A Budget-Friendly Travel Guide to Honda Bay, Puerto Princesa, Palawan
Honda Bay is a small community in the western side of Palawan Island.
Traveling to Honda Bay from Puerto Princesa city proper will take approximately 30 minutes.
The community has become a tourist hot spot because of the exquisite cluster of islands around the bay.
The most popular among these is Dos Palmas Island, a private island with high-end resort facilities managed by the Arreceffi Island Resort Inc.
The other notable islands are Pandan and Snake Island.
Activities for tourists include snorkeling, kayaking, island hopping and diving.
With the exception of Dos Palmas, the other islands do not have established hotels or inns.
Thus, a one day island-hopping tour is to way to go for most visitors.
HOW TO GET THERE Among the local carries that service the Manila-Puerto Princesa route are, PAL Express (formerly Air Philippines), Zest Air and Cebu Pacific Air.
Some of these carriers also fly to Puerto Princes from provincial airports.
These low-cost carriers frequently offer discounted fares.
It is advisable to book flights in advance, at least 6 months to 1 year prior to the travel dates.
From Puerto Princesa Airport take a tricycle to your hotel.
There are standard fares from one point in the city to another.
Visitors can inquire at the airport desk to avoid paying overpriced tricycle fares.
Another option is to travel by boat.
One of the shipping companies that service the Manila-Puerto Princesa route is 2GO travel.
It's a long 30 hour trip but a cheaper alternative to air travel.
From the hotel, tourists can hire a tricycle to the Honda Bay wharf.
It takes approximately 30 minutes.
Upon arriving at the wharf proceed to the kiosk.
Visitors will be charged mandatory port fees, boat rental and then will be assigned to the next boat man on queue.
Tricycle Fares - 15 PHP around the city Boat Fare at Honda Bay - 1,000 PHP to 1,500 PHP (depending on how many islands will be covered).
TRAVEL TIPS Start Early - Leaving the city and starting out early in the morning will give visitors more time to explore as many islands as they could.
Snorkel at Pandan Island - Pandan Island has a vast and beautiful coral reef not far from the shore.
There are beach huts for rent at 500 PHP.
This island is highly recommended for snorkeling.
Admission and Cottage Fees - Most islands are privately owned and managed by luxury hotels in the city.
Non-hotel guests are welcome to visit these islands for an admission fee ranging from 100 PHP to 150 PHP.
As of 2013, Snake Island, was the only large island open to the public.
However, recent reports from Honda Bay locals suggest that the island has recently been acquired by another luxury hotel.
Thus, an admission fee can soon be expected by future visitors.
The usage and rental of beach huts on private islands range from 400 PHP to 500 PHP.
Dos Palmas Day Trip - Dos Palmas is a private island managed by the Arreceffi Island Resort.
Its white-sand beach attracts hundreds of visitors all year round.
The rates per night at these resort starts at 5,000 PHP.
However, budget travelers can opt for a day tour which costs around 1,600 PHP 1,700 PHP.
The tour includes land transfers to and from the wharf, boat transfers to and from the island, a buffet lunch and usage of recreational equipment and facilities.
Activities at Dos Palmas include; kayaking at the mangroves around the island, snorkeling, island-hopping and diving.
To book for a Dos Palmas Day Tour, look for the Areceffi Island Resort's office beside the NCCC Mall at Puerto Princesa City.
Tourists have to book their trip at least 1 day ahead.
The departure time from the mall to the wharf is around 8:00 am and departure time from Dos Palmas Island back to the city is around 3:00 pm.
The Islands of Honda Bay include: Pandan Island - Managed by the Legend Hotel in Puerto Princesa City.
The island is ideal for snorkeling with its vibrant coral reef found just a few meters near the island's shore.
It is a good site for a beach picnic with its established beach huts and stalls around the island.
Snake Island - The island is not infested with snakes but was named Snake Island because of its shape.
From an aerial view the island resembles a snake.
It's another ideal location for a beach picnic with beach huts along its shoreline.
Luli Island - This is a tiny island with beautiful sand bars.
The name of the island was derived from the Philippine words, "lulubog and lilitaw.
" During high tide the island is partly submerged "lulubog," meaning it sinks.
While during low tide it rises "lilitaw," meaning it reappears or resurfaces.
Starfish and Cowrie Island - These are two small islands known to have a large community of starfishes and bats.
Dos Palmas Island - A beautiful and isolated island, although quite pricey for the budget traveler.
The most inexpensive option for touring the island is the Day Tour with lunch buffet and transfers.
