Palawan: Honda Bay Island Hopping Cruise

Honda Bay’s appeal is simple: within about 30 minutes of Puerto Princesa, you can trade city streets for white beaches, warm water, and small island stops. The day combines swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, and a Filipino lunch, so it works well when you want a full day outdoors without arranging boats yourself.

I like the social setup, since a shared van and boat make it easy to meet other people. I also like that the package includes lunch, transport, life jackets, entrance charges, and a guide, which keeps the basic cost clear. The main caution is that Honda Bay can feel crowded and commercial, and the snorkeling may disappoint if you expect the stronger coral scenes found around El Nido or Coron.

Key points to know before booking

• Three Honda Bay stops: Starfish Island, Luli Island, and Cowrie Island form the main route.
• About 30 minutes from Puerto Princesa: You get a sea day without a long transfer from the city.
• Shared group format: The van carries about 13 people, and the boat is shared with other groups.
• Lunch is included: Expect a filling Filipino-style picnic meal, with BBQ fish praised as a highlight.
• Bring your own snorkeling basics if possible: Mask, snorkel, and aqua shoes cost extra.
• Best for a relaxed beach day: It suits swimmers and sunbathers more than serious snorkelers.

What the Honda Bay day is really like

This is a long, practical island-hopping day rather than a private escape. Your hotel pickup is included if you stay within Puerto Princesa’s city proper. You wait in the hotel lobby, and the guide calls when the vehicle is on the way.

The shared van holds about 13 people. That makes the price reasonable, but it also means the morning depends on pickup timing and the pace of the whole group. If you are running late, the schedule can become stressful. One important point is that an extra charge may apply for hotels outside the proper city area.

Once you reach the terminal and wharf, the boat takes you across Honda Bay. The ride gives you open-water views toward the Philippine coast, with small islands appearing as the day unfolds. The boat is motorized, and life vests are supplied.

The tour lasts about nine hours. That sounds generous, but transport, boarding, lunch, swimming, and three island stops take up much of the day. You should think of this as a complete outing, not a quick morning cruise.

Starfish Island and the first water stop

Starfish Island is one of the tour’s best-known names, and it sets the tone for the day. The attraction is the water itself, with chances to swim, snorkel, and look for marine life.

Honda Bay is home to fish, corals, and giant clams, but the quality of the viewing can vary. Conditions, tides, weather, and the number of boats in the area all matter. You may see underwater life, but you should not book this trip expecting the same level of coral scenery associated with El Nido or Coron.

Pack sunscreen and a waterproof bag. You will want a safe place for your phone, wallet, and dry clothes while you are in the water. Aqua shoes are not included, so you can rent them if available or bring your own.

The island can be more about a short swim and a photo stop than a quiet beach break. If several boats arrive together, the water may feel crowded. Still, the short distance from Puerto Princesa makes this an easy first taste of Palawan’s coastal side.

Luli Island and the changing shoreline

Luli Island adds another setting to the route. The name is commonly linked with land that appears and disappears with the tide, and the stop is known for swimming and seaside recreation.

The supplied details do not promise a particular activity at each minute of the stop, so your time may be shaped by weather, tide, and the local operating schedule. You can expect a place designed for a short visit, with time to swim, rest, and take in the bay.

This is where expectations matter. Honda Bay’s islands are small and developed for day tours. They are not all untouched beaches. One stop has been described as more of a pontoon used for snorkeling, with a limited swimming area and many people around. If you want solitude, this route may feel too busy.

If you like a sociable day, the same feature works in its favor. Shared tours give you company between stops, and you can meet people from different countries while waiting for lunch or boarding the boat.

Cowrie Island for swimming and beach time

Cowrie Island is the final named stop and is generally the place to focus on easy beach time, swimming, and relaxation. The white sand and clear tropical water are the main draw.

You may prefer to spend this part of the day on the beach rather than in the water. Bring swimwear, sunscreen, and a towel if your hotel does not provide one. A waterproof bag is especially useful because the boat and beach stops do not offer the same convenience as your hotel room.

The strongest part of Cowrie Island may be the simple pleasure of being outside. One favorable account described bright sunshine, open horizon views, and distant mountains, with plenty of time for sunbathing. Weather makes a big difference here. A clear day can make the bay look spectacular, while cloud and wind can take some shine from the stop.

Do not confuse a pleasant beach break with a remote-island adventure. This is a managed day-trip route, and the island may have other groups using the same facilities.

Filipino lunch with BBQ fish

Lunch is included, which is a real help on a nine-hour outing. You do not have to arrange a separate meal while moving between islands, and the food adds a local touch to a day that could otherwise feel like a sequence of beach stops.

The meal is described as a picnic or buffet-style lunch. It is intended to be filling rather than elaborate. BBQ fish received particular praise, while another account found the buffet acceptable but ordinary.

That is a fair way to approach it. You are paying for convenience and a Filipino meal in the middle of an island day, not a restaurant tasting menu. If you enjoy grilled fish and straightforward local dishes, lunch should do the job. If you have strict dietary needs, the available information does not provide a specific menu, so you may want to ask before booking.

Bring water if you prefer to keep your own supply close at hand. The tour includes lunch, but the supplied details do not say that drinks or snacks are included.

