Puerto Princesa shore excursion to Luli, starfish, cowrie island

Puerto Princesa’s best day on the water is a simple one: board a boat, visit several islands, swim, snorkel, eat lunch on the beach, and let the city fade behind you. This tour visits Cowrie Island, Luli Island, and Starfish Sandbar Resort, with time at Honda Bay along the way.

I like the included transfers and lunch, since they remove two common hassles from an island day. I also like the chance to book a shared tour at $60 per person rather than paying for a private boat. The main trade-off is the group format, which can mean a full boat, less control over timing, and a long day in the sun.

Key points to know before booking

• Three island stops: Plan for swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, and photos at Cowrie, Luli, and Starfish.
• About eight hours: This is a full-day outing, not a quick morning boat ride.
• Lunch is included: You can keep your energy up without arranging a separate meal.
• Transfers cover the city center: Pickup is free from hotels in the main city or Puerto Princesa proper.
• Snorkel gear costs extra: Bring your own equipment or budget for rental.
• Guides can make a difference: Jake, Ana, and other licensed guides help with safety, local activities, and itinerary changes.

A full day around Puerto Princesa’s islands

This is the kind of excursion that works well when you want the major island stops without arranging boats, drivers, permits, and food yourself. Your day begins with pickup from a hotel, airport, or port, provided your hotel is in the main city or city center.

The vehicle is air-conditioned, a welcome feature before and after time on the water. From there, you transfer to the boat and head into Honda Bay. The tour can visit two or three islands, with Cowrie, Luli, and Starfish listed as the main stops.

The schedule is not a tightly scripted sightseeing march. You have time to swim, snorkel, take pictures, or simply sit on the sand. That relaxed pace is useful in a place where the water and weather should set the rhythm.

The boat may carry as many as 50 people, so you should expect a shared outing rather than a quiet private cruise. For some people, that is the sensible way to keep the price down. If you want your own boat, a private option is available through the provider, but it costs more.

Cowrie Island starts the water day

Cowrie Island is generally the first major stop listed for the excursion, with about two hours for swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, and photos. That gives you enough time to settle into the day rather than rushing ashore, changing clothes, and leaving again.

I would use the first few minutes to get comfortable with the water and check what parts of the island you want to see. If you plan to snorkel, this is a good point to ask the guide about equipment and the safest areas. Snorkeling equipment is not included, so bring your own if you have it or prepare to pay for rental.

The island stop is also useful for people who do not want to snorkel all day. You can stay on the beach, swim close to shore, or take pictures while others spend more time in the water. The tour’s strength is that each person can use the stop differently.

Do not expect a long cultural program here. Cowrie is mainly about the bay, the beach, and a break from the mainland. The appeal is straightforward, and that is part of its value.

Luli Island brings lunch and more time ashore

Next comes Luli Island, another two-hour stop with swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, and picture taking. Lunch is included here, giving the day a proper pause rather than forcing you to snack between boat rides.

A beach lunch is one of the practical advantages of this package. You do not need to return to Puerto Princesa or find a restaurant between island stops. The provider has also changed its lunch caterer after an earlier complaint, so food arrangements have received attention from the operator.

Keep your expectations sensible. The food is included to keep you going during an active day, not to turn the excursion into a special dining event. If you have dietary needs, the supplied information does not specify how they are handled, so asking before booking would be wise.

Luli is a good place to divide your time. You might swim first, eat lunch, then take photographs. Or you can claim a quiet patch of beach and treat the island as a rest stop. Two hours sounds generous, but it passes quickly once lunch, changing, and photos are included.

Starfish Sandbar Resort is the short final stop

The Starfish stop is listed at about one hour, with swimming and picture taking as the main activities. Compared with the longer Cowrie and Luli visits, this is a shorter chance to enjoy the water and take a few final photographs.

The name points to the setting’s starfish appeal, but the supplied details do not promise a guaranteed wildlife encounter. I would treat it as a scenic water stop rather than book the tour solely to see starfish.

A one-hour visit can be enough if you want a final swim. It may feel brief if you need time to change, take pictures, and explore. That is one reason the shared schedule matters: the boat must keep moving so the whole group can complete the day.

Honda Bay ties the island stops together

Honda Bay is the broader setting for the outing and is listed with swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, picture taking, and lunch. The timing information describes seven hours at Honda Bay, while the individual island stops add up differently, so you should read the schedule as a full bay outing with time split among two or three islands, not as separate blocks that can be treated like independent tours.

The bay setting gives the excursion its range. Instead of spending the whole day on one beach, you get several chances to see different shores and water conditions. That variety matters if you are taking photos or want more than one place to swim.

At the same time, island hopping involves repeated boarding and landing. You will spend part of the day on the boat, and the tour is not a good match for anyone who wants a single stationary beach base. The boat ride is part of the experience, but it can also make the day tiring, especially in hot weather.

What the guides add to the day

A licensed tour guide is included, and the guide can shape the quality of the outing. Jake received especially strong praise for his personality, local activity help, and attention to safety. Ana was also described as keeping the group informed during the long trip, while another account credited her and driver Joel with making a private outing run well.

Those details matter because island days have many small moving parts. You need help finding the boat, understanding the schedule, getting to the right snorkeling area, and knowing when to return. A guide who communicates clearly can keep a large shared group from feeling confusing.

