Affordable Palawan Day 01 – City Tour
Whenever I do some research of the places I’m going to visit, I always encounter a lot of pictures – of course. And because of these tons of pictures, I would lose my excitement to go there. Seeing these pictures makes me feel I’m there already. I don’t know how to call this sickness, if it can be called such. Maybe it’s just weird.
But then I realized, some things are still surprising when you see them up close. And I was right when I saw the beauty of the beaches of Puerto Princesa when we did the Honda Bay Island Hopping Tour on our second day.

Tourists and guests need to register here first
Honda Bay in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan is a group of islands that is popular for swimming, snorkeling, and diving destinations. Island-hopping in the Bay has also become a common thing for tourists. Honda Bay was formerly known as Hunda Bay. Due to the popularity of the Honda Motors Inc., they changed it to a more recognizable name. Composed of Pambato Reef, Snake Island and Isla Pandan Resort, we’re off to witness what Palawan beaches are known for – the purity of the white sands and crystal clear waters. Starfish island was once part of the tour. It’s not anymore because it’s already a private island.

One of the many boats docked

A closer look
A few days ago I was looking for someone who can lend me an underwater camera so that I can take good pictures of the corals and fishes since I can’t submerge my SLR in the water. I thought of buying a waterproof case for it but it’s too expensive – much more expensive than my round trip airfare tickets!
Thank goodness, Mich (my officemate who went here a week ahead of us) told me that there are underwater camera cases for rent for 250Php only.

In different colors
Much more to our delight, our guide provided us our underwater camera cases for a much cheaper price – 200Php for the whole day. Cam whoring with our snorkel gears on will never be far behind.

Footwears
We arrived before 9AM but still we’re the last group to leave at almost 9:30 in the morning. We had to wait for the other group who’ll join us for the tour.
Our reliable and kind guide, Kuya Roy of SMY Travel and Tours, did his job of presenting general information of what Puerto Princesa is all about and discussed our itinerary for the whole day. While he’s busy talking, I’m clicking my camera.

Quarrying is existent

Thank God for the fantastic weather
He told us that the part that was quarried was made for the development of the national roads connecting Puerto Princesa City to El Nido. Quarrying was allowed for this specific project solely but in other parts of Palawan, it is STRICTLY PROHIBITED.
Pambato Reef
In just 20 minutes, we reached Pambato Reef where there is an abundance of different kinds of saltwater fish. They call it the “school of fish”. Let me check if everyone’s present..

The Parking Area - for boats only

If you need to buy something to feed the fishes, you can buy it in that store.
A few steps away is the jump off point. Our group was accompanied by another guide who’ll swim with us as we enter the school (of fishes). It’s always comforting to have someone around in case something unexpected happens. All of us were reminded not to take off or life vests because that’s the number 1 safety precaution. Eventhough some of us know how to swim, taking it off is a No-No. Prevention is better than cure.

Prepping up - Tangos ng ilong mo brad ah..

Aria!

Nakikisingit sa mag-jowa..
Indeed it is a school of fish.. Probably an Elementary School of fish
. I just had a hard time taking pictures (borrowed the camera from @ef.zepol) because it’s 10 or so feet deep. In that note, I don’t have any photos to show. Sorry. Just trust me when I say it’s a beautiful scene down under. The water is cold and clear. Floating under the direct sunlight is soothing. I spent almost 40 minutes in the water because on the 41st minute, I could’ve been stung – by a jelly fish. And everyone’s on the boat – ako na lang hinihintay, pasaway..

4 Thumbs up! two were down under..
Snake Island

The 2.4km long stretch of Snake Island
At last! A sure fire white sand beach that I have been longing to see in months. Yep, I’m a certified beach bum. I have been to several beaches during my recent trips this year but not one came close to its white sand. This is what I really looked forward to in this trip.
Just to make it clear, there are no snakes here to begin with. It’s named such because the long stretch of the beach is curvy that when you see it from above, it looks like a snake. The long stretch measures 2.4km. During low tide, it is very much visible.

Pristine waters

It's time for a new welcome banner.. can hardly read what's written.. don't you think?

Jeff Zapanta and company... again..

