Puerto Princesa Honda Bay Island Hopping Shore Excursion

Honda Bay gives you a full day of sun, sea, and island time without making you arrange each piece yourself. Cowrie Island and Lu-Li Island are the named stops, with up to three destinations possible, plus lunch and snorkel rental included.

I like the private format, which lets your group set a more comfortable pace, and I like the simple port meeting point. A possible drawback is the price: at $173 per person, this is a serious spend, especially if you are booking for a large family.

Key points at a glance

• Private group outing: Only your group takes part, making the day more personal than a large shared boat trip.
• Two named island stops: The plan lists Cowrie Island and Lu-Li Island, with up to three destinations possible.
• Lunch and snorkel rental included: You can budget more easily because these costs are built into the tour.
• About seven hours from port to port: The guide meets you at Puerto Princesa Port and returns you to the same place.
• Guide support matters: TJ Echo is identified as one guide, with strong English, Spanish, safety awareness, marine-life knowledge, and iPhone photo advice.
• Good weather is required: A poor-weather cancellation brings a new date or a full refund.

A private day on Honda Bay

Honda Bay is a practical choice if you want a taste of Palawan’s island scenery without committing to a longer stay on the coast. This outing is built around a simple rhythm: meet at the port, head out on the bay, stop at island beaches, swim or snorkel, eat lunch, and return to the port.

The private setup changes the feel of the day. You are not joining a busload of unrelated people, and only your own group participates. That can be useful if your party includes older adults, children, or people who want to spend more time in the water and less time waiting for strangers.

At about seven hours, the tour takes up most of a day but not the whole day. That makes it easier to fit around other Puerto Princesa plans. You should still treat it as a major activity, not a quick morning add-on.

Your guide meets you at the main gate of Puerto Princesa Port, also called PPVH+3FM on Malvar Road, and returns you to the same place afterward. This port-to-port arrangement is useful if you are arriving by ship or need a clear meeting point in the city.

What the $173 price covers

The listed price is $173 per person. That is not a budget island outing, but the value depends on how many people are in your group and how much planning you want to hand over.

The price includes all listed fees, snorkel rental, and lunch. Those inclusions matter because island tours can become more expensive when you add equipment, food, local charges, and small payments along the way. Here, your main cost is visible before departure.

The private format also deserves attention. If six people share the same booking, the total cost is substantial, but you are paying for a private day rather than simply a seat on a public excursion. A smaller group may find the price harder to justify.

Lunch is served at one of the islands. You can also buy additional seafood if you want it. I would treat that seafood as an optional extra, not part of the advertised price, and carry enough money if trying local seafood is important to you.

A 4.8 rating from 16 reviews and a 94 percent recommendation rate suggest a strong record, though the sample is modest. The most useful praise focuses on the guide rather than only on scenery. That is worth noting because a good island day depends heavily on timing, safety, and clear communication.

Meeting your guide at Puerto Princesa Port

The day begins at Puerto Princesa Port. The guide meets you at the port’s main gate, which keeps the first step fairly clear. You do not need to locate a hotel shuttle or find a separate office based on the details provided.

The same port serves as your return point. That makes the arrangement especially suitable for a shore excursion, since you can begin and end where your port plans require. You should confirm the exact meeting instructions after booking, particularly if you are unfamiliar with the port entrance.

The tour is offered as a private activity, but the information does not specify the boat size, cabin facilities, or exact departure time. Ask the operator about those points if they matter to you. The activity requires a moderate physical fitness level, so expect some movement around the port, boat, and islands.

The tour is near public transportation, which may help if you are reaching the port independently. Pickup is offered, but the clearest stated meeting arrangement is the main gate. Confirm whether pickup refers to a particular location or to assistance reaching the port.

Cowrie Island: your first named stop

Cowrie Island is the first listed stop. The tour presents it as one of the places where you can enjoy the basic Honda Bay combination of sun, sand, and sea.

Because snorkel rental is included, you can use the stop for more than beach time. The exact marine conditions and snorkeling area can change with weather and water conditions, so keep your expectations flexible. The guide can help you understand where to swim and how to use the available time safely.

This stop may suit you if you want a straightforward island break rather than a tightly scheduled sightseeing program. You can expect time outdoors, exposure to strong sun, and access to the water. Bring practical beach gear, even though the equipment rental is covered: sun protection, a change of clothes, and anything you need to stay comfortable for several hours.

The information does not specify whether Cowrie Island has changing rooms, showers, lockers, or other facilities. Do not assume that every convenience will be available. Keep valuables to a minimum and ask your guide where to place personal items.

Lu-Li Island and the second island stop

Lu-Li Island is the second named stop. Like Cowrie Island, it forms part of the day’s focus on beaches, swimming, snorkeling, and open water rather than museums or city sights.

