Palawan: Honda Bay Island Hopping Cruise

Honda Bay is a pleasant change of pace from Puerto Princesa’s streets. Within about 30 minutes of the city, you are looking out across open water toward small islands, white beaches, and the mountainous coast of Palawan. The main draw is the chance to visit three famous stops in one day, with time for swimming, sunbathing, and snorkeling.

I like the included Filipino lunch, especially the chance to eat a filling buffet-style meal with grilled fish, and I like the social side of a shared tour. A group of about 13 people travels in the van, so this can be an easy way to meet other tourists.

The catch is that Honda Bay is a busy, commercial day trip. One stop may be a pontoon used mainly for snorkeling, and the water can feel crowded. If you have already visited El Nido or Coron, the coral and marine life here may seem modest by comparison.

Key points to know before booking

• Three Honda Bay stops: Visit Starfish Island, Luli Island, and Cowrie Island during a nine-hour outing.
• About 30 minutes from Puerto Princesa: The bay offers a quick escape from the city without requiring a long transfer.
• Lunch is included: Expect a Filipino picnic or buffet meal, with grilled fish praised as a highlight.
• Shared transport and boat: The van carries about 13 people, and the boat is shared with other tourists.
• Budget for extras: The PHP 150 environmental fee, mask and snorkel, and aqua shoes are not included.
• Best for easy beach time: Choose this trip for swimming, sun, and a social day, not for Palawan’s most impressive coral reefs.

Leaving Puerto Princesa for Honda Bay

The day begins with hotel pickup in Puerto Princesa’s city proper. You wait in the hotel lobby, and the guide calls when the vehicle is on its way. Pickup outside the proper may cost extra, so check your hotel address before you pay.

The shared van holds about 13 people. That keeps the price down, but it also means the morning depends on collecting everyone. If you are running late, the schedule can become stressful, so be ready in the lobby and keep your phone nearby.

The transfer to Honda Bay takes roughly 30 minutes from the city. That short ride is one of the tour’s strongest points. You do not spend half the day on a road just to reach the water. Soon, the focus shifts from city traffic to boats, small islands, and open views.

A DOT-accredited guide accompanies the outing, with English and Tagalog available. The guide should explain the day’s movements and help with the practical parts of boarding, swimming, and returning to the van. Still, the quality of communication can vary. Keep track of the meeting points and timing yourself, especially if the guide is busy coordinating several people.

Starfish Island and the first swim

Starfish Island is one of the three named stops. Its appeal is easy to understand: white sand, shallow water, and the chance to see marine life in Honda Bay. The island forms part of the classic postcard version of Puerto Princesa, with bright water and a clear horizon on a sunny day.

The name points to the island’s marine character, but you should not assume a guaranteed display of starfish or perfect conditions. Tides, weather, crowds, and local rules can affect what you see. Treat the stop as a beach and swimming break with a chance to look for marine life, rather than a formal wildlife encounter.

Bring sunscreen and a waterproof bag. You may want to keep your phone, wallet, and dry clothes protected while you move between the boat and shore. Swimwear is the obvious choice under your clothes, since much of the day centers on getting in the water.

The water activities are basic rather than highly organized. You can swim, snorkel, or simply sit on the sand. If you do not want to get wet, the views toward the surrounding islands still make the stop worthwhile, particularly in clear sunshine.

Luli Island, with swimming and snorkel time

Luli Island is another well-known Honda Bay stop. The name is associated with the island’s changing appearance with the tide, though the supplied tour details do not promise a particular tide condition or a specific activity setup. You should expect another island visit built around swimming, beach time, and water access.

This is also where expectations matter. Honda Bay has fish, corals, and giant clams, but not every snorkeling area offers the same quality. Some parts of the bay can have limited coral, and visibility may not match the more celebrated waters around El Nido or Coron.

One stop on the route may be more of a pontoon than a traditional island. You step from the boat into the water and snorkel in a compact area. That can be convenient for a quick swim, but it is less appealing if you want a quiet beach or a broad reef to explore.

The tour does not include a mask and snorkel. You can rent them separately, along with aqua shoes. If snorkeling is central to your plan, confirm the rental cost before departure and consider bringing your own equipment if you already have it. Aqua shoes may also help around rocky or uneven entry points, but they are an extra expense.

Cowrie Island and the easiest beach break

Cowrie Island is the third named stop and generally serves as another chance to relax, swim, and enjoy the coast. The exact order of the islands can change, and the day’s flow depends on weather, boat movements, and local arrangements.

The most enjoyable version of this stop is simple. You find a place on the sand, cool off in the water, and take in the open views. The bay can look especially good under full sunshine, when the horizon opens toward the mountainous parts of the Philippines.

Do not expect an untouched beach experience. These islands are established day-trip stops, and several boats may arrive at similar times. The attraction is convenience: three island locations in one outing, with transport and entrance fees arranged for you.

For many people, Cowrie Island will be less about discovering something new and more about having time to rest. That is not a weakness if you want a low-effort beach day. It is a weakness if you want solitude, independent exploration, or a small-group boat that can linger wherever conditions look best.

Lunch with grilled fish and Filipino dishes

Lunch is included, which makes the $40 price easier to judge. The meal is typically a Filipino picnic or buffet-style spread, and grilled fish has been singled out as especially enjoyable. It is filling rather than fancy, but that suits a long day in the sun.

You should still keep your expectations sensible. This is tour lunch, not a carefully planned food tour. The meal gives you a chance to try familiar Filipino dishes without finding a restaurant between island stops, and it saves you the trouble of carrying a full day’s food.

