Starfish Sandbar can turn a normal day into a story. This Honda Bay island-hopping tour from Puerto Princesa packs big beach time and marine viewing into one smooth, guided day—plus you’ve got multiple island stops instead of one long detour.

I love that you get real downtime to swim, snorkel, and just hang out in the sun at Luli, Cowrie, and Starfish Sandbar—not constant bouncing around. And I also like the human touch: the guide I read about, Ana, was described as going above and beyond, even cooking a masarap lunch for the group.

One thing to consider: this tour depends on good weather. When conditions are rough, the boat ride plans can get limited, and you might not hit every stop. Also, snorkeling gear isn’t included, so you’ll want to plan for that.

Key highlights at a glance

• Four stops in one day: Honda Bay, Cowrie Island, Lu-Li (Luli) Island, then Starfish Sandbar
• Actual swim and beach time: multiple islands with time set aside for sunbathing and swimming
• Included buffet lunch: served on-site (picnic-style at the Starfish Sandbar area)
• Pickup included, if you’re in the city proper: shared air-conditioned van from select hotels
• Guided day with marine spotting: you’ll have chances to watch and get close to sea life

Why Honda Bay island hopping feels efficient from Puerto Princesa

Honda Bay is the kind of place where you spend more time in the water than sitting around. From Puerto Princesa, you’re taking a short boat ride to a small cluster of islands, which is exactly what makes this tour a good use of a single day in Palawan.

The route is built around variety: you’ll go from a bay area where you can swim and try snorkeling, to islands with beach setups and more relaxed hanging-around time. The pace is practical—you’re not stuck only on one island for hours, and you also aren’t hopping so fast you never settle in.

And yes, Starfish Sandbar is the headliner. The reason it’s such a draw is simple: it’s one of those places where the scenery and the marine life make you slow down and look around. If you’re coming to Puerto Princesa for nature time, this is a straightforward way to get it.

Getting picked up: the shared van routine that keeps your day easy

You start with a shared hotel pickup and drop-off using an air-conditioned minivan. This is included if your hotel is in the city proper—and if you’re staying outside the city proper, the tour may require an extra pickup charge.

Your day typically starts with the first pickup point at D Lucky Garden Inn, then the van continues through other hotels in the city. That matters because you’re not scrambling to find transport at the last minute. Instead, you get handed off into a day with a driver/guide and a clear sequence of stops.

A couple of practical notes based on how this kind of day runs:

• You’ll be on a shared schedule, so you should plan for a bit of waiting between pickup and departure.
• You’ll likely be with a group ranging up to 100 travelers maximum, so bring patience for check-in moments and boat loading.

The upside: once you’re moving, the tour structure helps keep things organized—boat time, swim time, and lunch time.

The island lineup: what each stop is really like

This tour is timed like a sampler platter. Each stop has enough duration to do something real—swim, snorkel, and relax—without dragging the day into too many hours of travel.

Stop 1: Honda Bay (about 1 hour)

Honda Bay is your first water time. This is where you begin island-hopping and where you’ll get early chances to swim and try snorkeling. The vibe here is casual: you’re close enough to sea life to make it feel like more than just scenery, but it’s also a practical starting point.

One useful thing to know: snorkeling gear isn’t included with the tour. That doesn’t mean you’re stuck, though. At least one traveler found it possible to rent snorkeling equipment right at the Honda Bay area.

If you’re a first-timer, Honda Bay is a good place to test the waters—literally—before you commit to heavier gear.

Stop 2: Cowrie Island (about 2 hours)

Cowrie Island is longer on the schedule, which helps. You’ll have time for lunch and more beach time, plus swimming and snorkeling.

Here’s the honest tradeoff I’d plan for: the snorkeling on this stop may not be the star of the day for everyone. I’ve seen the opinion that Cowrie can feel like more beach than underwater show. But if your goal is to relax, wade, sunbathe, and reset between islands, Cowrie does that well.

So think of Cowrie as the comfort stop—less “wow underwater,” more “nice break in the middle.”

Stop 3: Lu-Li (Luli) Island (about 2 hours)

Lu-Li (often spelled Luli) gives you a second longer beach block. This stop is about swimming, photos, and sunbathing, with a bit of marine viewing if you snorkel.

If you’re curious about what kind of underwater life you might see, this is the kind of place where you can get close enough for it to feel exciting without requiring advanced experience. One traveler described Luli as okay for fish watching, which lines up with what you should expect: good opportunities, not a guarantee that every second underwater will be fireworks.

Still, two hours is a generous window to make the most of it. If you arrive and immediately swim, you’ll have time left for relaxing after.

Stop 4: Starfish Sandbar Resort area (about 1 hour)

Starfish Sandbar is where the day earns its nickname. This is the stop many people care about most, and for good reason—you’re there for the chance to see lots of starfish in the sandbar setting.

It’s also where lunch lands. Lunch is included, served in a cottage hut area in a picnic-style setup. Expect it to be practical, not fancy-dining level.

The biggest “real world” consideration: Starfish Sandbar can be sensitive to weather and sea conditions. One review noted they weren’t able to visit Starfish Island due to limitations when seas were too rough and the coast guard restricted the range. So if Starfish Sandbar is your top goal, go with a mindset of flexible expectations on sea days.

Snorkeling and marine life: your best approach without gear included

Snorkeling can be a highlight here, but you should set expectations. The tour includes guided structure and swim time; it does not include masks, fins, or snorkeling equipment.

