Palawan: Honda Bay Island Hopping Cruise

Small islands, big blue horizons. Honda Bay offers an easy day on the water from Puerto Princesa, with visits to Starfish Island, Luli Island, and Cowrie Island, plus lunch and hotel pickup included. I like the simple all-in-one setup and the chance to meet other people in a shared group. I also like that the tour reaches island beaches in about 30 minutes from the city, so you get a full sea day without a long transfer.

The main drawback is that Honda Bay can feel busy and commercial. One stop may be a pontoon used mainly for snorkeling rather than a true island, and the snorkeling areas can be crowded. If you have already seen the stronger marine sites around El Nido or Coron, this may feel like a lighter version of island hopping.

At $40 per person, the package covers plenty: a motorized boat, guide, lunch, hotel pickup and drop-off within the town proper, entrance fees, terminal fees, and a life vest. You still pay the PHP 150 environmental fee, and mask, snorkel, and aqua shoes cost extra to rent.

Key points to know before booking

• Three Honda Bay stops: The route includes Starfish Island, Luli Island, and Cowrie Island, each offering a slightly different mix of sand, swimming, snorkeling, and resort-style facilities.
• About 30 minutes from Puerto Princesa: Honda Bay is close enough for a convenient day trip, with no long road journey to reach the water.
• Shared transport and boats: The van can carry up to 13 people, and the boat is shared, which keeps the cost down but means less control over timing.
• Lunch is included: You receive a picnic-style Filipino lunch, with BBQ fish praised as one of the better parts of the meal.
• Bring your own water gear if possible: Mask and snorkel rental, aqua shoes, and the PHP 150 environmental fee are not included.
• Best for a relaxed sea day: This suits you if you want beaches, swimming, and simple snorkeling close to town, not a quiet or highly personalized marine expedition.

What a $40 Honda Bay day really offers

The price is reasonable if you value convenience. Your hotel pickup, road transfer, boat, island entrance fees, terminal and wharf fees, guide, lunch, and life vest are bundled together. That saves you from arranging separate transport and negotiating a boat at the waterfront.

Still, the advertised price is not the final cost. Add the PHP 150 environmental fee per person, then allow for mask and snorkel rental if you do not bring your own. Aqua shoes are also extra, which matters if you dislike walking over rocky or uneven areas.

I see this as a solid mid-range day trip, rather than a bargain adventure. The package gives you a straightforward way to experience Honda Bay, but the value depends on your expectations. If you want a convenient beach day with food and transport handled, it works well. If your priority is clear coral, uncrowded beaches, or a private schedule, the price may feel less appealing.

The overall rating is 3.9 out of 5 from 30 ratings. That feels fair. The strongest praise centers on good weather, attractive views, a filling lunch, and the relaxed pleasure of being on the water. The weaker experiences point to crowding, limited snorkeling, and poor communication when the day runs behind schedule.

Leaving Puerto Princesa in a shared van

Pickup is provided from hotels within Puerto Princesa’s town proper. You wait in the hotel lobby, and the guide calls when the vehicle is on the way. If your hotel sits outside the proper city area, an added charge may apply, so confirm this before booking.

The van holds up to 13 people. That gives the trip a social feel and can be a nice way to meet other people, but it also means you are not setting the pace yourself. A late pickup or a slow-moving group can affect the day, especially when several island stops must fit into a nine-hour schedule.

The shared arrangement is one of the tour’s practical trade-offs. You get a lower cost and a ready-made plan, but you should not expect a private guide focused only on you. One account described a late start and confusion about what would happen next. That is useful advice: pay attention at each stop, keep your belongings together, and ask the guide directly about the next meeting time and location.

The tour offers English and Tagalog guidance. The guide is described as DOT accredited, and the package includes hotel drop-off after the day on the bay.

Starfish Island and the first taste of Honda Bay

Starfish Island is one of the three named stops. Its appeal is easy to understand: white sand, shallow tropical water, and the chance to look for marine life around the island. Honda Bay is home to fish, coral, and giant clams, so this is the sort of place where your attention shifts between the beach and the water.

