions from the city. You do not need to commit to a long transfer to El Nido or Coron to spend a day around beaches and shallow marine areas.

The tour lasts nine hours, so the day is not a quick add-on. Your hotel pickup and return are included if you stay within the city proper. You wait in the hotel lobby, and the guide calls when the vehicle is on the way.

The shared van holds about 13 people. That matters more than it may seem. You are not buying a private escape, and the pace is shaped by the whole group. If people are ready on time, the morning moves more smoothly. If someone is late, everyone can feel the delay.

I would confirm your hotel location before booking. A hotel outside the proper may bring an extra charge, and the included pickup applies only within the city proper. That small check can prevent a surprise on tour day.

The group format has a social upside. You can meet people from different countries, share a boat, and compare plans for the rest of your trip. It also means you should not expect a quiet, personal guide service at every stop.

What the boat day is really like

Once the road transfer is complete, the outing shifts to a motorized boat and a sequence of island stops. The route visits Starfish Island, Luli Island, and Cowrie Island, with time for swimming, snorkeling, beach breaks, and watersports.

The exact order and amount of time at each stop can vary. The supplied information does not give a fixed minute-by-minute schedule, so you should think of the day as a guided circuit rather than a private timetable.

The islands are close enough to Puerto Princesa to make this a practical day trip. That convenience is the main point. You get a taste of Honda Bay without giving up a full day to transport.

You should also set your expectations carefully. Honda Bay is not presented as a remote sailing trip. The stops include resort and beach areas, and the tour can feel organized around shared access. On a sunny day, the open water, pale beaches, and mountain views toward the Philippine horizon can be very appealing. In poor conditions, the same route may feel less special.

One useful detail is that a guide may not be physically beside you during every part of the transport. Make sure you understand the next meeting point before you leave each stop. If the group is spread across several boats or vehicles, a little attention saves confusion later.

Starfish Island and the first chance to swim

Starfish Island is one of the three named stops and is likely to be one of the first places where you get into the water. The attraction is straightforward: a small island setting, clear views, and access to the marine areas around Honda Bay.

Bring swimwear under your clothes or in an easy-to-reach waterproof bag. The day is built around water time, so you do not want to bury your swimming gear at the bottom of your luggage.

Snorkeling equipment is not included. You can rent a mask and snorkel, but I would ask about the condition and price before leaving the port. If you already own a compact mask, bringing it can make the day easier and more comfortable.

The same applies to aqua shoes. They cost extra, but they may help if you dislike walking over rough surfaces or entering the water without foot protection. Do not treat them as part of the package price.

The marine life around Honda Bay includes fish, corals, and giant clams. That does not guarantee a strong snorkeling experience at every stop. Water clarity, weather, the number of boats, and the exact swimming area all affect what you see.

Some visitors have found the snorkeling areas crowded and the coral less impressive than expected. You should book this tour for a pleasant island day, not as your only chance to see top-quality reef life in the Philippines.

Luli Island and the limits of the word island

Luli Island is another standard stop on the route. The name suggests a beach island, but you should not assume every stop will look like a broad, empty stretch of sand.

At least one part of the route may feel more like a pontoon or swimming platform than a traditional island. This is important if your picture of island hopping involves walking along several quiet beaches. Here, some of your time may be spent entering the water from a built structure or shared swimming area.

That setup can still work well for a relaxed afternoon. You can swim, try watersports, sit in the sun, and enjoy the view without needing a long hike or complicated transfer. It is simply a different experience from visiting a large natural island.

Crowding is the main concern. A small swimming area can fill quickly when several boats arrive. If you want quiet beaches and private coves, this shared tour may frustrate you. If you mainly want a simple day on the water, the busy setting may be a fair trade for the lower price and included transport.

Use sunscreen often, especially during open-water crossings and beach stops. You should also carry your own waterproof bag for phones, money, and dry clothes. The tour specifically recommends one, and it is sensible advice for any boat trip.

Cowrie Island, lunch, and the social side

Cowrie Island completes the three-island route. Like the other stops, it combines beach time with water activities and a chance to slow down after the boat ride.

Lunch is included as a picnic-style Filipino meal. The meal is described as filling, with BBQ fish singled out as a strong choice. The wider spread is a familiar buffet-style offering rather than a carefully planned food experience.

That distinction matters. If you want a taste of everyday Filipino meal styles during a beach day, lunch adds useful value. If you are booking mainly for local food discovery, keep your expectations modest. The meal is there to feed you during a long outing, not to serve as a separate culinary tour.

The shared lunch also adds to the social character of the day. You may sit with people from your van or boat, swap tips, and make friends for later in your trip. Solo visitors can find this more comfortable than arranging a private boat and managing the day alone.

The tour does not include alcohol, and alcohol and drugs are not allowed. That rule is clear, and it helps keep the group suitable for a broad mix of ages and travel styles.

