Puerto Princesa
Explore Puerto Princesa with our travel guide! Discover the Underground River, island hopping, local cuisine, and essential travel tips for your trip.
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Discover Honda Bay
Honda Bay is one of Puerto Princesa’s must-visit destinations, known for its pristine white-sand beaches, beautiful landscapes, and vibrant coral reefs rich in marine life. The bay is dotted with picturesque islands, islets, and sandbars, making it ideal for a relaxing day trip and island-hopping adventure.The name Honda Bay comes from the Spanish “Bahía Honda,” meaning “deep bay.” The name dates back to the Spanish colonial period and has remained in use ever since. Interestingly, the “H” in Honda is traditionally silent in the local pronunciation.
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TRANSPORT & MOBILITY
How to Get There
Nearest airport
Puerto Princesa Airport (PPS) is the closest airport to Sta. Lourdes Pier, located about a 30-minutes drive away. PPS is accessible via direct flights from both Manila and Cebu.Airlines such as Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines, and AirAsia offer multiple daily flights.
By boat
From Sta. Lourdes Pier, board a traditional local banca (outrigger boat) for the short journey to Honda Bay, which takes less than an hour.
Getting to Sta. Lourdes Pier
From Puerto Princesa City Centre, Sta. Lourdes Pier is easily reached by private vehicle or jeepney. By private car, the journey takes around 30–40 minutes, depending on traffic. Jeepneys are a more affordable option and regularly travel along the main road towards Sta. Lourdes; ask the driver to drop you near the pier
Top Attractions in Honda Bay
Cowrie Island
Cowrie Island is the most sought-after destination in the bay, offering a plethora of activities and snorkeling. The island boasts a few cabanas, bars, and restaurants, making it an ideal spot for a fun-filled day with family and friends.
Starfish Island
As the name suggests, the is home to abundant five-armed orange starfish. It offers one of the best snorkeling sites with vibrant marine life and corals near the shore.
Luli Island
Luli Island is a unique sandbar that emerges during low tide and disappears during high tide. Its picturesque location and crystal-clear waters make it a popular spot for photo enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.
Best Time to Visit Honda Bay
Honda Bay is open to visitors year-round, with warm temperatures averaging 26-31°C (79-88°F) and sea waters that stay pleasant and swimmable no matter the season.
Dry Season (Dec - May)
December to early June offers the ideal conditions — moderate temperatures, low rainfall, and steady easterly winds.
Wet Season (June - Nov)
June to November brings more rain and humidity, though the bay remains open and swimmable throughout.
Peak Seasons
Public holidays and cruise ship days can make certain islands especially crowded, regardless of season.
PUERTO PRINCESA, PALAWA N
Honda Bay Islands & Reefs
Starfish Island
Starfish Island, also known as Tabuan Island, is a small but breathtaking sandbar located in the crystal-clear waters of Honda Bay, Puerto Princesa. The island is named after the abundance of starfish found in the area, which come in varying colors and sizes.
The island features a pristine white sand beach that is surrounded by turquoise waters and few palm trees. Visitors can explore the island’s natural beauty, take a dip in the sea, and enjoy a picnic in one of the cottages available. Additionally, a mangrove forest lines the eastern side of the island, adding to its ecological value.
Lu-li Island
Lu-li Island, derived from the Filipino term “lulubog lilitaw” which translates to sinking and surfacing, is aptly named due to its unique characteristic. The island is actually a sandbar located in Honda Bay, Puerto Princesa that appears only during low tide and disappears underwater during high tide.
This tiny islet offers visitors a one-of-a-kind experience of walking on the sandbar, surrounded by the clear turquoise waters of the bay. It’s a popular spot for taking photos, swimming, and enjoying the natural beauty of the area.
Pandan Island
Pandan Island, located in Honda Bay, Puerto Princesa, is a beautiful oval-shaped private island. It is a popular destination for diving and snorkeling enthusiasts due to its small drop-offs and excellent reefs.
Pandan Island’s soft, white sand beach offers a perfect spot for relaxation and sunbathing. The island also features rental cottages for picnics and other activities.
Arreceffi Island
Arreceffi Island, exclusively owned by the famous Dos Palmas Island Resorts, is a hidden gem located in Honda Bay, Puerto Princesa. This island offers a variety of exciting activities for tourists, such as ocean kayaking, mangrove kayaking, fishing, boat rides, snorkeling, and scuba diving.
Day trips to Dos Palmas Island are arranged exclusively by the resort.
Bat Island
Bat Island lives up to its name as it is a sanctuary for thousands of bats. It is an awe-inspiring sight to watch the bats emerge during the late afternoon.
The island’s unique ecosystem is a must-see attraction for nature lovers. In addition to its bat population, the island also features stunning rock formations and crystal-clear waters, which are perfect for swimming and snorkeling.
Cowrie Island
Cowrie Island, the closest island to Puerto Princesa, is aptly named due to its cowrie shell shape. It is an ideal destination for picnics, team building activities, and relaxation. This picturesque island attracts many visitors who enjoy basking under the sun and lounging on the sandy shores.
The island’s swimming areas are surrounded by a safety net to protect tourists from jellyfish, especially during the summer months.
Pambato Reef
Pambato Reef is a must-visit marine sanctuary in Honda Bay. It is located in the middle of the bay and can be reached by a 15-minute boat ride from the wharf. The shallow sections of the reef are about 10 feet from the coral reefs, but life jackets are provided for safety.
Visitors have the opportunity to see various coral species and take pictures with schools of fish. The living coral reefs surrounding the area are composed of different types of corals such as brain corals and staghorn corals. Don’t miss the floating rafts above the reef, which mark the location where tourists can freely snorkel or dive.
Snake Island
Snake Island, located near Starfish Island, derives its name from its elongated shape resembling a snake. The southern end of the island is lined with mangroves, while the northern section is a 2-kilometer-long white sandbar. During high tides, the sandbar sinks underwater.
Helen’s Garden
Helen’s Garden, located in Arreceffi Island, is a breathtaking sea garden that boasts a rich and diverse marine life. It is an ideal destination for snorkeling enthusiasts who wish to experience the crystal-clear blue waters and immerse themselves in the vibrant underwater world.
The sea garden is abundant with colorful fishes of various sizes and species that are sure to delight any snorkeler or diver. The area offers a great opportunity for underwater photography, and a knowledgeable guide is available to assist visitors. The site is perfect for both novice and experienced divers, with the latter finding it an excellent introduction to the Honda Bay diving experience.
In addition to the vast array of marine life, Helen’s Garden is home to blacktip sharks, juveniles, sergeant-majors, snapper, wrasse, trevally, and a wide variety of soft and hard corals. It is an excellent training site for divers and a must-visit spot for anyone who wants to explore the beauty of Puerto Princesa’s underwater world.
Henry's Reef
Henry’s Reef is a hidden gem in Honda Bay known for its unique underwater features. The reef features a small wall that drops off from 5 to 10 meters, boasting an array of caves and crevices that make it an ideal spot for underwater photography enthusiasts.
Snorkelers will also delight in cruising over the extensive reef system in the area, where they can marvel at the diversity of marine life such as lionfish, cardinals, snappers, sweetlips, and nudibranchs. Lucky visitors may even catch a glimpse of majestic manta rays gliding through the crystal-clear waters.
PUERTO PRINCESA Tour Packages
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Puerto Princesa Transfers
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Puerto Princesa Tours
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Puerto Princesa Hotels
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Underground River
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