Honda Bay: Island Hopping From Puerto Princesa

Honda Bay is the body of water immediately north of Puerto Princesa, studded with more than a dozen small islands and sandbars. It is the easiest island-hopping trip in Palawan because the jump-off point, Sta. Lourdes Wharf, is only about 20 minutes by tricycle from the city center. You do not need to fly to El Nido or drive five hours to Coron to spend a day on white sand and clear water. Honda Bay gives you that in a single day, and you sleep in a real bed in Puerto Princesa that night.

The standard island-hopping tour visits three to four stops, usually a combination of Cowrie Island, Luli Island, Starfish Island, and a snorkeling site like Pambato Reef. The route changes depending on weather and tide, but the structure is the same: boat departs in the morning, you spend 30 to 90 minutes at each stop, and you are back at the wharf by mid-afternoon.

Where Honda Bay Is and How to Get to the Wharf

Honda Bay opens north of Puerto Princesa City. The tours depart from Sta. Lourdes Wharf in Barangay Tagburos, about 12 kilometres from the city center. A tricycle from Rizal Avenue in downtown Puerto Princesa costs around PHP 300 to PHP 400 one way, or PHP 600 to PHP 800 for a round-trip arrangement where the driver waits.

If you are coming from the airport, it is faster to head straight to the wharf than to detour through the city. The drive takes about 25 minutes. Most tour packages include hotel pickup, which removes the logistics entirely.

The Islands and What Each One Offers

Cowrie Island

Cowrie is the most developed stop in Honda Bay. It has a long sandbar, shaded cottages, a restaurant, and clean toilets. The sand is fine and white, and the water is shallow for a good distance, which makes it the best stop for swimming. Most tours spend the longest time here, often the lunch stop. Entrance fee is around PHP 300 per person.

Luli Island

Luli is short for "Lulubog-Lilitaw," meaning it sinks and appears. The island disappears at high tide, leaving only the cottages and a few trees above water. It has a short pier, a small bar, and a diving platform. The water here is deeper, which makes it a good spot for jumping off the platform and for short swims. Entrance fee is around PHP 250 per person.

Starfish Island

Starfish Island is named for the large population of cushion sea stars that sit in the shallow seagrass around the island. The sandbar here is narrow and the water is very clear. You can walk out at low tide and see starfish in the shallows. Do not pick them up or remove them from the water; they are protected and removing them kills them. Entrance fee is around PHP 300 per person.

Pambato Reef

Pambato is a snorkeling stop, not an island. It is a shallow reef area marked by a floating raft. The boat ties up to the raft and you snorkel around the coral. The reef is not as dramatic as what you would see in Tubbataha, but for a day trip from the city, it is a solid snorkeling experience with decent coral cover and schools of damselfish and angelfish. There is no entrance fee for the reef itself, but you may need to rent snorkel gear if you do not have your own.

2026 Boat Rates and Tour Packages

As of 2026, the standard Honda Bay island-hopping boat rental costs PHP 1,800 to PHP 2,500 for a small boat that fits 4 to 6 people, and PHP 3,500 to PHP 5,500 for a larger boat that fits 7 to 12 people. This is the boat only. It does not include island entrance fees, lunch, or snorkel gear rental.

If you book a packaged tour through an operator, the all-in rate is typically PHP 1,500 to PHP 2,200 per person, which covers the boat, island fees, lunch, a guide, and snorkel gear. This is the easier option for most travellers because it removes the need to coordinate fees and food at each stop.

You can rent a boat directly at Sta. Lourdes Wharf. There is a booth that assigns boats on a rotation system, which keeps pricing fairly standard. If you walk in without a booking, you may wait for the next available boat, especially during peak season from March to May.

What to Bring for the Day

The boat has a small covered area but you will be in the sun for most of the day. Bring reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, and a rash guard. The sun in Palawan is intense even on overcast days, and the water reflects the UV back up at you.

Bring a dry bag for your phone and documents. The boat ride between islands is short, 15 to 30 minutes, but spray is common. Snorkel gear is available for rent at the wharf for around PHP 150 to PHP 200 per set, but the quality varies. If you have your own mask and snorkel, bring it.

Most tours include lunch, usually grilled fish, pork, rice, and fruit served on one of the islands. If you have dietary restrictions, tell your operator in advance. There are small stores at Cowrie and Luli that sell drinks and snacks, but prices are marked up.

Best Time of Year for Honda Bay

The dry season in Palawan runs from November to May, and this is the best window for Honda Bay. March to May is the peak: calm water, clear visibility, and the most reliable weather. December and January are also good but can be windy, which means rougher boat rides and occasional tour cancellations.

The wet season from June to October does not mean it rains every day, but the water visibility drops and the boat rides become less comfortable. If you are travelling during this period, keep your schedule flexible and have a backup plan for your day in case the tour is cancelled.

How Honda Bay Compares to El Nido and Coron

Honda Bay is not as dramatic as El Nido's limestone cliffs or as visually stunning as Coron's lakes, but it has advantages that the others do not. It is a day trip from a city with a hospital, an airport, and reliable electricity. It is cheaper. It is less crowded. And it does not require an overnight commitment.

If you have only one or two days in Puerto Princesa, Honda Bay is the most efficient use of your time. If you have a week, do Honda Bay on your first or last day and spend the rest of your trip heading north to El Nido or taking the ferry to Coron.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I do Honda Bay as a day trip from Puerto Princesa?

Yes. The wharf is 20 minutes from the city center, boats depart in the morning, and you are back by 3:00 or 4:00 PM. It is designed as a day trip.

Do I need to book the boat in advance?

During peak season from March to May, yes. During the rest of the year, you can usually walk up to Sta. Lourdes Wharf and get a boat the same morning, but booking a package through an operator is less hassle.

Is Honda Bay good for snorkeling?

It is decent. Pambato Reef is the main snorkeling stop and has reasonable coral cover. It is not world-class, but for a day trip from the city, it is worth doing.

Are there jellyfish in Honda Bay?

Jellyfish can appear at any time of year, especially around Starfish Island and the reef areas. Most are harmless but some can sting. A rash guard helps protect you. If you are stung, tell the guide; they deal with it regularly.

Can I bring my own food instead of booking the tour lunch?

Yes. If you rent a boat directly, you can bring your own food and have it prepared on one of the islands. Some islands charge a small corkage fee for outside food.

Last checked 2026-08-25. Written by PANA.PH [Desk] for PANA.PH.