Honda Bay Tour: Island Hopping and Snorkeling

Day 3: Honda Bay Island Hopping

We were fetched by the van early in the morning for our Honda Bay tour. This was part of the tour that was offered to us by the 3B's agency, which we got for Php1150 each. Standard Honda Bay Island hopping tour currently costs Php1300.

It was about a 30-minute drive from the city center to Sta. Lourdes wharf, the jump off point for the Honda Bay Island Hopping tour. Before reaching the wharf, we stopped by a nearby rental store to rent snorkeling masks, fins and aqua shoes. There are also waterproof camera cases available for rent but sadly, the lens of our camera could not fit inside. There were also waterproof cameras for rent but we found it too expensive at Php600.

Welcome to Honda Bay signage at Sta. Lourdes wharf

Upon reaching Sta Lourdes wharf, we registered and were asked to pay Php40 each for Environmental fees. We then waited for our pump boat to arrive. Though the skies were slightly overcast, it seemed a fine day to island hop. But the Philippine Coast guard, with Typhoon Karen approaching, only allowed island hoping to the three nearest attractions of Honda Bay.

Waiting at Sta. Lourdes wharf

Aboard our boat with our co-tourists

Lu-li Island

Our first stop was Lu-li Island. This island is said to be very popular because it's the only island that disappears and reappears depending on the tide, hence the name Lu-li, for lulubog, lilitaw. As luck would have it, it was high tide during that time so mush of the island is covered with water. This is where we had our group lunch of assorted seafood and some veggies and a few snorkeling practices while feeding the fishes.

Lu-li Island during hightide with only the house visible




Remaining visible sandbar at Lu-li Island



Lu-li Island sandbar almost invisible

 












Pambato Reef
Our next stop was the Pambato Reef, which is actually not an island but a reef, as the name indicates. It is marked by floating platform with a figure of a sea turtle on its roof . Here, wearing of life vests while snorkeling is strictly implemented and people should stay within the allowed perimeter because it is a protected area. Our guide provided us with a life buoy to hold onto while watching and taking in the breathtaking view underwater. There were lots of different types marine animals, corals and giant clams. Sadly, we were not able to capture the rare sight on our camera.

Pambato Reef platform



With our snorkeling gears



Taking in the breathtaking view below

 







 









  

Cowrie Island

Dark clouds were fast approaching so we had to leave for Cowrie Island immediately. Our tour guide said it's not advisable to be stranded at Pambato Reef platform in a bad weather since the platform is only anchored by ropes to the coral reefs below. It started to rain and the waves were getting huge as we neared Cowrie Island. The boatmen had a really hard time trying to anchor our boat to shore that all men aboard our boat jumped to the water to help them.




Bad weather fast approaching



Landing our boat at Cowrie Island



























It was said that Cowrie Island is the best island for swimming as it offers almost 3 hectares of white sand beach. Unfortunately, the rains were too strong for us to enjoy a swim and we just stayed under the roof of the big pavilion on the island to let the bad weather pass. On a hot summer day, this island would have been a great stop with cottages lining the beach, allowing you to have lunch while enjoying a swim.



Heavy rains and huge waves at Cowrie Island

When the rains stopped, we decided to go home because we were already drenched. We passed by a boat overturned by huge waves on our way back to Sta. Lourdes wharf.



Overturned boat after the rains

Sta. Lourdes wharf from afar





Although we were not able to visit Snake Island, Pandan Island and Snake Island, which are part of the usual Honda Bay Island Hopping tour, we still felt great because we were able to experience snorkeling at Pambato Reef, which is not usually part of the tour. 

Like with our Underground River tour, we would have wanted to do this activity as DIY initially but we were convinced by 3B's agency that it is cheeper for 2 people to just do it via agency. For large groups with members of about 6 or more, however, it is much cheaper to do a DIY tour because you can just bring your own lunch and split the boat fee and roundtrip trike fare to Sta. Lourdes amongst yourselves.

Sta. Lourdes Wharf

Purok Honda Bay, Barangay Sta. Lourdes, Puerto Princesa City

How to get there:

-Ride a trike (about Php500 roundtrip including waiting time)

-Hire a private vehicle



3B’s Tours and Travel
399 Rizal Ave. Ext., Barangay Bancao-Bancao, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan
Telephone Numbers: (048) 433-1436 / 723-1612

Mobile Number:  +639192404041
Emails:  threebstoursandtravel@yahoo.com, info@3bstoursandtravel.com

Website: http://www.3bstoursandtravel.com/index.html