Puerto Princesa shore excursion to Luli, starfish, cowrie island

Puerto Princesa’s best day on the water is a simple one: ride out across Honda Bay, stop at bright beaches and a sandbar, then spend hours swimming, snorkeling, and taking photos. This eight-hour island-hopping trip covers Cowrie Island, Lu-Li Island, and Starfish Sandbar Resort, with lunch included and transport from central Puerto Princesa.

I like the practical setup. Hotel, airport, and port pickup can save you a costly taxi and early-morning planning, while the group format keeps the $60 price reasonable. I also like the focus on unhurried beach time, rather than rushing through a long list of stops.

The main caution is group size. The boat may carry up to 50 people, and the schedule can feel less personal than a private outing. You also need to bring money or your own equipment for snorkeling gear, since it is not included.

Key points before you book

• Three island stops: Cowrie Island, Lu-Li Island, and Starfish Sandbar Resort are the main attractions.
• Lunch is included: You can stay on the beach without arranging your own midday meal.
• Central pickup saves effort: Hotel, airport, and port transfers are available in Puerto Princesa’s main city area.
• Guides can make a real difference: Jake has been praised for safety and local activities, while Ana has been noted for clear updates and a helpful manner.
• Bring snorkeling gear if possible: Equipment rental is not included in the price.
• Allow a full day: The outing lasts about eight hours and requires good weather.

What a $60 day in Honda Bay really gives you

At $60 per person, this is priced as a practical group outing rather than a private boat charter. That matters in Puerto Princesa, where transport, boat hire, island fees, and food can add up quickly if you arrange each part yourself.

Here, the basic pieces are bundled together: an air-conditioned vehicle, boat transportation, a licensed guide, lunch, and admission fees. For you, the value comes from having one booking handle the day’s main logistics. You can leave your hotel, reach the port, spend the day on the bay, and return without arranging separate transfers.

The group format is the tradeoff. The maximum is listed as 50 people, which is a sizeable boatload. Your pace may depend on loading, unloading, and getting everyone back aboard. If you prefer quiet guidance, extra attention while snorkeling, or control over departure times, ask if a private booking is available. Some bookings have been made privately, and the private format has included having the boat focused on one small party.

For many people, though, the group price makes sense. You are paying for access to Puerto Princesa’s island circuit without taking on the full cost of a private boat. If you are happy with a social day and a shared schedule, this is the sensible budget choice.

Leaving Puerto Princesa for Honda Bay

Pickup is offered from hotels in the main city or city center, and the tour also lists airport and port pickup. Confirm your exact pickup point carefully if you are staying outside the central area. Properties such as Astoria, Four Points, and Daluyon carry an extra fee of $100 per booking.

The air-conditioned vehicle is useful before and after the boat ride. Puerto Princesa days can be hot, and a cool transfer gives you a break between the hotel and the bay. The licensed guide travels with the group and helps keep the day organized.

The schedule is described as approximately eight hours, but the exact rhythm can depend on conditions and the group. The listed stop times include about two hours at Cowrie Island, two hours at Lu-Li Island with lunch, and one hour at Starfish Sandbar Resort. Honda Bay is also listed as a longer seven-hour portion of the outing, which appears to describe the broader time spent on the water and islands rather than an additional separate stop.

In practical terms, plan for a full day. Do not book this alongside another fixed activity that begins soon after the stated return time.

Cowrie Island brings the classic beach start

Cowrie Island is scheduled as the first main stop, with about two hours for swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, and photos. That gives you enough time to settle in rather than racing straight from the boat to the next departure.

I would use the first stop to get comfortable with the day. You can swim, test the water, take photos, or sit on the beach before the heat builds. If you plan to snorkel at more than one island, this is also a good time to check your mask and decide how much time you want in the water.

The trip includes admission fees, but snorkeling equipment does not come with the booking. Bring your own mask and snorkel if you have them. Otherwise, you will need to arrange rental equipment separately, and the supplied details do not state the rental price or availability.

The strongest part of the water experience is the chance to see fish and coral. One guide has been praised for helping with snorkeling and keeping the group safe, and another outing included an itinerary adjusted to suit the group’s needs. That suggests the guide may be able to offer useful help, but you should still be clear about your swimming ability before entering the water.

Lu-Li Island combines beach time and lunch

Lu-Li Island is the second named stop, with another two hours set aside for swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, photos, and lunch. It is a good middle section for the day because you can break up the water activities with a meal.

Lunch is included, which adds real value to a long boat day. You do not need to leave the island to find food, and you can use the meal as a proper pause before more swimming. The precise menu is not provided, so do not book this expecting a particular dish or special dietary arrangement unless you confirm it first.

Food quality has not been perfectly consistent in the past. After a complaint about lunch, the provider stated that it had changed the restaurant caterer. That is encouraging, but it is still wise to mention allergies or dietary needs before departure. No special meal policy is listed.

Lu-Li is also a useful place to judge how the group schedule feels. If you want to linger in one spot, take long snorkeling sessions, or get personal instruction, a shared tour may limit your freedom. If you are content with a set stop and a relaxed mix of lunch, swimming, and pictures, the two-hour visit should feel manageable.

Starfish Sandbar Resort offers a shorter final stop

The final named stop is Starfish Sandbar Resort, with about an hour for swimming and photos. A sandbar is naturally dependent on water conditions, so the appearance and usable space can change. The details do not promise a particular tide, sand formation, or number of starfish, so treat the name as the location rather than a guarantee of a specific wildlife encounter.

