Honda Bay is the easy Palawan water day. I love how this private island-hopping tour keeps the day simple—your time is spent on the water, not organizing logistics. Two things I especially like are the snorkel rental being included and a proper lunch served during the island time. The one catch: it depends on good weather, so rough conditions can affect what you do that day.

You meet at the Puerto Princesa Port main gate, and you’re dropped back there after the tour. In one of the best review stories I saw, guide TJ Echo handled a private group smoothly—great English (and Spanish too), solid safety judgment, and even iPhone photo tips to help you get sharper shots in the water and on the boats. If you’re expecting a nonstop party day, note the pace is more about swimming, snorkeling, and relaxing.

Key highlights you’ll care about

• Up to 3 Honda Bay stops with a plan that fits a single day
• Snorkel rental included, so you can travel lighter
• Lunch included during the island time (you won’t be hunting for food mid-tour)
• Cowrie Island + Lu-Li Island are built into the itinerary
• Private group experience, so your guide can shape the pace to your comfort
• Weather-sensitive—the tour is designed for good sea conditions

Honda Bay is built for a relaxed Palawan day

Honda Bay is one of those places where the “final frontier” feeling of Palawan meets a very practical reality: it’s close enough to Puerto Princesa for a shore excursion that still feels like a real getaway. This tour focuses on a handful of islands rather than long rides, so you get more swim time and less waiting around.

What makes it work well is the structure. You’re out for about 7 hours, with a guide meeting you at the port and then returning you to the same meeting point. That means you can plan your whole day without guessing how you’ll get back.

Getting from Puerto Princesa Port and back (without stress)

The meeting point is at the Puerto Princesa Port main gate, with a start location shown at PPVH+3FM, Malvar Road, Puerto Princesa City. Pickup is offered, and after the island hopping you return to the same place. That round-trip setup matters more than people expect—when you’re on a schedule, fewer handoffs usually means fewer surprises.

The tour also notes it’s near public transportation, which is handy if you’re staying in Puerto Princesa and want flexibility. And because it’s a private activity, you’re not stuck with a chaotic mix of energy levels from strangers. Your group sets the tone, within reason.

Stop 1: Cowrie Island’s easy-water vibe

Cowrie Island is the first island stop on the plan, and it’s a smart opening choice for a shore excursion. Even if your group is not the most experienced snorkel crew, this is the kind of place where you can ease into the day: boat time is short, and the beach-and-water rhythm is straightforward.

Here’s why Cowrie tends to be a good first stop: it gives you time to get comfortable with the gear and the motion before the day gets deeper into snorkeling and longer hangouts. If you’re the type who gets seasick easily, you’ll probably appreciate having your “warm-up” earlier rather than later.

What to watch for at Cowrie Island

• Bring water-friendly shoes if you’re the cautious type. (Not required info, but it’s a practical move for uneven shoreline spots.)
• Keep your phone pouch situation tight. You’ll be moving between boat and water, and you don’t want a wet surprise.

Stop 2: Lu-Li Island, plus the lunch window

Lu-Li Island comes next, and this is where the day shifts from swim-and-snapshots to a more complete island break. The tour includes lunch served on an island, and Lu-Li is part of the time block where food and downtime can fit naturally.

I like that the lunch is included because it removes the guesswork. When lunch is built into the schedule, you’re not stuck paying extra or losing a chunk of your island time to finding a place to eat.

In the strongest review I saw, the lunch got called out as lovely, and the guide kept things running smoothly for a private group of six. That kind of pacing is exactly what makes a half-day feel like a full day.

Snorkeling here feels more purposeful

Lu-Li also works well for people who want to see more marine life without turning the whole day into a strict “tour mode” experience. Your guide can help you spot what’s around you, and that’s not just about sightseeing—it’s also about knowing where it’s safer to float and swim.

What about the third Honda Bay stop?

The tour description says you’ll visit up to 3 destinations at Honda Bay, but only two stops are named in the provided itinerary: Cowrie Island and Lu-Li Island. That means the third stop isn’t fixed in the details you have here.

So I’d plan your expectations like this: expect Cowrie and Lu-Li for sure, and be open to an additional island time if conditions and scheduling allow. If you’re the type who hates uncertainty, focus on getting the most from the first two stops since those are clearly part of the plan.

