Honda Bay Island Hopping Guide: Best Islands, Tips & What to Expect
If you’re visiting Puerto Princesa and want an easy beach day without traveling all the way to El Nido or Coron, Honda Bay island hopping is one of the most popular day trips to add to your Palawan itinerary.
Honda Bay is known for calm turquoise water, small tropical islands, snorkeling spots, sandbars, and that slow island rhythm that makes you forget what time it is. It’s not the most dramatic island hopping in Palawan, but that’s exactly why it works. It’s simple, accessible, and perfect if you want a relaxed day on the water.
This Honda Bay island hopping guide covers the best islands to visit, what to expect on the tour, what to pack, how much it costs, and my honest tips before you go.
If you’re planning a bigger trip around the country, you can also check out my 3-week Philippines itinerary for first-time visitors to see how Honda Bay fits into a full route through the Philippines.
Honda Bay Island Hopping Guide: What to Know First
Honda Bay island hopping is a full-day or half-day boat tour from Puerto Princesa, usually doing 3–4 stops.
The exact itinerary can vary depending on the weather, tides, and tour operator, but the most common stops include Cowrie Island, Luli Island, Starfish Island, and sometimes Pambato Reef.
Most organized tours include hotel pickup, boat transfers, a guide, lunch, and some entrance fees. Some extras, like snorkeling gear, aqua shoes, environmental fees, or water activities, may be paid separately, so it’s worth checking before you book.
You can also do Honda Bay island hopping on your own by making your way to Honda Bay Wharf in Sta. Lourdes and arranging a boat directly there. This gives you more control over your schedule and can be a good option if you want a more private experience instead of joining a shared group tour.
If you do it independently, expect to organize your own transportation to the wharf, pay the boat rental and island fees separately, choose your preferred island stops, and arrange your own lunch or snacks unless you plan to eat on one of the islands. The process is still fairly straightforward, but it does require a little more effort than booking through an agency.
This is a great tour if you want:
- A relaxed beach day from Puerto Princesa
- A beginner-friendly island hopping experience
- Calm swimming spots
- A mix of snorkeling, relaxing, and beach time
- A private or DIY-friendly island hopping option
- A quieter alternative to the busier Palawan island hopping spots
If you’re expecting towering limestone cliffs like El Nido, Honda Bay may feel more simple. But if you come for warm water, sunshine, and a peaceful day on the islands, it delivers.
Where Is Honda Bay?
Honda Bay is located on the eastern side of Puerto Princesa in Palawan, Philippines. Most tours start from Honda Bay Wharf in Barangay Sta. Lourdes, about 20–30 minutes from Puerto Princesa city proper, depending on where you’re staying.
This makes Honda Bay an easy add-on if you’re starting your Palawan trip in Puerto Princesa before continuing to Port Barton, El Nido, or Coron. I included it in my Philippines 3-week itinerary because it’s a simple way to start island hopping without jumping straight into the busiest destinations.
Best Islands to Visit in Honda Bay
The islands included in your Honda Bay tour can vary, but these are the main stops most travelers hear about when planning their trip.
Cowrie Island
Cowrie Island is usually the most developed and comfortable stop on a Honda Bay island hopping tour. It has beach huts, restaurants, water activities, and plenty of space to swim or relax.
This is often where tours stop for lunch, making it a good place to slow down, grab a coconut, and enjoy the view without rushing to the next boat.
Cowrie Island is best for:
- Swimming
- Lunch by the beach
- Relaxing under the shade
- Water activities
- Families or travelers who want more facilities
If you like a beach stop, Cowrie Island will probably be your favorite.
Starfish Island
Starfish Island is one of the most famous stops on Honda Bay tours, and honestly, it ended up being my favorite stop of the day. As the name suggests, the island is known for starfish in the shallow water. Sightings can vary depending on the season, conditions, and how nature feels that day, but I was lucky enough to see plenty of them during my visit.
Starfish Island is best for:
- Seeing starfish
- Clear water
- Beach walks
- Snorkeling
Important tip: if you see starfish, don’t lift them out of the water. Admire them where they are. Take the memory, not the creature.
Luli Island
Luli Island is one of the most unique stops in Honda Bay because its name comes from “lulubog-lilitaw,” which means “sink and rise” in Filipino. The island changes depending on the tide, appearing more clearly at low tide and becoming partly covered when the water rises.
This stop has a fun, easygoing feel. You can swim in the clear shallow water, walk along the sandbar, take photos, or grab a fresh coconut from the little coconut bar. It’s not a huge island and easy to explore without needing much time.
Luli Island is best for:
- Sandbar views
- Swimming
- Fresh coconut from the coconut bar
The experience here depends heavily on the tide, so don’t expect it to look exactly the same every time. That’s part of the charm. One visit might feel like a little beach stop, another might feel more like a sandbar floating in the middle of Honda Bay.
Pambato Reef
Pambato Reef is a popular snorkeling stop in Honda Bay and a good option if you want to spend more time in the water. Unlike the island stops, this one sits out in the middle of Honda Bay, with a floating platform and a netted area around the snorkeling spot.
This is where you’ll likely see more coral, fish, and marine life, so it’s better for travelers who actually want to snorkel rather than just relax on the beach. It also gives the tour a nice change of pace after the sandbars and island stops.