An hour is enough for a quick swim and a last batch of photos. It is not a long beach stay. For you, this stop works best as a bright closing scene after the longer visits to Cowrie and Lu-Li.

The shorter timing may also help keep the day moving. By this point, you may be ready for a final swim rather than another lengthy island session. If you want a tour built around one beach or one snorkeling site, this multi-stop format may feel too spread out.

Guides can shape the day

The guide is one of the most important parts of a group boat tour, and the named guides give you a useful sense of what to expect. Jake has been praised for his personality, local activity skills, and attention to safety. Ana has been noted for keeping people informed during the trip and for handling the day well.

That matters because island-hopping involves more than showing up at a beach. You need clear directions for boarding, swimming areas, meal timing, and the return to the boat. A guide who explains the plan and watches the group can make the day feel far easier.

A guide also may be able to adjust the order or focus of activities. One account describes an itinerary changed to suit the group’s needs, while another mentions a boatman giving extra attention to people who were not strong swimmers. You should still tell the guide early if you cannot swim, need help in the water, or prefer to stay close to the boat.

Do not assume that photographs taken during snorkeling will automatically be sent to you. One booking included photos taken in the water, but the guest still needed to request them afterward. If a guide takes pictures of you, ask how you will receive them before leaving the island.

What to pack for a smoother island day

The tour includes transport, lunch, fees, and a guide, but not snorkeling equipment. I would bring a swimsuit, towel, dry change of clothes, sun protection, and a waterproof bag for your phone and cash.

A few practical items matter more than extra gear:

• Your own mask and snorkel, if available
• Reef-safe sun protection
• A small amount of cash for rentals or personal purchases
• Waterproof storage for electronics
• Motion-sickness medicine if boat rides bother you

The supplied details do not list a separate equipment fee, so ask before the day begins if you plan to rent. Also check the meeting and pickup details carefully if you are arriving by cruise ship or staying outside the central city.

The tour is not recommended for people with mobility problems. You will need to transfer between a vehicle, boat, beach, and water activities. The exact boarding conditions are not specified, so anyone with limited mobility should confirm the practical details before paying.

Weather, cancellations, and the no-refund rule

This outing requires good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. If the minimum number of participants is not reached, the provider offers another date, another experience, or a full refund.

Your own cancellation is different. The booking is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. That is the biggest financial risk, especially if you are building your Puerto Princesa visit around a cruise schedule or a short stay.

If you are arriving by ship, pay close attention to port conditions. A missed port call can prevent you from taking the tour, and the standard policy does not promise a refund for every personal travel disruption. The safest approach is to book only when your schedule and transport plans are firm.

Group tour or private outing?

The group version is the better deal when your priorities are cost and convenience. You get the same broad island-hopping idea, lunch, transfers, and time for swimming without paying for a boat reserved for only your party.

A private outing can make more sense if you are traveling as a couple or small family, especially if your start time does not fit the group schedule. Private bookings have also been praised for giving the boatman more time to focus on individual swimmers. That is especially useful if you do not know how to swim well.

The private price is not provided here, so you will need to compare the added cost at booking. For a confident swimmer who mainly wants beach time and photos, the group trip should offer better value. For nervous swimmers, photographers, or people who want a flexible pace, private service may be worth considering.

Who should book this Puerto Princesa island tour?

I would recommend it to you if you want a straightforward full-day introduction to Honda Bay. It suits couples, families, and solo visitors who like a mix of swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, and photos. The included lunch and city pickup remove much of the planning work.

It is also a good match for budget-minded visitors. At $60, you get several major costs in one package, and the shared boat keeps the price below a private outing.

I would hesitate if you dislike large groups, need a highly flexible schedule, or have limited mobility. I would also think twice if your plans are vulnerable to weather or port changes, since the booking is non-refundable when you cancel yourself.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want to see several Puerto Princesa island stops in one day without arranging boats, food, transfers, and entry fees separately. The strongest reasons are the included lunch, central pickup, broad water time, and guides such as Jake and Ana, who have been praised for safety and clear help.

Before paying, confirm your pickup location, ask about snorkeling equipment, state any food or swimming needs, and check if a private option is available. If you accept a group of up to 50 people and plan around the weather, this is a useful, fairly priced day on Honda Bay.

FAQ

How long does the Puerto Princesa island-hopping tour last?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours. You should allow a full day because it includes vehicle transfers, boat travel, several island stops, swimming, snorkeling, lunch, and the return journey.

Which islands are included?

The named stops are Cowrie Island, Lu-Li Island, and Starfish Sandbar Resort. The tour also takes place around Honda Bay, and the exact outing may include two to three islands by boat.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included and is scheduled during the Lu-Li Island portion of the day. The menu is not specified, so contact the provider in advance about dietary requirements.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

No. Snorkeling equipment is listed as an extra and is not included in the tour price.

Where is pickup available?

Free pickup is available from hotels in Puerto Princesa’s main city or city center. Pickup from the airport or port is also offered. Hotels outside the city, including Astoria, Four Points, and Daluyon, carry an extra fee of $100 per booking.

Can I cancel for a refund?

The experience is normally non-refundable and cannot be changed after booking. If the provider cancels because of poor weather or because the minimum number of participants is not reached, you are offered another date, another experience, or a full refund.