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

The main draw here is simple: in one day, you get a taste of Honda Bay’s island life without arranging boats, permits, lunch, or transport on your own. You’ll move between Cowrie, Luli, and Starfish Island, with time for swimming, snorkeling, and a picnic by the shore.

I like the all-in-one transport and the lunch arranged on the island. I also like the chance to see starfish in shallow water rather than spending the whole day on a boat. The main concern is timing. The published route can change, and some days may give one island far more time than another.

• Three Honda Bay stops: Visit Cowrie, Luli, and Starfish Island on a single seven-hour outing.
• Starfish by the shore: Look for sea creatures in the shallow water around Starfish Island.
• Lunch with a view: A picnic meal is prepared for you on Starfish Island.
• Luli’s water activities: Swim, snorkel, and use the island’s designated jumping area.
• Hotel pickup included: An air-conditioned van collects you in Puerto Princesa and returns you around 3:00 pm.
• Bring your own gear: Snorkeling equipment, bottled water, and snacks are not included.

A Seven-Hour Taste of Honda Bay

This is a classic Puerto Princesa day trip for anyone who wants sea time without piecing together local transport and boat arrangements. You are picked up at your hotel around 7:00 am, transferred in an air-conditioned van, and then taken by motorized boat between three islands.

The value is in the convenience. Your booking covers the boat, the entrance fees for Cowrie, Luli, and Starfish Island, the picnic lunch, shed and terminal fees, and the services of a licensed guide, boat captain, and crew. You are paying $41 per person, plus the separate environmental fee of PHP 150 for adults or PHP 120 for those aged 18 and below and senior citizens.

I would not book this expecting a private boat or a quiet, custom-built day. This is a shared excursion with a fixed route and a practical schedule. Still, for the price, having hotel transfers, a boat, three island entrances, and lunch bundled together can make sense if you want a straightforward day on the water.

The tour is listed as seven hours, with hotel drop-off at approximately 3:00 pm. Be ready at least 15 minutes before your assigned pickup time. Drivers wait no longer than 15 minutes, so a late start can mean missing the van.

Cowrie Island, the Favorite Stop for Many

Cowrie Island is usually the easiest place to appreciate the basic appeal of Honda Bay. It offers a pleasant setting for swimming, sun, and a break from the boat. If you want a classic tropical island stop with time to relax, this is likely to be one of the more satisfying parts of the route.

The island is also useful for people in your group who do not want to spend every minute snorkeling. You can swim, sit by the shore, take photographs, or simply enjoy the sea air. Bring sandals or water shoes, since you will be moving between boat, beach, and shallow water.

The schedule matters here. A stop that lasts close to an hour can feel worthwhile, while a much shorter visit may leave you wishing for more time. If the order of the islands changes, ask your guide early about how long you will have at Cowrie. That small question can help you decide when to swim, eat, or take pictures.

Luli Island and Its Designated Jumping Area

Luli Island is included for swimming and its designated jumping area. It gives the day a more active edge than a simple beach picnic. If you enjoy getting into the water quickly, this is the stop where you will want your swimwear ready.

The name Luli is often associated with a sandbar that appears and disappears with the tide, but the information provided for this tour specifically points to the island’s swimming and jumping area. Do not book this outing based on an expectation of one exact tidal display. Conditions and access can vary.

Bring a towel and a complete change of clothes. You will be wet for much of the day, and a dry shirt makes the van ride home much more comfortable. A waterproof phone pouch or waterproof camera is also a practical choice, especially if you plan to photograph the boat ride or water activities.

The main weakness is that Luli may not offer much beyond its water area. You might find it pleasant for swimming but less interesting if you prefer long walks, local culture, or a full range of activities. Keep your expectations focused on sea time rather than sightseeing on land.

Starfish Island and the Picnic Lunch

Starfish Island is the most distinctive stop because it gives the tour its clearest wildlife moment. In the shallow water near the shore, you may see starfish and other small sea creatures. Look carefully, move slowly, and avoid handling anything in the water.

The island is also scheduled as the lunch stop. A picnic meal prepared by the tour guide is included, which saves you from carrying a full meal or searching for food during the day. The meal is a practical part of the package, not a separate restaurant experience, so bring snacks if you need more food between stops.

Your own bottled water is required, and the tour information also advises bringing snacks. That is worth taking seriously. Seven hours in the tropical heat, with swimming and boat travel, can make you thirsty and hungry well before the afternoon return.

Starfish Island may be the stop you most want to protect in the schedule. If the route changes, ask when you will visit it and how much time is planned. The published plan names Starfish Island as the lunch stop, but island time can shift during a shared boat day.

Swimming, Snorkeling, and Sea Life

The tour is built around getting in the water. You can swim near the islands, look for fish, and search the shallows for starfish. This suits you if your idea of a good day is salt water, a boat ride, and a few hours with wet feet.

Snorkeling gear is not included. You need to bring your own mask and snorkel, or arrange rental equipment separately. The same applies to kayak use, which is not part of the price.

That exclusion is important when judging the $41 cost. The package includes the major shared expenses, but it is not a complete equipment rental package. Add the environmental fee and possible gear costs before comparing it with another Honda Bay outing.

A rash guard or long-sleeved swim top is a smart addition. One of the clearest practical lessons from the tour experience is that sun exposure can be intense, especially when you are surrounded by water and have little shade. Use sunscreen, wear a hat when possible, and do not assume a cloudy morning will protect you.

