Honda Bay makes you slow down and look closer. I love the white-sand beach time and the snorkeling with easy island access. The main thing to watch is timing and motion: this isn’t a great choice if you’re prone to seasickness, and the day can run into the mid-afternoon.

This tour is built for a smooth, no-stress day. You get hotel pickup in Puerto Princesa, boat transfers, a licensed guide, life vests, entrance fees, and a buffet lunch on Cowrie Island. I also like that the guide handles the rhythm of the day with clear time blocks at each island, so you spend less time wondering what’s next and more time actually in the water.

If you go, plan for small add-ons once you’re there. Snorkel gear rental and an environmental fee (₱150) aren’t included, so budget a little extra if you want to snorkel gear you don’t already have.

Key highlights you should care about

• Three islands in one: Starfish Island, Luli Island, and Cowrie Island—each has a different vibe and swim setup.
• Lunch is part of the deal: buffet lunch is included on Cowrie Island, so you’re not hunting for food mid-tour.
• Snorkeling-focused waters: clear, shallow areas are good for seeing marine life and corals (with gear you rent if needed).
• Tide matters at Luli Island: sandbars and walkable areas change with the tide, so follow the guide’s directions.
• Cowrie gives you the longest beach break: about 3 hours there, with loungers/cabanas and optional watersports at your own expense.
• Convenient city pickup: pickup and drop-off are included within Puerto Princesa City proper.

Why Honda Bay’s three islands work so well in one day

Honda Bay is one of those places where “island hopping” actually means something. You’re not just cruising past scenery. You’re stopping at three different islands with enough time to swim, wade, and take photos, without turning the day into a full-on endurance contest.

The structure is smart: you start with a ride to the wharf, then you rotate through islands with different strengths. Starfish Island leans natural and shallow. Luli Island is all about tide-run sandbars and that quick, playful feel. Cowrie Island is the more developed beach break where lunch anchors the middle of your day.

I like tours like this because they match how most people actually want to travel. You don’t need to plan boats, schedules, or transfers. You show up with swimwear and sunscreen, then you get handed a day plan with a guide who keeps everyone moving.

Price and what you really get for $37

At $37 per person, this tour sits in the “good value if you use what’s included” category. Here’s what you’re getting up front: hotel pick-up and drop-off within Puerto Princesa City proper, boat transfers to and from the islands, a licensed guide, life vests, entrance fees, and a buffet lunch on Cowrie Island.

That inclusion matters because many island days get expensive once you add entrance fees, transfers, and the lunch you end up grabbing on your own. With this package, those core costs are already built in. You can budget for optional items instead of guessing the whole cost on the fly.

The items that are explicitly not included are worth noting early:

• snorkel gear rental
• an environmental fee of ₱150

Also, watersports on Cowrie Island are at your own expense. So if you want those extras, plan a bit of cash.

In plain terms: this price works best if you’re comfortable renting snorkel gear if needed and you’re happy with a classic beach-lunch format.

Getting from Puerto Princesa to the wharf without stress

Your day starts with pickup in Puerto Princesa City proper. Expect a van ride of about 45 minutes to the Honda Bay area, then a short guided segment around the wharf service road area.

From there, the real island day begins. The tour is scheduled for about 7 hours total, and you’ll have a guide moving you between islands in set time blocks:

• guided time at Luli (about 1 hour)
• guided time at Starfish (about 1 hour)
• guided time at Cowrie (about 3 hours)

One practical tip: confirm your exact start time when you book. The schedule varies by availability, and the day can land around the mid-afternoon. If you’re catching a flight later, leave more buffer than you think you need.

Luli Island: tide-driven sandbars and easy beach time

Luli Island is short, scenic, and a little magical—because it depends on the tide. The island is known for sandbars that can appear and disappear, plus picture-friendly huts and that classic island laid-back vibe.

You’ll get about an hour here with guided time. That’s not a long stretch, so what you do with that hour matters. If you want photos, prioritize the early part of the stop while others are still figuring out where the best walkable spots are. If your focus is swimming, keep close to the areas the guide points out. Since the sandbars shift, the guide’s call helps you avoid wandering into spots that won’t feel as walkable later.

A good way to get more out of Luli: ask the guide how the tide is affecting where people are swimming. With tide timing, small changes can affect what you can do in the same hour.

Starfish Island: shallow water, wading, and coral spotting

Starfish Island lives up to its name. In the shallow areas of clear water, you can spot starfish and enjoy a wade-and-watch approach even if you’re not a confident snorkeler.

You’ll have about 1 hour here with guided time. This is a great stop for:

• first-time snorkelers who want calm, shallow conditions
• people who want marine life without spending hours and hours geared up
• anyone who likes quiet, close-to-the-water nature moments

Because this is water time, it’s also where you’ll feel the most impact if you’re motion sensitive. The tour is not recommended for people prone to seasickness, so if that’s you, think twice before booking.

