Honda Bay Island: Island Tour with Lunch & Transfer

Honda Bay’s appeal is simple: in one long day, you get three different island stops, from starfish-filled shallows to a beach picnic and a shore that appears and disappears with the tide. The tour is a practical way to see Palawan’s coastal scenery without arranging a boat yourself.

I like the hotel pickup and drop-off, which removes a fair bit of morning hassle, and the small-group limit of 15 people. I also like that lunch, boat transport, and island entrance fees are bundled into the price. The main drawback is that the day can feel loosely managed at the stops, so listen carefully for instructions and ask how long you have before wandering off.

Key points to know before booking

• Starfish Island starts the water time: Bring swimwear and expect the best chance for snorkeling early in the day.
• Cowrie Island includes lunch: Your meal may be packed or buffet-style, depending on the operator.
• Luli Island changes with the tide: Its shore can emerge and submerge, making it different from a standard beach stop.
• Transfers save time: Hotel pickup and drop-off in Puerto Princesa are included, with an approximately 45-minute transfer to Honda Bay.
• The price covers the main costs: At $54 per person, you get the boat, island fees, lunch, guide, and round-trip transport, but not the P200 environmental fee per person.
• This is an active boat day: Non-swimmers and people prone to seasickness may find the trip uncomfortable.

What the $54 Honda Bay tour really covers

At $54 per person, this tour offers a fair package for a full eight-hour day. You are paying for transport from Puerto Princesa, the boat, island entrance fees, lunch, and an English-speaking local guide. Those inclusions matter in Honda Bay, where arranging each piece separately can turn a relaxed beach day into a string of small negotiations.

You still need to budget for the P200 environmental fee per person. Snorkel equipment and kayaks are also extra, so bring your own mask and snorkel if you have them. Otherwise, ask about rental costs before leaving the terminal.

The lunch setup is not completely fixed. It may be a packed meal supplied by the operator or a buffet or meal available at Cowrie Island. I would not book this expecting a specific menu. Think of lunch as a practical beach meal that keeps the day moving, not as a restaurant occasion.

The tour is limited to 15 people, which is a useful middle ground. You get the social ease of a shared boat without the scale of a large crowd. Still, boat groups work best when everyone returns on time, so keep an eye on your watch.

The early pickup from Puerto Princesa

Pickup takes place from your hotel in Puerto Princesa, and pickup is also listed for Puerto Princesa International Airport. The stated window is around 7:00 to 8:00 in the morning, so you should wait in the hotel lobby and be ready for a flexible collection time rather than expecting a precise minute.

The driver is expected to greet you with a sign bearing your name. That is helpful if several vans are collecting people from the same area. An extra charge applies for pickup at Astoria Hotel, so confirm that detail before paying.

The drive to Honda Bay takes about 45 minutes. This transfer is one of the tour’s strongest practical features. You can leave the driving to someone else, arrive at the terminal with the group, and save your energy for the islands.

The morning may feel early, especially after a late arrival in Puerto Princesa. Pack water, sunscreen, a hat, and snacks before bedtime. The supplied information lists the pickup window rather than a single guaranteed departure time, so your confirmation details matter.

Getting started at Honda Bay

At the terminal, you check in before boarding the boat. The boat ride is included for the full island-hopping route, and the guide stays with the group to help with the day’s stops and local information.

This part of the tour is functional rather than polished. You will want to pay attention to the guide’s instructions about boat boarding, belongings, and return times. One useful lesson from the tour’s feedback is that the stops may not always come with strong announcements about how long you have or what to take ashore.

That means you should ask two quick questions at every island: How long do we have, and what should we bring? Take only what you need for the next stop, keep valuables protected from water, and remember where the boat is moored.

Starfish Island: the best reason to pack a mask

The first island stop is Starfish Island, with about an hour for swimming and snorkeling. The clear water is the main attraction, and the name points to the marine life you may see in the shallows. You can look for starfish and other sea life while swimming in the bay.

I would treat the snorkeling as a chance to see the water close up, not as a full reef expedition. The tour data promises clear water, starfish, and marine life, but it does not specify a large reef system or guaranteed sightings. Conditions can affect visibility, too.

Snorkel rental is not included. If you do not bring your own gear, you will need to rent it, and the listed exclusions do not provide a price. This is one of the few small costs that can make the $54 headline price rise.

The stop also offers a chance to swim without spending the whole day on a beach. If you are a confident swimmer, use the hour for both water time and a quick look around. If you are less comfortable in open water, stay within your ability and follow the guide’s directions.

Cowrie Island: lunch and a longer beach pause

Cowrie Island is scheduled for roughly an hour and a half, making it the longest stop in the day. This is where the picnic lunch takes place, either as a packed meal or a buffet-style offering, depending on the operator.

The longer pause gives you time to eat, swim, sit on the sand, and take photos without rushing through every activity. It is also the easiest place to reset after the first swim. Dry off, reapply sunscreen, drink water, and keep your camera protected from sand.

Some food may also be available from local restaurants on the island, but lunch arrangements vary. I would bring a few snacks anyway, especially if you have dietary needs or prefer to eat between scheduled meals. The tour specifically recommends carrying snacks and water.

Cowrie Island is described as a white-sand beach stop, but you should expect a working day-trip setting rather than an empty private beach. The experience is built around swimming, lunch, and a pleasant break between boat rides. If your idea of a beach day requires total quiet and long unbroken time by the water, the shared schedule may feel restrictive.

Luli Island and its disappearing shoreline

The final island stop is Luli Island, with about an hour for swimming and relaxation. Its key feature is the tide. Parts of the shore emerge and submerge as water levels change, so the island can look different during your visit than it did earlier in the day.

