Honda Bay is a bay on the eastern side of the island of Palawan[1] near Puerto Princesa City in the southwest Philippines (Spanish: Baha Honda, “deep bay”). There are many little islands in the harbor, notably Arrecife Island, which has a luxurious resort.
The bay is used for recreational purposes as well as for commercial and subsistence fishing. Many of the adjacent islands are accessible by boat in less than 45 minutes; boats can be rented for the day and utilized for this purpose. Snorkeling is best at Honda Bay. Starfish are frequently discovered close to islands like Starfish Island. The closest port city is Puerto Princesa, which is reachable by air.
The neighboring Palawan Quicksilver Mine used mine tailings left over from their ore extraction procedures between 1953 and 1976 to build a jetty at Honda Bay.
On these mine tailings, Sitio Honda Bay, a hamlet, was built.
[2] According to environmental studies, some people who live in the hamlet and other areas close to the mine have hazardous amounts of mercury in their blood. [2]
In This Article...
Where is Honda Bay located?
A collection of tiny islands known as Honda Bay may be found on Palawan’s western coast. With a variety of resorts and white sand beaches, it is a well-liked destination for island hopping among travelers. It is the perfect area to put on your swimming gear and to undertake other aquatic activities beneath the heat of the sun.
Because of the great concentration of marine species in the surrounding areas, the Philippines are sometimes referred to as the last frontier, therefore exploring its extensive undersea attractions is a must.
Each of the islands dotting the area has something special to offer, even if they all share the same lovely white dunes and crystal-clear seashore shoreline. For instance, Luli island is renowned for its movable sand bar, which arises and vanishes in response to the shifting tides. The word “lulubog at lilitaw,” which means to appear and disappear in Filipino, is how the sandbar on its coasts is described. Find the dive platform close by so you can if you like, leap into the water.
Snake Island, which received its name not because there are wild snakes nearby but because the sandbar is shaped like one, is another must-see sandbar in the area. You can also search for Starfish and Cowrie islands from Snake Island, which are well-known for the numerous bat colonies and starfish in the neighborhood.
Pandan Island, where vibrant marine life can be seen just a few meters from the shore, and the Pambato Reef, which comprises 16 hectares of coral reefs and hosts a broad variety of fish species, are two of the best snorkeling locations in Honda Bay.
The most practical method to travel to Honda Bay, if you’re not taking a guided trip, is to take a tricycle or jeepney from your lodging to Sta. Lourdes Wharf. After registration, choose the islands you’re hoping to visit and you’ll be riding an outrigger boat to arrive to Honda Bay.
Best time to visit
It is preferable to come during the dry season, which runs from November to April, as well as off-peak and non-holiday times because it can get busy because of how well-liked it is by both locals and visitors.
Entrance fee
Before you are taken to the island, you must pay the boat fee, environmental fee, snorkeling gear fee (if you didn’t bring your own), and other little expenses.
Which three islands in Honda Bay are the most well-known?
- Enjoy the clean waters of Isla Pandan and the range of activities available there on Pandan Island.
- Visit the stunning Arreceffi Island on a day trip from Dos Palmas. This island, which is located in the warm waters of Honda Bay, is a popular beach location for honeymooners and scuba divers.
- Explore some of the tropical islands strewn across Honda Bay by going island hopping, including Luli Island, Cowrie Island, and Starfish Island.
How can I get to Honda Bay from the airport in Puerto Princesa?
Take a jeepney or tricycle headed for Santa Lourdes Wharf from Puerto Princesa as your first step. Step 2: Sign up at the community association after leaving the pier. Pay for the boat and the entrance fees to each island you intend to visit in step three.
What do you wear to the tour of Honda Bay?
Make sure you are prepared with the necessary clothing and equipment before the tour:
- swimmer’s gear (for the enjoyment of swimming and snorkeling activities)
- Water shoes (highly advisable as some beaches are rocky)
- Snorkeling gear
- (Optional) Swim fins
- For use with smartphones and other small items, a waterproof case.
- Towels*
What does Honda Bay mean?
One of the most visited tourist destinations in Puerto Princesa is Honda Bay, which is renowned for its white sand beaches, breathtaking scenery, and coral reef, which is a haven for a variety of aquatic life.
Tourists frequently take day trips to Puerto Princesa’s gorgeous islands, islets, and sandbars, which are located in this tropical paradise.
These islands offer a variety of diving and snorkeling locations where you can admire Puerto Princesa’s stunning marine life.
Locals claim that the Spanish are responsible for the bay’s name. Honda translates to “deep bay” in Spanish, with the “H” being spoken silently.
How do I go to the Palawan underground river?
You must travel to Puerto Princesa by land, sea, or air if you want to visit the Underground River there. You must travel to Sabang from Puerto Princesa, the capital of Palawan. It’s a tiny settlement to the north of the city. Here are a few transportation options from Puerto Princesa to Sabang.
