From Puerto Princesa: Honda Bay Island Hopping Full-Day Tour

Honda Bay’s best feature is its simple promise: three islands, one boat, and a full day by the sea. You can swim among fish, look for starfish near shore, relax on Cowrie Island, and stop for a picnic lunch without arranging several separate transfers.

I like the all-in-one price, which covers hotel transport, the boat, island entrance fees, lunch, and the crew. I also like the variety: Cowrie is suited to beach time, Luli gives you a place to jump into the water, and Starfish adds a chance to spot sea life. The main concern is time control. One recorded booking included a long wait for lunch, very little time at Cowrie, and no stop at Starfish, so confirm the day’s route and timing before leaving the pier.

Key points to know before booking

• Three Honda Bay stops: The planned route includes Cowrie Island, Luli Island, and Starfish Island.
• Lunch on Starfish Island: A picnic meal is included, but bring your own bottled water and snacks.
• Early hotel pickup: Be ready at least 15 minutes before the scheduled pickup, usually around 7:00 am.
• Bring your own gear: Masks and snorkels are not included, and kayak use costs extra.
• Extra environmental fee: Adults pay Php 150, while visitors aged 18 and under and senior citizens pay Php 120.
• Good value with a caveat: The $41 price includes transport, boat service, entrances, lunch, and staff, but the quality of the day depends heavily on time management.

A 7:00 am start from Puerto Princesa

This is a full-day Honda Bay outing, but the day begins early. Pickup is scheduled around 7:00 am from your hotel in Puerto Princesa, with an air-conditioned van carrying you to the boat departure point.

Be ready at least 15 minutes ahead of time. The driver will wait no longer than 15 minutes after the scheduled pickup, so a late start can mean a missed connection with the boat. You need to provide your full name, hotel name, and contact number when booking.

The air-conditioned van is a useful part of the package. You avoid arranging a separate taxi to the pier, and you have a cooler ride after swimming and sitting in the sun. The exact pickup time can vary, so ask for confirmation the day before.

The boat is motorized, and a licensed guide, boat captain, and crew are included. The activity is conducted in English. No individual guide names are provided, so you should not expect a named specialist or a private escort. This is a standard island-hopping day with shared transport and a set route.

Starfish Island and the included picnic lunch

Starfish Island is the most distinctive stop on paper. The shoreline is the place to look for starfish, and the shallow water also gives you a chance to see small sea creatures close to shore. You should look without touching or lifting them. The point is to observe them in the water, not handle them for a photograph.

The island is also scheduled as the lunch stop. A picnic meal prepared by the tour staff is included, which makes the $41 price more useful than a simple boat transfer. You do not need to search for a restaurant during the middle of the day, and the meal is served as part of the island schedule.

Still, lunch can affect the flow of the outing. One reported booking account described a very long wait for an available lunch space, along with a missed Starfish stop. That is a serious issue because Starfish is one of the three named islands and the place tied to both the wildlife viewing and the meal.

At the start of the day, ask the guide two clear questions: Are we definitely stopping at Starfish Island, and how long will lunch take? If the schedule changes, you will know early rather than discovering it after spending most of the day elsewhere.

Bring bottled water and snacks even though lunch is included. Water and snacks are specifically listed as items you must provide yourself. A small supply is especially sensible if the lunch timing changes or you prefer to eat before the main meal.

Cowrie Island for beach time and swimming

Cowrie Island is the stop that has drawn the warmest specific praise. It is described as a beautiful, enjoyable island with attractive views and time for relaxing. The planned visit gives you a classic beach break: sit by the shore, swim, take pictures, or simply cool off after the boat ride.

I would treat Cowrie as the best stop for unhurried beach time. Starfish has a clear wildlife focus, while Luli is built around water access and a jump area. Cowrie gives you the most straightforward chance to enjoy the coast without needing a particular activity.

Snorkeling and swimming are part of the day, but the tour does not include a mask or snorkeling equipment. You can bring your own set or arrange gear separately if available. Water shoes are also a smart item to pack because the tour information specifically recommends them.

Sun protection matters. One highly positive account offered a practical warning to wear long sleeves to avoid getting burned. That advice is worth following. The day includes several hours outdoors, and the boat ride, beach stops, and water can make the sun feel stronger than expected.

Pack a long-sleeved swim shirt, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a dry change of clothes. Sandals are useful for the van and beach, while water shoes are better for entering the water. A towel is not listed as included, so bring one.

Luli Island and the water jump

Luli Island is the stop for its marked jumping area. If you enjoy entering the water from a platform or raised edge, this may be your most memorable stop. If you prefer quiet beach time, Luli may feel less rewarding because its appeal is tied more closely to the water activity than to relaxing on shore.

The tour description says you can jump at Luli and swim with fish. Bring a waterproof camera if you want pictures from the water, but protect your phone and other valuables. A standard camera bag is not a substitute for a waterproof case.

You should also keep your expectations practical. Luli is not presented as a long nature walk or a cultural visit. It is a short island stop focused on swimming, water access, and the scenery around the boat. The amount of time here depends on the day’s schedule.

One poor experience described spending almost the entire day at Luli, with little to do and a long wait before lunch. That does not match the advertised three-island balance, but it shows why you should ask about the order of stops and approximate time at each island before the boat leaves.

Swimming, fish, and sea life

This outing works best for people who want active time in the water rather than a sightseeing cruise from the boat. You can swim, snorkel, and look for fish and starfish around the islands.

The tour does not promise a specialist marine guide or a particular species sighting. Sea conditions and visibility can change, so you should view the wildlife element as an opportunity rather than a guarantee. Starfish may be the main attraction, but you should not expect a large aquarium-like display.

