Puerto Princesa shore excursion to Luli, starfish, cowrie island

Island day, kept simple. This Puerto Princesa boat trip takes you to Cowrie, Lu-Li, and Starfish Island, with time for swimming, snorkeling, photographs, and beach rest. I like the included lunch and the useful round-trip pickup from a city hotel, airport, or port.

I also like the cost-conscious group format, priced at about $60 per person, with transport, guide, boat, island fees, and taxes included. The main caution is that this is a full eight-hour outing, and the boat ride, beach time, and group schedule may feel tiring if you have limited mobility or prefer a quiet private trip.

Key points to know before you book

• Three island stops are planned: Cowrie, Lu-Li, and Starfish, although the practical program may include two or three islands depending on conditions.
• Lunch is included: You eat during the island portion of the day, so you do not need to arrange a separate midday meal.
• City pickup saves money and effort: Hotel, airport, and port transfers are offered, but out-of-town resorts incur a $100 per-booking surcharge.
• Snorkeling gear costs extra: Bring your own equipment or budget for rental, since it is not part of the package.
• The guides receive strong praise: Jake and Ana are singled out for safety, communication, and personal attention.
• The tour is capped at 50 people: That keeps it from being completely unwieldy, but it is still a shared excursion rather than a quiet private cruise.

What the $60 Puerto Princesa tour really includes

At $60 per person, this excursion is priced as a practical island day rather than a luxury boat charter. You are paying for an air-conditioned vehicle, boat transportation, a licensed guide, admission charges, taxes, lunch, and pickup within the main Puerto Princesa city area.

That bundle has real value. Separate transport to the port, a boat, island entrance fees, and lunch can quickly add up. I especially like the fact that you can start from a hotel, airport, or port, which helps if your time in Puerto Princesa is tied to a cruise schedule or a short city stay.

The group format is the reason the price stays reasonable. The maximum is listed as 50 people, so you should expect shared transportation and a boat with other participants. That suits you if you want to keep costs down and do not mind a little waiting while people board, swim, take photographs, or return from the water.

If you want the boat and guide focused only on your party, a private upgrade may be worth considering. The supplied experiences show that private arrangements allowed more convenient start times and personal attention from the boatman. One couple who did not swim confidently particularly valued having the boatman focus on them while snorkeling.

Starting with the ride toward Honda Bay

The day begins with pickup from your hotel, airport, or port, provided the location is within the main city or city center. The vehicle is air-conditioned, a small but welcome comfort in Puerto Princesa’s tropical heat.

The schedule takes you toward Honda Bay, the departure area for the island stops. The tour information describes an approximately eight-hour day, while the stop details also list Honda Bay as a seven-hour portion. Treat those figures as a broad day plan rather than a minute-by-minute timetable. Boat timing and island conditions can shape the order.

A guide accompanies the group throughout the experience. Ana is praised for keeping people informed during the long trip, while Jake receives especially warm comments for his personality, local activity knowledge, and attention to safety. Those details matter on an island day, because a good guide can explain what is happening when the boat waits, the order changes, or weather affects the route.

You should also expect some flexibility. The operator notes that you will visit two to three islands by boat, so the exact stops are not guaranteed as a fixed sequence. That is normal for a water-based trip, but it is worth knowing before you book.

Cowrie Island: the main beach stop

Cowrie Island is scheduled for about two hours. The activities are straightforward: swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, and taking photographs.

This is likely to be one of the most useful stops for you if you want a balanced first taste of the bay. You can get into the water, stay on the sand, or simply use the time to take pictures. You do not have to snorkel to enjoy the excursion, though the strongest praise for the day centers on clear water, fish, and coral.

Snorkeling equipment is not included. That is an easy cost to overlook when comparing tours, so bring your own mask and snorkel if you have them, or ask about rental arrangements before departure. The information supplied does not specify the rental price.

Two hours is enough for a relaxed island stop, but not so long that you can wander endlessly. I would use the first few minutes to get settled, then choose one main activity instead of trying to do everything at once. If you want photographs, take them early, then save time for swimming or snorkeling.

The group size may affect the feel of Cowrie Island. With up to 50 people, the beach and water may not feel private. The tradeoff is that you pay much less than you would for a boat reserved for only your own party.

Lu-Li Island and lunch on the beach

Lu-Li Island receives another two-hour stop, with swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, photographs, and lunch included.

The included meal is one of the tour’s most practical features. You can spend the day moving between islands without having to search for a restaurant or carry a separate lunch plan. The operator has also changed its lunch caterer after a complaint about an earlier meal, which suggests the food arrangement has received direct attention.

Food quality can vary, and the supplied details do not give a set menu. I would think of lunch as a useful part of the package rather than the reason to book the trip. The real appeal is eating during a beach stop, with the water and sand close at hand.

Lu-Li gives you another chance to choose your pace. If the sun is strong, you can sit out part of the water time. If you are keen on snorkeling, this is a good place to ask the guide where conditions are best rather than simply following the crowd.

Ana’s communication style is worth noting here. She is praised for explaining the day during the longer journey, and that kind of guidance helps when lunch timing, snorkeling time, or the stop order changes. If a guide takes photographs while you are in the water, ask how you will receive them before the boat leaves. One participant specifically wished for copies of snorkeling photographs, so it is better to settle that question on the spot.

Starfish Sandbar Resort: a shorter final stop

The Starfish Sandbar Resort stop is listed as one hour, with swimming and picture taking. It is shorter and more focused than Cowrie or Lu-Li.