That means your comfort depends on prep:

• If you already own snorkeling gear, bring it. You’ll be ready faster and you won’t have to hunt around for rentals.
• If you don’t, you’ll want to plan for gear rental at or near the bay area. One traveler reported hiring snorkeling equipment at Honda Bay, so it’s not unheard of.

Also, keep your energy smart. With four stops in a day, you’ll want to snorkel when you’re fresh and then switch back to beach mode once you’ve had your fill.

For marine life, the tour’s premise is about getting close—watching fish and sea creatures in the shallows. Starfish are the most iconic “check this off” animal here, but the general point is: this is not just a beach day; it’s also a day where you can see underwater life if you pay attention.

Lunch at the islands: included, filling, and timed for the day

The lunch is included as a buffet, and it’s served at the Starfish Sandbar Resort area in a picnic-style setup in a cottage hut. That’s a good arrangement for island hopping because it avoids a complicated mealtime logistics puzzle.

You’re not eating in transit. You’re eating when you’re already set up at a stop. And because the day is built around short blocks of time at each place, the lunch timing matters: you want food while you’re still in “vacation mode,” not after you’ve been burned out by sun and swimming.

In the review notes I saw, the standout praise wasn’t only about the buffet—it was about the guide’s effort. Ana was described as personally cooking masarap lunch, which tells you something important: you’re not just getting food delivered. You’re getting human care.

Food usually isn’t the reason people book Honda Bay—but when it’s good and timed right, it makes the whole day feel smoother.

Price and value: what $100 buys you (and what it doesn’t)

At $100 per person for about 8 hours, this tour sits in the middle of what you might expect for island hopping in Palawan. The value angle here is that several key items are included:

• Lunch buffet
• Driver/guide
• Shared hotel pickup and drop-off in select city areas (air-conditioned minivan)

When you price island hopping tours, the hidden cost is often “what do I have to pay for on site?” Here, the major missing piece is snorkeling gear. Since snorkeling equipment isn’t included, you should budget for that separately—or bring your own.

So I see the value as follows:

• If your hotel is within the city proper, the pickup inclusion makes the $100 easier to justify.
• If you’re traveling as a couple or a small group (minimum 2 people per booking), you’re more likely to get a good deal per person compared to solo options.
• If Starfish Sandbar is your priority, the tour has a strong payoff—but remember weather can affect what you reach.

Also, since it’s commonly booked about 38 days in advance, you might want to lock in early during busy seasons to improve your chances of matching your preferred day.

Weather and sea conditions: how the day can change

This is where you need to be realistic. The tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you should be offered either a different date or a full refund.

But even without a full cancellation, sea conditions can still affect which stops are possible. One person noted Starfish Island didn’t happen in their case because sea conditions were limited and the coast guard reduced the range of the tour.

My advice: treat this tour like an “open-water day,” not a guaranteed checklist. If you go in expecting flexibility, you’ll enjoy the day more even if the itinerary shifts slightly.

What to bring so you don’t waste time in the sun

Because snorkeling gear isn’t included, your packing list is mostly about being comfortable fast.

Bring:

• Your own snorkeling mask/fins if you have them (optional if you plan to rent on site)
• Water shoes or sandals that work on sandy or rocky entry points (one review specifically suggested bringing water sandals)
• Sunscreen and something for sun protection (you’re doing multiple sun-and-water blocks)
• A positive attitude for saltwater day logistics

If you’re the type who loves fish, one review suggested bringing a little old bread for fish feeding to help attract marine life. I’d keep this practical: only do it if your guide allows it and local rules are followed.

Who this tour suits best

This Honda Bay island-hopping tour works best for you if:

• You want a full-day nature break from Puerto Princesa with minimal planning
• You’re happy with a mix of beach relaxation and snorkeling attempts
• You prefer a guided day with pickup and lunch handled

It may be less ideal if:

• You want a private, slow, no-group day (this is shared, and up to 100 travelers is possible)
• You’re relying on snorkeling gear you don’t have and don’t want to deal with rentals
• Starfish Sandbar is the one thing you must see no matter what—weather can affect access

For families: children must be accompanied by an adult, and the tour notes that most travelers can participate, which usually means it’s not an extreme activity level.

Should you book Puerto Princesa Island Hopping (Honda Bay)?

If your goal is a practical, well-paced day of beach time plus marine viewing, I think you should book. The combination of included lunch, guided structure, and multiple island stops makes it a strong “value-for-time” choice for most visitors.

I would especially book it if:

• Your hotel is in the city proper so pickup is included
• You’re comfortable with snorkeling being a bonus activity (not a guaranteed deep-water experience)
• You can be flexible about sea conditions

I’d hesitate only if Starfish Sandbar is non-negotiable and you can’t handle the possibility that the day may adjust due to weather limits. Otherwise, this is one of the easiest ways to get the Palawan island feel without turning your day into a complicated logistics project.

FAQ

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

It runs for about 8 hours.

What islands are included in the tour?

You visit Honda Bay, Cowrie Island, Lu-Li (Luli) Island, and the Starfish Sandbar Resort area.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

Yes, shared hotel pickup and drop-off are included for select hotels, using an air-conditioned minivan. If your hotel is outside the city proper, extra pickup charges may apply.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A lunch buffet is included, and it’s served picnic-style in the cottage hut area at the Starfish Sandbar stop.

Are snorkeling masks and gear included?

No. Snorkeling gears, masks, and other equipment are not included, so you’ll need to bring your own or arrange gear separately.

How many people are on the tour?

The maximum group size is up to 100 travelers.

Is there a minimum number of travelers to run the booking?

Yes. There must be a minimum of 2 people per booking.

What if the weather is poor?

The tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.