Snorkeling: pleasant bonus, not the main reason to book

The bay has fish, corals, and giant clams, so snorkeling is part of the appeal. Mask and snorkel rental is not included, however. Aqua shoes also cost extra.

The snorkeling reports are mixed. On a good-weather day, you may enjoy getting into warm water and seeing some marine life. On a crowded day, the marked snorkeling area can feel small, and the water may not offer much coral.

This is the most important comparison point. If your top priority is excellent coral and a quiet reef, Honda Bay is a weaker choice than the better-known marine areas around El Nido or Coron. If you mainly want to swim, cool off, and see something underwater during a convenient day from Puerto Princesa, it can still work.

I would bring a personal mask and snorkel if you have them. That saves rental cost and avoids depending on equipment fit. You should also be comfortable in open water, since the tour is not suited to people prone to seasickness.

What the $40 price includes

At $40 per person, the price covers a large part of the day’s basic structure:

• Hotel pickup and drop-off within the city proper
• A DOT-accredited guide
• Motorized boat transport
• Picnic lunch
• Life vest
• Island entrance fees
• Terminal and wharf fees

That makes the cost fairly easy to judge. You are not paying only for a boat ride. You are also paying for road transport, harbor arrangements, food, and access charges.

The environmental fee is separate at 150 Philippine pesos per person. Mask and snorkel rental and aqua shoes are also extra. Add those items when comparing the total with other island tours.

The value depends on your priorities. For a first day in Puerto Princesa, the package can be convenient and reasonably priced because it gathers several small expenses into one booking. The value drops if you dislike group travel, want a private boat, or are choosing the trip mainly for coral viewing.

Group size, guiding, and the pace of the day

The shared format is both the main saving and the main compromise. A van of about 13 people is large enough to create a social atmosphere, but it can also slow down pickups and decisions. The boat is shared as well.

The guide speaks English and Tagalog. The guide is meant to coordinate pickup, transfers, stops, and the day’s timing. You should keep track of the group and listen carefully when boarding or changing locations.

Guide service may not feel equally visible during every part of the day. One account found that the guide was not always on the same boat or in the van and offered little information about what happened next. That suggests you should ask clear questions if the next step is not explained: where to meet, how long to stay, and when to return to the boat.

This is not a reason to reject the tour outright, but it is useful to know. The trip works better if you are comfortable with a loose group schedule rather than expecting constant commentary.

Weather, crowds, and the best mindset

Weather is a major part of the experience. Sunshine can turn the open water, beaches, and distant mountains into the highlight of your Puerto Princesa stay. Cloud, rain, or rough water can make the same route feel much less appealing.

Crowds are another factor. Honda Bay is close to the city, which is its advantage, but that also means it is an accessible day trip. A pontoon or small swimming area can feel packed when several groups arrive together.

Go for the easy pleasures: a boat ride, beach time, swimming, lunch, and a chance to meet other people. Do not expect a private island, untouched sand, or world-class snorkeling at every stop.

The tour is not suitable for people prone to seasickness. Even though the islands are close to Puerto Princesa, you still spend time on a motorized boat. If you are sensitive to motion, consider bringing whatever remedy you normally use, though the supplied information does not list any specific onboard treatment.

Who should book this Honda Bay cruise?

I would recommend this tour to you if you are staying in Puerto Princesa and want one organized day by the sea. It suits first-time visitors who prefer a fixed plan, families or friends who want transport and lunch arranged, and solo visitors who like meeting people in a shared group.

It also suits you if swimming and sunbathing matter more than detailed marine viewing. The clear-weather views and BBQ fish can make the day feel worthwhile, especially when you want a break from city sightseeing.

I would be more cautious if you have already visited El Nido or Coron and are looking for a stronger reef experience. The smaller, busier stops may seem modest by comparison. Private-tour seekers should also look elsewhere, since the shared van and boat are central to the setup.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those options help if your route through Palawan is still changing.

Should you book it?

Book this Honda Bay cruise if convenience, beach time, and a full organized day from Puerto Princesa are your priorities. The $40 price covers transport, lunch, boat travel, basic safety equipment, and entrance charges, so it offers useful value for a first island-hopping outing.

Skip it if you want quiet beaches, expert marine guiding, or consistently strong coral. In that case, put your money toward El Nido or Coron instead. For everyone else, go with realistic expectations, bring your own snorkeling gear if possible, and treat the trip as a sociable tropical day rather than a remote-island expedition.

FAQ

How long does the Honda Bay island-hopping tour last?

The tour lasts approximately nine hours, including hotel pickup, transport to the wharf, boat travel, island stops, lunch, and the return journey.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The scheduled stops are Starfish Island, Luli Island, and Cowrie Island.

Is hotel pickup included?

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

Is lunch included?

Yes. A picnic lunch is included in the package. The meal is described as Filipino-style, with BBQ fish among the food served.

Are snorkeling equipment and aqua shoes included?

No. Mask and snorkel rental and aqua shoes are not included. You also pay a separate environmental fee of 150 Philippine pesos per person.

Is the tour suitable for people prone to seasickness?

No. The activity is listed as unsuitable for people prone to seasickness because it includes travel by motorized boat.