The name suggests a sandbar-style setting, but the available details do not confirm that you will see starfish or describe the resort facilities. Plan on a brief water and photo stop, not a full beach afternoon. One hour can pass quickly once the group disembarks and gathers again.

This stop may work best as a final change of scenery. You have already had time for snorkeling and lunch, so Starfish can be a lighter finish. Take photographs, enjoy a short swim, and keep an eye on the meeting time.

Because the island order can change, Starfish may not always be the last place you visit. The tour description also says two to three islands, so treat this as a planned possibility rather than an absolute promise.

Snorkeling, swimming, and safety

The most highly praised part of this outing is the water time. Specific comments describe clean, clear beaches, beautiful fish, and coral. Another strong point is the guides’ attention to safety, especially Jake, who is credited with keeping the group safe while helping with local activities.

You do not need to be an expert swimmer to take part in the general island activities, but the tour is not recommended if you have mobility problems. Boat boarding, beach landings, and moving between vehicle and shore can be physically demanding. The supplied information says most people can participate, but it does not promise special assistance.

If you are not confident in the water, tell the guide and boatman early. The private-tour experience showed how useful extra attention can be for a non-swimmer, but a shared group tour may not provide the same level of one-to-one support.

I would also keep your expectations sensible. This is an island-hopping day with several short activities, not a dedicated snorkeling expedition. You may get good fish and coral encounters, but the route must work for the whole group.

Group tour or private trip?

The group version is the better value if you are watching your budget, traveling alone, or simply want a convenient day without arranging several pieces yourself. The $60 price includes enough essentials to make the trip easy to understand and compare.

A private trip costs more, but the supplied experiences point to three practical benefits: a more convenient start time, a boat reserved for your party, and closer attention while snorkeling. That can matter for couples, families, or anyone who needs a slower pace.

The group limit of 50 is not tiny. You should not book this expecting a silent, uncrowded boat or a guide who stays beside you all day. You should book it for the efficient combination of transport, islands, lunch, and guided support.

Guides appear to make a meaningful difference. Jake is praised for his intelligence, personality, safety focus, and knowledge of local activities. Ana is praised for communication and flexibility, while driver Joel is singled out for excellent service. The guide you receive may vary, but those names show the kind of support the provider aims to deliver.

Timing, pickup, and extra charges

Pickup is free from hotels in the main city or city proper. Airport and port pickup are also offered, which is useful if you are fitting this excursion around a flight or cruise call. Confirm the pickup details at booking, especially if your accommodation is not clearly within the city center.

Out-of-town properties such as Astoria, Four Points, and Daluyon carry an extra $100 per booking. That is a large surcharge for a solo participant, but it may be less painful when shared among a private group. Check the pickup fee before paying, because it can change the value calculation.

The tour lasts about eight hours. You should keep the rest of the day light, particularly if you want to enjoy all three island stops. The listing says confirmation arrives at booking, and the activity requires suitable weather and a minimum number of participants.

The cancellation policy is strict. This experience is non-refundable and cannot be amended for any reason. If bad weather cancels the trip, you will be offered another date or a full refund. If the minimum number is not reached, you will be offered another date, another experience, or a full refund. A port call canceled because of dangerous weather may create a refund problem, so check the terms carefully before booking around a cruise itinerary.

Who should book this island day?

I would choose this trip if you want a simple, good-value day on the water and you are happy to share the boat. It suits swimmers, casual snorkelers, beach lovers, photographers, couples, and families who want several island settings without organizing transport themselves.

It is also a sensible choice if lunch and city pickup matter to you. Those inclusions remove several common travel chores and help explain the price.

I would think twice if you have mobility problems, dislike group schedules, need guaranteed access to snorkeling equipment, or want a private boat. You should also avoid making a non-refundable booking until you are confident about your schedule and the weather outlook.

Should you book the Cowrie, Lu-Li, and Starfish tour?

Yes, if your priority is value. For $60, you receive transport, a guide, boat service, admission fees, taxes, lunch, and a full day of island stops. The strongest reasons to book are the beautiful snorkeling conditions described, the helpful guides, and the convenience of having the day arranged from start to finish.

Choose a private option instead if personal attention, flexible timing, or extra help in the water matters more than price. For everyone else, this is a practical Puerto Princesa shore excursion with enough beach time to feel worthwhile, provided you are comfortable with a shared group, separate snorkeling-equipment costs, and a strict cancellation policy.

FAQ

How long does the Puerto Princesa island tour last?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours. The exact schedule may vary because the day depends on boat travel, weather, and the order of the island stops.

Which islands are included?

The planned stops are Cowrie Island, Lu-Li Island, and Starfish Sandbar Resort. The tour information also states that you will visit two to three islands, so the final route can vary.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup is included from hotels within the main city or city center of Puerto Princesa. Pickup from an airport or port is also offered.

Is there an extra pickup fee for out-of-town hotels?

Yes. Hotels outside the main city area, including Astoria, Four Points, and Daluyon, incur an extra fee of $100 per booking.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included and is served during the island portion of the day.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

No. Snorkeling equipment is not included, so you need to bring your own or arrange rental separately.

How many people can join the group?

The tour has a maximum group size of 50 people.

Can I participate if I have mobility problems?

The activity is not recommended if you have mobility problems. The tour involves vehicle transfers, boat transportation, and island access.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

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

Can I cancel for a refund?

No. The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. A refund is offered only in certain cases where the operator cancels because of poor weather or insufficient participants.