Palawan: Honda Bay Island Hopping Cruise

Honda Bay puts white-sand islands and shallow reef water within easy reach of Puerto Princesa. This nine-hour shared trip visits Starfish Island, Luli Island, and Cowrie Island, with time for swimming, snorkeling, beach breaks, and simple Filipino food.

I like the included hotel transfer and lunch, which keep the day easy to arrange, and I like the social side of a shared van and boat. A filling buffet lunch, especially the BBQ fish, has been one of the day’s strongest points. The main caution is that some stops can feel crowded, and one island is more of a snorkeling pontoon than a beach.

Key points to know before booking

• Three Honda Bay stops: Starfish Island, Luli Island, and Cowrie Island form the core of the day.
• About nine hours door to door: Pickup, road transfers, boat time, island visits, lunch, and the return trip fill most of your day.
• A shared experience: The van holds 13 people, making this a social and usually budget-friendly outing.
• Lunch is included: Expect a picnic or buffet-style Filipino meal, with BBQ fish praised as a highlight.
• Snorkeling costs extra: Mask, snorkel, and aqua shoes are not included, and a separate environmental fee of 150 PHP per person applies.
• Crowds and sea conditions matter: The tour suits confident swimmers and people comfortable on boats, but it is not a good match for anyone prone to seasickness.

What a Honda Bay day looks like from Puerto Princesa

Honda Bay lies on the eastern side of Puerto Princesa, where small islands sit close enough for a full-day boat trip from the city. The selling point is simple: you can trade the city for open water, beaches, coral areas, and swimming spots without moving hotels or committing to a longer trip to El Nido or Coron.

Your day begins with hotel pickup from the city proper. You wait in the lobby, and the guide calls when the vehicle is on the way. The shared van holds 13 people, so pickup may take a little time as the group gathers. That is the price of a lower-cost group trip, but it also gives you an easy chance to meet people from other countries.

The tour lasts around nine hours. That sounds generous, though the clock includes road time, boarding, stops, lunch, and the ride back to town. The description places the islands about 30 minutes from the city, but your exact transfer time depends on pickup order and the day’s operations.

A DOT-accredited guide accompanies the trip, with English and Tagalog available. One piece of practical feedback is worth noting: on one outing, the guide was not always in the van or on the boat and gave little explanation between stops. That may not happen every day, but you should stay alert during boarding and ask clearly what comes next if instructions are not obvious.

Starfish Island and the first taste of the bay

Starfish Island is one of Honda Bay’s best-known stops, and its name tells you what the stop is meant to offer. The focus is on shallow water, marine life, and the chance to swim or snorkel close to shore.

You should bring or rent a mask and snorkel if seeing underwater life is important to you. The tour includes a life vest, but not snorkeling equipment. Mask and snorkel rental costs extra, and aqua shoes also cost extra. Those small charges can affect the final price, especially if you are traveling with children or a group.

The marine setting is appealing, but keep your expectations sensible. Honda Bay has fish, corals, and giant clams, yet the quality of the snorkeling can change with weather, tides, water conditions, and the number of people in the water. One account found little coral at the snorkeling sites, while another described the area as crowded and less impressive than expected.

That does not make the stop worthless. It means the day works best as a mix of swimming, sun, boat views, and light snorkeling rather than as a serious reef trip. If your main goal is excellent coral, you may find El Nido or Coron a stronger choice.

Luli Island, where the beach promise needs context

Luli Island is another of the three named stops. The tour presents it as one of Honda Bay’s scenic island visits, with time for swimming and enjoying the water. As with the other stops, the value comes from being outside Puerto Princesa and having several different places to break up the day.

Do not picture three large, empty islands. Honda Bay’s stops are small and organized for day visitors. One stop has been described as more of a pontoon used for snorkeling than an island beach. That detail matters because the word island can create a bigger picture than the actual setting.

You might find Luli Island more enjoyable if you treat it as a short stop for water time rather than a private beach escape. Bring sunscreen and a waterproof bag. The sun can be strong on the boat and at the shoreline, and a dry bag protects phones, wallets, and spare clothes during transfers.

The shared format also shapes the experience. You may need to follow a group schedule rather than linger wherever you like. That can feel restrictive if you prefer independent island hopping, but it lets you see several locations in one day without arranging your own boat.

Cowrie Island and the easiest beach break

Cowrie Island is the third major stop and is presented as a beach and water recreation stop. It is a good part of the day for people who want a simple break from the boat, with time for swimming, sunbathing, and watersports.

The strongest praise for the trip has centered on good weather and open views. On a bright day, you can expect a broad horizon, clear sunshine, and distant Philippine mountains. Those conditions make the boat rides and beach pauses feel special, even if the underwater scenery is only average.

This is also where your comfort with organized beach areas matters. Cowrie Island is not described as a remote, untouched place. Facilities and other tour groups are part of the setting. I would choose it for easy access to the water, not for solitude.

If you want to swim, pack proper swimwear and apply sunscreen before boarding. A life vest is supplied, but the information does not promise other water equipment at no charge. Ask the guide which activities are included and which require a rental before you commit to them.

