Short boat rides, big island variety.

I like how this tour packs serious water time into one day, with chances to swim and snorkel around Honda Bay and the three main stops: Cowrie, Lu-Li, and Starfish Sandbar. I also like the built-in comfort, pickup by air-conditioned minivan from select hotels and a lunch included so you are not spending your day hunting for food.

One thing to keep in mind, though: the day depends on conditions. If winds or sea conditions are rough, the schedule can get adjusted, and sometimes access to the starfish area can be limited.

A Guide Who Actually Guides

One detail that stuck with me from experiences on this route is how much the guide matters. In one standout case, a guide named Ana went above and beyond, including cooking the lunch herself. That kind of effort turns a simple boat day into a smoother, more human experience, with someone keeping things moving and explaining what you are seeing.

The main drawback is practical, not personal: snorkeling gear is not included, so you will either bring your own or plan to rent locally. If you forget, you can still swim, but your snorkel time may feel less satisfying.

Key Points You Should Know Before You Go

• Hotel pickup in the city proper makes the start easy, with the first pickup at D lucky garden inn before moving through other hotels
• Four island stops in about 8 hours means you get multiple beach and snorkel scenes without a full overnight trip
• Starfish Sandbar is usually the highlight, and it is the spot people tend to remember most
• Cowrie can be more beach than snorkel depending on conditions, but the sand time is still enjoyable
• Snorkeling gear is on you, so pack your swim stuff plan, not just your sunscreen
• Group size can be up to 100, so expect a lively day, especially at the most popular sandbar moment

Getting From Puerto Princesa to Honda Bay Without the Headache

The day starts with shared pickup and drop-off in an air-conditioned minivan, for select hotels. If you are in the city proper, pickup is free. If your hotel is outside town, expect an extra charge for getting picked up.

Pickup works on a route. The first pickup is listed at D lucky garden inn, then the van continues to other hotels in the city. The practical takeaway: be ready a bit early and have your swim bag ready to go, because once the van route begins, you do not want to be the person still hunting for a towel.

You also get the convenience of a mobile ticket, and you should receive confirmation at booking time. This matters because island hopping days are all about timing. Miss the window and you miss the good light, and later it is just boat time and waiting.

The Pace of the Day: Eight Hours, Four Stops, No Filler

The tour runs about 8 hours total, with four main stop blocks that add up to a full day on the water.

A typical flow goes like this:

• Start with Honda Bay for a first swim and snorkeling session
• Move on to Cowrie Island for more beach time
• Then Lu-Li Island for another stretch of swimming and photos
• Finish at Starfish Sandbar Resort for lunch and a sandbar experience

You can think of it as a water sampler platter. You are not trying to do one long destination. You are getting quick hits of different island scenery, different water visibility, and different vibes.

And yes, it can feel busy. This is a day tour and it caps at up to 100 travelers. Still, it is not hectic in the chaotic way. It is more like a steady flow of people moving together: boat, shore, time boxes, repeat.

Stop 1, Honda Bay: Your First Swim and Snorkel in Calm Waters

Honda Bay is your opening act. You get about 1 hour here, and it is the moment to settle in, rinse your expectations, and get your body into the rhythm of island hopping.

This is where you can:

• swim
• snorkel
• generally check out the marine life up close

The key practical note is that snorkel gear is not included. So if you want to actually snorkel during this first stop, bring your own equipment or plan to rent locally once you arrive in the area. If you did not plan for gear, you can still enjoy the water, just expect less time hovering over the reef.

Also, treat this stop like setup time. Your best chance to see fish often comes when you are comfortable, not when you are still assembling a mask on the sand. So if you have your gear, take a minute, fit it well, and jump in early.

Stop 2, Cowrie Island: Beach Time You Can Actually Relax In

Cowrie Island is built for lingering. You get about 2 hours on this stop, and the schedule includes swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing, plus lunch time is listed for this part of the day.

This island is also where I would calibrate your expectations. Some experiences on this route suggest Cowrie can be more of a beach win than a snorkel win, depending on conditions. You might find the snorkeling less impressive, but the shoreline time still feels worthwhile.

That is a useful way to plan:

• If you mainly want a sandy break and good swimming access, Cowrie delivers.
• If you are chasing top-tier snorkeling every minute, be flexible and ready to shift your attention toward the parts of the water that look lively at that moment.

If you can, bring water shoes or sandals that grip well. The tour is all about getting on and off boats and moving across island surfaces. You will enjoy the day more if you are not doing it in slip-flops.

Stop 3, Lu-Li Island: Photos, Swimming, and Fish Watching

Lu-Li Island is another 2-hour stop, and it is often described as a place for swimming and sunbathing, with chances for fish watching. It is also a great practical photography moment, since the scenery is different from the other islands.

Here is how I would approach Lu-Li:

• Treat it as your second chance to snorkel, but do not feel pressured to force it.
• If the water looks good, get in and stay calm. Fish show up when you are not constantly thrashing around.
• If visibility is not great, shift to relaxing and enjoying the island feel, because you are still on a Palawan water day.

One nice thing about having two similar time blocks (Cowrie and Lu-Li) is that you are less likely to feel like one island ruined the whole day. If one stop is a dud for snorkeling, the next one still offers swimming and beach time.

Stop 4, Starfish Sandbar Resort: The Stop Most People Aim For

Starfish Sandbar Resort is your final island stop, and it is scheduled for about 1 hour.

