Palawan: Honda Bay Island Hopping Cruise

Honda Bay keeps island hopping simple. This nine-hour trip from Puerto Princesa combines three popular stops, a motorized boat, a Filipino lunch, and hotel transport for $40. I like the easy all-in setup and the chance to share the day with a small group, usually 13 people in the van. The biggest catch is that some stops can feel crowded, and the snorkeling may not satisfy anyone expecting El Nido or Coron quality.

I especially like Starfish Island, Luli Island, and Cowrie Island as a tidy introduction to Honda Bay. The included lunch is another plus, with one especially praised meal featuring barbecue fish. Still, I would bring modest expectations: one island is more of a pontoon for swimming and snorkeling, and the marine life can vary with conditions.

The tour works best for a first day at sea, families and couples who want transport handled, and solo visitors who enjoy meeting people. It is less suited to anyone prone to seasickness or anyone seeking a quiet, remote beach day. The current rating is 3.9 out of 5 from 30 ratings, which fits the experience: good value when the weather cooperates, but not a top-tier snorkeling trip.

Key points to know before booking

• Three named island stops: The route includes Starfish Island, Luli Island, and Cowrie Island, each with beaches or water activities.
• A social shared tour: You will ride with other visitors, usually in a 13-person van before boarding the boat.
• Lunch is included: Expect a Filipino picnic-style meal, with barbecue fish among the highlights.
• Snorkeling gear costs extra: Mask and snorkel rental, plus aqua shoes, are not included.
• The sea controls the day: Clear sunshine can make the trip lovely, while rough weather or crowded water can reduce the appeal.
• The location is close to Puerto Princesa: Honda Bay is on the city’s eastern shore, with the island area described as about 30 minutes from the city.

Honda Bay from Puerto Princesa: an easy day at sea

Honda Bay is a practical choice if you are staying in Puerto Princesa and want a full day on the water without arranging several separate services. The bay lies on the eastern shore of the city and contains small islands with beaches, resorts, shallow water, coral areas, fish, and giant clams.

This is not an expedition into remote waters. It is a straightforward sightseeing and swimming day, built around the best-known accessible islands in the bay. That makes it useful early in a Palawan trip, especially if you want to test your sea legs before paying for longer boat excursions elsewhere.

The advertised duration is nine hours. Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off within the city proper, road transport, the boat ride, entrance fees, wharf and terminal charges, a guide, and lunch. That removes much of the usual price confusion. You are not paying $40 and then discovering several unavoidable charges at the dock, although the PHP 150 environmental fee remains separate.

The morning pickup and 13-person van

Pickup is included if your hotel is within Puerto Princesa’s city proper. You should wait in the hotel lobby, where the guide will call when the vehicle is on the way. Hotels outside the proper area may require an extra charge, so check your address before booking.

The shared van holds 13 people. That group size is worth noting because it shapes the mood from the first hour. You are not getting a private transfer or a quiet car ride, but you may quickly meet people from other countries and share advice about Palawan.

The group arrangement also makes punctuality important. If you are late, the rest of the van feels it. One poor experience came from a delayed start and weak communication about what would happen next. I would be ready in the lobby early, keep your phone available, and ask the guide for the day’s order when you meet.

The guide is described as speaking English and Tagalog, and the tour uses a DOT accredited guide. That is reassuring in principle, but the quality of attention can vary. Keep the practical questions coming if you need to know when to return to the boat, where lunch is served, or how long you have at each stop.

Boarding the motorized boat

At the terminal, the package covers the terminal and wharf fees, the motorized boat, and a life vest. The boat is the link between the islands, but it is also where seasickness becomes a real concern.

The tour is specifically not suitable for people prone to seasickness. That warning deserves attention. You will spend a substantial part of a nine-hour day moving between islands, and the bay may feel very different in calm sunshine than in rougher conditions.

Bring sunscreen, swimwear, and a waterproof bag. A waterproof bag matters because spray, wet hands, and damp swimwear can make ordinary day bags uncomfortable. You may also want to carry only what you need for the boat and beach stops.

