Palawan: Honda Bay Island Hopping Cruise

Sun, sand, and sea life, all in one day. This Honda Bay cruise from Puerto Princesa is an easy way to reach a beachy paradise about 30 minutes from the city, with a visit to Starfish Island plus two more famous stops.

I like that it is a shared tour, so you are not stuck in a private bubble all day. One possible drawback to keep in mind: the snorkeling can feel very tour-sized, with at least one stop using a crowded setup where coral may be limited.

Key Things I’d Pay Attention To

You’re paying for an easy full package, not just a boat ride, with pickup, lunch, and multiple island stops included.

Starfish Island is a highlight, especially if you care about classic photo spots and shallow water time.

Snorkeling can be hit or miss, depending on crowd levels and what the water is showing that day.

Lunch is part of the value, and people tend to come away satisfied, including with BBQ fish.

Your hotel matters: pickup is only for hotels within town proper.

Why Honda Bay Island Hopping Works So Well From Puerto Princesa

If you want a one-day Palawan fix without doing a ton of planning, Honda Bay is a practical choice. You start from Puerto Princesa, then hop across small islands on a motorized boat and spend time swimming and enjoying beach breaks.

The big appeal is variety in one day. You get multiple islands rather than lingering at a single beach, plus the chance to see marine life around the islands. And since the tour lasts about 9 hours, it feels like a full outing, not a rushed half-day.

Price Breakdown: What $40 Really Buys (And What Adds Up)

The advertised price is $40 per person, and for that you typically get a lot of the day handled. The package includes hotel pickup and drop-off (as long as your hotel is in town proper), a DOT-accredited tour guide, picnic lunch, a motorized boat, life vest, and island entrance fees plus terminal and wharf fees.

That said, you should budget for the costs that are not included:

• An environmental fee of 150 PHP per person
• Mask and snorkel rental
• Aqua shoes rental (if you want them)

When you look at it this way, you are not just paying for transportation. You are paying for the structure, fees, and the guide service, which is where group island tours earn their keep. If you already have your own snorkel setup and shoes, the extra spending can be small. If you need rentals, your final total will creep up.

Getting There: Pickup Rules, Group Size, and the Shared-Day Feel

This tour runs with a shared group, and it is organized through a van that seats about 13 people. That group size is usually the sweet spot for island hopping, because you still feel like you’re on a tour, not in an endless line of people.

Pickup is included only if your hotel is within city proper. If your hotel is outside that area, expect an additional charge. The guide calls you when they are on the way, so keep your phone handy and be ready in the lobby.

One more thing I recommend you remember: the experience depends on the guide coordinating the day smoothly. It can be smart to check that you know exactly which boat you will be on and where your group is supposed to gather at each stop, especially if you notice delays.

Starfish Island: The Big-Name Stop and the Best Time to Enjoy It

Starfish Island is one of the three major stops in Honda Bay, and it usually sets the tone for the day. Expect shallow, beach-style time where you can do more than just pose on the sand, you can actually enjoy the water for a while.

Why it works: it is easy to relax here. You’re not dealing with long travel between tiny islands, and you get the classic postcard feel that people come for when they book Honda Bay.

Practical advice: bring your swimwear under your clothes if you can. Then you will waste less time changing when you reach the island. Also, plan your photo moments early or right after the group lands, because island hopping tours tend to move in packs.

Luli Island Snorkeling: What the Snorkel Experience Is Like

Luli Island is where snorkeling becomes the main event. This is also the stop where the reality of group tours can show up, because at least one snorkel area can be more pontoon-like and packed with other visitors.

What that means for you:

• You may swim in a limited zone rather than exploring wide reef stretches
• Crowd levels can affect how comfortable the water time feels
• Coral visibility can vary, so don’t go in expecting a perfect, reef-only experience every time

Still, the day can be worth it if your priority is marine life spotting in general rather than strict reef photography. Honda Bay is known for underwater life around the islands, including fish and coral areas, plus giant clams in the wider region.

If you want the best snorkeling mood, time matters. Jump in when the group is ready, stay calm in the water, and keep your expectations flexible.

Cowrie Island: Beach Time, Sunbathing, and a Calmer Pace

Cowrie Island rounds out the three famous stops. After the busier feeling of snorkeling time, Cowrie is often where you can slow down and enjoy the beach rhythm.

This is a good island to treat like your recharge stop. Swim, wade, dry off, and take in the views. The horizon scenery matters here, because Honda Bay gives you those long Philippine-sky lines over open water.

If you are traveling with friends you made on the tour, this is usually the moment when conversation gets easier. The water activity becomes less about rushing from spot to spot and more about just enjoying the day.

