Shore excursion: Puerto Princesa Island Hopping Tour

The best part of this Puerto Princesa excursion is the chance to visit three very different island stops in one day without arranging boats, meals, and transfers yourself. Honda Bay is close to town, and the day mixes white-sand beaches, swimming, fish watching, and a picnic-style lunch.

I like the easy transport, especially if you are staying in central Puerto Princesa or arriving by cruise ship. I also like the generous time at each island, with roughly two hours planned at Cowrie and Lu-Li. The main drawback is that the islands can feel busy, and rough weather may shorten the route or prevent a visit to Starfish Island.

Key points to know before booking

• Starfish Island is the highlight for marine life, with especially good fish and starfish viewing when conditions allow.
• Cowrie Island is better for its beach and lunch than for snorkeling, according to the practical pattern of the day.
• Lu-Li Island gives you two hours for swimming, photos, and sunbathing, with some fish watching as well.
• Snorkeling masks and equipment cost extra, so bring your own gear or budget for rental at Honda Bay.
• Shared pickup is included only for selected hotels in the city proper, while out-of-town pickup costs extra.
• Weather matters: wind and rain can change the route, and the coast guard may limit boat travel.

What an eight-hour Honda Bay day feels like

This is a full-day outing, not a quick boat ride with one beach stop. Pickup begins with a shared, air-conditioned minivan, then you head toward Honda Bay for the boat portion of the excursion.

The published schedule allows about one hour for Honda Bay activities, two hours at Cowrie Island, two hours at Lu-Li Island, and one hour at Starfish Sandbar Resort. The exact order may vary, especially when weather or local boat rules affect the route.

That generous timing is useful if you want a relaxed beach day. You are not expected to rush from one island to the next, and you should have time to swim, take photos, sit in the sun, or arrange snorkeling equipment. At the same time, a long day at several similar beach stops may feel repetitive if you want cultural sights or active sightseeing.

The excursion is capped at 100 people, so this is not necessarily a small-group trip. A larger shared boat or busy island stop is possible. If you value having a guide nearby and having the basic arrangements handled, that trade-off may be worthwhile. If quiet beaches are your main goal, the group setting could be frustrating.

Pickup from Puerto Princesa or the cruise port

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included for selected hotels in the city proper. The transfer uses an air-conditioned minivan, which is a welcome feature in Puerto Princesa’s heat and makes the morning easier than arranging a separate ride to the port.

The first pickup is listed at D Lucky Garden Inn, followed by other city hotels. That means you should be ready early and allow for several stops before the group reaches Honda Bay. Your exact pickup time depends on your hotel and the shared schedule.

If your hotel is outside the city proper, pickup is not included and an extra charge applies. Check this before paying, since the advertised price can look better than the final cost if you are staying farther out.

Cruise passengers can also use this excursion, but the transfer plan needs care. The supplied experience includes examples of a guide meeting people at the cruise port and using a taxi to reach Honda Bay rather than relying on a boat directly from the ship. If you are arriving by cruise, give the operator your ship details and allow enough time to return before departure.

Honda Bay: the start of the island route

Honda Bay is the setting for the day’s island hopping, with the islands reached by a short boat ride from Puerto Princesa. The first portion gives you time for swimming and snorkeling before the longer island stops.

You will need to arrange snorkeling equipment separately. Masks and other gear are not included, and one practical approach is to rent equipment once you reach the bay. If you own a mask, snorkel, or water shoes, bringing them can save time and money.

The bay is best approached as a relaxed sea day rather than a guaranteed wildlife encounter. You may see fish close to shore, particularly at the spots used for fish watching, but visibility and marine life depend on water conditions. Some reviews describe excellent snorkeling and a memorable proposal arranged with help from the guide, while another points out that Cowrie was weak for snorkeling even though its beach was pleasant.

That contrast is useful. The activity can provide close views of marine life, but each island has a different strength. Do not judge the entire day by the snorkeling at one stop.

Cowrie Island: good beach time and a practical lunch stop

Cowrie Island receives about two hours, making it one of the longest stops. The schedule allows time for lunch, swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing.