Masks and snorkels are available for rental, but they are not part of the $40 price. Aqua shoes also cost extra. If your priority is seeing fish and coral, confirm rental costs before you set off and consider bringing your own equipment if that is practical.

Starfish Island and the first swim

Starfish Island is one of Honda Bay’s familiar stops and gives the day its clearest tropical postcard moment. Expect white sand, open sea views, and the chance to get into the water rather than simply look at it from shore.

The name points to the island’s marine appeal, but you should not assume that starfish will be everywhere or that conditions will be perfect. The quality of the water experience depends on weather, visibility, tides, and how many boats arrive at the same time.

For you, the best approach is to treat this as a pleasant first water stop, not a guaranteed wildlife encounter. Put on sunscreen before boarding, secure your valuables, and listen carefully for the return time. On a shared trip, the boat cannot wait indefinitely for one person still taking photos.

The white beach and horizon views are likely to matter as much as the snorkeling. In clear sunshine, you can expect a relaxing stretch of swimming, sunbathing, and photos. One strong account praised the bright weather, mountain views on the horizon, and the easy chance to rest beside the water.

Luli Island and the pontoon problem

Luli Island can be the most misunderstood stop. The name is linked with a sandbar that appears and disappears with the tide, but the useful point for your planning is that the stop is built around swimming, snorkeling, and water access.

A key criticism of the day is that one so-called island feels more like a pontoon. That means you may leave the boat and enter the water from a platform rather than walk onto a broad, empty beach. If you are hoping that every stop will deliver a wide strip of white sand, this may disappoint.

The snorkeling area can also feel cramped when several groups arrive together. A small water zone packed with swimmers is not the same as a calm reef outing. You may see fish and some marine life, but the experience can become more about taking turns in the water than quietly studying coral.

I would plan Luli as a quick activity stop. Enjoy the novelty of entering the sea from the pontoon, but do not judge the entire bay by this one location. If you dislike crowded swimming areas, use the time for photos and a short swim rather than forcing a long snorkeling session.

Cowrie Island and the beach break

Cowrie Island is the most beach-focused part of the route. It has a resort-style setting, white sand, and room for the classic island day routine: swim, sit in the shade if available, dry off, and wait for lunch or the next boat movement.

Like the other stops, Cowrie is not presented as a private island. Its popularity is part of the tradeoff. You get an accessible beach and organized facilities, but you may share the shoreline with several other groups.

This stop is likely to suit you if your ideal day means light swimming and relaxation rather than a demanding water activity. Clear weather can make the horizon and surrounding mountain views especially pleasant. Cloud cover, crowds, or less favorable sea conditions will take some shine off the scene.

The three islands provide variety, but the variety is limited. You are essentially paying for several places to swim, snorkel, and relax, not for three totally different ecosystems. That distinction matters if you have already visited El Nido or Coron.

Lunch: a useful part of the $40 price

Lunch is included as a picnic-style Filipino meal. It is described as a buffet or picnic lunch, with one particularly positive mention of barbecue fish. The meal was considered filling and delicious, which is exactly what you want after hours in the sun.

Do not expect a polished restaurant meal. This is practical island food served during a busy day, and one assessment found it merely average. Still, including lunch adds real value because you do not have to search for food on an island or pay resort prices after arriving.

The meal also gives the group a natural pause. Shared tours can feel awkward at first, but lunch is when you can compare plans, talk about other Palawan stops, and make the van ride back more sociable.

If you have dietary needs, the available information does not specify alternatives. Ask before departure rather than assuming a special meal will be available. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed, so keep the picnic relaxed and follow the operator’s rules.

How good is the snorkeling?

Honda Bay offers fish, corals, and giant clams, but the presence of marine life does not guarantee a strong snorkeling experience on every trip. Water clarity changes, and crowded sites can make it harder to see much below the surface.

Some people will enjoy the chance to put on a mask and spot fish close to shore. Others may find the coral disappointing or absent at the particular sites visited. One especially negative account found no coral and felt the tour was mostly a series of swims in different places.