The Marine Life Part: Fish, Corals, and What to Expect Realistically

Honda Bay is famous for marine life, and the region includes fishes, corals, and giant clams. When conditions are good, you can enjoy underwater gardens and lively water movement.

But here’s the practical expectation I’d set: you’re on a shared island-hopping cruise. That means snorkel stops can be structured, sometimes with manmade access points, and the water visibility and crowding can affect what you see in the moment.

So think of snorkeling here as a fun water activity with a chance of great sightings, not a guarantee of reef conditions like you might expect from other top-tier reef regions. If you’re the type who gets frustrated when snorkeling is crowded or coral looks sparse, you may feel underwhelmed.

Picnic Lunch: Why It’s a Smart Part of the Value

The tour includes a picnic lunch, and this is one of the reasons the package feels complete. You are not stuck figuring out food mid-day while you’re in and out of the water.

From what people highlight, lunch can be filling and the BBQ fish is often the standout. That matters because you want energy that lasts through the later island time and the ride back to Puerto Princesa.

Your best move: eat when it is offered, then let your body recover before going back into the sun. Bring a waterproof bag or at least a dry bag so your phone, wallet, and sunscreen do not turn into a saltwater problem.

What to Bring (So the Day Feels Easy, Not Annoying)

This is a water-heavy day, so pack like you expect to get wet early and often.

Bring:

• Swimwear
• Sunscreen
• A waterproof bag

If you have a choice, wear something quick-dry on top of your swimwear. Salt water can dry stiff, sticky, and uncomfortable if you have to change later.

Also, because snorkeling might mean you’re in and out of water, plan your footwear. The tour does not include aqua shoes rental, so if you want that added comfort, assume you will pay separately.

What Is Not Allowed, and Why It Matters for Safety

The tour does not allow alcohol or drugs. That is a good rule on a boat day because even light dehydration from sun and heat can mess with balance.

In practice, it helps keep the group safer and reduces the chaos around swimming and boarding. If you like a quiet, controlled day by the sea, this policy is a plus.

Comfort and Motion: Who Should Skip This Tour If They Get Seasick

This is not suitable for people prone to seasickness. You’re on a motorized boat, and Honda Bay hopping still involves the motion of open water between islands.

If you know you get queasy on boats, skip it and consider a different kind of Puerto Princesa day. Your future self will thank you when you are not stuck feeling miserable on the ride.

Guide and Coordination: The One Thing You Can Do to Protect Your Day

The tour includes a DOT-accredited guide, and they may speak English and Tagalog. The guide calls you from the pickup area and you wait in the lobby until they arrive.

That is the good side. The practical side is simple: keep eyes on your group instructions. When the guide is hard to find or information feels unclear, the day can drag a bit because you rely on other guests to figure out what comes next.

So do this:

• Confirm where your boat group is supposed to meet at each island
• If you feel unsure, ask the guide or the person organizing your group quickly
• Keep your phone charged for contact during pickup moments

Should You Book the Honda Bay Island Hopping Cruise?

Book this tour if you want a straightforward Palawan day trip with hotel pickup, lunch, and multiple islands in about 9 hours. It is especially worth it if you value a shared-group vibe where meeting people is part of the experience.

I would also book it if snorkeling is a bonus for you, not the main reason you came to Palawan. Honda Bay can deliver marine life sightings and plenty of sun and water time, and the package structure makes the day feel easy.

Skip it if you are very sensitive to boat motion, or if you expect pristine, uncrowded reef snorkeling at every stop. In a commercial, shared setup, snorkeling quality can vary.

If you’re flexible, pack sunscreen, bring a waterproof bag, and show up ready to swim. That is when this Honda Bay cruise feels like money well spent.

FAQ

What islands are visited on this Honda Bay tour?

You visit three islands in Honda Bay: Starfish Island, Luli Island, and Cowrie Island.

How long is the tour?

The duration is 9 hours.

What is included in the $40 package?

Included are hotel pickup and drop-off within city proper, a DOT accredited tour guide, picnic lunch, a motorized boat, life vest, island entrance fees, and terminal and wharf fees.

What is not included?

Not included are the environmental fee of 150 PHP per person, mask and snorkel rental, and aqua shoes rentals.

Do I need to pay an environmental fee?

Yes. The environmental fee is 150 PHP per person and it is not included in the package price.

Does the tour include mask and snorkel rental?

No. Mask and snorkel rental are not included.

Where is hotel pickup available?

Hotel pickup is included only for hotels within town proper. If your hotel is outside the proper area, an additional charge may apply.

Is alcohol allowed on the tour?

No. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed.

Is the tour suitable for people who get seasick?

No. It is not suitable for people prone to seasickness.