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

Three islands, one long day, plenty to weigh. This Honda Bay outing gives you an easy way to spend a day by the sea, with Cowrie, Luli, and Starfish Island included for $41 per person. I like the included air-conditioned transfers and boat ride, and I also like that lunch, island entrance fees, crew, and terminal charges are bundled into the price. The main concern is inconsistent time management, since the advertised stops may not always receive equal time.

You should also know that the tour has had sharply mixed results. Cowrie Island, the food, the scenery, and the overall organization have earned strong praise, while one particularly poor account describes missing Starfish Island altogether and waiting about five hours for lunch at Luli. I would book this for a simple, budget-friendly day at sea, but I would confirm the pickup and island schedule before setting out.

Key points to know before booking

• Three named islands: The planned route includes Cowrie Island, Luli Island, and Starfish Island.
• Lunch at Starfish Island: A picnic lunch is included, with the meal prepared by the tour team.
• About seven hours: Pickup is scheduled around 7:00 am, with hotel return planned for approximately 3:00 pm.
• Bring your own water: Bottled water and snacks are not included, and you are specifically advised to bring them.
• Snorkeling gear costs extra: Masks and snorkeling equipment are not included, and kayak use also costs extra.
• Time allocation matters: The tour can be excellent when the stops run as planned, but a serious complaint involved a long wait and a missed island.

Starting from Puerto Princesa at 7:00 am

The day begins with pickup from your hotel in Puerto Princesa. You need to be ready at least 15 minutes before the scheduled time because the driver will wait no longer than 15 minutes after pickup.

That small rule matters. One poor experience involved a customer who said nobody collected them or contacted them. To avoid a preventable problem, provide your full name, hotel name, and contact number when booking, then keep your phone available that morning.

The included air-conditioned van is useful in Puerto Princesa’s warm climate. You do not need to arrange a separate ride to the port, and the transfer removes one piece of morning planning. Still, hotel pickup times can vary, so I would not schedule an important afternoon activity immediately after the advertised 3:00 pm return.

The tour is listed as lasting seven hours. That sounds generous, but it includes transfers, port procedures, boat travel, lunch, swimming, and three island stops. You should think of it as a full but tightly managed day, not three leisurely beach visits.

Setting out by motorized boat

Once you reach the terminal, the tour uses a motorized boat to move between the islands. The boat, terminal charges, and shed fees are included, so you are not expected to pay separate small charges at every step.

The route is built for variety. You get a beach stop, a place for swimming and fish viewing, a jump area at Luli, and lunch by the water. The appeal is not one major attraction. It is the chance to string together several simple island experiences without arranging boats and entry tickets yourself.

The boat ride also shapes the day’s comfort. Bring sandals or water shoes, a towel, swimwear, a change of clothes, and beachwear. A camera or waterproof camera is useful, but protect anything electronic around the boat and shoreline.

Snacks are worth packing even though lunch is included. The tour specifically tells you to bring your own bottled water and snacks, and that advice is practical. You may spend long periods in transit or waiting near an island, and the schedule may not place food exactly when you expect it.

Starfish Island and the included picnic lunch

Starfish Island is meant to be one of the day’s signature stops. Its main draw is the chance to see starfish near the shore, along with shallow water where you can swim and look for small sea creatures.

The island also serves as the lunch stop. A picnic meal prepared by the tour team is included in the price, and the food receives some of the clearest praise in the available feedback. That makes lunch more than a basic add-on. It gives you a reason to pause, dry off, and enjoy the setting rather than rushing straight from one water activity to the next.

I would keep expectations sensible. This is a picnic lunch, not a restaurant meal, and the exact menu is not provided. You should also bring snacks in case you prefer to eat more often or have dietary needs that are not covered by the group meal.

Starfish Island is also the stop most affected by schedule problems. The planned route includes it, but one serious account says the island was not visited at all. That person described spending most of the day at Luli, waiting for a place to become available for lunch, then receiving only about 50 minutes at Cowrie.