That is the most important expectation to set. Book this for a mixed beach and boat day with snorkeling as one part of the program. Do not book it solely for outstanding coral gardens.

If underwater scenery is your main reason for coming to Palawan, compare this experience carefully with excursions from El Nido or Coron. Honda Bay’s strength is convenience from Puerto Princesa, not necessarily the finest reef scenery in the region.

What the $40 price really covers

At $40 per person, the tour offers reasonable value for a nine-hour shared outing. You receive hotel transport within the city proper, a guide, a motorized boat, a life vest, lunch, island entrance fees, and terminal and wharf fees.

The separate PHP 150 environmental fee adds a small but necessary cost. Mask and snorkel rental, plus aqua shoes, are also outside the package. Add those amounts before comparing the tour with a private boat or a self-arranged island trip.

The price makes the most sense when you are traveling alone or as a couple and do not want to organize a boat, permits, food, and transfers yourself. A private group may find the shared format less appealing, but the convenience can still be useful.

Value drops if the weather is poor, the guide provides little direction, or the water stops are crowded. In that situation, you are paying full price for transport and access while receiving a weaker beach experience. The tour’s 3.9 out of 5 score reflects that middle ground.

Who should book this Honda Bay trip?

I would recommend it to you if:

• You are based in Puerto Princesa and want a full day outside the city.
• You enjoy swimming, light snorkeling, beaches, and open-water views.
• You prefer a package with lunch and transport already arranged.
• You are happy to share a van and boat with other people.
• You want a social outing rather than a private charter.
• You have not yet visited El Nido or Coron and want a simple introduction to island hopping.

I would think twice if:

• You are prone to seasickness.
• You need quiet, uncrowded beaches.
• You expect excellent coral and serious snorkeling.
• You have already seen the stronger marine sites around El Nido or Coron.
• You dislike shared vans, fixed schedules, or busy swimming areas.
• You need a highly attentive guide at every stop.

The experience is also weather-sensitive. Sunshine can turn it into a lovely day of warm water, beach time, and mountain views. Poorer conditions can make the boat ride tiring and the snorkeling less rewarding.

Practical booking advice for a smoother day

Book only after checking that your hotel is in the city proper. If it is outside the area, ask about the extra charge rather than discovering it at pickup.

Have your swimwear under your clothes, apply sunscreen before leaving, and keep your phone in a waterproof bag. Bring enough personal essentials for nine hours, but avoid carrying valuables you do not need at the islands.

If you want to snorkel, budget for the rental of a mask and snorkel. Aqua shoes can also help with water entry, but they are an added cost. The tour supplies a life vest, so you do not need to arrange that separately.

Use the free cancellation option if your plans are uncertain. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps your schedule flexible. Check the available starting times because the exact departure time is not fixed here.

Should you book it?

Book this Honda Bay cruise if you want an uncomplicated, social day from Puerto Princesa, with three named islands, lunch, transfers, and most fees bundled into one price. The barbecue fish, sunny beach time, and mountain views can make the day very enjoyable when the weather is on your side.

Skip it if your main goal is remote scenery or first-rate coral. In that case, El Nido or Coron may offer a stronger water experience. For everyone else, this is a convenient introduction to Honda Bay, best enjoyed with flexible expectations and a willingness to share the sea with a crowd.

FAQ

How long does the Honda Bay island hopping tour last?

The tour lasts nine hours, including hotel pickup and drop-off, transport to the terminal, boat travel, island stops, lunch, and the return journey.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $40 per person. A PHP 150 environmental fee per person is not included.

Which islands does the tour visit?

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

Is hotel pickup included?

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

How many people are in the shared van?

The van is described as holding 13 people. The boat is also shared with other people on the tour.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A picnic lunch is included, featuring Filipino food. Barbecue fish is one of the meal highlights.

Are snorkeling equipment and aqua shoes included?

No. Mask and snorkel rental, along with aqua shoes, are not included in the price.

What languages does the guide speak?

The live guide speaks English and Tagalog.

Can I cancel the booking?

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