If you’re going to stay in Puerto Princesa, Palawan in the Philippines for at least few days, Island Hopping on the Honda Bay is one of top things to do in Palawan. It’s also one of top things that tourists would do when they’re in the area.

Working with D’Lucky Garden Inn & Suites was very smooth on both ends. At first they agreed to offer their Adventure Package, but it was kind of a last minute and they were willing to make an “exclusive” Adventure Package for me by rearranging the schedule of the tour for me to be able to visit the Underground River.

Their adventure package included accommodations for 3 nights and 4 days. They were so kind and allowed me to pause the tour and go to El Nido for another island hopping tour there. We resumed the tour to Underground River after my trip to El Nido.

Nonetheless, I ended up having the city sightseeing tour at first as originally scheduled upon arrival, but then went on the island hopping tour second instead of visiting the Underground River. The city tour included a visit to Crocodile Farm, Bakers Hill, Mitra Ranch, Plaza Cuartel, Baywalk, and many others. I surely had a fun that day, and I petted a baby crocodile!

However, after this experience with D’Lucky Garden Inn & Suites, I can affirm that island hopping in the Honda Bay is something you cannot miss when you’re in Puerto Princesa, Palawan! Go and grab it while you’re at it! =)

Honda Bay Island Hopping Tour

After a pleasing day painting the city red with their city tour, I hopped on their tour van in the morning and then the van went off to pick up other guests from other hotels. Once everybody was gathered up (there was about 13 of us including four kids), we went to this shop for snorkel rental.

Trust me on this one… Rent the snorkel! It’s not included in the inclusions, but it’s not that expensive though.

You’ll have many opportunities to see many awesome coral reefs, fishes, and, best of all, STARFISHES! If you don’t rent the snorkel, you would probably end up sunbathing most of the time on the beach at each island. A lot of things to do in the island hopping tour involves snorkeling. Maybe you’ll swim with your eyes open, but just trust me. Rent it and it will make your whole island hopping experience a whole lot more exhilarating and fun!

Before boarding the boat, there were many groups taking turns to board and take off on their boat. It was a little while before I got on the boat with my group. Expect to be patient with this one, you’ll get your turn eventually.

Off we go to our first stop…

Starfish Island

This island has its name for a reason. Starfish Island is literally an island filled with starfishes! I haven’t seen that many starfishes. I didn’t know Patrick Star had that many twins! I thought there was only one, apparently I assumed wrong… Or I just couldn’t tell the difference? Ahh, I can’t decide! =P

As soon as the boat shored the beach, I was the first person to get into the water and said ‘hello!’ to the starfishes. Everybody else was still on the beach either getting ready to swim or kicking back as they wait for the boat to be ready to leave for the next stop.

The bonus here was that the water was totally crystal-clear! Well, that applies to almost all of the waters in the Honda Bay. My point here is that even the bottom would not look so deep, but it’s actually deep. That’s how clear the water was.

It made my sight of the underwater world down below much more fascinating and colorful for my sight.

Starfishes were everywhere. It’s was like looking up at the stars at night but into the water with the daylight instead! So beautiful to look at. I almost drowned myself because the view was too beautiful for me to remember to get out of the water and breath …like literally!

Besides, you could go farther and deeper from the shore to see many more colorful fishes and reefs, but there wouldn’t be as many starfishes as it would be near the shore. Plus, if explored around the shore a little, you will find one side of the shore with plenty of sea urchins!

That was something I was a bit more surprised because sea urchins don’t usually come in that many. Well, especially in my past experience of going to different seas. Hey! Don’t attempt to touch them because their needles are poison. Keep that in mind.

After few photo ops of mine (like always!), I boarded the boat once again to head off to our second stop…

Lu-Li Island

This stop had a lot of “light” water activities like diving board, cliff-jumping, snorkeling, and few more. You can go to a shop and buy a bag of minced bread for the colorful fishes to will swarm all over you for the bread for you to get all dazzled!