A guide may also adjust the plan to suit the group’s needs. One experience included an itinerary change to fit everyone better, and another guide helped a person who could not swim feel safer while snorkeling. You should still tell the guide about your swimming ability before entering the water.

Photography is one small point worth handling clearly. Ana took snorkeling pictures for one visitor, but the photos were not automatically sent afterward. If your guide takes pictures, ask how you will receive them before leaving the island or boat.

Is $60 a fair price?

At $60 per person, this tour offers solid value if you are staying in central Puerto Princesa and want a complete day without piecing together transport and meals. The price includes an air-conditioned vehicle, boat transportation, entrance fees and taxes, a licensed guide, lunch, and city-center hotel pickup.

That bundle is more useful than the headline price alone suggests. You are paying for the transfer from town to the boat, the return trip, the island access, and the coordination of several stops. For a first visit to Puerto Princesa, that convenience can justify choosing a shared excursion.

The price is less attractive if you want privacy or complete control over the schedule. Private tours have been chosen by people who preferred a more convenient start time or a boat reserved for their own party. One couple also found a private boat helpful because the boatman could focus on them while snorkeling, especially since they did not know how to swim.

There are extra costs to watch. Snorkeling equipment is not included, and hotels outside the city, including Astoria, Four Points, and Daluyon, carry a stated $100 per-booking surcharge. Check your hotel location before booking, since that fee can change the value sharply for a small party.

How the shared format affects your day

The maximum group size is 50 people. That does not mean every departure will reach the limit, but it tells you the scale you should be prepared for.

A large group keeps the cost reasonable and can make transfers simple. It also means you may wait for other people to board, eat, finish swimming, or return from the beach. If you have a flight, cruise departure, or other fixed appointment later that day, allow plenty of margin.

The shared setup is best for flexible visitors who care more about seeing several islands than controlling every minute. If you want an early or unusual start time, a quiet boat, or extra attention in the water, ask about a private tour instead.

The experience is not recommended for people with mobility problems. Getting on and off a boat, moving around beaches, and handling wet or uneven surfaces can be difficult. Most people can participate, but the activity is still physical.

Weather and cancellation rules matter

Island trips depend on sea and weather conditions. If poor weather forces cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached and the operator cancels the departure.

Your own cancellation is different. The booking is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason if you cancel or request an amendment. That is important in Puerto Princesa, where weather can affect a boat day even when conditions look fine in town.

A ship passenger should pay close attention to this rule. A missed port call can create refund complications unless the provider cancels under its weather or minimum-participant terms. If your schedule depends on a cruise ship docking, check the policy carefully before paying.

Who will enjoy this Puerto Princesa outing?

I would recommend this tour to a first-time Puerto Princesa visitor who wants the main island stops in one day and prefers a fixed package. It suits couples, families, and small groups willing to share transport and a boat.

It is also a practical pick if you want lunch and transfers included. You can spend your energy on swimming and photographs instead of negotiating separate rides and boat arrangements.

I would look elsewhere if you have limited mobility, need a guaranteed private boat, dislike group schedules, or want a highly personal food experience. Strong swimmers and confident snorkelers may also prefer arranging a private outing with more control over the water time.

What to bring and arrange before you go

Pack swimwear, sun protection, a towel, dry clothing, and a waterproof way to protect your phone. These basics are not listed as inclusions, but they fit the swimming and beach-based nature of the day.

Bring snorkeling equipment if you have it, since rental is not included. If you need flotation help or have limited swimming ability, tell the guide before you enter the water. The guide can provide better practical direction when your needs are clear.

Confirm your pickup location, especially if you are staying outside the main city. The free pickup applies to hotels in Puerto Princesa city proper or the central area, while out-of-town properties may incur the $100 surcharge.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a reasonably priced, all-in-one island day with lunch, transfers, a guide, and several chances to swim. The strongest reasons are the easy logistics, the range of island stops, and guides such as Jake and Ana who have helped make the day safer and clearer for visitors.

Choose a private option if timing, privacy, or extra help in the water matters more than price. Avoid booking if you need flexible cancellation or have serious mobility limits. For everyone else, $60 is a fair starting point for a full Honda Bay day, provided you accept the shared boat and remember that snorkeling gear costs extra.

FAQ

How long does the Puerto Princesa island tour last?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The planned stops include Cowrie Island, Luli Island, and Starfish Sandbar Resort, with the outing taking place around Honda Bay. The exact day includes visits to two or three islands.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included, with lunch listed during the Luli Island portion of the day and within the Honda Bay outing.

Is hotel pickup included?

Free pickup is provided from hotels within Puerto Princesa’s main city or city center. Pickup is also offered from the airport or port, according to the tour details.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

No. Snorkeling equipment is not included, so you must bring your own or pay for rental.

How many people can join the tour?

The activity can accommodate a maximum of 50 travelers.

Is the tour suitable for people with mobility problems?

The tour is not recommended for people with mobility problems because it includes boat transportation and island visits.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.

Can I cancel and receive a refund?

No. The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason when you cancel or request an amendment. If the operator cancels because of poor weather or an insufficient number of participants, a different date or a full refund is offered.