You should also follow the crew’s instructions around marine life. See starfish without lifting them from the water, and avoid standing on coral or disturbing fish. The best way to enjoy a shallow-water stop is to leave it as you found it.

What the Boat and Van Transfers Mean

The air-conditioned van transfer is a welcome part of the package. Puerto Princesa hotel pickup removes the need to arrange a tricycle or taxi before sunrise, and the cool ride is useful after a hot day outside.

The motorized boat connects the islands and is the heart of the excursion. You will need to be comfortable with an open-water ride and with getting on and off at island stops. Wear sandals or water shoes that can handle wet surfaces, rather than delicate footwear.

Shed and terminal fees are included, as are the island entrance fees. This reduces the number of small payments you need to manage during the day. The environmental fee remains separate, so carry enough Philippine pesos for that charge.

The tour is conducted in English, with a licensed guide, boat captain, and crew. No individual guide names are provided, so you should not expect to request a particular guide when booking. The quality of the day will depend partly on how clearly the guide communicates the schedule and where you need to meet the boat.

Timing Is the Main Thing to Watch

The advertised pattern is early pickup, island hopping, lunch at Starfish Island, and a return to your hotel at about 3:00 pm. That sounds tidy, but shared island trips do not always divide time evenly.

You may spend more time at one stop because of boat loading, lunch arrangements, or operational changes. A poorly balanced day can leave you waiting at one island while another stop becomes rushed. One reported experience had very little time at Cowrie and no meaningful visit to Starfish Island, so I would treat the printed order as a plan rather than a guarantee.

That does not make the trip a bad choice, but it does make communication important. At the first stop, ask the guide to confirm the day’s sequence, lunch location, and approximate time at each island. If you care most about Starfish Island or Cowrie, say so politely at the start.

The tour has a free cancellation policy up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your Puerto Princesa plans are still moving, but they do not solve same-day timing problems. The best protection is arriving early, keeping your phone available, and confirming your hotel details and contact number.

What to Pack for the Islands

Pack lightly, but pack for water and sun. The tour information specifically recommends:

• Swimwear and beachwear
• A towel and a change of clothes
• Sandals or water shoes
• Sunscreen and a long-sleeved top
• A camera or waterproof camera
• Your own bottled water and snacks
• A mask and snorkel if you have them

Water shoes are especially useful when entering shallow water or walking around a wet boat landing. A dry bag or waterproof pouch can protect your phone, cash, and identification.

You must bring a valid ID. Leave alcohol and anything connected with intoxication at home, since intoxication is not allowed on the activity.

Do not overpack valuables. You will be moving between van, boat, beach, and picnic area, and the less you need to watch, the easier it is to enjoy the water.

Who Will Get the Most from This Tour

I would recommend this trip to you if you want a simple, reasonably priced introduction to Honda Bay. It suits couples, friends, and families who are happy with a shared outing and want swimming, snorkeling, island scenery, and lunch in one package.

It is also a sensible choice if you have only one free day in Puerto Princesa. You do not need to negotiate separately for a van, boat, island entry, and meal. That convenience can be worth as much as the scenery.

You may want a different plan if you need a private itinerary, precise time at every island, or a strong focus on guided marine interpretation. It may also disappoint you if you expect every island to offer many activities. Luli in particular is mainly about the water, while Cowrie and Starfish are best enjoyed at an unhurried pace.

The overall rating of 3.4 from 13 ratings suggests a mixed experience rather than a sure thing. Several aspects receive strong approval, especially the scenery, food, and island stops, but pickup communication and time management can affect the day. I would book with realistic expectations and confirm the pickup details carefully.

Is the $41 Price Fair?

At $41, the package is fairly priced if you use the included pieces. You get round-trip air-conditioned transport, a motorized boat, three island entrance fees, lunch, terminal and shed fees, and a guide and crew. Arranging those separately could take more time and may not save much money.

The final cost is higher than the headline price because the environmental fee is separate. You may also need to pay for snorkeling equipment or a kayak if you want those extras. Add those costs before deciding.

The strongest value comes from convenience, not luxury. You are buying a managed day with the basic logistics handled. You are not buying a private boat, guaranteed long stops, or included water-sports equipment.

Should You Book the Honda Bay Island Hopping Tour?

Book this tour if you want three islands, lunch, and hotel transport at a manageable price, and you are comfortable with a shared schedule that may shift. The chance to see starfish, swim near the islands, and enjoy Cowrie’s pleasant shore makes it a good fit for a first Honda Bay outing.

I would book it with your own snorkeling gear, bottled water, snacks, a long-sleeved top, and a flexible attitude. Before leaving, confirm the pickup time and ask how the guide plans to divide the day.

Skip it if you need a private experience or if missing one named island would ruin your plans. For everyone else, this is a practical way to spend a day on the water, with enough variety to keep the outing interesting and enough built-in convenience to make the price reasonable.

FAQ

How long does the Honda Bay island hopping tour last?

The activity lasts about seven hours. Hotel pickup is scheduled around 7:00 am, with drop-off approximately 3:00 pm.

Which islands are included?

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

Is lunch included?

Yes. A picnic lunch is included and is planned for Starfish Island.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

No. Masks and snorkeling gear are not included. You should bring your own equipment or arrange it separately.

Is the environmental fee included?

No. The environmental fee is separate. It is listed as PHP 150 for adults and PHP 120 for people aged 18 and below and senior citizens.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Round-trip air-conditioned van transfers are included. Be ready at least 15 minutes before the scheduled pickup, since drivers wait no longer than 15 minutes.