Puerto Princesa Honda Bay Island Hopping Shore Excursion

Honda Bay gives you a full day of sun, sand, and clear water without the long road trip to El Nido. This private island-hopping tour visits up to three destinations, with Cowrie Island and Lu-Li Island named on the route, plus time for snorkeling and a cooked lunch by the sea.

I like the easy port pickup and the fact that the price includes fees, snorkel rental, and lunch. I also like the personal attention that a private group can receive. One guest singled out guide TJ Echo for careful safety advice, strong English and Spanish, marine-life explanations, and clever iPhone photo tips. The tradeoff is the price: at $173 per person, this is not a bargain for a solo visitor or a very small group.

Key points at a glance

• Private group from Puerto Princesa Port: Your own group takes part, with a guide meeting you at the port gate and returning you there.
• Up to three Honda Bay stops: Cowrie Island and Lu-Li Island are named, while the third destination can vary.
• Snorkeling is part of the plan: Snorkel rental is included, so you do not need to arrange gear separately.
• Lunch and extra seafood: A substantial lunch is served on one island, with additional seafood available to buy.
• A guide can make the day better: TJ Echo is noted for safety, marine-life explanations, language skills, and phone photography help.
• Seven hours on the water: The schedule gives you a proper day out, but you should be comfortable with moderate physical activity.

Why Honda Bay makes a good port day

Puerto Princesa is best known as the gateway to Palawan, but you do not need to spend the whole day in a van to enjoy the coast. Honda Bay puts the focus on water, with short island stops, swimming, snorkeling, and a relaxed lunch.

That makes this excursion a useful choice if you are already at Puerto Princesa Port. You meet the guide at the port’s main gate, spend roughly seven hours on the outing, then return to the same place. The simple start and finish matter when you have limited time before or after a sailing schedule.

The tour is private, so you are not sharing the day with a large mixed group. That can make a real difference. You can ask for a slower pace, spend longer at a stop that suits your group, or get more direct help with snorkeling and photographs. The exact flexibility is still shaped by weather and the day’s operating plan, but private service gives you a better chance of a personal outing.

Cowrie Island: your first taste of Honda Bay

Cowrie Island is one of the named stops. Its appeal is easy to understand: this is a place for sand, sun, and sea rather than museums or formal sightseeing. You can expect time to enjoy the shoreline and take part in the water activities included in the day.

The stop also serves as a natural place to settle into the excursion. After meeting at the port and getting out on the bay, you have space to get comfortable, check your snorkel gear, and decide how active you want to be. The tour calls for a moderate level of physical fitness, so you should be ready for movement around the boat, the shore, and the water.

Do not expect a tightly scripted attraction with a long list of monuments. Cowrie Island is about the setting and the break from city life. If your ideal island stop means a quiet beach and time in the water, it fits the bill. If you need constant activities or extensive sightseeing, the day may feel simple.

Lu-Li Island and the appeal of a second stop

Lu-Li Island is the other named destination. Having more than one island on the schedule keeps the outing from becoming a single beach visit. You get a change of scene and another chance to swim, snorkel, or simply enjoy the bay.

The supplied route says up to three destinations, but only Cowrie Island and Lu-Li Island are specifically named. That wording is worth noting. You should think of the third stop as possible rather than guaranteed, and you should not book the tour expecting a particular unnamed island.

This flexibility can work in your favor. Weather, sea conditions, and the practical timing of the day may affect the final route. A good private guide can help your group make the most of the stops that are workable that day. Still, ask for the confirmed plan if visiting a particular island is important to you.

Snorkeling, swimming, and time in the water

Snorkel rental is included, which saves you from arranging equipment before departure. The tour is built around enjoying the sea, so the gear is more than a minor extra. It lets you try snorkeling without adding another rental bill to the day.

A guide can also add value here. TJ Echo was praised for pointing out marine life and taking safety seriously. That matters if you are not a confident swimmer, if some members of your group are older, or if you want more than a quick look underwater.

The outing is not described as a specialist marine tour, so keep your expectations sensible. Conditions in the bay can affect water clarity and wildlife sightings. You get the chance to snorkel, but no responsible tour can promise a particular animal, reef view, or level of visibility.

You should also remember the moderate fitness requirement. You do not need to be an athlete, but you should be comfortable with a day that includes getting on and off a boat, moving around an island, and taking part in water activities. If you prefer to remain dry, the beaches and scenery still offer a reason to come, but the tour’s main appeal is the sea.

Lunch on an island, with seafood on the side

Lunch is included and served at one of the islands. That is a useful part of the package. You do not have to leave the bay to find a restaurant, and your day is not broken up by a return to Puerto Princesa for food.

The meal is described as tasty and substantial, though no fixed menu is provided. You can also buy extra seafood if you want more than the included lunch. That gives you some choice, but you should treat additional seafood as an optional purchase rather than part of the $173 price.