This is the part of the day where people tend to go back to their photos. Expect:

• a sandbar experience
• time that is good for spotting marine life, including starfish
• a lunch setup at the resort, listed as served in a cottage hut, picnic style

Even when weather affects the range of the tour, the goal is to reach this sandbar area. In real-world conditions, though, access can be limited when seas are rough or the coast guard restricts how far boats can go. If that happens, your day still usually works, but the specific starfish moment might not be guaranteed.

If starfish are your priority, my advice is simple: keep your camera ready, but also take a slow minute to just watch first. The best moments are usually the quiet ones.

What Lunch Is Like, and Why It Matters on a Boat Day

Lunch is included, and it is listed as a lunch buffet. At the Starfish Sandbar Resort stop, lunch is also described as being served in a cottage hut in a picnic style setup.

Translation for your stomach: do not plan on skipping lunch or eating late. Your energy matters because you are doing a full day of sun and water, with multiple transfers between shore and boat.

I also like that lunch is handled by the tour setup rather than being a do-it-yourself search. On island hopping days, every extra decision steals time from relaxing.

If you are sensitive to food timing, eat what is available earlier rather than trying to wait for perfect timing later.

Snorkeling Gear and Small Packing Choices That Save Your Day

Snorkeling gear, masks, and other equipment are not included, so you need a plan. You can either bring your own setup or arrange to rent gear on-site once you are in the Honda Bay area.

Beyond gear, pack for comfort:

• water sandals or shoes with grip
• sunscreen and a hat
• a quick-dry towel or dry bag
• a lightweight dry bag to keep your phone and ticket safe on boats
• a change of clothes for the ride back

One tip that came up from a previous participant: bring your own water sandals, and if you are tempted to do fish feeding, use simple food like old bread and ask your guide what is allowed first. Feeding rules can vary, so treat it as a question for the crew, not a free-for-all.

Weather, Sea Conditions, and Why Your Day Might Shift

This experience requires good weather. That is not a fine print detail. It is the center of the story for any boat-based island hopping plan.

If weather is poor and the tour gets canceled, you should be offered either:

• a different date, or
• a full refund

If the coast is safe but not ideal, you might still end up with a modified route or fewer stops. Real-world accounts on this type of tour often point to the starfish area as the most sensitive part of the itinerary. If you only booked this for one sandbar scene, keep expectations flexible.

My take: book it because it is a classic, fun day. But also keep one day of your schedule loosely free, if you can, so a rebook does not wreck your trip rhythm.

Price and Value: Is $100 a Fair Deal?

At $100 per person, this is not a cheap throw-in. You are paying for a full day of guided coordination, shared transport, access to multiple islands, and lunch.

So how do you judge value?

You get real value if:

• you want hotel pickup without figuring out local transport
• you want a single organized day instead of piecing together transfers yourself
• you like both swimming and snorkeling, even if the visibility changes by stop
• you want lunch handled so you can stay in vacation mode

You might question value if:

• you plan to do almost no water time and mostly want to sit and people-watch
• you are dependent on having top-level snorkeling at every stop and you forget gear
• you are traveling with a flexible schedule and could DIY a cheaper day trip with your own transport

Still, for most people, the included structure is the point. This is the kind of activity that becomes enjoyable because someone else keeps the gears turning.

Who This Tour Fits Best in Your Palawan Plan

This tour is a strong match if you:

• are staying in or near Puerto Princesa and want an easy day trip
• want a classic island hopping day with a mix of beach and marine life
• like guided timing, especially if you do not want to coordinate boats and meals

It also works for most travelers, but children must be accompanied by an adult, as stated in the tour info.

If you hate crowds and want total solitude, you may find the up-to-100 group size a little lively. But if your mindset is, we are here to play in the water, you will have a great time.

Should You Book Puerto Princesa Honda Bay Island Hopping?

Book it if you want a straightforward, fun water day with multiple islands and a lunch included, and you like the idea of short, guided stops rather than one long, complicated journey. The fact that a guide like Ana can make the experience feel personal is a strong sign that the operation takes pride in more than just moving people.

I would think twice or at least plan carefully if you:

• have your heart set on flawless snorkeling every hour, because gear is not included and sea conditions can shift
• are booking too late with no flexibility in your schedule, since this tour needs good weather
• are traveling with expectations that every island will be equally amazing for snorkeling

My final take: this is one of the best “make the most of one day” options in the Puerto Princesa area. You will come back tired in a good way, with saltwater skin and a phone full of sandbar memories.

FAQ

How long is the Puerto Princesa Island Hopping Tour?

The tour runs about 8 hours.

How much does the Honda Bay island hopping tour cost?

It costs $100.00 per person.

Which islands are included in the tour?

You visit Honda Bay, Cowrie Island, Lu-Li Island, and Starfish Sandbar Resort.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. There is shared pickup and drop-off from select hotels by air-conditioned minivan. Pickup is free if your hotel is in the city proper, and an extra charge applies if you are outside the city proper. The first pickup is at D lucky garden inn.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included as a lunch buffet, and it is also described as picnic style served in a cottage hut at the Starfish Sandbar Resort stop.

Do I need to bring snorkeling gear?

Snorkeling gears, masks, and other equipment are not included, so you should bring your own or plan to arrange rental locally.

Can children join this tour?

Children must be accompanied by an adult.

What if the weather is bad?

This experience requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.

Is the tour refundable if I cancel?

No. This experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or ask for an amendment, the amount you paid will not be refunded.