Honda Bay: Our most recommended tours and activities

Puerto Princesa: Honda Bay Island Hopping & Optional Massage

1. Puerto Princesa: Honda Bay Island Hopping & Optional Massage

Experience the beauty of marine life in Puerto Princesa. Honda Bay is located on the eastern shore of Puerto Princesa and hosts a variety of tiny islands with resorts and beaches. It is also home to a wide variety of fishes, corals, and giant clams. Begin your 30-minute journey from the city to Barangay Sta. Lourdes, where the Honda Bay Wharf is located. Before boarding your boat, you will make a stop to rent your snorkel, aqua shoes, and swimming fins. Once on board, you will be taken to 3 different places each with its own unique attractions and characteristics. First is Luli Island. This sand bar got its name from the Filipino 'Lulubog at LIlitaw', which means to appear and disappear on water. The sand bar disappears when the tide is high and appears when the tide is low. It has powdery cream-colored sand and clear blue water, which is perfect for swimming and relaxing. There is a cocktail bar where you can sample the local mixes. There is a dive platform where you can take a jump into the water.  Next is Pambato Reef. This reef is a famous snorkeling site in Honda Bay. It has an average depth of 13 meters and covers an area as wide as 16 hectares. It has a thriving community of branch and ear corals and schools of fish including lapu-lapu (grouper), parrot fish, and spadefish. Finally, head to Cowrie Island where you will spend most of your day. Your buffet-style lunch will be served on this island. The clear blue waters and powdery sand are perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and sun bathing. There is a massage center where you can treat yourself to a relaxing massage. Your day will end at approximately 2:30 PM. You will head back to the wharf and your driver will meet you there to return you to your accommodation. If you want a relaxing end to the day, select one of the massage options. Hotel drop-off after the massage can be provided with an extra charge, which can be booked as an add-on upon checkout.

Puerto Princesa: Private Honda Bay Island Hopping Tour

2. Puerto Princesa: Private Honda Bay Island Hopping Tour

Experience the magnificent marine life of Puerto Princesa. Honda Bay is located on the eastern shore of Puerto Princesa and is home to a wide variety of tiny islands lined with resorts and beaches. Before boarding your private boat, make a stop to rent your snorkel, aqua shoes, and swimming fins. Once onboard, you will be taken to three different locations, each with its own unique attractions and characteristics. The first is Luli Island. This sand bar got its name from the Filipino "Lulubog at LIlitaw," which means "to appear and disappear on water;" the sand bar disappears when the tide is high and reappears when the tide is low. It is home to long stretches of powdery, cream-colored sand and clear blue water, which are perfect for swimming and relaxing. Next is Pambato Reef, a famous snorkeling site in Honda Bay with a thriving community of branch and ear corals and schools of fish including lapu-lapu (grouper), parrot fish, and spadefish. Finally, head to Cowrie Island, where you will spend most of your day and where your buffet-style lunch will be served. The clear waters and fine sand are perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing. Head back to the wharf at around 2:30 PM for hotel drop-off.

From Puerto Princesa: Honda Bay Island Hopping Full-Day Tour

3. From Puerto Princesa: Honda Bay Island Hopping Full-Day Tour

7:00am hotel pick up Starfish Lunch (Starfish) Cowrie Island Luli Island Approximately 3:00 pm hotel drop off

Honda Bay Tour

4. Honda Bay Tour

Honda Bay is the place to be when looking for some fun in the sun, sand, and sea in Palawan. Kick off your adventure with a convenient hotel pick up service within Puerto Princesa. Once you arrive at the Honda Bay wharf, you’ll be greeted by your friendly English-speaking guide and tour operator. Hop aboard a motorized boat and head off for Luli Island. Play along the long, flag-decorated sandbar and enjoy the calm waves on the shore! After that, you’ll head to Cowrie Island for a picnic lunch and try different water activities such as snorkeling. Each person from the tour will get the chance to swim among the colorful coral reef or try the banana boat and kayak. But the best is saved for lunch at Starfish Island where you might get to see hundreds of starfish just beneath the waves. This tour will give you the chance to take a break from the crowded streets of Puerto Princesa and play in the sun all day. Go snorkeling and see beautiful underwater gardens by booking this Honda Bay island hopping tour! Play watersports, discover the diverse marine life of Palawan, and relax on the white sand beaches of Honda Bay, Luli Island, and Starfish Island.

