#adoboisland

Most people who have visited Honda Bay only knew the islands open for island hopping tour namely: Cowrie, Pandan, Starfish and Lu-li islands. But there’s more to Honda Bay.

Honda bay is a famous tourist destination in Puerto Princesa City. Aside from being the largest bay in the city, it has also the most islands among the bays found here comprising of 18 islands and islets. The bay is also very accessible since it is only 20 minutes away from the city proper.

The jump off point of any Honda Bay island hopping tours is the Sta. Lourdes Wharf. Package Tour rate is standardized at 1300 pesos per pax (contact any local travel agency). If you are an independent traveller, you just need to hire your own boat, pay environmental fees, wharfage fees and fill up the coast Guard Manifesto in the wharf area. Island entrance may be paid once you arrive in the islands you will choose to go.

The name Honda Bay ,contrary to what most might conclude, does not come from Honda Motors. It has nothing to do with the Japanese company but the bay’s name origin came from a local word “Hunda” or “Unda” which means deep owing to the nature of islands in the bay characterized by trenchlike foundation with narrow shoreline and sudden dive. For this article we will try to cover ALL the islands in Honda bay including those you will not be able to see on the island hopping tours because they are not open for such activity.

1. Bat Island

The closest island from the wharf. It is closed for island hopping activity since it is regarded as protected area being the home of giant fruit bats. The vegetation in the island is dominated by mangroves which are not edible-fruit bearing trees that’s why between 5:30-6:00 PM, one may already observe in the horizon thousands of bats flying from Bat Island to the main island in search for food. They will be back before the dawn breaks next day. This is another fascinating view to behold.

Travel time via boat from the wharf: Approximately 5 minutes

2. Cowrie Island

Named after the Cowrie, a type of shell, this island has fine sand, a bar, beach massage area, shower and offers buffet lunch and a variety of water activities. This is also one of the larger islands in the bay with an area of over 5 hectares.