That changing shoreline gives Luli Island a little more character than a simple swim stop. It also means you should not assume the same amount of beach will be available at all times. If you want photos of the shore, take them when the guide says the group is there rather than waiting until the end.

The schedule places Luli Island after lunch. That makes sense for the pace of the day: you have already had the main snorkeling stop, eaten, and can finish with another swim or a slower walk along the beach.

Again, ask about the return time. The available feedback praised the guide’s friendly attitude and willingness to play volleyball for a long time, but also pointed to a lack of clear directions at some stops. That tells me the tour can be warm and relaxed while still requiring you to manage your own time.

The ride back and hotel return

After the island stops, the boat returns to the Honda Bay terminal at about 4:30 p.m. The drive back to Puerto Princesa follows, with hotel or airport drop-off listed as the final service. The expected return is around 5:00 p.m., though boat and road conditions can affect the exact timing.

Do not schedule a tight evening flight immediately after the tour. Airport drop-off is offered, but an eight-hour island day has several moving parts. You will want a margin for the return boat, terminal procedures, and the drive.

The hotel return is especially useful if you plan to eat, shower, or rest after a day in the sun. You will have spent most of the day outdoors, on a boat, or in the water, so dry clothes and a spare bag for wet swimwear are sensible additions.

How the guide and group setup affect the day

The tour is conducted in English with a local guide. The most specific feedback available gives the guide credit for a good mood and for joining in a long game of volleyball. That suggests a friendly, informal style rather than a heavily scripted sightseeing program.

The same feedback points to a practical weakness: instructions about stop lengths and what to bring were not always clear. I would not wait passively for every detail. Ask the guide to repeat the meeting time, confirm the next activity, and check if your belongings should remain on the boat.

A group capped at 15 participants should make those questions easy to ask. You are not lost in a crowd, and the guide should be able to respond directly. Still, a small group does not guarantee a private pace. You will follow the shared boat schedule and return when the group returns.

A private upgrade is available if you want more personal space and a more exclusive setup. The supplied information does not give the private-tour price or explain exactly how the itinerary changes, so compare the upgrade cost before deciding. For most people, the shared option offers better value.

Who will enjoy this Honda Bay day

I would recommend this tour to you if you want a straightforward introduction to Honda Bay and prefer an organized day over arranging boats and transfers yourself. It suits people who like a mix of swimming, snorkeling, beach time, lunch, and short scenic stops.

Families, older visitors, and people with disabilities are specifically described as being accommodated by the design of the day. That said, the water activities still require personal judgment. The tour is not suitable for non-swimmers, and people prone to seasickness may struggle with the boat ride.

You should also be comfortable with a full day in the sun. Bring a hat, sunscreen, towel, swimwear, water, snacks, and a camera. Smoking, alcohol, and drugs are not allowed.

This is not the right choice if you want a quiet, private beach day with no fixed schedule. It is also less suitable if you dislike shared boats, need guaranteed snorkeling equipment, or expect detailed instructions at every stop without asking.

Small practical choices that improve the day

A few simple habits will make this tour easier:

• Bring your own snorkel if possible, since rental is not included.
• Carry only what you need on each island and protect electronics from water.
• Ask for the stop length before leaving the boat.
• Keep water and snacks with you, not buried in a larger bag.
• Wear sunscreen from the start and reapply after swimming.
• Pack dry clothes for the return transfer.
• Tell the operator about the Astoria Hotel surcharge before pickup.
• Keep at least some flexibility in your evening schedule if you are being dropped at the airport.

These are small choices, but they matter on a long shared boat day. The tour gives you the basic structure. You supply the time awareness and comfort items.

Should you book this Honda Bay tour?

Book it if you want the most convenient way to visit Starfish Island, Cowrie Island, and Luli Island in one day from Puerto Princesa. The $54 price is reasonable because it includes the ride to Honda Bay, boat transport, island fees, lunch, guide service, and return transfer.

Before booking, add the P200 environmental fee and possible snorkel rental to your budget. Also accept that lunch may be packed or buffet-style, the pickup time has a window, and the guide may leave you to ask for exact stop instructions.

For a first Honda Bay outing, this is a useful, good-value choice. Choose the private upgrade only if exclusivity matters more to you than keeping the cost down. If you are not comfortable swimming or often get seasick, spend your money on a land-based Puerto Princesa activity instead.

FAQ

How long does the Honda Bay island tour last?

The tour lasts about 8 hours, including hotel pickup, the drive to Honda Bay, island visits, the return boat ride, and drop-off.

Where can I be picked up?

Pickup is available from Puerto Princesa and Puerto Princesa International Airport. Hotel pickup in Puerto Princesa is included, while Astoria Hotel has an additional charge.

How long is the transfer to Honda Bay?

The transfer from Puerto Princesa to Honda Bay takes approximately 45 minutes.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The tour visits Starfish Island, Luli Island, and Cowrie Island.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included, but it may be a packed meal or a buffet-style meal depending on the operator.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

No. Snorkel rental is not included, so you should bring your own equipment or ask about renting it.

Is the environmental fee included?

No. An environmental fee of P200 per person is not included in the tour price.

Is a guide included?

Yes. An English-speaking local guide accompanies the small-group tour.

How many people are in the group?

The shared tour is limited to 15 participants. A private-tour upgrade is also available.

Is the tour suitable for children, seniors, and people with disabilities?

The day tour is designed to be safe and accessible for children, seniors, and people with disabilities. However, it is not suitable for non-swimmers or people prone to seasickness.