The island name sets a clear expectation, but do not assume you will have the shore to yourself. This is a popular shared tour route, and the atmosphere can change with the number of boats arriving at the same time.

For the best experience, bring sunscreen, swimwear, and a waterproof bag. You will likely move between dry land and the boat several times, so a waterproof pouch protects phones, money, and room keys better than a loose day bag.

Snorkeling equipment is not included. You can rent a mask and snorkel, but bringing your own gear may save money and avoid waiting for equipment. Aqua shoes are also available for an additional charge, and they can be useful if you are sensitive to rough surfaces.

Luli Island, with a different kind of island stop

Luli Island is another named stop on the route. The tour description presents Honda Bay as a chain of tiny islands with beaches and resort facilities, so Luli is part of the broader mix of swimming, sunbathing, and water activities rather than a single-purpose beach stop.

One important detail is that not every stop feels like a traditional island beach. One part of the route has been described as more of a pontoon used for snorkeling. You may find that Luli or another stop is focused on access to the water, platforms, or organized activities instead of a broad stretch of sand.

That distinction matters. If you picture three empty white-sand islands, you may be disappointed. If you see the day as three places to swim, rest, and get into Honda Bay, the route makes more sense.

The water activities are simple and flexible. You can swim, try snorkeling, relax in the sun, or take part in available watersports. The package does not specify which particular watersports are offered or whether they cost extra, so ask before paying for anything on site.

Cowrie Island and the most relaxed part of the day

Cowrie Island completes the scheduled island visits. Like the other stops, it offers a chance to get off the boat, enjoy the beach, and spend time around the water. Its resort-style setting can make it a comfortable place to pause, particularly if you prefer a little more structure than a completely undeveloped shore.

The day is not only about snorkeling. For many people, the best part will be the basic pleasure of swimming, sitting on white sand, and watching the horizon. Good weather can make a major difference. On a clear sunny day, you get bright sea views and a wide horizon with the mountainous Philippines in the distance.

I would keep expectations moderate about the marine life. Honda Bay has fish, coral, and giant clams, but conditions vary. One account found little coral at the snorkeling sites, while another found the snorkeling area small and packed with people. This is not the place to book solely for a serious underwater experience.

Instead, treat snorkeling as one part of the outing. You may see fish and enjoy the water, but you may also spend more time swimming in a crowded area than examining coral gardens. The scenery and easy access from Puerto Princesa are stronger reasons to choose this trip.

Filipino lunch on the beach

Lunch is included as a picnic-style Filipino meal. It is described as a buffet-style spread, with BBQ fish receiving especially strong praise. The meal was also considered filling, which matters during a nine-hour day in the sun.

Do not expect a restaurant meal or a private dining setting. The food is designed to keep you going between island stops, and the menu may be simple. That is perfectly suitable for this kind of excursion, where the main attraction is the bay rather than a carefully planned culinary experience.

I like that lunch is included because it removes one more decision from a busy day. You do not need to return to Puerto Princesa to eat or search for food between boats. Bring water if you prefer to stay well hydrated, since the supplied details do not specify drinks.

If you have dietary needs, ask before departure. The available information confirms a Filipino picnic lunch but does not provide a full menu or special-diet policy.

Crowds, communication, and the shared-tour trade-off

The shared format is both the tour’s advantage and its weakness. You can make friends in the group, and the social atmosphere may suit solo travelers or anyone who enjoys an informal day out. The cost also benefits from sharing the van and boat.

The downside is that your experience depends on the group and the guide’s organization. A late arrival can shorten time at the islands. One account also described a guide who was not consistently present in the van or boat and did not provide enough information about what came next.

I would not treat this as a guaranteed problem, but I would prepare for a less polished operation than you might find on a private charter. Keep your ears open for instructions, confirm the return point before leaving the boat, and make sure you know when to regroup.

