Palawan: Honda Bay Island Hopping Cruise

Honda Bay gives you a full day of sea, sand, and island stops without leaving Puerto Princesa far behind. The route includes Starfish Island, Luli Island, and Cowrie Island, with time for swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, and a Filipino lunch.

I like the easy hotel pickup and the fact that the package covers the boat, guide, lunch, entrance fees, and terminal charges. I also like the social setup: a shared van and boat can be a pleasant way to meet other people. The main concern is value. Some stops are crowded, one may be a pontoon rather than a true island, and the snorkeling can be modest, especially if you have already visited El Nido or Coron.

Key points to know before you book

• Three named island stops: The route visits Starfish Island, Luli Island, and Cowrie Island in one long day.
• About 13 people in the van: Pickup is shared, so allow time for other hotel stops.
• Lunch is included: Expect a filling Filipino-style picnic meal, with BBQ fish singled out as a highlight.
• Snorkeling gear costs extra: Bring or rent a mask and snorkel, and consider aqua shoes for rocky or slippery areas.
• The environmental fee is separate: Budget an additional PHP 150 per person.
• Best for a simple beach day: This suits you if you want sun, swimming, and an easy outing from Puerto Princesa more than serious reef snorkeling.

What a Honda Bay day really offers

Honda Bay sits on the eastern side of Puerto Princesa, close enough for a day trip that does not require a second hotel or a long transfer across Palawan. The islands are small, beach-oriented stops, and the appeal is simple: get on a boat, spend time around the water, eat lunch, and return to town.

The advertised day lasts nine hours. That sounds long, but part of the time goes to hotel pickup, the ride to the terminal, boarding, moving between islands, and returning to your hotel. You should think of this as a full outing rather than nine solid hours on a beach.

I like this format for a first day in Puerto Princesa. It gives you a look at the bay and puts several island names on your map without asking you to organize boats, permits, lunch, and entrance charges on your own. It is also a practical choice if you have only a short stay in the city.

The tradeoff is that this is a shared commercial excursion, not a quiet private cruise. The van holds around 13 people, and the boat is also shared with other participants. That keeps the price at about $40 per person, but it means the pace and stop lengths are not fully yours to control.

The morning pickup and shared ride

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included for hotels within Puerto Princesa’s city proper. You wait in the lobby, and the guide calls when the vehicle is on the way. If your hotel sits outside the proper city area, an extra charge may apply.

The shared van is an important part of the day. With around 13 people, pickup can take longer than it would in a private car. I would keep your morning free, avoid booking anything immediately afterward, and arrive in the lobby ready to leave rather than expecting a precise door-to-door schedule.

The shared arrangement has one useful side effect. You have a natural chance to meet people before reaching the water, which can make the day more relaxed if you are traveling alone. It is less appealing if you prefer quiet transport or want a guide speaking continuously during the transfer.

The guide service is offered in English and Tagalog, and the tour is led by a Department of Tourism accredited guide. Still, you should pay attention to practical instructions at the terminal and on the boat. One reported weak point was a guide who was not always in the van or on the boat, with little information about what would happen next. That may not define every departure, but it is a useful reason to confirm the meeting point and daily sequence early.

Reaching Starfish Island

Starfish Island is one of the three named stops and is presented as part of Honda Bay’s marine-life experience. The name suggests the kind of shallow-water setting the area is known for, but you should not assume that every visit will deliver a close encounter with starfish. Tide, weather, crowding, and local conditions can change what you see.

This stop works best if you approach it as a chance to swim and look around rather than as a guaranteed wildlife show. Bring your own mask and snorkel if you have them. Rentals are not included, and paying extra for equipment can make a short snorkeling stop feel less worthwhile.

I would also pack sunscreen and a waterproof bag. Your phone, cash, towel, and dry clothes need protection around the boat and beach. A waterproof bag is especially useful when several people are boarding at once and there is limited room for loose belongings.

Luli Island and the changing water level

Luli Island is another well-known stop in Honda Bay. The name is linked to the island appearing and disappearing with the tide, so the exact feel of the place can change depending on water levels. That makes it a more interesting stop than a simple beach landing, but it also means you should expect a small island setting rather than a large beach with plenty of room.

The islands are popular day-trip spots, and crowding is part of the experience. At busy times, you may spend as much time sharing the swimming and photo areas as enjoying them. If your priority is peace and quiet, this route may feel too organized and too full.

I would use Luli Island as a flexible stop. Swim if the water looks inviting, take in the views, and do not judge the entire day by one short visit. The best moments on a shared island trip often come between the headline attractions, when you are simply on the boat looking toward the shore and hills beyond.

Cowrie Island for beach time and water play

Cowrie Island is the most beach-focused name on the route, and it is a good place to expect swimming, sunbathing, and simple water activities. The tour description also points to watersports, though it does not list each activity or say which ones carry an extra charge. Ask the guide what is available before paying for anything.

This is the kind of stop where your experience depends heavily on the weather. On a clear day, you can settle into the white sand, swim, and enjoy broad views across the bay. One strong day had bright sunshine, excellent conditions for sunbathing, and clear views toward the mountainous parts of the Philippines.

The same stop can feel less special under clouds or with many boats arriving together. I would bring a light cover-up as well as swimwear, since nine hours in the sun can be tiring. Sunscreen is essential, and you should reapply it after swimming.