By Jeepney or Bus
Head to the San Jose Terminal in the San Jose New Market from Puerto Princesa. You may observe jeepneys and non-air conditioned buses traveling to Sabang Port from the terminal.
They are expected to leave at 7:00 AM, 9:00 AM, 12:00 NN, and 2:00 PM, respectively. Up until all seats are filled, they won’t depart. Including stops, travel times range from two to three hours.
By Van
The Puerto Princesa to Sabang route is also serviced by vans. You can get to Sabang in no more than two hours using this method of transportation. Larger tour groups have the option of renting vans or purchasing tour packages that include round-trip transportation from Puerto Princesa to Sabang Port.
You’ll take a small boat at Sabang Wharf to travel to Sabang Beach, which serves as the cave’s entrance.
Where is Big Lagoon El Nido located?
Only a 45-minute boat journey separates El Nido Town from the Big Lagoon, which is situated on the eastern side of Miniloc Island. You can either rent a boat or embark on an island-hopping cruise from El Nido to get to the island.
You should be aware that the boat won’t carry you right into the Big Lagoon. Instead, it will dock close to the entrance, and you will have to swim or hire a kayak to enter. Due to the size of the lagoon, it is strongly advised that you spend the few dollars for a kayak. Even the best swimmers will struggle to cover all the ground they want to see in a few short hours by swimming.
What tours go to Big Lagoon
An island-hopping cruise is among the simplest ways to see the Big Lagoon. Different tours are offered, all of which depart from El Nido town and take you to the most spectacular islands nearby.
In Puerto Princesa, how much does island hopping cost?
The ideal choice if you’re traveling in a party of at least 4 people is to take a shared tricycle (500 PHP total) early in the morning to Honda Bay and bargain with a boat captain for a price to take an Island Hopping Tour in Honda Bay.
As of February 2019, the suggested price for a full boat is 2000 PHP, not including lunch and the estimated 200 PHP per person per island entrance fee (you can have a buffet lunch in one of the islands for 250 PHP or you could just bring your own food).
However, hiring a shared trip for Island Hopping in Honda Bay is the most cost-effective choice if you’re traveling alone (like I am) and are unable to find someone else to split the fees with.
The cost is a set rate of 1200 PHP, which includes transportation from/to Honda Bay in Puerto Princesa, a lunch buffet, and entrance fees to the island. Be advised that snorkeling gear is not included and must be rented for 150 PHP.
What is renowned about Coron, Palawan?
One of the biggest tourist locations in the Philippines is Coron, which is also home to stunning Palawan beaches, world-class World War II wreck diving, limestone karst landscapes, crystal-clear freshwater lakes, and shallow coral reefs.
The Coron group of islands is distinct from the main Palawan island. These islands are all a part of Northern Palawan’s Calamian Archipelago. Coron is frequently contrasted with El Nido, a well-liked Palawan vacation spot, although it has its own distinct appeal.
While beach lovers and couples who wish to spend their honeymoon in the Philippines prefer El Nido, Coron is more relaxed and ideal for family vacations and diving excursions.
San Vicente Beach’s length?
The longest beach in the Philippines is located in San Vicente, a lesser-known Palawan destination. Continue reading to find out everything you need to know about travel preparation.
Between the well-known Palawan tourist spots of El Nido and Puerto Princesa sits the newcomer San Vicente.
The longest white sand beach in the Philippines and the second-longest in Southeast Asia, appropriately titled Long Beach, can be found on the northwest side of Palawan Island.
The cost of the underground river tour
The Underground River Tour in Puerto Princesa is offered in a variety of packages.
A buffet lunch and hotel transportation ought to be included in every underground river excursion.
We can suggest Corazon Travel & Tours if you’re seeking for a dependable tour company to make your reservation with.
The 150 peso per person environment charge is not included on some tours. You must pay for this when you arrive at the underground river, so be sure to confirm with your tour operator in advance whether it is included or not.
Most excursions are free for children under 3 years old. Children ages 4 to 9 are charged the kid rate. Children 10 and older are charged at the adult rate.
Which month is ideal for visiting Palawan?
Because most of your activities in Palawan take place outside, the weather has a significant impact on them. To prevent canceled tours or choppy currents, especially when doing island-hopping tours in Palawan, it is recommended to schedule your trip during the dry months in the Philippines.
Dry and Summer Season | November to May
The dry summer months, which run from November to May, are the ideal time to visit Palawan and its surrounding areas. The Philippines’ summer season, which lasts from March through April, is when it gets the warmest. These months are the greatest for doing Palawan trips, particularly the island-hopping and Puerto Princesa Underground River tours.
The majority of inhabitants choose to visit islands and beaches at this period, hence it is also the busiest season. Booking your tours in advance is highly advised during the summer. If you desire exclusivity when traveling in a large group, you can even take advantage of private tours.