Honda Bay

Just a few minutes north of the city proper, hop onto a boat and go island hopping at Honda Bay located in the mid-eastern coast of the city. Take your pick from dozens of white sand beaches. Dive sites abound here, as the entire area is studded with patches of coral and sand. Submerged reefs may be found close to the surface down to 24 meters. Small reef and aquarium fish can also be found here.

Starfish Island in Honda Bay, Puerto Princesa City

Among the well-known dive sites here are Pandan Island which has good reefs near small drop-offs, Arreceffi Island and Panglima Reef where coral boulders and gray reef sharks are found. Each island at Honda Bay offers different thrills. Snake Island has a sandbar that slithers on the surface of the sea, much like the critter that bears its name. It is best for snorkeling, swimming or simply basking in the sand. It can be reached in an hour by pumpboat. Bat Island, only 20 minutes away from Sta. Lourdes wharf, is literally teeming with bats which make their way out at sundown to look for food in the mainland.

text from: Puerto Princesa City Tourism Office

Honda Bay Island Hopping Guide

Honda Bay Packaged Tour – P1,100 per person

Hassle free organized tours to Honda Bay are available for a set rate of P1,100 per person. Just ask your hostel, hotel, or resort in Puerto Pricesa City to book the tour for you. The Honda Bay Package tour includes pickup/drop off shuttle van service, picnic lunch on the beach, accredited tour guide, and pumpboat service for the island hopping tour. The tour usually runs for the whole day (8am to 3pm) and visits 3 islands in Honda Bay.

Shuttle van service to Santa Lourdes Wharf, Puerto Princesa City

Pumpboats at Santa Lourdes Wharf, jump-off point to Puerto Princesa City

Do It Yourself (DIY) Honda Bay Tour

Tricycle ride from Puerto Princesa City to Santa Lourdes Wharf, the jump-off point to the Honda Bay Islands – the price depends on your contract with the tricycle driver but it should cost around P100 (one-way) and P400 (round-trip including waiting time)

Pumpboat service for the island hopping tour – set rate of P1,500 for the whole boat (up to 8 persons) and visit to 3 islands. Additional fee for groups more than 8 persons and additional islands/sites in Honda Bay. Island hopping activities in Honda Bay are managed by the Honda Bay Boat Owners Association, Inc. (HOBBAI) stationed at Sta. Lourdes Wharf.

Lunch – there’s a restaurant in Pandan Island, managed by Dos Palmas Resort. Prices are a bit pricey. For budget travelers, you bring packed lunch beforehand or fresh food from the markets in Puerto Princesa and have the boatmen cook it for you.

Snorkeling gears could be rented at the HOBBAI Center: Mask (P100), Fins (P100), Booties (P100).

Dos Palmas Resort Day Tour – P2,500 per person

Dos Palmas, the popular high-end resort in Honda Bay, also offers day tours to their property. Set rate per person is P2,500 (Adults) / P1,500 (Child), which includes round trip and boat transfers to/from the city, lunch, use of selected resort facilities, speedboat transfers to nearby islands/sites, welcome drink, complimentary coffee/tea