I mentioned this to a friend recently: the rainy afternoons that transpired in the past several days kinda made me think that summer is already over. The fact that we spent almost a week in sunny Coron just a couple of weeks ago reinforced that idea. But then I go online and everyone’s raving about summer being “here”. Am I way too advanced? So to rectify that, I’m going to hark back to a trip that is, well, sorta about summer: a visit to Honda Bay. Honda Bay was not part of the itinerary when we first went to Puerto Princesa 6 years ago. And it was also not included in the itinerary of our trip last month. However, due to a stroke of luck – and bad weather – we decided to check it out.
The original plan was to go to the Puerto Princesa Subterranean National Park to revisit the Underground River. But since it rained the night before all the way until early the next morning (when we were supposed to go), the waves at Sabang did not make for good or safe sailing. So we switched things around and went to Honda Bay instead.
A day spent island-hopping around Honda Bay is one of the more popular beach-related activities in Puerto Princesa, especially for those who would like to do an island tour but do not have the time to travel 5 to 6 hours to El Nido. There are several agencies offering tour packages. Ask your hotel; they’ll hook you up, especially if you’re a large group. If I remember correctly, this tour cost us Php1,200.oo per head.
From the town proper, it took around 45 minutes to an hour to drive to the Honda Bay Wharf.
Honda Bay’s points of interest include Cowrie Island, Bat Island, Luli Island, Pambato Reef, Starfish Island, Isla Puting Buhangin, Dos Palmas, and Pandan Island. Our tour covers the first four, although we only just passed by Bat Island. This post will be all about Luli Island.
The jump-off point for all tours around Honda Bay is the Honda Bay Wharf.
Boats have varying capacities. Our group was already around 11-13, so we occupied one boat. I’m not sure if they allow “joiners” (small groups making up a single bigger group), though.
Luli Island is actually more of a sandbar than an island, but it has several structures erected on it, so I suppose it has the “stability” of an island.
It derived its name from the Filipino phrase “Lulubog, Lilitaw” (lit. it sinks, then it surfaces). It’s an island/sandbar that adapts that “now you see it, now you don’t” attitude, depending on the tide.
Colorful flags dotted the curve of the sandbar, making it easier for people to spot its location once it disappears under the water, I suppose.
(Check out the first sandbar I’ve ever seen in my life in Panglao here.)
This place is primarily a snorkeling spot. So we whipped out the snorkels we rented beforehand, and brought out the bread that we were advised to purchase earlier, and off we went to feed the fish!
There is a certain… ticklish feel to having these tiny creatures dart forward and nibble at the bread in your hands, until there is nothing left, and they’re still nibbling at your fingertips. Cute.
I think we spent around 30 to 45 minutes in the area. And then, before leaving, we spotted this small structure over the water.
Now, to experienced swimmers, this’ll be a piece of cake. But we CAN’T swim, and our bravery in getting into the water is 90% because of the life vests we are wearing. But we still tried jumping off the board, while our guide is waiting down there with our vests. Haha!
It was fun~ Scary, but fun~ Saltwater will rush up through your nose, but…. it was still fun.
And we took comfort at our guide’s words: no one has died from jumping. At least, not yet. 
(Currently experimenting on other watermarks. Hmm…)
More of Honda Bay in the coming posts!
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