The guide makes or breaks the day

For this kind of trip, a guide isn’t just “someone holding a map.” You want someone who understands how to read the water, keep the group safe, and still make the experience fun.

One review highlighted TJ Echo for a reason: he combined excellent communication with practical, safety-focused judgment. He spoke perfect English (and also Spanish), pointed out marine life, and used iPhone photo tricks to help the group get better shots. That matters if you want more than random blurry “we were there” photos.

What to look for in a good Honda Bay guide

Even though you’ll have one guide assigned through the tour provider, you can mentally check for these behaviors as the day starts:

• clear instructions before you snorkel
• smart grouping so no one gets left behind
• brief explanations of what you’re seeing underwater
• a calm approach to safety

A guide who communicates well also helps you relax. And when you’re relaxed, snorkeling is easier. Win-win.

Snorkel rental, safety, and what to bring

The tour includes snorkel rental, so you don’t need to pack gear. That’s a real value add—snorkel equipment costs add up fast if you have to rent everything separately.

You do still want to bring the basics that help you enjoy the water day. Since the tour lists moderate physical fitness as a requirement, expect some movement: getting on and off the boats, walking around island edges, and doing your snorkeling swim within your comfort level.

A few smart add-ons:

• sunscreen (water-friendly if you have it)
• a hat and sunglasses
• a lightweight dry bag for your phone and valuables
• a change of clothes for after the tour

Also, consider how you’ll manage your photos. The guide’s iPhone tips—mentioned in the review—hint that small changes to angles and timing make a big difference in tropical light.

Price check: is $173 per person good value?

At $173 per person, this isn’t the cheapest way to do Honda Bay. But it also isn’t trying to be. The value comes from what’s included and how “private” changes the feel of the day.

Here’s what you get included in the tour price:

• all fees
• snorkel rental
• lunch
• pickup offered and return to the same port meeting point
• guide-led island hopping to up to 3 destinations

When you price snorkeling gear rental plus a guided boat day plus lunch, $173 starts to look more reasonable—especially if you’re going with a group. The tour description also mentions group discounts, and the private setup keeps the pacing from turning into a slow-and-chaotic shuffle.

Booking on average 60 days in advance is another clue that this is a popular, in-demand shore excursion window. If your dates are fixed, planning early helps.

Who this Honda Bay private tour suits best

This tour is a good match if you want:

• a single-day Palawan water experience with less logistical work
• private pacing, meaning you can move at your comfort level
• snorkel time with guide input on marine life
• lunch included so you’re not timing meals yourself

It may be less ideal if you dislike water altogether or you’re looking for a super long, multi-island “around the archipelago” adventure. This is about Honda Bay and keeping the day smooth.

And if you’re a photography person, it’s a nice bonus. The iPhone photo tricks mentioned in the review suggest your guide may help you capture better images in real conditions—not just ideal light on land.

The practical bottom line: should you book it?

I think you should book this Honda Bay island hopping shore excursion if you want an efficient, guide-supported day that mixes beaches, snorkeling, and lunch without making you do the planning math. The included snorkel rental and lunch are the kind of details that quietly make the whole day easier.

If you’re trying to decide, ask yourself one thing: can you handle weather sensitivity on a shore excursion day? Because the tour depends on good conditions, you’ll want to be okay with rescheduling if the sea doesn’t cooperate.

For many people in Puerto Princesa, this is the clean, straightforward way to get serious time in the water—while still keeping the day under control.

FAQ

How long is the Puerto Princesa Honda Bay island hopping tour?

The tour runs for about 7 hours.

Which islands are included in the itinerary?

The plan specifically lists Cowrie Island as Stop 1 and Lu-Li Island as Stop 2, with up to 3 destinations total.

Is pickup included, and where do we meet?

Pickup is offered, and your guide meets you at the Puerto Princesa Port main gate. The tour also drops you back at the same place after it ends.

What’s included in the tour price?

The tour includes all fees, snorkel rental, and a lunch served during the island portion of the day.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. It’s listed as a private tour/activity, meaning only your group participates.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel free of charge up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The tour also notes it requires good weather, and if it’s canceled due to poor weather you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. It can also be canceled if a minimum number of travelers isn’t met, with options for a different experience/date or a refund.

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