The pontoon problem and snorkeling expectations

You need to set realistic expectations about snorkeling. Honda Bay offers fish, corals, and giant clams, but that does not mean every stop has large, healthy coral gardens visible on every visit. Conditions can vary, and the quality of the water activity is not consistent from one stop to the next.

One of the so-called island stops may be a pontoon used mainly as a place to snorkel. That can be practical for getting into the water, but it is not the same as walking on a sandy island. If you picture three separate tropical beaches, you may feel disappointed.

Crowding is another issue. A small snorkeling area can fill quickly, making it hard to swim freely or find much to see. Some outings have produced little visible coral, which makes the extra mask and snorkel rental harder to justify.

For me, this is the key booking question. If you want a gentle introduction to swimming around a few coastal stops, Honda Bay can work. If you are choosing the tour mainly for reefs and marine life, you may prefer to spend your money elsewhere, especially if El Nido or Coron is already part of your trip.

Lunch, Filipino flavors, and what is included

Lunch is served as a picnic-style Filipino meal and is included in the price. It is meant to keep you going through a long day rather than provide a restaurant meal with a wide menu. A filling buffet-style spread is the practical expectation.

BBQ fish has been a particular bright spot, and that is the sort of local touch I appreciate on a day built around beaches. Food quality can vary, but including lunch saves you from hunting for food at each island or carrying a full meal from Puerto Princesa.

Remember that the environmental fee of PHP 150 per person is not included. Mask and snorkel rental are also extra, as are aqua shoes. Those costs are not huge on their own, but they matter when you are judging a $40 tour against other ways to see the bay.

I would bring water and a few small snacks if you need food between stops, though the supplied information only confirms the picnic lunch. Do not bring alcohol or drugs. The tour does not allow them, and a boat is a poor place to test the rules.

Is $40 good value for nine hours?

At $40 per person, the tour is priced as a convenient package. You receive hotel transport within the city proper, a motorized boat, an English or Tagalog-speaking guide, lunch, life vest, island entrance fees, and terminal and wharf fees.

That is useful value if you would otherwise need to arrange each part yourself. The convenience is worth more when you have limited time, do not speak Tagalog, or simply want to avoid negotiating a boat and sorting out permits.

The value weakens if you are paying mainly for snorkeling. Equipment is extra, one stop may be a pontoon, and some outings have had poor coral visibility. You may also spend time waiting for pickup and moving between crowded sites.

Compared with a private boat, the shared tour is cheaper and easier to arrange. Compared with a quiet beach day, it is busier and less flexible. I would call it fair value for a packaged day, but not a standout bargain for experienced island hoppers.

Who should choose this tour?

I would recommend Honda Bay for first-time visitors to Puerto Princesa who want one organized sea day without complicated planning. It also suits solo visitors who like shared activities, families and couples who want lunch and transport handled, and anyone interested in swimming and beach time more than advanced snorkeling.

You may enjoy it if your schedule does not include El Nido or Coron. The bay gives you a taste of Palawan’s island setting and marine environment while staying close to the city.

I would hesitate if you have already visited El Nido or Coron and expect the same scale, water clarity, or reef quality. One particularly poor experience involved weak snorkeling, a highly commercial feel, and limited guide communication. That does not mean every departure will go the same way, but it shows why expectations matter.

People prone to seasickness should avoid this trip. The itinerary uses a motorized boat for much of the day, and the tour does not offer a land-based alternative.

Small details that improve the day

Plan for sun, water, and wet belongings. Wear swimwear under your clothes, bring sunscreen, and pack a waterproof bag. Aqua shoes may help if you dislike walking over rough or slippery surfaces, but rentals cost extra.

Keep your ticket or booking details ready at the hotel lobby and listen for the guide’s call. Since the van is shared, leave room in your schedule for pickup delays.

Ask early about the day’s order, equipment rental prices, and which activities are included at each island. This simple check can prevent confusion, especially when the guide is moving between the van, terminal, and boats.

The experience is weather-sensitive. Clear sunshine can turn the bay into an excellent day of swimming and views, while clouds, crowds, or poor water visibility can reduce the payoff. A flexible attitude helps.

Should you book the Honda Bay cruise?

Book it if you want an uncomplicated, shared day from Puerto Princesa with three named island stops, lunch, transport, and basic swimming opportunities included. The sunshine, bay views, BBQ fish, and chance to meet other people can make it a pleasant day at a reasonable package price.

Skip it if coral reefs are your main reason for going, if you dislike crowded commercial stops, or if you have already seen the stronger island scenery around El Nido or Coron. The smartest way to book is to treat Honda Bay as a convenient beach-and-boat outing, not as Palawan’s finest snorkeling trip.

FAQ

How long does the Honda Bay island hopping tour last?

The tour lasts about 9 hours, including hotel pickup, transport, island visits, lunch, and return drop-off.

Which islands does the tour visit?

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

Is hotel pickup included?

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

How many people are in the shared van?

The van is described as carrying around 13 people. The boat is also shared with other participants.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A picnic lunch is included in the package, featuring Filipino-style food. BBQ fish may be part of the meal.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

No. Mask and snorkel rental are not included. Aqua shoes are also available only at an additional rental cost.

Is the environmental fee included?

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

What languages does the guide speak?

The live guide service is available in English and Tagalog.

Can I cancel the booking?

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