How good is the snorkeling?

The honest answer is that the snorkeling may be enjoyable, but it is not the safest reason to book Honda Bay as your main marine excursion.

The bay is home to fish, corals, and giant clams, so there is real marine interest in the area. Still, the quality of what you see can vary. Some parts may have limited coral, and one snorkeling area can feel cramped when many people arrive at once.

You may spend part of the day simply swimming in a few different places. That can be perfectly worthwhile in hot weather, especially when the sun is out and the water is inviting. It is less satisfying if you have already visited the stronger reef areas of El Nido or Coron and expect the same level of scenery.

I would bring your own mask if snorkeling is important to you. At minimum, check the rental equipment before paying. A poor fit can turn a decent swim into a frustrating one.

Also remember that the tour is not suitable for people prone to seasickness. The motorized boat and a long day on the water can be hard on you if you already know that boat travel bothers you. Take that warning seriously rather than treating it as a minor footnote.

The view depends on the weather

The best version of this tour is strongly tied to weather. Under clear sunshine, you can expect bright water, beach time, open horizon views, and mountain scenery across the Philippine coast. It becomes a simple, attractive day of sunbathing and relaxation.

Cloud cover or rough conditions can change the mood. The islands may still be worth visiting, but the water may look less inviting and the boat transfers may feel longer.

Because the tour runs for nine hours, weather affects a large part of your day. Check the forecast before you go, and bring sunscreen even if the morning starts cloudy. Also pack swimwear, a waterproof bag, and any personal items you need to stay comfortable between stops.

The tour includes a life vest, and you should use it as directed during boat travel. Basic safety equipment is covered in the price, which is helpful when comparing this group trip with arranging a boat independently.

Is $40 a fair price?

At $40 per person, the tour offers reasonable value if you want convenience. You receive hotel pickup and drop-off within the city proper, a DOT accredited guide, a motorized boat, life vest, lunch, island entrance fees, and terminal and wharf fees.

The environmental fee of 150 PHP per person is extra. Mask and snorkel rental are extra, and aqua shoes also cost more. Add those items before comparing the price with other boat trips.

The real value is the bundle. You do not have to arrange a van, find a boat, pay several separate island fees, and organize lunch on your own. For a first visit to Puerto Princesa, that simplicity can be worth more than a slightly cheaper do-it-yourself plan.

The weaker value appears if the day is crowded or the snorkeling disappoints you. You are paying for access to several swimming locations, not guaranteed coral quality or a private beach. If you have already seen El Nido or Coron, Honda Bay may feel less rewarding for the money.

I would call $40 fair for a convenient, full-day introduction to Honda Bay. I would not call it a bargain for serious snorkeling or a quiet island escape.

Who should book this Honda Bay trip?

I think this tour suits you if you want an easy day from Puerto Princesa and prefer having the main details arranged. It works well for solo visitors who like meeting people, couples who do not need privacy, and families or groups who value included transport and lunch.

It is also a sensible choice if your schedule gives you only one free day in Puerto Princesa. The islands are close enough to the city to avoid a longer regional transfer, and the package covers the basic costs that can complicate independent planning.

You may want another option if you dislike shared transport, need a calm and quiet beach, or are prone to seasickness. You should also think twice if your main goal is excellent coral snorkeling and you have already visited El Nido or Coron.

The guide language is English and Tagalog. Since the group may be divided among vehicles or boats, listen closely to meeting instructions and ask what happens next if anything is unclear. A good practical habit is to keep your phone, towel, sunscreen, and water together in one small waterproof bag.

Should you book it?

Book this Honda Bay cruise if you want a convenient nine-hour island day with lunch, hotel pickup, three named stops, and a chance to meet other people. Sunny weather can make the beaches, horizon, and mountain views very appealing, and the included boat and entrance fees keep the planning simple.

Skip it if you are looking for solitude or top-tier snorkeling. The shared group can be crowded, one stop may feel more like a pontoon than an island, and marine visibility is not guaranteed. For a first, easy introduction to Honda Bay from Puerto Princesa, $40 is reasonable. For the best reef experience in Palawan, look beyond this route.

FAQ

How long does the Honda Bay island hopping tour last?

The tour lasts nine hours, including hotel pickup and drop-off, transport to the bay, boat travel, island stops, lunch, and the return journey.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The route visits Starfish Island, Luli Island, and Cowrie Island.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included for hotels within Puerto Princesa city proper. An additional charge may apply for hotels outside the proper.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A picnic lunch is included in the package. The meal is Filipino-style, and BBQ fish is part of the food served.

Do I need to pay any extra fees?

Yes. The environmental fee is 150 PHP per person. Mask and snorkel rental and aqua shoes rental are also not included.

What languages does the guide speak?

The live guide service is available in English and Tagalog.