That does not prove every departure will run this way, but it is an important warning. If Starfish Island is your main reason for booking, ask at the start of the day whether it remains on the schedule and how much time is planned there.

Cowrie Island, the strongest beach stop

Cowrie Island receives some of the warmest praise, and it is easy to understand why. The island is associated with attractive scenery, swimming, relaxing, and time by the shore. If you want a classic tropical island stop, this is likely to be one of the more satisfying parts of the route.

You can use the time for a swim, a walk, or simply a break from the boat. The tour description also points to fish viewing and sea creatures, so bring your own mask and snorkel if you already have them. The operator does not include snorkeling equipment, and there is no promise that rental equipment will be available at every stop.

The main drawback is not Cowrie itself. It is the amount of time you receive there. A strong stop can feel rushed if the earlier schedule slips. One account praised Cowrie but said the visit lasted only around 50 minutes before the group had to return to the boat.

For that reason, I would treat Cowrie as a highlight but not assume you will have an unlimited beach afternoon. Listen carefully to the guide’s instructions and be ready to return to the boat on time. Island tours cannot wait long for late passengers.

Luli Island and the jump area

Luli Island is included as the tour’s activity-focused stop. Its advertised attraction is a designated area where you can jump into the water, as well as swimming and fish viewing.

If you enjoy getting wet and want a little more action than a beach picnic, this stop may be your favorite. Bring secure swimwear, water shoes, and a towel. You should not assume that kayak use or equipment rental is part of the package, because both kayak use and masks and snorkeling gear are excluded.

Luli is also where the day’s schedule needs the closest attention. The tour plan allows for three islands, but one very negative experience described spending about five hours at Luli while waiting for lunch arrangements. The customer found the stop empty and dull, then had only a short visit at Cowrie.

That is a major problem if accurate, especially because a seven-hour tour leaves little room to recover lost time. I would ask the guide where lunch will be served and when the boat will move to the next island. A clear answer can help you understand if the schedule is running normally.

Swimming, fish, and simple island time

The experience is best for people who enjoy basic outdoor pleasures. You can swim, look for fish, spot starfish near the shore, sit under a shed, and take photos. You are not signing up for an elaborate cultural program or a highly structured nature presentation.

That simplicity is part of the value. At $41, the tour combines transport, a boat, three entrance fees, lunch, a licensed English-speaking guide, the boat captain and crew, terminal fees, and a shed. Organizing all of those pieces separately would take more time and could produce a less predictable total cost.

The price is less attractive if you already have your own boat arrangements or only want one island. It also becomes less convincing if you pay extra for equipment, spend hours waiting, or miss one of the included islands.

Sun protection deserves serious attention. One piece of feedback specifically advises wearing long sleeves to avoid burned skin. I would add sunscreen, a hat, and a cover-up to the supplied packing list. The water can feel refreshing while the sun continues to work on exposed shoulders and backs.

What the guide and crew add to the day

The package includes a licensed tour guide, boat captain, and crew. The guide’s role should include keeping the group together, explaining the stops, managing timing, and helping coordinate lunch and boat movements.

The quality of that support may shape your day as much as the islands do. Several accounts praise the trip’s organization, and one describes it as perfectly arranged. Another gives a much less flattering picture, describing a quiet guide who mostly stood aside and offered little help.

I would not expect a long, lecture-style guiding program. The information provided only confirms English service, not a detailed commentary schedule. If you want constant explanation about marine life or local history, this may feel light. If you mainly want transport and practical assistance, the guide’s presence may be enough when the day runs well.

There are no guide names provided, so you cannot request a particular guide in advance. The operator is Wild Expeditions Travel and Tours.