Cam-whoring at its finest! lol
There were no rooms or aircon accommodations to stay in but only cottages. Restrooms are present but you have to walk a few meters until you reach the white-painted house. No shower rooms as well. The water supply all come from the sea. I just didn’t have the chance to ask how much for a cottage rent. We paid for a packaged tour so I guess it’s already included. Our cottage has a big table and benches to put your things on. It’s also pretty safe to leave all of your things there – Kuya Roy made sure of that.
When we arrived it was high tide. Only a few steps from the shore is already 6 feet deep. We wore our snorkeling gears once again to check out the “school of fish” in this island. Compared to Pambato Reef, this is a Private High School – few student fishes enrolled.

Nipa Hut Cottages
Our buffet lunch was served here as well.

Pork + Chicken + Seafood overloaded lunch
Photo credit: Jonah De Leon
I already missed eating pork and chicken meat because it was all seafood that we’re eating for the past day. The food served all tasted good! The package was all worth it. Our guides never a single moment disappointed us. They took care of everything – from the itinerary, food, swimming gears, trivia, except for the pasalubong
There were no other physical activities on the island aside from snorkeling and beach bumming. So before we checked out the long stretch of the island, we tried something different. #PLANKING

The Defending Champion: Khanto

The Challenger: Joma

Planking face-off!
Okay. Enough of the silly-ness. hehe. It’s beach bumming all day for me and “meet and greet” new people.

Meet and Greet portion
Thank you Mr. Starfish. If it weren’t for you, we won’t be getting this photo-op with our NFF’s (new foreign friends..
).
Sub: These two lovely ladies got curious with the starfish Ef (center) was holding. So they approached us and asked if we can take a photo of them holding that starfish. I eagerly said yes of course. And then this picture was born.
We had the whole noon to beach bum. One application of a sunscreen is not enough.


After being bathe with the ultraviolet rays of the sun, a serving of halo-halo will be the ultimate catalyst.

Special Halo-Halo for 40Php
We spent almost 4 hours in the island but honestly, I didn’t realize it’s that long.
Isla Pandan Resort

Hello Pandan Island
Okay, it doesn’t look like a Pandan if that’s what you think it is.
Why Pandan island? The island is rich with pandan leaves before it was converted to a resort. The pandan leaves are found on the screwpine, a tropical plant that grows in certain European and Asian regions and is particularly popular in Southeast Asia. The leaves are approximately 4 inches (10 cm) long and are green, slender, shiny, and pleated. Commonly used to wrap foods like fish or shrimp, pandan leaf paste can imbue a dessert with sweetness and bright green coloring – also used to add scent when cooking rice. Pandan leaves have been used to make thatched roofs, baskets and grass skirts. Additionally, this plant is believed to have medicinal properties and is an effective and natural cockroach repellent.

The welcome banner
Unlike in Snake Island, you can stay here overnight and rent a room for two or more. It has a more complete set of amenities and other activities that include jetski, banana boat ride, snorkeling and kayak-ing. Others would enjoy a private by-the-beach massage or getting a henna tattoo. If you’re just in for a day tour, cottages and tables are available with no charge. Just have someone look after your belongings. There are also shower rooms so you don’t have to worry about the sand lingering all over your body.

Just close the curtains to make it private

Need food and drinks?

Overlooking the beach.. and oh, there's the pandan leaves
Again, this island is rich with such a beautiful marine life – the whole of the Philippines actually. This was the best I’ve seen so far. You don’t have to ride a boat to get you to this certain portion of the sea to find such amazing underwater creatures. In Pandan Island, you just have to walk a few steps from the shore and there they are. Putting your aqua footwear is a must. If the two previous “schools” were on the elementary and secondary levels respectively, this one’s a university!

They're Co-Ed by the way..

It's also non-sectarian..

It's their lunch break, so everyone's out

Class the professor says, behave!

I guess they all want to be photographed - compress please..

This one's clever, waited for his solo moment
Thanks to Khanto’s camera.
Such an amazing scene. You don’t get to see this everyday and makes want to sing.. ♪♫What a wonderful world… ♫♪

Moment of peace in this part of the earth
A tip: This part of the island shows a haven of starfishes. From the tiniest to the biggest. It’s located at the left most part when facing the Isla Pandan Resort welcome signage.
Hope you find it.. hehe
We just spent the rest of the day here and come 4PM, we packed our things and head our way back. This day was totally one of the best I had. Purely enjoying the beach and bumming under the sun.
For more photos of the Honda Bay Island Hopping Tour, click here.

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Up Next: Underground River + Caving + Spelunking = Ultimate Adventure!