A shared tour is a better fit if you are flexible. If you need strict timing, quiet beaches, or detailed commentary at every stop, this may frustrate you.

Weather and seasickness matter here

The tour lasts nine hours, so weather has a large effect on the day. Sunshine can turn the trip into a beautiful session of swimming, sunbathing, and sea views. Cloud, wind, or rough water can make the boat ride less pleasant.

People prone to seasickness should avoid this activity. It involves a motorized boat and repeated movement between islands, and the schedule gives you a long time on the water. If you know you are sensitive to motion, this is not the right place to test your limits.

Sunscreen is essential. So is a waterproof bag for electronics and valuables. Wear swimwear under your clothes, since the day is built around water access rather than formal sightseeing.

Alcohol and drugs are not allowed. That is worth noting because this is a public, shared excursion with safety rules and a life vest supplied for every participant.

Who will enjoy this Honda Bay cruise?

I would recommend this tour to you if you want:

• A convenient full-day trip from Puerto Princesa
• Hotel pickup and lunch included
• White-sand beaches and time in the sun
• A shared social atmosphere
• Light snorkeling rather than a specialist marine excursion
• A simple way to see three well-known Honda Bay stops

Families and casual swimmers may appreciate the easy structure, though the long day and boat travel may not suit very young children unless they handle heat and sea movement well. The supplied information does not give a specific age policy, so check before booking for children.

Solo visitors can benefit from the shared van and boat. You are not arranging the day alone, and the group format creates natural company. Couples who want privacy should consider another option, since the transport and activities are shared.

Experienced snorkelers should be more cautious. Honda Bay has marine life, but the snorkeling sites may be small, crowded, or lacking visible coral. If you have already visited El Nido or Coron, you may find this excursion less impressive underwater.

Practical booking advice for the nine-hour outing

The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which is helpful if your Puerto Princesa schedule may change.

Check that your hotel is within the town proper before booking. If it is outside the area, ask about the added pickup charge. Also check the available start time, since the activity lasts about nine hours and the exact departure time depends on availability.

Bring:

• Swimwear
• Sunscreen
• A waterproof bag
• Your own mask and snorkel if you have them
• Cash for the PHP 150 environmental fee and possible equipment rental

The package includes a life vest, motorized boat, entrance fees, terminal fees, wharf fees, lunch, guide service, and town-proper hotel transfers. It does not include the environmental fee, mask and snorkel, or aqua shoes.

Should you book the Honda Bay island cruise?

Book it if you want an easy, social day on the water from Puerto Princesa, with the main costs handled in advance. The best parts are the short trip from the city, the attractive island views, the chance to swim and sunbathe, and the included Filipino lunch, especially the BBQ fish.

Skip it if your main goal is uncrowded beaches, strong coral viewing, or a private and highly organized trip. Honda Bay can deliver a pleasant day, but the snorkeling may be modest and one stop may feel more like a pontoon than an island.

For $40, I see this as a convenient introduction to Honda Bay, not a must-do marine adventure. Book with realistic expectations, bring your own snorkeling gear, and choose it for the combination of beaches, boat time, lunch, and ease from Puerto Princesa.

FAQ

How long does the Honda Bay island hopping tour last?

The tour lasts about nine hours. Check availability for the exact starting time.

What islands are included?

The route includes Starfish Island, Luli Island, and Cowrie Island.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included for hotels within Puerto Princesa’s town proper. An additional charge may apply for hotels outside the proper city area.

How many people can be in the van?

The van can hold up to 13 people. The tour uses shared transportation and shared boats.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A picnic lunch is included in the package. The meal is Filipino in style, and BBQ fish is one of the highlighted dishes.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

No. Mask and snorkel rental is not included. Aqua shoes are also not included, so you can bring your own or rent them separately.

Is the environmental fee included?

No. You must pay an environmental fee of PHP 150 per person.

What languages does the guide speak?

The live tour guide speaks English and Tagalog.

Can I cancel the booking for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The activity also offers a reserve-now-and-pay-later option.