Honda Bay Island: Island Tour with Lunch & Transfer

Three islands, one bright day at sea. This eight-hour Honda Bay tour gives you a simple way to see three very different islands from Puerto Princesa, with hotel transport, a boat, island fees, a guide, and lunch included. You get snorkeling at Starfish Island, beach time at Luli Island, and a picnic meal on Cowrie Island.

I like the easy hotel pickup and return, which saves you from arranging a tricycle or taxi before sunrise. I also like the mix of activities: Starfish is for swimming and marine life, Luli is for sand and changing tides, and Cowrie provides the most settled lunch break. The main drawback is that non-swimmers and people prone to seasickness may find the day uncomfortable, while snorkeling gear and the P200 environmental fee cost extra.

Key points to know before booking

• Hotel pickup starts early: Pickup is scheduled in a 7:00 AM to 8:00 AM window, followed by a roughly 45-minute transfer to Honda Bay.
• Starfish Island is the water stop: Plan on swimming and snorkeling for about an hour, with starfish and other sea life as the main attraction.
• Cowrie Island includes lunch: You get around 1.5 hours for a beach picnic, swimming, and photos.
• Luli Island changes with the tide: Parts of its shore emerge and submerge, so the island can look different during your visit.
• The group is limited to 15: That is a useful middle ground between a large crowd and the higher cost of a fully private boat.
• Bring your own water gear: Snorkels, kayaks, snacks, sunscreen, towels, and water are not all covered by the tour price.

Why Honda Bay makes a good day trip from Puerto Princesa

Puerto Princesa has plenty of inland sights, but Honda Bay gives you a full day beside the water without requiring an overnight stay. At $54 per person, this is a practical package for anyone who wants transport and island access handled in one booking.

I see the value in the structure. You do not have to negotiate a boat price at the terminal, find a guide, work out island fees, or search for lunch once you arrive. The price includes the roundtrip ride from Puerto Princesa, the boat, island entrance fees, a local English-speaking guide, and either a packed or buffet-style lunch, depending on the operator arrangements.

The price does not cover everything. You need to budget P200 per person for the environmental fee. Snorkeling equipment and kayak rental are also extra, so bringing your own snorkel can save money if you have room in your luggage.

The tour has a current rating of 4.2 from four ratings, which suggests a generally positive experience but not a perfect one. One useful piece of feedback is that hotel pickup and drop-off worked very well, while the guide created a cheerful atmosphere and played volleyball for a long time with the group. The weak point was communication about what to do at each stop and how long people had there. That is worth knowing before you go: ask for the schedule at the start and confirm the return time at every island.

The early hotel pickup and Honda Bay transfer

Your day begins with a hotel pickup in Puerto Princesa, usually sometime between 7:00 AM and 8:00 AM. The driver is expected to meet you in the hotel lobby with a sign showing your name, so wait there rather than outside on the street.

The pickup service is also available from Puerto Princesa International Airport, with the airport listed as both a pickup and drop-off option. If you are using a hotel inside Puerto Princesa, transport is included, but Astoria Hotel has an additional charge.

The transfer to Honda Bay takes about 45 minutes. Once at the terminal, you check in and board the boat for the island tour. The exact start can feel a little slow if several arrangements need to be completed at the terminal, so keep your morning relaxed and do not schedule a tight afternoon flight.

The boat serves the entire island-hopping route. You will be on the water for much of the day, with about an hour at each main island and a longer stop for lunch. The group size is limited to 15 people, which should make boarding and basic questions easier than on a large party boat.

Starfish Island: your first chance to swim

Starfish Island is the main snorkeling stop. The water is described as clear, and the purpose of the visit is to see starfish and other marine life while swimming.

You should bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a camera in a waterproof case. The tour does not include a snorkel, so you either need to rent one or bring your own. The same applies if you want to kayak at one of the islands.

This stop is best for people who enjoy getting into the water rather than simply looking at it from the boat. The tour information specifically says it is not suitable for non-swimmers, so do not book this as a purely sightseeing cruise if you are uncomfortable in the sea.

Give yourself a little time to get organized before leaving the boat. Since one piece of feedback noted that instructions at the stops could be clearer, ask the guide where to leave your belongings, how long you have, and where the group will meet again. Those three questions can prevent a rushed return to the boat.

Starfish Island is likely to be the most rewarding stop for confident swimmers. It gives the day a clear purpose beyond beach sitting, but the experience depends on sea conditions, your comfort in the water, and whether you arrange your own equipment.

Cowrie Island and the beach lunch

Cowrie Island is the most useful stop for a proper break. The visit includes a photo stop, lunch, and about 1.5 hours on the island. You can eat on the beach, swim, relax on the sand, or buy a snack from local food outlets if they are available during your visit.

Lunch may be a packed meal provided by the operator or a buffet arrangement. Because the exact food style can vary, do not expect a particular menu. If you have dietary needs, ask about the meal before departure and bring a few snacks as backup.

I like having the longest stop here. A one-hour island visit can disappear quickly once you unload from the boat, change, take photos, and swim. The extra half hour gives you time to eat without treating lunch like a race.

Cowrie is also the best place to slow down. After an early pickup and a boat ride, you may want shade, food, and dry clothes more than another activity. Pack a cover-up and keep sunscreen close, since the tour specifically advises bringing a hat, sunscreen, water, and a towel.

If your main goal is a quiet beach day, Cowrie will probably appeal to you more than Starfish. If you want nonstop action, the longer lunch stop may feel less exciting. That is not a flaw, but it helps to set the right expectation.