A meal by the water adds to the feeling that this is a full outing rather than a quick boat transfer between beaches. It also helps the seven-hour schedule feel more manageable. Still, if you have allergies or strict dietary needs, the available information does not specify menu choices, so ask before booking.

The private guide can shape the whole day

The strongest personal detail available about this experience concerns guide TJ Echo. For a private group of six, TJ Echo provided English and Spanish communication, adjusted the pace to suit the group, explained marine life, and kept safety in mind. The guide also shared iPhone photography tips.

Those details show what you should hope to get from a private tour: not just transport, but practical help throughout the day. A guide who watches the group carefully can make snorkeling less stressful. A guide who knows how to use your phone camera can help you leave with better memories, even if you are not carrying a proper camera.

TJ Echo may not be the guide assigned to every departure, so do not assume that person will lead your trip. The useful lesson is to make good use of your guide. Ask questions about the islands, tell the guide what pace suits your group, and explain any safety concerns early.

The private format also suits groups with mixed interests. One person can focus on snorkeling while another enjoys the sand and views. Families, couples, and older groups may appreciate not having to match the rhythm of a large party.

What $173 buys you

At $173 per person, this tour sits in the premium range for a seven-hour island outing. The number looks high if you compare it with a basic shared boat trip. The calculation changes when you include the private format, port pickup and return, fees, snorkel rental, lunch, and guide service.

The price makes more sense for a group that values its own boat-day rhythm. A private party can spread the cost across several people, and group discounts may be available. For one person or a couple, the cost per head is harder to justify unless privacy and convenience are central to your plans.

You also avoid several small decisions. You do not need to arrange port transport, find snorkel equipment, search for lunch, or work out how to combine the islands yourself. That convenience has real value on a short port visit.

I would compare this outing with the cost of a shared Honda Bay trip before booking. Choose this one if personal service, a private group, and an all-in package matter more than finding the lowest price. If your top priority is simply reaching a beach, a cheaper shared option may suit you better.

Timing, meeting point, and physical demands

The experience lasts about seven hours. That is long enough for several island stops and a meal, but not so long that it takes over your entire time in Puerto Princesa. The schedule is best for someone who wants a complete day on the bay rather than a short swim.

The meeting point is Puerto Princesa Port, at the port’s main gate on Malvar Road. You should arrive with enough time to find the gate and meet the guide without rushing. After the excursion, you are dropped back at the same location.

Pickup is offered, but the stated meeting arrangement centers on the port’s main gate. Confirm the exact pickup details when you book, especially if you are staying elsewhere or arriving by ship. The location is near public transportation, which gives you another way to reach the start.

This is a private activity, so only your group takes part. The tour requires a minimum number of participants to operate, and bad weather can also affect departure. If the operator cancels for either reason, you are offered another date, another experience, or a full refund.

You can cancel without a charge up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window, refunds and changes are not accepted. The cutoff follows local time, so keep that in mind if you are booking from another country.

Who will get the most from this island day

I would recommend this excursion to:

• A private group that wants its own pace
• Cruise or port visitors who need pickup and return at Puerto Princesa Port
• Families and older groups that value careful attention
• Snorkelers who want equipment included
• People who prefer lunch and tour fees bundled into one price
• Groups that enjoy beach time more than city sightseeing

I would be more cautious if you are traveling alone, watching every peso, or hoping for a detailed marine expedition. The price is easier to defend when divided among a group. I would also hesitate if you need a guaranteed third island, a fixed menu, or a specific type of seafood, since those details are not promised.

The 94 percent recommendation rate and 4.8 rating from 16 reviews point to a strong reception, but the sample is small. Read those numbers as encouraging rather than conclusive. The clearest praise centers on private attention, guide quality, safety, lunch, and the relaxed island format.

Should you book the Honda Bay excursion?

Book it if you want a convenient private day from Puerto Princesa Port, with snorkeling, lunch, and up to three island stops handled in one package. The best reason to choose it is not simply the beaches. It is the combination of personal guiding, included essentials, and an easy return to the port.

Before paying, confirm the expected third destination, the meeting time, and any food concerns. If your group can share the cost and values a calm, flexible day on the water, the $173 price can be fair. If you are a solo visitor or a budget-minded couple, compare shared tours first.

FAQ

Where does the Honda Bay tour start?

The tour starts at Puerto Princesa Port, at the port’s main gate on Malvar Road in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.

Where does the tour finish?

The guide drops you off at the same port location after the tour.

How long does the excursion last?

The experience lasts approximately seven hours.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates in this private activity.

How many islands will the tour visit?

The tour visits up to three destinations. Cowrie Island and Lu-Li Island are named stops, but the third destination is not specified.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkel rental is included in the tour price.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is served at one of the islands. You can also buy additional seafood if you wish.

What level of fitness is needed?

A moderate level of physical fitness is recommended.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. If the minimum number of participants is not met, you are offered a different date or experience, or a full refund.