I would treat Cowrie as the day’s comfortable beach base rather than its best underwater stop. The sand and open beach give you room to relax, and the lunch break keeps the day from feeling like a string of short boat transfers. The buffet lunch is included, which adds real value to an eight-hour outing.

The lunch arrangements may be picnic-style, with food served in a cottage hut. The food has been praised as a strong part of the experience, and one particularly enthusiastic account described the guide Ana personally cooking a tasty meal. You should not assume Ana will be your guide, but the excursion does include a driver and guide who remain with the group through the day.

For snorkeling, keep expectations modest at Cowrie. The water may be fine for a quick swim, but the island is not necessarily the best place for fish watching. Use the time for the beach, lunch, and a relaxed swim, then save your strongest wildlife hopes for Starfish Island or Lu-Li.

Lu-Li Island: two hours for swimming and photos

Lu-Li Island is scheduled for about two hours and is the most straightforward stop for swimming, photographs, and sunbathing. The name is often associated with an island that appears and disappears with the tide, but that specific tidal feature is not detailed in the supplied tour information, so you should focus on what is confirmed: beach time, water activities, and photos.

This is a useful stop for people who want a slower pace. You can take pictures, swim, or simply find a spot to sit while the group spreads out. It also offers some fish watching, making it more useful than a purely scenic beach stop.

The main limitation is that Lu-Li may feel less distinctive if you have already spent a long time at Cowrie. The value comes from having time rather than from a long list of sights. If you prefer an active day, bring your own snorkeling gear and use the water time well.

Starfish Sandbar Resort: the most memorable marine-life stop

Starfish Sandbar Resort receives about an hour, and this is often the most anticipated part of the route. The stop is associated with seeing many starfish, and the shallow-water setting makes it especially appealing for families and anyone who enjoys close marine-life encounters.

Handle the starfish carefully. Avoid lifting or mishandling them, and follow the guide’s directions around the water. The point is to observe them in their setting, not to turn the visit into a photo prop.

The short stop can feel too brief if conditions are perfect and you want more time in the water. It can also be missed when winds are strong or the coast guard restricts the boat route. One account described Starfish Island as the best stop, while another had to accept a changed route because of weather. That is an important part of planning this excursion: the named stops are not a guarantee in poor conditions.

Lunch is described as being served in a cottage hut at Starfish Sandbar Resort in picnic style, while the schedule also places lunch at Cowrie. The practical takeaway is that an included buffet meal is part of the day, but the exact serving point may depend on the operating schedule.

Swimming, snorkeling, and what to pack

Swimming is central to this excursion. You will have time at Honda Bay, Cowrie, Lu-Li, and Starfish, though the precise water time depends on the route and weather.

Snorkeling gear is not included. You can rent equipment at the bay, or bring your own mask and snorkel. Water sandals are a smart addition, since they are useful for entering shallow water and walking around beach or sandbar areas.

Pack a towel, sun protection, a change of clothes, and drinking water. These are practical suggestions rather than included services, so do not expect the tour price to cover personal beach equipment.

You may also want a waterproof phone case. The itinerary includes picture-taking at Lu-Li, and the boat transfer means your phone and other valuables will be around water for much of the day.

Avoid feeding fish unless your guide or local rules clearly permit it. One account suggested bringing old bread to save money, but responsible wildlife viewing is the better approach. The tour’s value comes from seeing marine life, not from changing its behavior.

Lunch, guides, and the human side of the day

The included buffet lunch is one of the strongest practical features. Food is served in a casual cottage or picnic setting rather than a formal restaurant, which suits a beach day. You get a break from swimming and do not need to search for food between boat stops.

The driver and guide accompany the group during the excursion. Good guiding matters here because the day involves transfers, boat timing, equipment rental, weather decisions, and several stops with different purposes.

Guide Ana received especially warm praise for her personal attention and cooking. Other accounts describe helpful guides who explained the islands, stayed with the group, met cruise passengers at the port, and helped make special plans possible. Since guide assignments can vary, consider Ana’s mention an example of the level of service possible, not a promise that she will lead your tour.

