From Puerto Princesa: Honda Bay Island Hopping Full-Day Tour

Three islands, one sunny day, plenty of salt. From Puerto Princesa, this Honda Bay cruise gives you an easy taste of Philippine island life without arranging boats, permits, meals, and transport yourself. I like the chance to visit Cowrie Island, often the most praised stop, and the simple picnic lunch served at Starfish Island. The air-conditioned van, boat, entrance fees, guide, and crew are all bundled into the price.

I also like the relaxed mix of swimming, fish watching, sandy shore time, and a visit to Luli Island’s jump-off area. The main concern is time management: one recorded booking reported missing Starfish Island, waiting about five hours for lunch, and getting only around 50 minutes at Cowrie. Confirm your pickup and the day’s stop order before leaving your hotel.

Key points to know before you go

• Cowrie Island is the favorite stop for many guests, with good conditions for swimming, relaxing, and photographs.
• Starfish Island includes the picnic lunch, plus the chance to spot starfish in shallow water.
• Luli Island is the most activity-focused stop, with a designated area for jumping into the sea and swimming.
• The tour runs roughly from 7:00 am to 3:00 pm, including hotel transfers from Puerto Princesa.
• Snorkeling gear and the environmental fee cost extra, so budget for both before you set out.
• Pickup is strict, with drivers waiting no longer than 15 minutes and requiring your hotel, full name, and phone number.

What this Honda Bay day actually offers

Honda Bay is a practical choice when you want an island day but do not want to plan every moving part yourself. The tour gathers you at your hotel, carries you to the boat terminal in an air-conditioned van, then handles the boat ride and entrance fees for three islands.

At $41 per person, the price is reasonable for a full seven-hour outing. You are paying not only for the islands, but also for round-trip transport, the motorized boat, terminal and shed fees, a licensed guide, boat captain, crew, and lunch.

The package is best understood as a shared day trip rather than a private escape. You will be working within the group’s schedule, and the amount of time at each island may depend on loading, lunch arrangements, weather, and local operating conditions.

That matters here. Three island names on a schedule do not always mean equal time on three beaches. If your priority is one particular island, ask the guide early how long you will stay there.

The 7:00 am pickup from Puerto Princesa

The morning begins with hotel pickup at about 7:00 am. You should be ready at least 15 minutes before your designated time, with your phone switched on and your hotel name and full name already supplied to the operator.

This is not a detail to brush aside. One recorded booking described a complete failure to receive a pickup or any contact. That appears to be an isolated but serious warning, so I would confirm the pickup details the day before and wait in a clear, visible place at your hotel.

The van is air-conditioned, which is welcome in Puerto Princesa’s heat. The trip to the terminal is part of the convenience of this package, since you do not need to arrange a separate taxi and then find the correct boat departure point.

Once you reach the terminal, the boat crew takes over. Shed and terminal fees are included, as are the entrance fees for Cowrie, Luli, and Starfish Island. The environmental fee is separate: PHP 150 for adults, or PHP 120 for those aged 18 and below and senior citizens.

Starfish Island and the picnic lunch

Starfish Island is the most important stop for anyone who wants to see small sea creatures close to shore. As its name suggests, the island is known for starfish around the shallow shoreline, although sightings are never something you should treat as guaranteed.

The best approach is to watch where you step. Starfish are living animals, not beach decorations. Do not pick them up, move them, or leave them exposed above the water.

This stop also includes the picnic lunch prepared by the tour guide. Several high marks specifically praised the food, and that is useful because a meal served outdoors can make or break a long island day. You can expect the lunch to be practical and communal rather than restaurant-style dining.

Bring your own bottled water and snacks. They are not included, and the supplied advice specifically tells you to carry them. Food is included, but extra water is still important after a morning of sun, salt water, and boat travel.

Starfish Island may also be where you spend more time than expected if the lunch area is busy. One poor experience described a very long wait before lunch and missed the intended Starfish stop altogether. I would ask the guide when lunch will be served and how much free time remains afterward.

Cowrie Island, the strongest stop for beach time

Cowrie Island receives the clearest praise in the available feedback. One visitor called it beautiful, and another described it as the island they liked most after a well-organized day.

The appeal is easy to understand. Cowrie gives you a pleasant place to swim, sit by the water, take photographs, and enjoy the feeling of being away from Puerto Princesa for a few hours. If you want a classic island stop with room for simple beach relaxation, this is likely the highlight.

You should still keep your expectations sensible. The package does not promise a private beach, a long stay, or a particular set of water activities. The included program covers the island entrance, not kayak rental or personal equipment hire.

A reported schedule gave Cowrie only about 50 minutes. That is enough for a quick swim and photographs, but not enough for a slow afternoon. If Cowrie is your main reason for booking, tell the guide early. Keep your towel, sandals, and camera ready so you do not lose half the stop searching through bags.

Luli Island and the jump-off area

Luli Island is associated with swimming and its designated jumping area. If you enjoy getting straight into the water, this can be the liveliest part of the day.

The word luli is commonly associated with a place that appears and disappears with the tide, but the supplied tour details focus on the island’s water activities rather than promising a specific tidal display. You should therefore book it for swimming and the jump-off area, not for a guaranteed natural spectacle.

Bring water shoes if you have them. They are listed among the recommended items and can make walking in and out of the water more comfortable. Sandals are useful for the boat and shore, while a change of clothes and towel will save you from sitting in wet swimwear during the return trip.

The main drawback is that Luli may not offer much if you are not interested in swimming. One very negative account described spending most of the day there and finding little to do. That may reflect a badly managed schedule rather than the normal plan, but it shows why you should ask how long the stop will last.