The crew provides the boat service, and the guide can help with the general program. Still, you should take responsibility for your own swimming comfort. No information is provided about flotation equipment, changing facilities, or private lockers, so pack lightly and keep valuables secure.

Intoxication is not allowed. That rule is sensible for a boat day with swimming and transfers between islands. Bring water, stay aware of the sun, and allow yourself breaks between activities.

What the $41 price really includes

At $41 per person, the package offers reasonable value if the complete route operates as planned. You receive:

• Round-trip air-conditioned van transfers
• Motorized boat transportation
• Entrance fees for Cowrie, Luli, and Starfish islands
• Picnic lunch on Starfish Island
• Shed and terminal fees
• A licensed tour guide, boat captain, and crew

If you arranged the van, boat, island admissions, and lunch separately, the planning would take more time and the final cost could be less predictable. The package is especially useful if you are staying in Puerto Princesa and want one organized day rather than several independent bookings.

The price is not completely all-inclusive. The environmental fee costs Php 150 for adults and Php 120 for people aged 18 and under or senior citizens. Kayak use costs extra, and snorkeling masks and gear are not included.

That means the actual cost for an adult is at least $41 plus Php 150, before any equipment rental or personal food and drinks. You should also allow for the cost of a waterproof pouch or rented snorkeling gear if you do not own your own.

The value depends on proper time allocation. If you receive all three island stops, lunch, transport, and enough time in the water, the package is fairly priced. If one island is skipped or lunch consumes several hours, the value drops quickly.

The biggest issue is schedule reliability

The tour is advertised as a seven-hour activity, with pickup around 7:00 am and hotel drop-off at about 3:00 pm. That gives you a clear framework, but the exact experience depends on how the guide and boat crew manage the stops.

A good day should include Starfish, lunch, Cowrie, and Luli in a workable order. You should have enough time to swim and look around rather than spending most of the outing waiting for a table, a boat space, or another group.

The recorded ratings are mixed, with an average of 3.4 out of 5 from 13 ratings. Several positive accounts praise the food, scenery, organization, and Cowrie Island. One highly negative account reported no hotel pickup at all, while another described poor timing and a missed island.

That does not mean your trip will fail, but it does mean you should be proactive. Confirm the hotel name, phone number, pickup time, and meeting point. At pickup, confirm all three islands. If the schedule changes, ask what is being substituted and how much time remains.

This is also why I would avoid booking it on a day when you have a flight, ferry, or other fixed appointment afterward. The planned return is around 3:00 pm, but a full-day boat outing can be affected by delays. Give yourself a wide cushion.

What to pack for a comfortable island day

Pack for wet clothes, strong sun, and limited access to shops. The supplied packing advice is practical:

• Swimwear and beachwear
• A dry change of clothes
• Towel
• Sandals and water shoes
• Camera and waterproof camera protection
• Bottled water and snacks
• Your own mask and snorkeling gear
• Sun protection, especially a long-sleeved top

A small waterproof bag is useful for money, identification, and electronics. You must present a valid ID, so keep it accessible but protected from water.

Do not count on buying every item at the islands. Bring what you need before pickup. The tour specifically requires your own water and snacks, and the snorkeling equipment is not included.

Who will enjoy this tour most

I would recommend this outing to you if you want a straightforward day at sea with swimming, beach stops, and a prepared lunch. It suits couples, families with comfortable swimmers, and people who prefer an organized package to arranging a boat and permits themselves.

It is also a good fit if you want several different types of island time in one day. Cowrie offers beach relaxation, Luli offers a water jump, and Starfish offers a chance to see marine life near shore.

I would be more cautious if you need a quiet, carefully paced experience or if you dislike shared schedules. The tour is not described as private, and no group size is provided. You may spend time waiting for other people, lunch space, or boat movements.

It may also disappoint you if your main goal is serious snorkeling. The outing includes swimming and snorkeling, but equipment is extra and no specialist marine instruction is promised. Bring your own gear if that activity matters to you.

Cancellation and booking details

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. The reserve-now-and-pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately, which is useful if your Puerto Princesa plans may change.

English is the stated tour language. Hotel pickup is included, but you must provide accurate contact and accommodation details and be ready early. The driver will wait no longer than 15 minutes after the scheduled pickup.

Should you book the Honda Bay island tour?

Book it if you want convenience, three named islands, lunch, and swimming for a moderate price. The included van, boat, entrances, lunch, and crew save you from piecing together a complicated day, and Cowrie Island, the fish viewing, and the varied stops give the trip real appeal.

Before paying, decide how much you care about strict timing. The mixed 3.4 rating and reports of a missed Starfish stop, long lunch delays, and a failed pickup mean you should confirm the arrangements directly. Bring your own gear, water, snacks, and sun protection, and do not schedule an important connection immediately afterward.

For a flexible holiday day, I think the tour can be good value if the full route runs properly. For a private, highly controlled island experience, choose a smaller or custom boat arrangement instead.

FAQ

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

The activity lasts about seven hours. Pickup is scheduled around 7:00 am, with hotel drop-off planned for approximately 3:00 pm.

Which islands are included?

The planned stops are Cowrie Island, Luli Island, and Starfish Island. Entrance fees for all three islands are included.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Round-trip air-conditioned van transfers from your hotel are included. You must provide your hotel name, full name, and contact number, and be ready at least 15 minutes before pickup.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A picnic lunch is included and is scheduled for Starfish Island. You should still bring bottled water and snacks.

Are snorkeling masks and equipment provided?

No. Masks and snorkeling gear are not included. Bring your own equipment or arrange it separately. Kayak use is also not included.

How much is the environmental fee?

The environmental fee is Php 150 for adults and Php 120 for people aged 18 and under and senior citizens.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now-and-pay-later option allows you to reserve without paying immediately.