Honda Bay
Honda Bay
4
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Framing the coastline of the capital of Palawan, Puerto Princesa City is Honda Bay. Popular location for snorkeling and island hopping.
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4.0
2,030 reviews
Excellent
848
Very good
645
Average
367
Poor
108
Terrible
62
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Andrei B
Palawan Island, Philippines4 contributions
Jan 2020 • Friends
I don’t recommend to take this tour!
It’s a waist of money, time and positive emotions that you can get in another place!
Island’s that you visit are boooring and nothing to do, maybe some photos to take.
1st island is just a small beach with bar where you can buy drinks (30 min to spend there)
2nd island is the place where you can swim with fishes, but all natural beauty’s are destroyed by tourists or waves, there is a limited place for snorkeling and a lot of peoples just walking on the corals and destroying everything. (1 hour to spend)
3rd island “is the best island for snorkeling, we will spend there 2 hour’s” the guide said :D, in the snorkeling place is also a jumping place. Place for snorkeling its very small and other tourists are jumping near you while you try to see some fishes water is getting very sandy and blurred (2 hour’s spended on a “very interesting island”
Better spend this time getting to El Nido :) and its more cheaper!
P.S. 2020 1700 pesos + 400 for mask and shoes rent!
Have a nice trip!
It’s a waist of money, time and positive emotions that you can get in another place!
Island’s that you visit are boooring and nothing to do, maybe some photos to take.
1st island is just a small beach with bar where you can buy drinks (30 min to spend there)
2nd island is the place where you can swim with fishes, but all natural beauty’s are destroyed by tourists or waves, there is a limited place for snorkeling and a lot of peoples just walking on the corals and destroying everything. (1 hour to spend)
3rd island “is the best island for snorkeling, we will spend there 2 hour’s” the guide said :D, in the snorkeling place is also a jumping place. Place for snorkeling its very small and other tourists are jumping near you while you try to see some fishes water is getting very sandy and blurred (2 hour’s spended on a “very interesting island”
Better spend this time getting to El Nido :) and its more cheaper!
P.S. 2020 1700 pesos + 400 for mask and shoes rent!
Have a nice trip!
Written 5 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Greg P
Oxford, UK35 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
We weren’t able to visit Starfish island because of the tide so were taken snorkelling in a reef instead - having never really snorkelled before it was a bit unnerving being left to get on with it myself (it was a deep part of the sea cordoned off with buoys and a floating jetty with several outriggers beside it) with no instructions from anyone there or really much of an explanation of where we were or how long we would be there for. Luli Island was our next stop, we had lunch there (a large buffet, it was okay) and either misunderstood our guide or were given the wrong information, but ended up being 20 minutes late back to the boat and were given an abrupt telling off and told that the other group members were angry at us; so for the third part of our trip (Cowrie Island) we made sure to stay close to the rest of the group so that didn’t happen again - and this time the guide was the one who turned up later than the time he told us to. Very strange tour experience but Cowrie Island was beautiful and swimming in the warm water there was great. They take you to a shop where you can rent snorkel equipment, buy dry bags for your valuables, sun cream, snacks etc before you get on the boat and do pick up/drop off at hotel. We didn’t learn anything from our tour guide about any of the places we visited which is a shame.
Written 10 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ausga
Graz, Austria7 contributions
Feb 2024 • Couples
We booked Honda Bay primarily because of Pandan Island and its coral reef, as it said in the tour description. However, it was not possible to visit it because the island was damaged by a typhoon 3 years ago and renovation work has been underway for a year. We had not been informed of this. In addition, alternatives could not be reached by the weak outrigger boats due to only moderate waves. So all in all, it was not a particularly successful day.
At the only snorkeling stop, the boat moored at a pontoon on the open sea, we did see beautiful, bright red and turquoise coral trees, and fish were lured with fish food, and there were lots of them, but that was it.
As is often the case, the tour is artificially extended with nonsense, such as an unnecessary lunch stop on Cowrie Island. We would have liked to have spent this day somewhere else.
Snorkeling is nicer on Mantigue Island (Carmiguin) and Pamilacan (Panglao).
At the only snorkeling stop, the boat moored at a pontoon on the open sea, we did see beautiful, bright red and turquoise coral trees, and fish were lured with fish food, and there were lots of them, but that was it.
As is often the case, the tour is artificially extended with nonsense, such as an unnecessary lunch stop on Cowrie Island. We would have liked to have spent this day somewhere else.
Snorkeling is nicer on Mantigue Island (Carmiguin) and Pamilacan (Panglao).
Written 21 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tero
4 contributions
Feb 2020
the islands have gotten pretty touristy, but still worth the dime. try to get a tricycle from puerto princesa for about 500 pesos, which is much cheaper than the tours. pay entrance fees and boat ride at honda beach.
Written 8 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Czar Emmanuel
Manila, Philippines10,311 contributions
June 2023 • Friends
Honda Bay is one of the famous tourist destinations in Palawan. It's located less than an hour away from Puerto Princesa, which makes it ideal for a day tour. You just need to go to the Santa Lourdes wharf and take a boat from there for island hopping. Usual itinerary includes a visit to the Cowry Island, the Starfish Island, and the so-called Luli Island. All of these islands are good for swimming. You can have your lunch in any of them. Highly recommended!