Puerto Princesa: Cowrie Island Guided Day Tour with Meal

5. Puerto Princesa: Cowrie Island Guided Day Tour with Meal

Explore one of the destinations in Honda Bay in this private day tour to Cowrie Island. This activity is perfect if you have a few hours to spare before leaving the City. Honda Bay is just a quick 30-minute van and boat ride away from the city center. The island even has a shower facility where you can freshen up before leaving if you have a plane to catch. Your tour guide meet you at your hotel and will be the one who will process the paperworks at the wharf. Once everything is settled, you'll board a motor boat that will take you to this island paradise. The island has a beautiful white sand beach and coconut trees are all over the area. The cottages are also located just near the shoreline. There's also a massage area where you can get a massage from qualified therapists. When you're feeling hungry, just let your guide know so they can serve the tasty meals prepared just for you. The menu consist of barbeque pork, chicken, or fish, with vegetable salad, fruits in season, and rice. If you have any dietary requirements, just let us know ahead of time so we can arrange something for you. Whenever you're ready to go back, your guide will assist you back to your boat and van and will drop you off back at your hotel or at the airport.

Puerto Princesa: Private Sunrise Trek at Mt. Magarwak

6. Puerto Princesa: Private Sunrise Trek at Mt. Magarwak

The day begins with pickup from your hotel in Puerto Princesa between 3:00 AM and 4:00 AM, then heads towards the base of Mt. Magarwak where adventure awaits. Arrive at the base, which is just on the outskirts of the city, and listen to a safety briefing about the trek. Once you’re ready, begin the ascent towards the summit, following your guide along the 300-meter mountain trail. As you trek through the mountain landscape, see native flora and fauna along the trail which is surrounded by luscious jungle. After around an hour of trekking, arrive at the summit and enjoy a well-deserved rest while your guide prepares a light breakfast. As you wait for the sun to rise, enjoy your breakfast accompanied by tea and coffee. From the summit, marvel at the transformation of the sky as it is illuminated with light and color when the sun rises. Soak up spectacular views across Honda Bay and watch the water glisten and glow in the sunlight. At the end of an unforgettable experience, begin the descent down the mountain at around 7:30 AM. Back at the base, hop in the van for the return trip to your hotel, or if you selected the optional add-ons visit Nagtabon Beach for a refreshing swim, or relax and unwind in a nearby hot spring.

Puerto Princesa: Private Underground River and Cowrie Tour

7. Puerto Princesa: Private Underground River and Cowrie Tour

Visit some of Puerto Princesa's most notable destinations in just one day. Get to enjoy a day out in nature to see the Underground River and swim in the warm waters of Honda Bay. This compressed tour is perfect for those wanting to get the most out of their time in Puerto Princesa. Your day will start early as your guide will pick you up for your hotel at around 6 AM. You'll head 90 minutes out to the countryside to visit one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature. At the wharf, you can sit and enjoy the sights or walk along Sabang Beach while you guide handle the paperwork. Once everything is ready, board a motorboat for a 20-minute ride to the mouth of the underground river. Wear comfortable clothings as you can get wet during the boat transfers. Walk on a short strip of forest to see the entrance to the cave. In here, you will also see wildlife such as monkeys and monitor lizards. Before boarding the paddleboat, you'll be handed out an audio device to enhance the experience inside the cave. The full trip inside should take no more than 45 minutes. You'll head back to the wharf after this where a sumptuous feast of Filipino delicacies awaits. After having your lunch, you'll head back to the City to visit Cowrie Island in Honda Bay. This small island is dotted with coconut trees and is lined by a white sand beach. Change into your coolest swimwear and bask under the tropical sun, It's warm waters is also perfect for those who want to swim. There's also a place where you can snorkel with fishes or you can rent a kayak! At the end of the trip, your tour guide will drop you off at your hotel.

Puerto Princesa Honda Bay Island Hopping

8. Puerto Princesa Honda Bay Island Hopping

About 30 minutes ride from the city you will find Sta. Lourdes wharf which serves as the jump off area for this activity. There, the guide will process the paper works before you can hop on your boat. Snorkeling gear rental shops are also available around the area so you can get your own water shoes and mask for a more exciting and fun adventure in the clear waters of Honda Bay. This activity takes more or less 7 hours wherein you can visit islands namely Pambato Reef, Luli Island and Cowrie Island. Lunch will be served in one of the island destination. You can also ask your guide for kayak rentals available on the island if you want to have an enjoyable activity.

Other Sightseeing Options in Honda Bay

Want to discover all there is to do in Honda Bay? Click here for a full list.

What people are saying about Honda Bay

Overall rating

4.6 / 5

based on 88 reviews

The islands we visited were very beautiful, they were little paradise islands! Though it was raining later on still the experience was great. Lunch prepared by the team was very delicious. Thank you, guys, for such great experience!

We love our hike. Josh was an excellent guide. He even helped my 67 year old mom hike up the mountain! Then he provided us with coffee at the peak and was also our photographer for the most awesome panoramic shots

We had a great time with all the island hopping and snorkelling. Tour guide is friendly and boat personnels are so helpful. I will be coming back again.

Great snorkeling. Make sure you bring suntan lotion. Even overcast days can burn alot. Buffet was awesome and the staff is so helpful.

Typhoon cancelled our itinerary but the guides did great with an alternative and we had a lovely day