Last updated: 29 August 2026. Boat rates and island entrance fees are set locally and change; confirm before booking.
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Quick answer: Honda Bay island hopping is the standard second day in Puerto Princesa, visiting three islands: Cowrie, Luli and Starfish. The thing to understand before booking is that the boat is priced per boat, not per person — PHP 1,500 to 2,100 for up to six people. So doing it yourself only beats a joiner tour once you have four or more in your group. Solo travellers and couples should just book the tour at PHP 1,500 to 2,100 per person. Budget the separate PHP 150 city environmental fee either way.
On this page
Honda Bay sits on the east coast of Puerto Princesa, and the trip is the main reason to give the city a second day rather than transiting straight through to El Nido.
The islands you actually visit
Two standard routes exist, and which one you get depends on the boat you book.
| Route | Stops |
|---|---|
| Route A | Pambato Reef, Luli Island, Cowrie Island |
| Route B | Starfish Island, Luli Island, Cowrie Island |
Cowrie Island is the largest and the lunch stop, with cottages, a buffet and the most developed facilities. Luli is small and shallow, good for easy swimming. Starfish Island is the snorkelling stop on Route B. Pambato Reef is a marine sanctuary platform rather than an island, and is the better snorkelling of the two routes.
Most joiner tours run Cowrie, Luli and Starfish. If snorkelling matters more to you than beach time, ask specifically for a route including Pambato Reef.
What Honda Bay island hopping costs
The fees stack in a way that catches people out, so here is every line.
| Item | Cost | Charged |
|---|---|---|
| Boat, Route A | PHP 1,500 to 1,800 | Per boat, 1 to 6 people |
| Boat, Route B | PHP 1,800 to 2,100 | Per boat, 1 to 6 people |
| Larger groups | +PHP 300 for 7 to 10, +PHP 600 for 11 to 15 | Per boat |
| Environmental fee | PHP 150 | Per person, city-wide |
| Wharf terminal fee | PHP 5 to 40 | Per person |
| Starfish Island entry | PHP 50 to 100 | Per person |
| Luli Island entry | PHP 70 to 120 | Per person |
| Cowrie Island entry | PHP 100 to 150 | Per person |
| Snorkel set or aqua shoes | PHP 150 each | Per person |
| Cottage at Cowrie | PHP 200 to 500 | Per group |
| Buffet lunch at Cowrie | PHP 250 to 300 | Per person |
The environmental fee is a city fee, not an island one. It covers other Puerto Princesa attractions during your stay, the Underground River included, so pay it once and keep the receipt. Most 2026 sources put its validity at six months.
DIY or joiner tour?
This is the only decision that really changes what you pay.
| DIY | Joiner tour | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost per person | PHP 1,500 to 2,500 in a group of 4 to 6 | PHP 1,500 to 2,100 |
| Boat | You hire the whole boat and split it | Shared |
| Includes | Nothing — fees, lunch and gear all separate | Transfers, guide, boat, lunch, most fees |
| Transport to wharf | Your problem | Hotel pickup included |
| Best for | Groups of four or more | Solos, couples, anyone wanting it simple |
The arithmetic is the point. Because the boat is a fixed per-boat cost, two people splitting a PHP 1,800 boat pay PHP 900 each before a single fee is added. Six people splitting the same boat pay PHP 300 each. That is why DIY only wins with a full boat — and why a couple should not bother.
Private tours follow the same curve: roughly PHP 7,065 per person for two people, falling to about PHP 1,770 per person for a group of ten.
Getting to the wharf
Boats leave from Santa Lourdes Wharf, north of the city.
- Multicab — PHP 25 to 35 per person. Cheapest, slowest.
- Tricycle — PHP 300 to 500 one way as a private trip.
- Private van — PHP 1,300 to 1,500 return, worth it for a group.
- Joiner tour — hotel pickup included in the price.
What the day looks like
On a joiner tour, pickup is between 06:30 and 07:00, registration at the wharf around 08:00, and you are back at your hotel by about 15:00. Roughly nine hours door to door, with about four to five of those actually on the islands.
Bring cash in small notes for the per-island fees if you are doing it yourself, reef-safe sunscreen, and your own snorkel if you have one — rental is PHP 150 a set and the supplied gear is variable.
When to go
Sea conditions are best December to April, which is also the dry season across Palawan. From June to October the crossing gets rougher and trips are cancelled, and transport disruption is generally not refunded, so do not book a same-day onward flight or van behind it.
No island closures were reported across 2025 or 2026. Our Palawan travel guide covers seasonality across the province.
Is it worth it?
Honest answer: it is a pleasant day, not a spectacular one, and it does not compare with island hopping in El Nido or Coron. The islands are small, developed and busy, and the snorkelling is fine rather than memorable.
Do it if you are already spending two days in Puerto Princesa around the Underground River and want something on the second. Skip it if adding it means cutting a day from El Nido or Coron — that trade is never worth making.
Sources we checked: the city environmental fee and its coverage are set out on the Puerto Princesa park authority’s public notice. Seasonal conditions cross-checked against PAGASA.
Plan the rest of your trip
- Puerto Princesa travel guide — what else to do and how long to stay.
- Underground River — permits, fees and how to actually get in.
- How to get to El Nido — the van north from Puerto Princesa.
- Complete Palawan travel guide — all three destinations compared.
- Philippines travel budget guide — costing the whole trip.
Frequently asked questions
How much is Honda Bay island hopping?
A joiner tour runs PHP 1,500 to 2,100 per person including transfers, lunch and most fees. Doing it yourself, the boat is PHP 1,500 to 2,100 for up to six people, plus PHP 150 environmental fee, PHP 50 to 150 per island, and lunch and gear separately. In a group of four to six that lands around PHP 1,500 to 2,500 per person.
Which islands does Honda Bay island hopping visit?
Cowrie, Luli and Starfish are the standard three. Some routes swap Starfish for Pambato Reef, a marine sanctuary that offers the better snorkelling of the two.
Is it cheaper to do Honda Bay DIY?
Only with four or more people. The boat is priced per boat rather than per head, so a couple splitting it pays roughly the same as a joiner tour but has to arrange transport, lunch and gear themselves.
How long does the Honda Bay tour take?
About nine hours door to door on a joiner tour: pickup around 06:30, registration at 08:00, back by roughly 15:00.
Do I need to pay the environmental fee again for the Underground River?
No. The PHP 150 fee is city-wide and covers other Puerto Princesa attractions during your stay. Keep the receipt, as you will be asked for it.
When is the best time for Honda Bay?
December to April, when sea conditions are calmest. June to October brings rougher crossings and cancellations, and transport disruption is generally not refunded.
Next steps
- Plan the city: Puerto Princesa travel guide
- Sort the permit: Underground River guide
- Book tours: Puerto Princesa tours on Klook
- Head north: Complete El Nido travel guide