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Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Exquisite Islands of Honda Bay Palawan


Aside from boasting clean & green environment, great food and rich biodiversity, it’s always a mantra when visiting Palawan that your trip wouldn’t be complete if you weren’t able to see their astounding beaches and islands. And what I believe the best way to see how rich their marine biodiversity, is through an island hopping to their famous Honda Bay tour. As I have mentioned on my previous blog, we availed Sis Tiara’s package (La Tiara’sTour & Convention) for our Honday Bay Island tour which costs P1,140 inclusive of van service, entrance fees, permits, licensed tour guide, boat rental, snorkeling on Pambato reef and buffet picnic lunch in one of the islands. We scheduled the Honda Bay island hopping tour on our 3rd day as our final adventure in Palawan because we want to enjoy the white sand, beach waves and blue waters of Palawan before heading back Manila the following day.


Starfish Island - Honda Bay Palawan

 According to locals, Honda Bay is originally called “HUNDA” by Palawenos, but when the Americans visited the island, they had a hard time pronouncing “Hunda” and since then on with the American’s slang diction, the place was now known for “Honda.” Honda Bay in Palawan is where a cluster of gorgeous islands and islets can be found. It is composed of different islands viz. Pandan Island, Luli Island (lulubog-lilitaw), Starfish Island, Snake Island, Cowrie Island and Pambato reef.  During our tour, only 3 spots were included in our itinerary; Pandan Island, Starfish Island, and Pambato Reef where we last for hours enjoying snorkeling.  


7:30 in the morning just exactly after our free breakfast at Metrosilog (just beside Corazon tourist Inn) when La Tiara’s service van fetched us at Corazon Tourist Inn. We stopped by an aqua shoes and snorkeling gear rentals as advised by our tour guide Ate Maricel. According to her it’s advisable to wear aqua shoes because at times you will encounter too spiky corals and stones. We rented aqua shoes and snorkeling gear for 150 each and as what we have experienced, you can eliminate renting aqua shoes because it is more enjoyable if your feet will feel the cold water and sand.


For our first stop, we docked at a holding area of Pambato reef where you can enjoy snorkeling. After dipping into water with our life vest on, our group was guided by a “kuya” who’s also the assistant of our boatman. He made sure that we’re safe under his supervision. He allowed us to hold a big float while gradually pulling us to the reef.  We really enjoyed our snorkeling at Pambato reef as we saw different corals and fishes. It does so relaxing to float on cold water while enjoying the scenery above and underneath.

Pambato Reef - Honda Bay Palawan

Pambato Reef - Honda Bay Palawan

Pambato Reef - Honda Bay Palawan

Pambato Reef - Honda Bay Palawan

Pambato Reef - Honda Bay Palawan

Snorkeling at Pambato Reef palawan

Our group and our guide at Pambato Reef

Our group and our guide at Pambato Reef

Done snorkeling - Pambato Reef Palawan

Pambato Reef Palawan


After basking the Pambato reef, we rode again our hired boat and headed Starfish Island. This is where we took our buffet lunch by the beach. Starfish Island depicts its name from the existence of various starfish in the island.  Aside from being peaceful, you will also enjoy the fine white sand and stunning view here because the island is surrounded by mountains. While Ate Maricel is preparing our lunch, we decided to walk by the beach and explore the island. We passed by a ruin which according to locals is a ruin of an old restaurant that actually contributes beauty to the island. One more thing that caught our attention is the presence of mangroves which is a sign of healthy ecosystem as it serves as a breeding ground for marine life. But where are the starfishes? Actually, we found few starfishes on the coastline near the cottages, but as we explored the outmost part of the island we awesomely found out where they rest. At the far end of the island we saw bunches of star fishes in different colors and sizes, even baby star fishes in white. So cool! 


Starfish Island - Honda Bay Palawan

A restaurant ruin at Starfish Island - Honda Bay Palawan

Starfish Island - Honda Bay Palawan

Cottage at Starfish Island - Honda Bay Palawan

Restaurant Ruin at Starfish Island - Honda Bay Palawan

Starfish Island - Honda Bay Palawan

Ruin at Starfish Island - Honda Bay Palawan

Lovely starfishes - Starfish Island Honda Bay Palawan

Starfishes at Starfish Island - Honda Bay Palawan

Starfishes at Starfish Island - Honda Bay Palawan

Playing with the baby starfishes - Starfish Island Honda Bay Palawan


After playing with various starfishes, we walked back to our cottage for a hearty lunch buffet. It was indeed a feast; liempo, eggplant with bagoong, salted egg with tomatoes, grilled fish, crabs, squids, and mangoes.  A hearty meal by the stunning beach is superb!                                                                                                                                                                                            

Mangoes - Picnic by the beach Starfish Island

Hearty Meal

Feast


And for our last stop, we docked in Pandan Island. Pandan trees are all over the island that’s why it is called as such. Though this island is quite crowded, this is the place where we really enjoyed snorkeling and feeding fishes. After wearing our snorkeling gears we were accompanied by a Kuya who also joined us during our Pambato reef experience and brought us to a big bamboo raft.  You don’t have to go far just to see school of colorful fishes, just underneath the bamboo raft is a beautiful view of colorful fishes which is really a feast to the eye. Kuya also helped us took underwater pictures of different colorful fishes and corals. It was an amazing sight!


B4LIFE at Pandan Island Palawan

Here are some of our snorkeling shots at Pandan Island Palawan:


Snorkeling at Pandan Island Palawan

Snorkeling at Pandan Island Palawan

Snorkeling at Pandan Island Palawan



Lovely fishes - Snorkeling at Pandan Island Palawan

Enjoying Snorkeling at Pandan Island Palawan


Snorkeling at Pandan Island Palawan

Corals & Fishes - Snorkeling at Pandan Island Palawan

Honey enjoying Snorkeling at Pandan Island Palawan



my bff enjoying Snorkeling at Pandan Island Palawan

Snorkeling at Pandan Island Palawan




Snorkeling at Pandan Island Palawan
Fisheeeeeeeeees! - Snorkeling at Pandan Island Palawan

Snorkeling at Pandan Island Palawan

Snorkeling at Pandan Island Palawan




And here are the magnificent underwater shots of rich marine biodiversity in Pandan Island Palawan:

Beautiful coral -  Underwater shots at Pandan Island Palawan

Cutesy little fishes -  Underwater shots at Pandan Island Palawan


Coral -  Underwater shots at Pandan Island Palawan

 Underwater shots at Pandan Island Palawan
 
 Underwater shots at Pandan Island Palawan

 Underwater shots at Pandan Island Palawan

 Underwater shots at Pandan Island Palawan

 Underwater shots at Pandan Island Palawan

 Underwater shots at Pandan Island Palawan


 Corals - Underwater shots at Pandan Island Palawan

 Corals - Underwater shots at Pandan Island Palawan


 Beautiful Coral - Underwater shots at Pandan Island Palawan


Beautiful, isnt it?! In general, our Honda Bay island hopping tour was exceptional. We have discovered how beautiful Palawan is particularly their beaches and marine life. Indeed a beautiful place that makes you want to come back over and over. Palawan is truly a paradise!


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