Swimming, fish watching, and snorkeling

The day is built around simple water time. You can swim, look for fish, and watch for sea life near the islands. Starfish sightings are the signature moment, while Cowrie and Luli offer the better reason to bring swimwear.

Mask and snorkeling equipment are not included. You can bring your own gear, which is the safest choice if you care about fit and comfort, or ask about available rental arrangements before departure. Do not assume equipment will be waiting for you at every stop.

The water activities are suitable for people who want a gentle introduction to island hopping. They are less suitable if you expect a long, guided underwater session with specialist equipment. No detailed snorkeling route, reef briefing, or underwater instruction is promised in the tour information.

Sun protection matters more than many first-time visitors expect. One high-rated booking specifically advised wearing long sleeves to avoid burned skin. I would add a hat, reef-safe sunscreen, and a light cover-up to the packing list, especially because you may spend long periods exposed on the boat or shore.

A waterproof camera is useful, but protect ordinary phones and cameras from spray. The recommended list includes both a camera and waterproof camera, along with water shoes, sandals, beachwear, swimwear, and spare clothes.

What lunch and the boat day feel like

The picnic lunch gives the day a useful pause. You do not need to leave the islands to find a meal, and the guide and crew handle the basic serving arrangements. The food has earned some of the warmest praise, with several people also enjoying the scenery and overall day.

Still, picnic meals have limits. You should not expect a broad menu or the flexibility of ordering from a restaurant. If you have allergies, dietary restrictions, or strong food preferences, the supplied details do not explain how these are handled, so ask before booking.

The motorized boat is the backbone of the day. It connects the three islands and gives you views of Honda Bay while you move between stops. You may want a dry bag for your belongings, since sea spray and wet passengers are part of the normal setting.

The licensed guide, boat captain, and crew are included. The guide speaks English, but the quality of commentary may vary. One poor account described a guide who said very little and stayed apart from the group, while other bookings praised the organization and enjoyed the day. If you want detailed local storytelling, ask questions rather than waiting for a long explanation.

The price, PHP fees, and what is not included

At $41 per person, this is a fair package if you value convenience. Transport from your hotel, a boat, three island entrance fees, lunch, guide services, crew, and terminal charges would be awkward and potentially more expensive to arrange separately.

The value is strongest for solo visitors, couples, and small groups who want a fixed day with fewer decisions. Families may also appreciate the van transfer and included meal, although young swimmers still need close supervision around boats and open water.

Plan for extra costs. The environmental fee is not included and must be paid separately at PHP 150 for adults or PHP 120 for people aged 18 and below and senior citizens. Kayak use is also extra, as are mask and snorkeling gear.

You must bring bottled water and snacks. That adds only a small amount to the budget, but forgetting water can make a hot day much less pleasant.

How to make the schedule work better

The most useful thing you can do is speak up at the start. Ask the guide to confirm that Cowrie, Luli, and Starfish are all planned, then ask how much time is expected at each one.

Keep your essentials in one small waterproof bag. Pack your phone, camera, sunscreen, water, towel, dry shirt, and sandals so you can move quickly when the crew announces the next boat departure.

Do not assume a long stop means you can wander far from the group. Boat departures are fixed, and the driver will wait no longer than 15 minutes at hotel pickup. The same general rule of punctuality is wise throughout the day.

If lunch is delayed, ask for an updated estimate rather than silently waiting. A five-hour pause would seriously change the value of a seven-hour tour, so clear communication is important.

Avoid alcohol or arriving intoxicated. Intoxication is not allowed, and swimming and boat travel require a clear head.

Who will enjoy this tour most

I would recommend this day to you if you want an uncomplicated introduction to Honda Bay. It suits people who enjoy swimming, basic snorkeling, beach photographs, island scenery, and a shared picnic without needing luxury facilities.

It is also a good fit if you are staying in Puerto Princesa and have only one free day for island hopping. The hotel pickup and return, scheduled for around 3:00 pm, leave the rest of the day open for a quiet evening.

You may want another option if your main goal is a long, quiet stay on one beach. The schedule covers three islands, and the available feedback shows that stop lengths can feel uneven. You may also be disappointed if you expect extensive guiding, premium snorkeling equipment, or a private boat.

The mixed score of 3.4 from 13 bookings reflects that split. Food, scenery, Cowrie Island, and general organization receive strong praise, but pickup communication and time allocation need care.

Should you book the Honda Bay island day?

Book it if you want value, transport, lunch, and three island stops in one manageable day. Cowrie Island, Starfish Island’s sea life, and Luli’s swimming area give you a good spread of simple coastal activities.

Before paying, confirm your hotel pickup, ask whether all three islands are operating that day, and check the expected time at each stop. Bring water, snacks, sun protection, swimwear, a towel, spare clothes, and your own snorkeling gear if possible.

I would choose this tour for convenience and a first taste of Honda Bay, not for a carefully paced private beach day. If the operator keeps the schedule moving and communicates clearly, $41 offers a solid day on the water.

FAQ

What time does the Honda Bay island tour start and finish?

Hotel pickup is scheduled for about 7:00 am, with hotel drop-off at approximately 3:00 pm. The total duration is around seven hours.

Which islands are included?

The tour includes Cowrie Island, Luli Island, and Starfish Island. Entrance fees for all three islands are included.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A picnic lunch is served at Starfish Island. You must still bring your own bottled water and snacks.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

No. Mask and snorkeling gear are not included. You should bring your own equipment or ask about rental arrangements before the tour.

How much is the environmental fee?

The environmental fee is PHP 150 for adults. It is PHP 120 for people aged 18 and below and senior citizens.

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.