With a private group, you may have more freedom to ask questions or adjust how long you spend enjoying the water, though the final schedule depends on the guide and local conditions. This is one reason the private format can be worth paying for. You get a more direct relationship with the person running your day.

The plan allows up to three destinations, but only Cowrie Island and Lu-Li Island are specifically named in the supplied details. That wording means a third stop may be possible, not guaranteed. Ask before booking if the number of stops is important to you, and confirm what determines the final route.

You should also remember that island names do not guarantee identical conditions. One stop may feel better for swimming, while another may be more appealing for beach time or lunch. Let the guide explain the day’s order and any changes caused by tides or weather.

Lunch by the water, with seafood as an extra

A substantial lunch is served at one of the islands. Since the meal is included, you do not need to plan a separate restaurant stop during the excursion.

That is a real convenience on a seven-hour outing. Island food options can be limited, and carrying every meal detail yourself would add work. The lunch also gives you a break from swimming and sun.

You can buy additional seafood if you want it. The details do not identify the exact menu, serving style, or dietary options, so ask ahead if you have allergies or strict food requirements. The same applies to vegetarian or special diets.

I would bring water and sun protection unless the operator confirms those are included. The supplied details identify lunch, snorkel rental, and fees, but they do not promise drinks, towels, or other personal supplies.

The guide can shape the whole day

One of the strongest details connected to this experience is the guide service. A guide named TJ Echo is identified in the available information and is described as speaking excellent English and Spanish.

The guide was also praised for stopping when the group needed a break, making careful safety decisions, explaining marine life, and offering iPhone photography tips. Those are practical skills, not empty decoration. A guide who can explain what you are seeing helps turn snorkeling from simple water time into a more interesting part of the day.

The mention of safety is especially useful for a private excursion. You want someone who pays attention to the group’s ability and comfort instead of pushing everyone through the same schedule. The available details do not guarantee that TJ Echo will lead every departure, so ask if having this specific guide matters to you.

The moderate fitness requirement still applies. A helpful guide can make the outing more comfortable, but cannot remove the physical demands of getting around a port, boat, and island setting.

Who will get the most from this tour

This experience suits you best if you want a private island day with the main practical details arranged in advance.

It is a good fit for:

• Couples or families who want their own group space
• Small groups willing to share the cost of a private outing
• Cruise passengers seeking a port-based day trip
• People who want snorkeling without bringing their own rental gear
• Visitors who prefer a guide to manage the day’s movement and timing
• Older adults who may benefit from a guide who can respond to their pace

The tour may be less suitable if you want a very cheap beach trip, a fixed list of three guaranteed islands, or a highly detailed cultural program. The focus here is the bay, the beaches, the water, lunch, and guided support.

You should also think about weather. Since the outing requires good conditions, it is not the best choice if your schedule cannot handle a cancellation or change of date.

Practical preparation for seven hours on the bay

Wear clothes that can handle water and sun. Bring a change of clothes, sun protection, and a secure way to carry personal items. Snorkel rental is included, but personal comfort items are not listed.

A moderate fitness level is required. If anyone in your group has mobility concerns, ask the operator how much walking, boarding, or movement between boat and shore is involved. The available description does not provide accessibility details.

Keep your schedule after the tour flexible. The duration is approximately seven hours, and sea conditions can affect timing. Since the tour returns to the same port, you have a clear endpoint, but you should not plan a tight onward connection without checking the start and finish times.

The experience is offered with a mobile ticket, and confirmation is provided at booking. Keep the booking details easy to access on your phone. Pickup is offered, but use the stated port main gate as your basic meeting reference unless the operator gives you different instructions.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund. Poor weather or failure to meet the minimum number of participants can lead to a different date or a full refund.

Should you book the Honda Bay outing?

Book it if you value a private group, want lunch and snorkel rental included, and like the ease of meeting and returning at Puerto Princesa Port. The guide service is a major part of the value, particularly if your group benefits from clear English, safety attention, marine-life explanations, or help with phone photography.

Think twice if $173 per person feels high for a beach-and-snorkel day, or if you need a guaranteed third island and a tightly specified menu. Before paying, confirm the exact guide, departure time, boat arrangements, number of stops, and any food needs.

For a small group that wants an organized Honda Bay day without juggling fees and equipment, this is a solid choice. For a larger group on a tight budget, compare the private cost carefully against other options.

FAQ

How long does the Honda Bay island tour last?

The experience lasts approximately seven hours.

Where does the tour start?

It starts at Puerto Princesa Port, at PPVH+3FM on Malvar Road in Puerto Princesa City.

Where does the tour end?

The guide drops you off at the same port after the tour.

Which islands are included?

The named stops are Cowrie Island and Lu-Li Island. The experience allows up to three destinations, but a third destination is not specifically named.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is served at one of the islands.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkel rental is included in the tour.

Is this a private activity?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

Is pickup available?

Yes. Pickup is offered, although the stated meeting point is the main gate of Puerto Princesa Port.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.