Pambato Reef is best for:
- Snorkeling
- Seeing fish and coral
- Spending more time in the water
- Adding a marine life stop to your Honda Bay tour
Important tip: wear reef-safe sunscreen, avoid touching coral, and keep your fins away from the reef.
If snorkeling and marine life are a big part of your trip, you may also want to add Cebu to your route. My Moalboal travel guide covers the sardine run, diving, and where to stay.
How to Book a Honda Bay Island Hopping Tour
There are two main ways to book a Honda Bay island hopping tour: join a shared tour through an agency or go directly to Honda Bay Wharf in Sta. Lourdes and arrange a private boat yourself.
A shared tour is the simplest option because the agency usually handles the hotel pickup, transportation, boat arrangement, lunch, and basic logistics.
I personally chose to go directly to Honda Bay Wharf and book a private boat on-site. The process was pretty straightforward: I arrived at the wharf, chose my island stops, paid the required fees, waited for my boat assignment, and then headed out with the boat crew.
Having a private boat gave me more flexibility with timing, pacing, and how long I wanted to stay on each island. I didn’t feel rushed, and I didn’t have to follow the rhythm of a big group.
Expect a relaxed day of boat transfers, swimming, snorkeling, lunch, beach time, and slowly moving between the islands.
How Much Does Honda Bay Island Hopping Cost?
The cost of Honda Bay island hopping depends on whether you book a shared tour through an agency or arrange a private boat directly at Honda Bay Wharf.
If you book a shared tour, the price usually includes hotel pickup, transportation, boat transfers, lunch, and some entrance fees. This is the easiest option if you want everything handled for you.
If you book directly at Honda Bay Wharf, you’ll pay for the boat, terminal or environmental fees, and each island entrance fee separately. This is what I personally did, and for 2 people, my total came to around ₱3,030 for a private Honda Bay island hopping tour.
Here’s a breakdown from my visit in March 2026:
- Private boat rental: ₱2,100
- Terminal / environmental fee: ₱310
- Cowrie Island entrance fee: ₱100 per person
- Luli Island entrance fee: ₱80 per person
- Starfish Island entrance fee: ₱80 per person
- Pambato Reef entrance fee: ₱50 per person
There were also extra optional costs posted at the wharf, including cottage rentals, tables, snorkeling gear rental, and additional activities. For example, some islands had cottage fees, table fees, or higher entrance rates depending on what you used once you arrived.
Keep in mind that prices can change, and your final cost will depend on which islands you visit, how many people are in your group, whether you rent snorkeling gear, and whether you add extras like cottages, tables, food, or water activities.
For me, this was one of the most affordable private island hopping experiences I found in Palawan. Compared to private tours in El Nido, Coron, or even Port Barton, Honda Bay felt much more budget-friendly while still giving me the flexibility of having my own boat.
So if you’re traveling as a couple, with friends, or in a small group, booking a private boat directly at Honda Bay Wharf can be a great option. The more people you split the boat with, the cheaper it becomes per person.
What to Pack for Honda Bay Island Hopping
Pack light, but pack smart. You’ll be in and out of the boat, walking on sand, swimming, and probably getting wet even when you swear you won’t.
Bring:
- Swimsuit
- Quick-dry towel
- Reef-safe sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Hat
- Dry bag
- Waterproof phone pouch
- Cash in small bills
- Reusable water bottle
- Change of clothes
- Aqua shoes or water sandals
- Snorkel gear, if you prefer your own
- Rash guard
A few things are especially worth bringing. Make sure you have enough cash in small bills, as most places on the islands don’t take cards.
I also highly recommend wearing aqua shoes or water sandals, especially if you plan to walk in shallow water. There can be coral, rocks, shells, or uneven seabed.
A rash guard is also a smart idea. It helps protect you from sunburn during long hours on the boat and in the water, and it can also give you a little protection from the occasional jellyfish sting.
Best Time to Visit Honda Bay
The best time to visit Honda Bay is during the dry season, which generally runs from November to May. These months usually have better chances of sunshine, calmer water, and clearer conditions for swimming and snorkeling. That said, weather in Palawan can still change quickly.
Is Honda Bay Island Hopping Worth It?
Yes, Honda Bay island hopping is worth it if you’re staying in Puerto Princesa and want a relaxed, beautiful day on the water.
Honda Bay gives you clear water, beach stops, snorkeling, starfish, and tropical scenery without needing a long transfer or complicated planning. It’s especially worth it if you want something calmer and less demanding than some of the bigger island hopping destinations in Palawan.
That said, I would personally book Honda Bay before El Nido, Coron, or even Port Barton if you’re planning to visit several places in Palawan.
Not because Honda Bay isn’t beautiful — it is — but because it’s a softer, simpler island hopping experience. El Nido and Coron are more dramatic, with limestone cliffs, hidden lagoons, and those “how is this place real?” landscapes.
If you visit Honda Bay after those places, you might compare it too harshly. But if you visit Honda Bay first, you can enjoy it for what it is: a peaceful, easygoing island hopping day near Puerto Princesa.
Planning more of your Philippines trip? Read my 3-week Philippines itinerary for a full route idea, or check out my Moalboal travel guide if you want more snorkeling, diving, and marine life experiences.