What the $41 price really covers

The $41 price is reasonable for a full-day island trip when you value convenience. Your fee covers:

• Air-conditioned round-trip van transfers
• The motorized boat
• Entrance fees for Cowrie, Luli, and Starfish islands
• Picnic lunch at Starfish Island
• Shed and terminal fees
• A licensed tour guide
• Boat captain and crew

You must still pay the environmental fee separately. The listed amount is PHP 150 for adults and PHP 120 for people aged 18 and under and senior citizens.

Kayak use is not included. Masks and snorkeling gear are also not included, so bring your own if you have suitable equipment. The tour also tells you to carry bottled water and snacks, which means the advertised price is not quite the full amount you will spend during the day.

I see the best value here for a first-time visitor who wants an organized introduction to Honda Bay. You get a van, a boat, food, and admission in one booking. The value weakens for anyone who dislikes group schedules or wants complete control over how long they stay on each island.

Packing for heat, water, and waiting time

Pack for a wet and sunny day, not just a beach photo stop. I would bring:

• Swimwear and a change of clothes
• Towel and sandals
• Water shoes
• Beachwear and a long-sleeved cover-up
• Sunscreen and a hat
• Bottled water and snacks
• Camera or waterproof camera
• Your own mask and snorkeling gear, if available
• A valid ID

The tour requires a valid ID, and the environmental fee is separate. Water shoes are particularly sensible because shore conditions can be uncomfortable for bare feet, although the exact surfaces at each island are not specified.

Do not arrive intoxicated. Intoxication is not allowed, which is standard and sensible for a boat-based activity involving swimming and group transport.

Who will enjoy this Honda Bay day

I would recommend this tour to you if you want a convenient first taste of island life near Puerto Princesa. It suits people who enjoy swimming, simple picnic meals, boat rides, and a group day with the main practical details already handled.

Families may appreciate the included van, lunch, and entrance fees, but parents should bring extra snacks and watch the schedule closely. The tour is also a good fit for photographers, provided you protect your camera and do not expect every stop to offer the same scenery or amount of free time.

I would be more cautious if you have only one day in Puerto Princesa and cannot tolerate a missed stop. The low rating of 3.4 from 13 recorded ratings reflects a real split between very happy outings and serious service failures. A pickup problem or major schedule delay could affect your whole day.

You should also reconsider if you need guaranteed snorkeling equipment, kayaking, a private boat, or a detailed guiding program. None of those are included.

Should you book this island hopping tour?

Book it if you want a reasonably priced, all-in-one day with Cowrie, Luli, and Starfish Island on the planned route. The strongest reasons are the attractive Cowrie stop, included picnic lunch, pleasant scenery, and the convenience of hotel pickup, boat transport, and admission fees.

Before paying, make sure your hotel name, full name, and phone number are correct. Be ready early, carry water and snacks, and ask the guide at the first opportunity how the three-island schedule will run.

I would choose this tour for flexibility and value, not for certainty or luxury. If you can accept a group schedule and possible changes, it offers a straightforward way to get out on Honda Bay. If seeing Starfish Island is non-negotiable, confirm that point directly before departure and consider a private arrangement if the schedule feels unclear.

FAQ

How long does the Honda Bay island hopping tour last?

The tour duration is approximately seven hours. Pickup is scheduled around 7:00 am, and hotel drop-off is planned for about 3:00 pm.

Which islands are included?

The planned stops are Cowrie Island, Luli Island, and Starfish Island.

Is hotel pickup included?

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

Is lunch included?

Yes. A picnic lunch prepared by the tour team is included and is planned for Starfish Island.

Are snorkeling masks and equipment included?

No. Masks and snorkeling gear are not included. You may bring your own equipment. Kayak use is also excluded.

Do I need to pay an environmental fee?

Yes. The environmental fee is separate from the tour price. The listed fee is PHP 150 for adults and PHP 120 for people aged 18 and under and senior citizens.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a change of clothes, a towel, sandals, beachwear, water shoes, a camera, bottled water, snacks, and snorkeling gear if you have it. You should also bring a valid ID.