Mostly, I wandered around and jumped off the diving board as I absorb the beauty of the island. I was also a little mischievous as well because I broke a little rule by walking past the sign where it states that it wasn’t allowed to swim past this point due to the danger of jellyfishes and stonefishes to check out the stunning clear blue water at the edge. Hey—I only walked past that point, but I didn’t swim. I didn’t break any rules here, didn’t I? =P

Other than that, I just jumped off the diving board few times and then sunbathed a little before heading to the final stop.

Cowrie Island

Ah! The last stop of the island hopping tour!

I ain’t gonna lie. I got to admit that the water on this islands is a lot clearer than the waters on the last two island stops.

This stop actually came of as a party and touristy beach destination. There were volleyball nets and many water activities around. I didn’t forget the long row of bars! I saw crowds of people in the bars having fun with their alcoholic beverages in their hands.

A lunch buffet was there and I went there the first thing. I had chicken, shrimps, potatoes, and rice. They offered sweet tea, but I drank water instead. Nonetheless, that meal really did fill me up well.

I turned into a beach bum after eating and I surely absorbed a great amount of Vitamin D before getting back on the boat for the return to the original destination for my transfer back to the hotel.

The Accommodations

Staff at D’Lucky Garden Inn & Suites were accommodating and approachable. So friendly and helpful! They would be quick to assist me on anything I ask for. Even when I first came in, I actually felt welcomed to their home upon my arrival.

The rooms are above average, it is spacious, clean and towels are provided. The bathroom and toilets are nice and clean and all in a good working order. It has hot water as well. You can have your bath here! It was really nice and I loved the garden they have outside in their complex. Beautiful.

 

There is an air conditioner, a small TV with satellite, a small fridge and a nice deal for me to sit in and work on my blog. Besides, they got a clean and mini-kitchen in the room. Easy to use.

Also, their complimentary breakfast are totally great! I’m sure you can agree after seeing the pictures.

I loved and enjoyed my stay there. I’d come back in a heartbeat if I had the chance. It was like an all-inclusive hotel for me and I totally approved this experience at this hotel.

Adventure Package (Exclusive)

Rate: 5500 PHP ($130 US Dollars)

Inclusions

• Room Accommodation for 3 nights
• Underground river tour with lunch
  • Entrance fees & permits
  • Licensed tour guide
  • Roundtrip boat from the wharf to the beach area
  • Boat inside the cave (roundtrip)
  • Roundtrip VAN land transportation from the Hotel to Sabang
• Honda Bay island hopping tour with lunch
• City sightseeing trips
• Crocodile Farm
• Bakers Hill
• Mitra Ranch
• Plaza Cuartel
• Baywalk
• Cathedral
• Binuatan hand weaving exhibit
• Souvenir and Pearl Shops
• Daily set breakfast of your choice
• Airport pick up and and drop service

As mentioned earlier, this package was exclusive due to the schedule conflicts we had. So, here is the original itinerary for this package.

Original Itinerary:

• Day 1: Arrival
  • Check in at D’Lucky Garden Inn & Suites
  • 1:00PM City Sightseeing Tour
• Day 2: Underground River Tour
• Day 3: Honda Bay Island Hopping Tour
• Day 4: Check out

Exclusive Itinerary (Seek the World Version):

• Day 1: Arrival
  • Check in at D’Lucky Garden Inn & Suites
  • 1:00PM City Sightseeing Tour
• Day 2: Honda Bay Island Hopping Tour
• Day 3: Check out and bus to El Nido
• Day 4: [PAUSED] El Nido Island Hopping Tour
• Day 5: [PAUSED] Return and check in
• Day 6: Underground River Tour
• Day 7: Check out

However, they do offer other tours and you can find more about their day tours and packages on their site.

D’Lucky Garden Inn & Suites

• Address: P.E.O road near rizal avenue, near airport, Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines
• Room Rates:
  • Couple Room – 1190 PHP
  • Premium Room – 1450 PHP
  • Guest Bungalow House – 1790 PHP
• Email: luckygardeninn@yahoo.com
• Websites: 
  • http://www.dluckygardeninn.com/
  • http://www.d-lucky-garden-inn.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/luckygardeninn
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