Honda Bay is a sheltered body of water just north of Puerto Princesa city, scattered with small coral islands and sandbars accessible by bangka boat. Island-hopping day trips typically visit three or four islands: Starfish Island, Luli Island (which submerges at high tide, leaving only its nipa huts accessible by bamboo walkways), Cowrie Island, and Pandan Island.
The snorkelling is good rather than spectacular, and the islands themselves are low-key — no infrastructure beyond basic food stalls and changing huts. The appeal is the water: clear, warm, and shallow enough for non-swimmers to wade comfortably. Cowrie Island has a small giant clam sanctuary, a conservation project that gives a sense of the marine management effort in Palawan.
Tours leave from Santa Lourdes Port, about 15 km from the city centre. Most guest houses and tour operators in Puerto Princesa offer half-day and full-day packages, typically including a boat, guide, and basic lunch. Arriving early is worth it — the bay gets busier through the morning.