The guide can also help when conditions change. If wind prevents access to one island, ask what alternatives are available. A flexible attitude will help you enjoy the day even when the planned route changes.

Weather can change the whole experience

This is a sea excursion, so weather is not a minor detail. Overcast skies, rain, and wind can affect visibility, swimming conditions, and the distance boats are allowed to travel.

The coast guard may limit the range of the tour when the sea is rough. In one case, Starfish Island could not be visited because of wind. Another person felt the tour should have been canceled during heavy rain, which shows why expectations matter.

The operator requires good weather and may cancel for poor conditions. If that happens, you are offered another date or a full refund. If the minimum number of participants is not reached, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

If the tour runs in gray weather, you may still enjoy the islands, but the water may not look as clear and the beach time may be less pleasant. Check the forecast before departure, and do not schedule an important flight or cruise connection too tightly after the excursion.

Is the $100 price good value?

At $100 per person, the price is reasonable if you want convenience. It includes shared hotel transportation from eligible city hotels, a driver and guide, the boat-based island route, admission to the listed stops, and lunch.

You are paying for coordination as much as for the islands. A self-arranged day would require finding transport to Honda Bay, arranging a boat, selecting stops, dealing with weather restrictions, and organizing food. The included minivan and guide remove much of that work.

The value is weaker if you already have private transport, boat contacts, and snorkeling gear. It is also less appealing if you dislike shared groups or want a quiet, private beach day.

Group discounts may be available, but no discount amount is specified. A minimum of two people per booking applies. Ask about the current group rate if you are booking with friends or family.

Who should book this island tour?

I would recommend it to you if you want a simple full-day introduction to Honda Bay, especially if you are staying in central Puerto Princesa and prefer having transport and lunch arranged.

It also suits families, couples, and cruise passengers who want swimming and beach time rather than a demanding activity. Starfish Island is a strong reason to go, and the long stops allow children or less active members of a group to rest.

You may want a different arrangement if your main goal is serious snorkeling, solitude, or a private schedule. Cowrie may not satisfy strong snorkelers, and a group of up to 100 people can make the islands feel less personal.

The experience has a rating of 4.2 from 27 reviews, which fits the overall picture: strong guides, good organization, enjoyable swimming, and appealing islands, balanced by crowds, weather limits, and uneven snorkeling.

Final booking advice

Book this tour if you value ease, variety, and a full day by the water. The included lunch, shared minivan, guide, and several island stops make $100 a fair price for many visitors.

Go with realistic expectations. Starfish Island may be the highlight, but it is not guaranteed in rough weather. Cowrie is likely more useful for lunch and beach time than for snorkeling, while Lu-Li offers a pleasant stretch for swimming and photos.

Bring water sandals and your own snorkeling gear if possible. Confirm pickup eligibility, check the forecast, and leave room in your plans for a route change. If those details suit you, this is a practical way to experience Honda Bay without having to arrange the day piece by piece.

FAQ

How long does the Puerto Princesa island-hopping tour last?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours.

Which islands are visited?

The route includes Cowrie Island, Lu-Li Island, and Starfish Sandbar Resort, with island hopping in Honda Bay.

Is hotel pickup included?

Shared pickup and drop-off are included for selected hotels in the city proper using an air-conditioned minivan.

What if my hotel is outside Puerto Princesa city proper?

Pickup is not included for hotels outside the city proper, and an extra charge applies.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A buffet lunch is included, with picnic-style service in a cottage hut noted for the Starfish Sandbar Resort stop.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

No. Snorkeling masks, gear, and other equipment are not included.

Can I rent snorkeling equipment?

Yes. Equipment can be hired at Honda Bay, according to the tour information and arrangements described for the experience.

What activities are available on the islands?

You can swim, snorkel, sunbathe, take photographs, and observe marine life.

Can children join the tour?

Yes, but children must be accompanied by an adult.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. The tour also requires a minimum number of participants, and a cancellation for that reason results in an alternative date or experience, or a full refund.