Guide to Island Hopping in Honda Bay, Palawan
I’d been told by a friend that island hopping in Honda Bay is one of the most underrated things to do in Puerto Princesa, Palawan. To be honest, I’d been to Puerto Princesa a few times now but I mostly just pass through on my way to other destinations like El Nido, Port Barton or Balabac.
As of this writing, I’d already been to Honda Bay twice. I’ve written this guide during my first trip in 2019 and then updated it to include recent developments and rates for exploring the Honda Bay islands. Enjoy your trip here!
Contents
My island hopping experience
I booked a joiner tour via Travelicious Tours Palawan in late 2019. As with the Puerto Princesa Underground River, a service van picked me up in the morning from my accommodation, along with other tourists.
The tour consists of 3 stops: Starfish Island, Luli Island and Cowrie Island.
First things first: we stopped by a rental shop for rash guards and aqua shoes. If you already have these, bring them so you won’t have to rent. Our guide said the aqua shoes are necessary because there are stone fishes in Starfish Island. If you aren’t familiar with stone fishes, well, they resemble stones and they blend in with the sand so they are fairly hard to see underwater unless you’re wearing snorkels. I rented a pair of aqua shoes but skipped the rash guard.
We continued our way to the harbor. Here there are stores selling various equipment, food and water, as well as bread for fish feeding. We bought some items and then rode a boat for 20 minutes before reaching our first island.
Starfish Island
Starfish Island is named as such because it houses the greatest population of star fishes in Palawan. Locals call it Tabuan Island. There is a fresh seafood stall where you can order grilled seafood and cottages where groups can enjoy resting and picnicking. There are also designated areas for swimming and snorkeling.
The shore has a regular sand. During the tour funnily enough I didn’t see a single starfish.
I wore my mask and short fins and proceeded to snorkel. There are lots of brown corals. Because I’d been to a few great snorkeling areas already, I was not easily impressed. However, I liked that there’s a variety of fishes including swordfish. Fish feeding is allowed so you can see them swarm to you.
After about an hour, we had our buffet lunch. The buffet lunch isn’t as grand as that in El Nido or Coron tours, but it was okay. The fish was fresh and the grilled liempo was delicious. There’s also an option to order ala carte items not included in the tour package, including seafood such as crabs. Fresh coconuts are also for sale for P50 each.
Luli Island
Luli Island is short for “lulubog/lilitaw” which pertains to how the island is only visible during low tide. It used to be a little bare, featuring only a restaurant and platforms for jumping. Over the past years, there were new additions including floating cottages and hmmocks.
Again, there is a designated area for swimming. Unlike Starfish Island and Cowrie Island, fish feeding is not allowed here.
I actually just swam a little, watched other people jumping on the platform and snorkeled a bit. The water here wasn’t that clear and the waves were strong, but again there are schools of fishes you can see underwater.
Cowrie Island
Cowrie Island is named after cowrie shells. This is the most developed island among the three and where families usually stay at the longest because of its calm, gradually sloping shoreline.
The island is home to lots of cabanas and cottages. There’s a snack bar in the center.
Again, I swam a little and snorkel around the area. This is my favorite snorkeling spot during the tour. It’s easy to get lost in the ocean. Once or twice I seemed to be swimming in a void of green until I’d find myself alongside a small school of fishes. It was really nice.
Final thoughts
Overall, the Honda Bay island hopping tour was a decent activity for a day. But if you’ve already been to other parts of Palawan, it can feel a bit underwhelming. Since island hopping is one of my favorite activities and I’d been to several fantastic destinations in the Philippines, my bar is quite high and I have many similar locations to compare with Honda Bay. On the other hand, during the tour I met foreign tourists who were content with their time here. At the end of the day, it depends on your background whether you will enjoy it or not.
If you are staying in Puerto Princesa City, this is definitely one of the attractions to see.
How to get to Honda Bay
Honda Bay is approximately 30 minutes from the city center of Puerto Princesa by car or tricycle.
The jump-off point for island hopping is the Honda Bay Wharf, also known as Sta. Lourdes Wharf. You can hire a boat from the wharf, or book a tour package that includes transportation, boat fees, and lunch.
Island hopping tours in Honda Bay
There are many travel agencies offering Honda Bay island hopping tour.
Here are the current rates for island hopping tours in Honda Bay (Updated as of 2024):
| Honda Bay Tour | P1785 per person – Book your tour via Klook |
| Others | Environmental fee – P150 per person Snorkeling gear/fins/rash guard Bread/fish feed |
Other spots to visit: The standard island hopping tour includes Luli Island, Starfish Island, and Cowrie Island. Additional sites that you can include in your itinerary include Pambato Reef, Tagbariri, Bacungan River, and Loleng Island.
Discounted rates may also be given depending on the season. You can book directly with a travel agency to learn about their discounted rates during off-peak season.
Standard tour package includes:
- Round-trip van transfer from/to your accommodation in Puerto Princesa City
- Buffet lunch
- Motorized boat transfer to the islands (Luli Island, Starfish Island, Cowrie Island)
- Entrance fees to the islands
Note: The environmental fee is paid only once. If you’ve already been to Puerto Princesa Underground River, just show them the environmental fee receipt you already paid for.
Things to take note:
- For tours, pick-up time is usually 7AM and 8AM. Drop-off time at Puerto Princesa City is 4-4:30PM.
- Wash-up can be done back at your hotel.
Things to bring
Here are the things you should bring on your Honda Bay tour:
- Water bottle
- Rash guard
- Aqua shoes/fins
- Dry bag for your essential items
- Towel/change of clothes
- Cash (for snacks and souvenirs)
There is water provided during buffet lunch but it’s still best if you bring your own for the rest of the island hopping tour.
Snorkeling gears can be rented at the registration area at Honda Bay wharf. There are also stores selling fish feed and bread.
Where to stay in Puerto Princesa
Here are the best Puerto Princesa resorts and hotels. Another place that we recommend is SotoGrande Palawan, which is located just a short ride away from Honda Bay.
Travel Tips
- Best time to visit: The best time to visit Honda Bay is during the dry season, which runs from November to May. This period offers calm seas and sunny weather, perfect for island hopping and beach activities.
- Book a tour: Many hotels and travel agencies in Puerto Princesa offer Honda Bay island-hopping tours. These packages usually include boat rentals, entrance fees, and lunch, making your trip hassle-free.
- Leave early: Start your island-hopping tour early in the day to maximize your time on the islands and avoid the midday heat.
- Respect nature: Honda Bay is home to diverse marine life. Make sure to respect the environment by not touching corals, picking up starfish, or leaving trash behind.
- Stay hydrated: The combination of sun and sea can be dehydrating, so drink plenty of water throughout the day.
Disclaimer: My tour was provided for free by Travelicious Tours Palawan. As always, thoughts and opinions are my own.
Has this post on island hopping in Honda Bay been helpful to you? Let us know in the comments below!
What to read next:
Visiting Palawan? Check out the rest of our guides in Palawan:
Puerto Princesa:
- Guide to Puerto Princesa Underground River
- Island Hopping in Honda Bay
- Best Resorts and Hotels in Puerto Princesa
Coron:
El Nido:
Balabac:
Port Barton:
- Travel Guide to Port Barton + 3 Days Itinerary
- Top Things to Do in Port Barton
- Island Hopping in Port Barton
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Katherine Cortes is a long-time backpacker and a freelance writer/editor. She likes beaches, snorkeling trips, and relaxing staycations (preferably with bath tubs!).
