Besides the 3 islands we visited, we also asked the boatmen to pass by some other islands in Honda Bay.

One of it was Luli Island, so called because of it's lulubog-lilitaw nature (depending on the tide).  Although, it's not the whole island that's being submerged in the water, but most part of it is.  This island has a diving board that tourist's could use.  If one would opt to drop by this island, fee is PhP60/person.

Luli Island

Diving board at Luli Island

The other one is Snake Island.  It's currently closed to tourists.  I believe it's being used by DENR (related article here).  This island boasts of a long stretch of sand bar.

Approaching Snake Island

That's the stretch of the sandbar

Honda Bay: Pandan Island [Puerto Princesa 2013]

Pandan Island is the largest and most developed island in the area.  When we got here, there are already a lot of people in the island.  This is a favorite lunch place for tourists.  You could either bring your lunch or buy from the vendors in the area.

Island map

We first tried to get a table under the shade of the tree (PhP300).  Then we bought our lunch.  There are vendors here where you can buy seafood and they'll cook it for you.  I bought tiger fish (grilled) and some seashells (1 kilo of halaan; half of it cooked with soup and half grilled) for PhP450.  I also bought one order of rice (I forgot how much that cost).  Good thing, just had one order as the rice serving is for 5-8 persons.  We also bought some plates, spoons and forks from them for about PhP12.  We told them where we're seated and they would just deliver the food once it's cooked.

Grilled tiger fish for lunch

Halaan for lunch

We went for a swim and roam in some parts of the island while waiting for lunch.

Massage Area

Docking Area

The water is already chest-level here but I still got a clear picture

The water is not too warm, not too cold, just the right temperature so we really enjoyed swimming.  Add it to the fact that the water is clean and clear.

Honda Bay: Starfish Island [Puerto Princesa 2013]

En route to Starfish Island, I saw this mountain range and it looked familiar.  Our boatman confirmed my hunch that this it's the area of St. Paul Subterranean park.  The familiar looking one was the karst mountain which I've seen in pictures from the internet.

Our next stop was Starfish Island.

What to do here:
- walk in the sandbar
- feed the fishes
- swim

Island entrance fee: PhP50/person

We didn't walk the length of the sandbar due to the heat of the sun.  

Approaching Starfish Island

The sandbar

A starfish found in the water.  Notice how clear the water is

Honda Bay: Pambato Reef [Puerto Princesa 2013]

Pambato Reef is what they call the mini-Tubbataha.  There is no island here, only the floating cottage.  The main attraction is the reef.  Before going into the water, a staff will brief you on the area.  It is said that the depth of the area is about 40m so one has to be careful not to drop anything as that would mean goodbye to that thing (even if it's a camera).

Here, even the expert swimmers are required to have their life vests on.  One of your boatmen will turn into your guide and will take the lead on where to go in the water.  He would have a rope or something else that you could hold on to.

That's our boatman/guide

By the way, if you forgot to bring snorkles/goggles, they do have some for rent here.  I rented a pair of goggles for PhP50.

Here are some pictures of the reef.  It seems shallow in the pictures but it is real deep.  It was proven when our boatman went deeper to point something in the reefs.

Entrance Fee: PhP50/person (only for those who would snorkle)

Honda Bay Island Hopping [Puerto Princesa 2013]

The next day, we were up early to go island hopping via Sta. Lourdes Wharf.  Our contracted tricycle was already there at the time we specified (7AM).  One could actually go there via multicab, however, the problem might be that of going back.  Since my mom might not be up to the long walk from the wharf to the main road (with the scorching heat), I decided to just hire a tricycle (PhP500 for the round trip).


It was about 30-40 minute ride to the wharf.  Once you get there, the first thing you have to do is to register.  This is where you would select which boat type you're going to rent.  On the second window, pay for the boat rental (ours is PhP1300).  On the third window, pay for the Environmental and Terminal Fees (PhP40/person and PhP18/boat, respectively).  Then, your paper would be passed to the boatmen.  After signing in the manifesto, you would be ushered to your boat.
 

Step 1.  Register and select boat type

Steps 2 and 3.  Paying for the boat rental and additional fees (terminal and environmental)

Boats docked in the wharf

A few minutes later, we were already in the boat for our Honda Bay (or Hunda Bay) island hopping tour.

Sta. Lourdes Wharf

On our way to our first island

These are the islands we visited: (click on the links below for our experience on the islands)

• Pambato Reef
• Starfish Island
• Pandan Island 
• Passed by Luli and Snake islands

They actually asked us if we would also want to go to Cowrie island but decided not to as we wanted to be back to the city early.  I think the boatmen also get commissions on the island entrance fees.

We could see dark clouds forming as we neared the dock, it started to rain.  Unloading the boat, my mom thought we would get drenched in the rain. Hahaha! As if we're not already wet!  We intentionally didn't bring any dry clothes as the travel from wharf to our accommodation isn't that far.

When we got out of the boat, our transportation was already there waiting for us (we sent a message when we're getting off the last island).  We paid for the tricycle when he dropped us off at Regidor Bed and Breakfast.  It's only around 2:30PM, there's still time to get some rest and get ready for mass later.
 
After doing some math, it turned out that doing a DIY tour for Honda Bay Island Hopping for just 2 persons (it cost us about PhP1550/person) is more expensive than that of the tour (PhP1300/person including transportation, 3 specified islands + entrance fees, cottage fee and lunch).  However, the advantage is that you would be able to select which islands you want to go to and manage your time as you wish.  I believe the tours are from 8AM-4(or was it 5)PM.

Notes:

• As per our boatman, the first boat leaves as early as 6AM.
• Cut-off time for island hopping is 2:30PM
• Snake Island is closed to tourists (see related article here)
• They give senior citizen discounts in island entrance fees 

Expenses:
Tricycle Hire                     PhP500
Environment Fee               PhP40/person
Terminal Fee                    PhP18/boat
Boat Hire                          PhP1300/boat (max. of 6 persons)
Cottage Fee (Umbrella)     PhP300
Lunch                               PhP500 
Island Entrance Fees:
   Pambato Reef                PhP50/person (only for those who would snorkle)
   Starfish Island                PhP50/person
   Pandan Island                 P125/person


For the tricycle rental and coordination of other tours, you may contact:
Marco Paolo de Vera
0999 978 8921