Puerto Princesa in Palawan is one of the best islands in the Philippines that I’ve been to so far. I instantly fell in love with its pristine beaches and lush landscapes so much that I didn’t want to leave anymore. My favorite activity—in particular—was the Honda Bay island hopping.
You can actually enjoy a nice, peaceful view with white sand and clear water. I’m not sure about the city’s nightlife though because I did the Honda Bay island hopping for the day and didn’t wander around at night—I was that tired.
I started my Honda Bay island hopping really early because I wanted to catch the sunrise. I left the hotel around 5 in the morning, and it was quite the experience.
The roundtrip boat starts at PHP 1500/USD 50, and you may choose three beaches to visit. The boat can accommodate up to six people but it can be too cramped so the ideal would be four people.
While there are solo and joiner tours available, I did not sign up for one because I wanted to enjoy this beach day. A Honda Bay island hopping is usually a half-day tour.
Upon registration, the boat operator will ask you about your island preferences. I chose Luli Island, Starfish Island, and Pandan Island.
Luli Island
Luli Island was the first stop of my Honda Bay island hopping. The sands are more golden in color and it wasn’t as fine as I thought. It doesn’t have any shades, too, so it’s more of a pitstop than a place to stay the whole day.
Our tour guide said that you literally won’t see the island during high tide.
Starfish Island
Starfish Island is also popular as a snorkeling destination. I didn’t see a lot of starfish around, but according to our guide, they just come in depending on the season. The water here is more turquoise and green hues in color—a blend that I haven’t really seen before.
Small huts are available for rent on Starfish Island in case you decide to eat your lunch here.
Pandan Island
Out of the three islands in my Honda Bay island-hopping itinerary, Pandan Island is easily my favorite. Crystal-blue water, white sands, and picturesque view—it was the perfect last stop.
The island felt more developed than the other two. There are snorkeling and diving opportunities, as well as other water activities like stand-up paddleboarding. Kids will particularly love snorkeling here because there are SO many fishes (including clownfishes).
My tour guide recommended that I eat my lunch here because the food is better. There are mini stalls around the island where you can buy fresh seafood, and you can have them cook it the “beach” way like grilling, frying, or made into adobo. The squid I ordered was literally fresh off the hook.
I highly recommend bringing small snacks (and perhaps a book) with you if you plan to stay for the rest of the afternoon. Since the island has a more laid-back vibe, I was perfectly relaxed, and probably even dozed off a bit, before we left at around 4 in the afternoon.
This Honda Bay island hopping is definitely the highlight of my Palawan vacation. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did and remember to leave nothing but footprints.
Great post. Thanks for sharing. You did a good job with the detailed write up about the different island.
Thanks as well! It’s a must-visit here in the PH!