Lunch, the part of the package that earns its keep

A picnic lunch is included, usually in a buffet-style format. The food is Filipino, and BBQ fish has been singled out as especially filling and tasty. That is useful because a full day in the sun and on the water can make lunch more important than it sounds.

You should think of the meal as practical tour food rather than a special restaurant experience. The point is convenience: you do not need to return to Puerto Princesa or arrange food between islands. You can eat with the group and get back to swimming or relaxing.

Food quality can vary from day to day, and one account described the buffet as ordinary but acceptable. I would still count lunch as a real value at this price, especially since the tour also includes transport, boat travel, entrance fees, and wharf fees.

If you have dietary needs, the supplied information does not spell out alternatives. Ask before booking rather than assuming the buffet will meet them. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed on the tour.

What the $40 price really covers

At $40 per person, the tour is priced as an accessible full-day outing rather than a private charter. The package includes:

• Hotel pickup and drop-off within the city proper
• A motorized boat
• A DOT-accredited tour guide
• Picnic lunch
• Life vest
• Island entrance fees
• Terminal and wharf fees

You still pay an environmental fee of 150 PHP per person. You also pay separately for a mask and snorkel or aqua shoes if you need them. Add those costs before comparing the tour with a private boat or another island trip.

The value is strongest if you are staying in Puerto Princesa, want a straightforward day at sea, and do not want to arrange transport, meals, permits, and boat access on your own. The value is weaker if you already have excellent snorkeling elsewhere in the Philippines or expect a quiet, private beach day.

The shared van is an important part of the calculation. With 13 people in the vehicle, this is not a tailored excursion. You save money, but you give up some control over departure times, stop lengths, and the pace of the day.

How Honda Bay compares with El Nido and Coron

Honda Bay makes sense because it is close to Puerto Princesa. You can enjoy an island day without adding a long transfer or changing your base. That convenience is its biggest advantage.

El Nido and Coron are often associated with more dramatic scenery and stronger snorkeling, and one direct assessment found Honda Bay disappointing after visiting those places. I would take that comparison seriously. If you have already seen El Nido or Coron, Honda Bay may feel more commercial and less striking.

If Puerto Princesa is your only base, however, Honda Bay gives you a useful change of pace. You get a boat ride, three named stops, lunch, and time in the water for a reasonable organized-tour price. It is not trying to replace El Nido. It is the easier day trip from the city.

Who will enjoy this tour most

I would recommend the trip to you if you want:

• A simple island day from Puerto Princesa
• A shared tour where you can meet other people
• Swimming and light snorkeling rather than expert-level reef exploration
• Lunch and transport included in one booking
• A nine-hour activity with no need to arrange a private boat
• Beach time, sunshine, and open-water views

I would be more cautious if you want a quiet island, strong coral gardens, or a flexible private schedule. The tour is also a poor fit if you are prone to seasickness. The supplied information specifically warns against booking if boat travel commonly makes you ill.

The experience depends heavily on weather. A sunny day can give you excellent views and comfortable beach time. Rougher conditions may make the boat rides less pleasant and the snorkeling less clear. You cannot control that, so check the cancellation terms when booking. You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps your money free until closer to the trip.

Practical packing advice for the nine-hour outing

Bring swimwear, sunscreen, and a waterproof bag. I would also keep a small towel, dry clothing, and cash for the environmental fee or equipment rental, although only the first three items are specifically required in the supplied instructions.

The life vest is included, which is useful during boat transfers and for anyone who is not a confident swimmer. A mask and snorkel are not included, so arrange those before the first water stop or budget for rental. Aqua shoes are also extra and may be worthwhile if you dislike walking over rough or uneven surfaces.

Hotel pickup applies to places within the city proper. If your hotel is outside that area, an additional charge may apply. Confirm the pickup location before paying, since a cheap tour becomes less attractive if an unexpected transfer fee is added.

The guide speaks English and Tagalog. Keep your phone available in the lobby because the guide will call when the vehicle is on the way. Alcohol and drugs are prohibited.

Should you book Honda Bay Island Hopping?

Book it if you want the easiest organized island day from Puerto Princesa and you are happy with shared transport, standard buffet food, and busy stops. The combination of boat travel, three islands, lunch, entrance fees, and hotel transfer makes $40 a fair price for convenience, even after the 150 PHP environmental fee.

Skip it if you are choosing between this and a longer trip to El Nido or Coron, especially if excellent coral and dramatic scenery are your priorities. Honda Bay can deliver sunshine, pleasant swimming, and a good BBQ fish lunch, but it is not guaranteed to feel remote or quiet.

My call: this is a sensible first island day from Puerto Princesa, not a must-do Philippine sea adventure. Go with modest expectations, bring your own snorkeling mask if possible, and choose it for ease, social company, and time on the water.

FAQ

How long does the Honda Bay island-hopping tour last?

The tour lasts approximately nine hours, including hotel pickup and drop-off, transfers, boat travel, island visits, lunch, and the return to Puerto Princesa.

Which islands are included?

The tour 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 area.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

No. Mask and snorkel rental are not included. Aqua shoes are also available at an additional cost.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A picnic lunch is included in the package. The food is Filipino, and BBQ fish may be served.

What extra fee should I expect?

An environmental fee of 150 PHP per person is not included. You may also need to pay extra for mask and snorkel rental or aqua shoes.