Luli Island and its changing shore

Luli Island is known for its changing shoreline. Parts of the beach emerge and submerge with the tide, so the amount of visible sand can vary during the visit.

The planned stop lasts about an hour and includes swimming and time to relax. It is also a good photo stop because the island’s appearance changes with the water level. Pay attention to the tide rather than assuming the beach will look exactly as it does in promotional photographs.

Luli works best as a flexible stop. You may have a clear stretch of sand for sitting, or you may find the water has covered parts of the shore. Bring footwear you can handle around wet sand and keep your bag away from the waterline.

The advertised schedule places Luli in the afternoon, after lunch, while the full stop sequence can vary. Ask your guide early in the day which island comes next and how much time you have. This is especially useful because the communication about stop lengths was not as clear as it could have been for at least one participant.

What the guide adds, and where you need to speak up

The tour includes a local English-speaking guide to help with the route and island visits. The guide’s role is especially useful at the terminal, during boat boarding, and when the group needs to return to the boat.

The available feedback gives a mixed but encouraging picture. The guide was described as cheerful and willing to spend a long time playing volleyball with the group. That suggests a friendly tone rather than a stiff, formal tour.

At the same time, the instructions about activities, departure times, and what to take off the boat were not always clear. I would treat that as a prompt to be proactive. At each stop, ask:

• How long is the stop?
• What time should I return to the boat?
• Can I leave my bag on board?
• Which activities are included?
• Where is the meeting point?

That small effort matters on an island tour. Boats cannot wait indefinitely, and a beach stop is more enjoyable when you know how much time you have.

Transport, group size, and the private upgrade

The shared tour is limited to 15 participants. For many people, that offers enough structure without the expense of a private charter. You still get a guide and a planned route, but the group should be more manageable than a large excursion with dozens of people.

A private-tour upgrade is available if you want a more exclusive experience. The supplied details do not state the private-tour price or whether the exact schedule changes, so ask for those specifics before paying more. The upgrade may suit couples, families, or small groups who care about having more control over their day, but the shared option is likely the better value for solo visitors and budget-conscious couples.

Roundtrip hotel transport is one of the strongest practical features. You are picked up in Puerto Princesa and returned there after the boat reaches the terminal. Airport pickup and drop-off are also listed, but you should allow plenty of time if using this tour on a flight day. The tour lasts eight hours, and the sample return reaches the hotel around 5:00 PM.

What to pack for a more comfortable day

The basics are simple, but forgetting one item can make an island day harder than it needs to be. Pack swimwear, a towel, a hat, sunscreen, water, snacks, and a camera.

Bring a dry bag or waterproof pouch if you have one. The tour information does not specifically promise storage for phones or wallets, and you will move between a boat, beach, and swimming areas.

You may also want a light shirt or cover-up for the boat ride and lunch. Keep cash available for the P200 environmental fee, extra snacks, snorkel rental, or kayak rental. Smoking, alcohol, and drugs are not allowed.

The tour is described as suitable for children, seniors, and people with disabilities, with a focus on a safe and accessible day. Still, the same information says it is not suitable for non-swimmers or people prone to seasickness. If you have mobility needs or are unsure about water activities, confirm the practical arrangements before booking.

Who should book this Honda Bay tour?

I would recommend this tour if you want a straightforward introduction to Honda Bay and prefer a planned day over arranging each part yourself. It suits visitors staying in Puerto Princesa who want snorkeling, beach time, and lunch in one outing.

Families may appreciate the hotel transport and short island visits. The guide and small group can also make the day easier than managing a private boat independently. Children and older adults can enjoy the beach portions, though swimming ability and comfort around boats still matter.

This tour is also a good match for first-time visitors to Palawan who do not want to spend time comparing terminal fees and boat arrangements. The operator handles the main pieces, and the $54 price covers more than a boat-only excursion.

I would hesitate if you are prone to seasickness, cannot swim, or want a quiet private day with no group schedule. I would also hesitate if you expect premium snorkeling equipment, detailed commentary at every stop, or a carefully timed luxury experience. This is a practical island day, not a high-end yacht outing.

Should you book the $54 Honda Bay island tour?

Book it if you value convenience, want three island stops, and are happy with a shared boat and a flexible beach schedule. The strongest reasons are the included transport, lunch, boat, island fees, and small-group size.

Before you confirm, remember the extra P200 environmental fee and the separate cost of snorkeling equipment or kayaking. On the morning of the tour, ask for stop lengths and meeting times, since clear instructions appear to be the main area needing improvement.

For most visitors based in Puerto Princesa, this is a fair-value way to spend a full day on Honda Bay. Choose the private upgrade only if personal space and control matter more to you than keeping costs low.

FAQ

How long does the Honda Bay island tour last?

The tour lasts eight hours. The sample schedule begins with hotel pickup between 7:00 AM and 8:00 AM and returns to the hotel at about 5:00 PM.

Where can I be picked up and dropped off?

Pickup and drop-off are available at Puerto Princesa locations and Puerto Princesa International Airport. Pickup from Astoria Hotel has an additional charge.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included and may be a packed meal or buffet, depending on the operator arrangements. Food may also be available from local restaurants at Cowrie Island.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

No. Snorkel rental is not included. You can bring your own equipment or arrange a rental separately.

Is the environmental fee included?

No. The environmental fee is P200 per person and is paid separately.

Is this tour suitable for non-swimmers?

No. The activity is listed as unsuitable for non-swimmers. It is also not recommended for people prone to seasickness.

How many people are in the group?

The shared tour is a small-group experience limited to 15 participants. A private-tour upgrade is also available.