If you snorkel, you’ll likely need gear rental if you don’t bring your own. The tour includes life vests, which adds comfort for general safety, but it doesn’t replace the need for proper snorkel fit if you’re picky about comfort.

Cowrie Island: the longest stop, buffet lunch, and optional watersports

Cowrie Island is the main beach break of the day. It’s the largest and more developed of the three, with beach loungers, shaded cabanas, and the most time set aside—about 3 hours.

This is also where lunch happens. You’ll get a buffet lunch on Cowrie Island, built into the tour package. That’s a big deal because it keeps the energy from crashing mid-day. You can eat without rushing, then go back to the water for a final swim block.

Cowrie Island is also where you might find more structured water activities, but they’re at your own expense. If you’re the kind of traveler who likes to do one extra thing—like a quick add-on ride or water game—this is the place to do it.

Practical note: plan for sun. With three hours, you’ll likely get more sun than you’d expect if you only planned on quick photos. Sunscreen and a bit of protective lotion help a lot.

What to bring: snorkel choices, comfort items, and money for add-ons

This day is simple, but the comfort details make it feel good instead of rushed.

Bring:

• Swimwear you can wear comfortably for multiple water stops
• Sunscreen and a small bottle of after-sun or lotion (your skin will notice the sun)
• A towel you’re okay with getting wet
• Water shoes if you have them

Here’s the practical truth about footwear: snorkeling and beach transitions can be slippery or sharp depending on where you step, and gear rentals may not match your personal fit. If you’re wearing rental masks or snorkel gear, you still want your own shoes for stability.

You should also budget for:

• snorkel gear rental (if you don’t bring your own)
• environmental fee of ₱150

If you want to treat yourself on the beach, this tour is set up like a typical beach day with time to snack and enjoy the shoreline, but the only clearly listed meal is the buffet lunch on Cowrie.

Tour pace, comfort, and who it’s best for

This is a shared tour with a licensed guide, and the day is paced in guided blocks. That’s comforting if you’re traveling solo or just want someone else to handle the schedule.

The pace works best if you want:

• a full-day beach and water combo
• simple snorkeling without building your own plan
• enough time at each island to feel like you actually visited, not just stopped

It’s not ideal if you:

• get motion sick easily (the tour notes it’s not suitable for people prone to seasickness)
• need long, uninterrupted time on one island (Cowrie has the most time, but Luli and Starfish are shorter)

Good fit if you’re traveling as a couple or family, too. The guide keeps the route clear, and the islands give variety so everyone can find their own sweet spot.

Also worth knowing: the tour is wheelchair accessible, with accessibility support built into the activity. If you use a wheelchair, it’s still smart to ask ahead how transfers to the boat and island walking are managed on the day you go.

Logistics and language: the guide keeps it moving

The tour includes a live tour guide who speaks English and Tagalog. That helps a lot because guides can explain the practical stuff: where to swim, what areas are better for snorkeling, and how Luli Island’s tide affects what you can do safely.

One small expectation-set: you’ll spend time listening and moving, not taking a long history lecture. This tour is about water time. If you want more information at a specific island, ask. It’s the easiest way to turn a quick stop into a more meaningful one.

My booking verdict: should you book this island hopping day?

I’d book this tour if you want a straightforward Palawan coastal day with the essentials handled. The reason is simple: for the price, you get the big-ticket parts covered—boat transfers, island entrance fees, life vests, and a buffet lunch—and you still get time for snorkeling and beach lounging.

Skip it or think hard first if:

• you’re prone to seasickness
• you have tight flight timing and don’t want a day that can run into the afternoon
• you don’t want to pay extra for snorkel gear rental and the environmental fee

If you’re deciding between “DIY boat chaos” and “organized beach day,” this leans organized in a good way. Bring your own water-shoe comfort, plan for sun, and you’ll be set for a genuinely enjoyable day in Honda Bay.

FAQ

What islands are included in the Honda Bay island hopping tour?

You visit Starfish Island, Luli Island, and Cowrie Island, with guided time at each stop during the full-day outing.

How long is the tour?

The duration is about 7 hours. Starting times depend on availability, so you’ll want to check the schedule when you book.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included within Puerto Princesa City proper.

Is lunch included?

Yes. You get a buffet lunch on Cowrie Island as part of the tour.

Do I need snorkel gear, and what fees might apply?

Snorkel gear rental is not included in the base package. There is also an environmental fee of ₱150 not included, so plan for those add-ons if you want to snorkel.

Is the tour suitable for everyone?

The tour isn’t suitable for people prone to seasickness. It is listed as wheelchair accessible, and the guide operates with a live multilingual team (English and Tagalog).