Written 5 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pinco P
2 contributions
Jan 2024 • Friends
Lulli is really pitiful not to say (disgusting) they always take you when the tide is low so even worse in fact after 10 minutes we ran away. Starfish Island without Starfish!!!! With all this tourism they have fled far away. And they don't always allow you to go to this island in the end Cowrie Island remains the most beautiful in my opinion which rewards the last two. I can't say that I recommend them, unfortunately in Puerto Princesa there is little to see and in the end you end up doing this excursion.
Written 28 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Renato G
Reykjavik, Iceland284 contributions
Jan 2020
Loved the day tour; all well organised, including pick up and drop off at the hotel. Friendly guide, watching out well for us. Brought us first to a location to rent for reasonable rates snorkelling gear and water shoes. Then we went to 3 islands. Snorkelling was only good at Starfish islands, on the other two islands water was not clear and not many fish. Lunch was OK - nothing exciting though.
Written 9 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Roboll
Cardiff10 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
We decided to visit only one island- Pandan. We were rewarded with extreme peace and quiet, our own cabin and a buffet lunch for the all in entrance fee. Well worth it for a relaxing few hours at the end of our stay in the area.
Written 1 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andreas D
8 contributions
Jan 2024 • Couples
Out of this world disappointing, we just came from El Nido and we have some magical trips over there. And then we thought let’s take one down here. Absolutely horrific experience, no snorkeling water, stones everywhere, bad food. The island “starfish island” was so unrealistically horrible. Everything was just bad, you have 50 meters where you can swim, and and water looks like toilet water.
El Nido trip A is magical, feels like a movie. Do that instead and save your money!
El Nido trip A is magical, feels like a movie. Do that instead and save your money!
Written 15 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
atwell4
Silverton, OR253 contributions
Jan 2024 • Friends
The islands in Honda Bay are stunningly beautiful. Great snorkeling and sealife in several places. The water was so blue and warm and I never wanted to leave. In fact we only left because we had to get back to our ship. Traveling from island to island by the motor boats was so much fun. Go and enjoy!
Written 25 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi, anyone here going to Honda bay on February 24th, Monday? Maybe we could share a boat for an island hopping tour?
Written 16 February 2020
Sunshine
Seoul, South Korea
Does anyone knows what is the latest time to depart to hopping? I should be arriving there around 4pm and want to go snorkel if possible. Or at least, make a reservation for the next day. What time does the ticket booth closed? Plz help me out! Thanks!
Written 31 January 2020
The price is 1300 PHP for the whole boat ? Is it possible to start the private tour at 9-10 AM ? Thanks
Written 18 October 2019
The price is 1300 PHP for the whole boat ?
Yes, 1300 PHP for the whole boat, max of 20 passengers.
Note however, that you will have to pay for the transportation going to the port and back to the city (we paid 500 roundtrip for a tricycle). You also have to pay for the entrance fees for the 3 islands, environmental fee and pay for your own lunch.
Is it possible to start the private tour at 9-10 AM ?
Yes, it is possible. You just have to go there early to avoid the long queue.
I would like to reiterate, that you should ASK and KEEP the Environmental fee receipt (150 PHP) because you can use it for the Underground River tour and vice versa.
Overall, I can say that this is way cheaper and less hassle than joining in tours. You'll have a private boat (no waiting for other passengers) and can bring your own food.
Enjoy!
Written 23 October 2019
I have some questions about transportion ,that if I come from El Nido, how can I get to Honda Bay? Have any bus or van can taking? and how much is one-way?
Written 19 February 2019
Some hotels have a package including transpo service from Puerto Princessa to El Nido v.v. If your hotel doesn’t offer, try booking in KLOOK. hassle free they can fetchu from the airport to your hotel v.v
Written 20 March 2019
Hi guys, anyone did a DIY honda bay tour recently and have contacts of their boatmen? Is it easy enough to DIY? We'll be staying at Wyndham.thanks
Written 28 January 2019
DIY is a hassle in a place like Puerto. Tours give you many additional services so in my opinion Tour package is more better option. By DIY you'll not be able so save much, max 300 PHP maybe.
If you want to try DIY, reach to the port by tricycle and you'll see agents approaching you for rides.
Written 28 January 2019
Is it possible to rent a jetski at one of the islands when you do the tour?
Written 12 September 2018
we will island hopping, but can we book for 2 Day 's Whit a sleep place somewere?
best regaeds
Wietske
Written 15 May 2018
How much are snorkels to rent or buy? Thank you
Written 29 March 2018
Snorkels costs Php 150, but I recommend you check the snorkels coz I took one that is cracked and waters seeps in so I didn't really enjoy the snorkeling that much.
Written 6 April 2018
Hi Good Evening,
I would like to ask, we would like to book your underground river package and we will be staying at the Hotel Centro. So Is it possible in your part to pick and drop us at the hotel I mentioned?
Hoping your immediate response!
Best Regards,
Yan
Written 22 October 2017
We will be staying in Centro Hotel. Are you guys can pick us on that location? Need your advise and suggestion.
Thank You!
Written 21 October 2017
Hello am sorry as I have no idea about Centro Hotel as we stayed in a different hotel. I guess it is better if you call the hotel directly and ask. Enjoy your visit in Puerto Princesa. :-)
Written 23 October 2017
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