Are you traveling to the Philippines soon? See more travel guides and learn about the bestPhilippine Beaches here.
Traveling to Honda Bay from Puerto Princesa city proper will take approximately 30 minutes.
The community has become a tourist hot spot because of the exquisite cluster of islands around the bay.
The most popular among these is Dos Palmas Island, a private island with high-end resort facilities managed by the Arreceffi Island Resort Inc.
The other notable islands are Pandan and Snake Island.
Activities for tourists include snorkeling, kayaking, island hopping and diving.
With the exception of Dos Palmas, the other islands do not have established hotels or inns.
Thus, a one day island-hopping tour is to way to go for most visitors.
HOW TO GET THERE Among the local carries that service the Manila-Puerto Princesa route are, PAL Express (formerly Air Philippines), Zest Air and Cebu Pacific Air.
Some of these carriers also fly to Puerto Princes from provincial airports.
These low-cost carriers frequently offer discounted fares.
It is advisable to book flights in advance, at least 6 months to 1 year prior to the travel dates.
From Puerto Princesa Airport take a tricycle to your hotel.
There are standard fares from one point in the city to another.
Visitors can inquire at the airport desk to avoid paying overpriced tricycle fares.
Another option is to travel by boat.
One of the shipping companies that service the Manila-Puerto Princesa route is 2GO travel.
It's a long 30 hour trip but a cheaper alternative to air travel.
From the hotel, tourists can hire a tricycle to the Honda Bay wharf.
It takes approximately 30 minutes.
Upon arriving at the wharf proceed to the kiosk.
Visitors will be charged mandatory port fees, boat rental and then will be assigned to the next boat man on queue.
Tricycle Fares - 15 PHP around the city Boat Fare at Honda Bay - 1,000 PHP to 1,500 PHP (depending on how many islands will be covered).
TRAVEL TIPS Start Early - Leaving the city and starting out early in the morning will give visitors more time to explore as many islands as they could.
Snorkel at Pandan Island - Pandan Island has a vast and beautiful coral reef not far from the shore.
There are beach huts for rent at 500 PHP.
This island is highly recommended for snorkeling.
Admission and Cottage Fees - Most islands are privately owned and managed by luxury hotels in the city.
Non-hotel guests are welcome to visit these islands for an admission fee ranging from 100 PHP to 150 PHP.
As of 2013, Snake Island, was the only large island open to the public.
However, recent reports from Honda Bay locals suggest that the island has recently been acquired by another luxury hotel.
Thus, an admission fee can soon be expected by future visitors.
The usage and rental of beach huts on private islands range from 400 PHP to 500 PHP.
Dos Palmas Day Trip - Dos Palmas is a private island managed by the Arreceffi Island Resort.
Its white-sand beach attracts hundreds of visitors all year round.
The rates per night at these resort starts at 5,000 PHP.
However, budget travelers can opt for a day tour which costs around 1,600 PHP 1,700 PHP.
The tour includes land transfers to and from the wharf, boat transfers to and from the island, a buffet lunch and usage of recreational equipment and facilities.
Activities at Dos Palmas include; kayaking at the mangroves around the island, snorkeling, island-hopping and diving.
To book for a Dos Palmas Day Tour, look for the Areceffi Island Resort's office beside the NCCC Mall at Puerto Princesa City.
Tourists have to book their trip at least 1 day ahead.
The departure time from the mall to the wharf is around 8:00 am and departure time from Dos Palmas Island back to the city is around 3:00 pm.
The Islands of Honda Bay include: Pandan Island - Managed by the Legend Hotel in Puerto Princesa City.
The island is ideal for snorkeling with its vibrant coral reef found just a few meters near the island's shore.
It is a good site for a beach picnic with its established beach huts and stalls around the island.
Snake Island - The island is not infested with snakes but was named Snake Island because of its shape.
From an aerial view the island resembles a snake.
It's another ideal location for a beach picnic with beach huts along its shoreline.
Luli Island - This is a tiny island with beautiful sand bars.
The name of the island was derived from the Philippine words, "lulubog and lilitaw.
" During high tide the island is partly submerged "lulubog," meaning it sinks.
While during low tide it rises "lilitaw," meaning it reappears or resurfaces.
Starfish and Cowrie Island - These are two small islands known to have a large community of starfishes and bats.
Dos Palmas Island - A beautiful and isolated island, although quite pricey for the budget traveler.
The most inexpensive option for touring the island is the Day Tour with lunch buffet and transfers.
Are you traveling to the Philippines soon? See more travel guides and learn about the bestPhilippine Beaches here.
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