The lunch also adds to the social character of the trip. Since the van and boat are shared, meals become a natural time to chat with people from different countries. If you are traveling alone, this is one of the better reasons to choose a group outing instead of arranging a private boat.

Bring water and protect your food from the heat if you carry snacks. The supplied information confirms lunch but does not specify the full menu, drinks, or dietary options, so ask in advance if you have a serious food restriction.

What $40 really buys you

At $40 per person, the package covers more than transport to the coast. You receive hotel pickup and drop-off within the city proper, a motorized boat, a DOT-accredited guide, a life vest, island entrance fees, terminal fees, wharf fees, and lunch.

Those inclusions matter. Paying separately for a boat, permits, and each island can take time and make a budget day harder to manage. The shared format keeps the price reasonable and gives you a straightforward way to see several parts of Honda Bay without negotiating at the waterfront.

The extra charges are important, though. Each person pays a PHP 150 environmental fee. Mask and snorkel rental and aqua shoes are also outside the package. Add those costs before deciding that the advertised price is your complete day-trip budget.

Value depends on what you want from Palawan. If you are based in Puerto Princesa and want a convenient beach outing, the package is sensible. If you are comparing it with a private boat or a premium snorkeling trip, the shared tour offers less flexibility and less control over the stops.

It is also worth comparing Honda Bay with your wider itinerary. If you have already spent time around El Nido or Coron, you may find the scenery and coral here less impressive. If Puerto Princesa is your only base, Honda Bay provides an easy taste of island life without another long journey.

Crowds, timing, and the real pace of the day

Nine hours is a full day. The length includes hotel pickup, the ride to the terminal, boat movements, island stops, lunch, and the return journey. You should not picture nine uninterrupted hours on a beach.

The shared arrangement can add waiting time. A van with 13 people must collect the group, and the boat must work within local departure and landing arrangements. That is normal for a low-cost group trip, but it can feel slow if you prefer to set your own pace.

Crowding is another practical concern. A snorkeling area may be small and packed with tourists, which reduces visibility and makes the water feel less peaceful. You may still enjoy a swim, but do not book this expecting a private reef encounter.

Weather makes a major difference. Clear sunshine can turn the day into an excellent outing for sunbathing and horizon views. Cloud, wind, or rougher water can make the same route feel far less special. The tour is not a strong choice for anyone who becomes seasick, and the information specifically lists seasickness as a reason to avoid it.

What to pack for a smoother day

Pack light, but bring the items that protect you from sun and water:

• Swimwear and a change of clothes
• Sunscreen
• A waterproof bag
• Towel, if your hotel does not provide one
• Cash for the PHP 150 environmental fee and optional rentals
• Your own mask and snorkel, if you prefer familiar equipment

The official requirements specifically call for swimwear, sunscreen, and a waterproof bag. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed.

A life vest is included, which is useful during boat travel and water activities. Even confident swimmers should use it as directed. Conditions can change quickly once you are away from shore.

Keep valuables to a minimum. A beach-and-boat day gives you few good places to store phones, cards, and cameras. A waterproof pouch is more useful than a large beach bag.

Who will enjoy Honda Bay most

I would choose this tour if you are staying in Puerto Princesa, want a simple full-day outing, and prefer having the main arrangements handled for you. It suits solo visitors, couples, and small groups who do not mind sharing a van and boat.

It also works well for people who value a mix of activities. You can swim, snorkel, sit on white sand, eat Filipino food, and chat with other tourists in a single day. You do not need to plan each transfer yourself.

Families and casual beach lovers may appreciate the easy format, though the nine-hour day and boat travel require patience. Anyone prone to seasickness should think carefully before booking.

I would hesitate if your priority is untouched beaches, quiet water, or outstanding coral. I would also hesitate if you have already seen El Nido or Coron and expect Honda Bay to match them. The snorkeling can be limited, and the most popular stops can feel crowded.

Guide service is another reason to keep expectations realistic. A good guide can make the day clearer and more relaxed, but you should still listen for instructions, remember the boat meeting point, and ask questions when the next step is not obvious.

Should you book this Honda Bay cruise?

Book it if you want the easiest way to reach three Honda Bay islands from Puerto Princesa for about $40. The included lunch, boat, entrance fees, pickup, and shared social setting create fair value, particularly when clear weather gives you good beach time and wide views.

Skip it if snorkeling quality is your main reason for going, if you dislike group schedules, or if you are seeking the stronger reefs and scenery associated with El Nido or Coron. Honda Bay is best understood as a convenient, active beach day, not Palawan’s ultimate marine excursion.

Check the weather, confirm your hotel is within the city proper, and budget for the environmental fee and gear rentals. If those details suit you, this tour offers a practical way to get out on the water without making a full day of planning.

FAQ

How long does the Honda Bay island hopping tour last?

The tour lasts about nine hours, including hotel pickup and drop-off, transport to the bay, the boat trip, island visits, lunch, and the return journey.

Which islands does the tour visit?

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 city proper. An extra charge may apply outside that area.

How many people travel in the van?

The van is described as carrying about 13 people. The boat is also shared with other tourists.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A picnic or Filipino-style buffet lunch is included in the package. Grilled fish is one of the meal highlights.

Is the environmental fee included?

No. You need to pay an additional PHP 150 environmental fee per person.

Are snorkeling equipment and aqua shoes included?

No. Mask and snorkel rental and aqua shoes rental are not included.

Is a life vest provided?

Yes. A life vest is included as part of the tour package.

What languages does the guide speak?

The live guide service is available in English and Tagalog.

Can I cancel the booking?

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