Shore Excursion: Puerto Princesa Island Hopping Tour

The Puerto Princesa Island Hopping Tour offers an exhilarating way to explore the captivating islands of Honda Bay. With stunning natural beauty and a range of activities, this tour promises an unforgettable experience for visitors to the Philippines. Catering to a maximum of 100 travelers, the tour provides guided excursions, opportunities for swimming and snorkeling, and a delectable buffet lunch. Backed by positive guest reviews, the tour’s organization and friendly staff ensure a seamless outing. However, as bookings are non-refundable, it’s crucial for prospective participants to plan their trip carefully. Unraveling the details of this shore excursion may reveal an adventure worth considering.

Key Points

• The Puerto Princesa Island Hopping Tour is a 4-star rated boat excursion to Honda Bay, featuring visits to Luli, Cowrie, and Starfish islands for swimming and snorkeling.
• The tour is priced at $100 for 1-2 people, $90 for 3-5 people, and $80 for 6+ people, with a maximum capacity of 100 travelers.
• The tour includes a buffet lunch, shared hotel pickup and drop-off, and additional charges for hotels outside the city or cruise ship passengers.
• Guests praise the tour’s great organization, friendly guides, and engaging snorkeling experiences, with Starfish Island often highlighted as a favorite.
• The tour is non-refundable and cannot be canceled after confirmation, as the operator requires advance planning for transportation, activities, and catering.

Tour Overview

The Puerto Princesa Island Hopping Tour offers a shore excursion that takes visitors on a boat ride from Puerto Princesa to the scenic Honda Bay, where they can explore several picturesque islands.

This 4-star rated tour has received 24 reviews and is priced from $100, varying by group size. The tour has a maximum capacity of 100 travelers and is non-refundable with no cancellation allowed.

Guests can look forward to visiting Luli, Cowrie, and Starfish islands, where they can swim, snorkel, and relax on the white-sand beaches. A buffet lunch is provided as part of the tour.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, with an extra charge for hotels outside the city proper.

Location and Pricing

The Puerto Princesa Island Hopping Tour takes place in Honda Bay, located in Puerto Princesa, Philippines. Pricing for the tour starts from $100.00 per person, with the exact cost varying based on group size. The tour can accommodate a maximum of 100 travelers, and reservations are non-refundable.

Group Size	Price per Person
1-2 people	$100.00
3-5 people	$90.00
6+ people	$80.00

The tour includes shared hotel pickup and drop-off, as well as a buffet lunch. Additional charges may apply for hotels outside the city proper, and larger groups of 6 or more can arrange pickup from the cruise ship pier.

Itinerary and Activities

Visitors embark on a short boat ride from Puerto Princesa to Honda Bay, where they’ll explore Luli, Cowrie, and Starfish islands.

Activities on the tour include swimming, snorkeling (equipment not provided), and leisurely time spent on the white-sand beaches. A buffet lunch is also provided as part of the experience.

The tour offers opportunities to observe the region’s diverse marine life, with Starfish Island being a particular highlight for its abundance of starfish and other aquatic creatures.

While snorkeling gear isn’t included, guests can bring their own or rent it for an additional cost.

The itinerary provides a well-rounded introduction to the natural beauty and attractions of the Honda Bay area.

Inclusions and Pickup

The tour package includes shared hotel pickup and drop-off from selected hotels in an air-conditioned minivan. An extra charge applies for hotels located outside the city proper.

Plus, cruise ship pickup is available for groups of 6 or more guests. Booking confirmation is provided at the time of reservation, and a minimum of 2 people per booking is required.

The first pickup location is D Lucky Garden Inn, followed by other hotels in the city. This convenience ensures a seamless start to the island hopping adventure, allowing guests to focus on the upcoming activities and sights.

Guest Experiences

Overwhelmingly, guests praise the tour’s great organization and friendly guides, often highlighting the enjoyable snorkeling experiences.

Many guests report Starfish Island as a particular favorite, captivated by its diverse marine life.

However, some travelers have noted weather-related challenges that impacted their experience, with a few requesting changes to their tours.

Despite these occasional issues, the vast majority of reviews are positive, with guests describing an engaging and well-executed excursion.

The tour’s high overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars reflects its ability to consistently deliver an immersive island-hopping adventure that allows visitors to fully appreciate the natural beauty of Honda Bay.

Feedback and Reviews

Based on the overwhelmingly positive reviews, guests have consistently praised the tour’s great organization and friendly guides, often highlighting the enjoyable snorkeling experiences.

Many visitors report Starfish Island as a particular favorite, captivated by its diverse marine life.

However, some travelers have noted weather-related challenges that impacted their experience, with a few requesting changes to their tours.

Despite these occasional issues, the vast majority of reviews are positive, with guests describing an engaging and well-executed excursion.

Additional Information

As for additional tour details, children must be accompanied by adults on this excursion, which is not wheelchair accessible. Infants will need to sit on laps during the boat rides. While tips and gratuities are not included in the listed price, they’re customarily provided to express appreciation for the staff’s service.

Tour Details	Information
Accessibility	Not wheelchair accessible
Child Policy	Children must be accompanied by adults
Infant Policy	Infants sit on laps
Gratuities	Not included, but customary
Pickup Procedure	First pickup at D Lucky Garden Inn, followed by other hotels in the city

The tour’s pickup service operates via air-conditioned minivans, with an additional charge for hotels located outside the city proper. Cruise ship passengers can join the tour, provided their group size is 6 or more.

Booking and Cancellation

Booking for the Puerto Princesa Island Hopping Tour is non-refundable, and cancellations aren’t permitted once confirmed. Guests should keep this in mind when making their reservation.

There are a few key reasons for the strict cancellation policy:

1. The tour operator needs to plan ahead for transportation, activities, and catering to ensure a smooth experience.

2. Advance preparation is required to secure access and coordinate with the local islands.

3. Allowing last-minute cancellations could prevent other travelers from booking the tour.

While the policy may seem inflexible, it helps maintain the quality and reliability of the Puerto Princesa Island Hopping Tour.

Guests are encouraged to carefully consider their schedules before confirming their booking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Photography Allowed During the Tour?

Yes, photography is generally allowed during the tour. Guests are typically free to take photos throughout the island-hopping experience, including while swimming, snorkeling, and relaxing on the beaches, unless instructed otherwise by the tour guides.

Can I Bring My Own Snorkeling Gear?

Yes, guests are welcome to bring their own snorkeling gear. However, the tour provider does not provide any refunds or discounts if guests bring their own equipment. Using the tour’s snorkeling gear is included in the tour price.

Are There Any Restrooms or Changing Facilities on the Islands?

There are basic restrooms and changing facilities available on the islands visited during the tour. Guests can use these amenities to change into their swimwear and freshen up before and after water activities.

Can I Purchase Food or Drinks on the Islands?

Yes, visitors can purchase food and drinks on the islands visited during the tour. A buffet lunch is provided, and there are vendors selling snacks and beverages on the beaches.

What Is the Best Time of Year to Visit the Islands?

The best time to visit the islands is during the dry season, which typically runs from November to May. This period offers ideal weather conditions for island hopping activities like swimming, snorkeling, and relaxing on the beaches.

Recap

The Puerto Princesa Island Hopping Tour offers an exciting and comprehensive experience, allowing guests to explore the stunning islands of Honda Bay.

With a range of activities, a delicious buffet lunch, and friendly staff, this highly-rated tour provides excellent value for money.

While bookings are non-refundable, the seamless shared hotel pickup ensures a hassle-free adventure for travelers looking to enjoy the natural beauty of the Philippines.