I stepped into the turquoise shallows of Honda Bay and froze. Beneath my feet, scattered across the sand like living chocolate chips, at least 50 starfish clustered in a single square meter. My guide Miguel’s hand shot up immediately: “Please, don’t touch. Even for photos.” His voice carried urgency, not annoyance. This wasn’t another scripted tourist warning. This was a man protecting something his community feared losing to Instagram’s appetite for the perfect shot.
Welcome to Starfish Island, the tiny islet 30 minutes from Puerto Princesa that local tour operators watch with growing anxiety. While El Nido drowns under 2 million annual visitors, this fragment of paradise survives on strict conservation protocols and the hope that travelers will respect what they came to see. But every viral post threatens that fragile balance.
The starfish blanketing these shallows aren’t random. They’re Protoreaster nodosus, chocolate chip starfish, gathering during February and March for mating season. What locals don’t advertise is how vulnerable these populations are. Research shows the species has gone extinct in Guam from overharvesting, and Honda Bay’s guides know their waters could follow if tourism pressure increases without education.
The conservation rule tourists keep breaking
Why locals plead with visitors to leave starfish underwater
Miguel explained the biology while we snorkeled: starfish breathe through their skin, and even 30 seconds in air for a photo causes respiratory stress. Multiply that by hundreds of daily visitors, and you understand why Honda Bay enforces strict no-touch policies. Tour operators brief guests before boats even leave Puerto Princesa’s dock. Yet guides still spend their days policing selfie attempts.
The mortality rate nobody talks about
During peak season, guides estimate 5-10% of starfish show handling stress by day’s end—pale coloring, sluggish movement, exposed to predators. Unlike the controlled marine sanctuaries of Costa Rica’s Caño Island, where coral cathedrals hide beneath 40-meter depths, Honda Bay’s shallow waters make every tourist interaction visible and measurable. The transparency works both ways—protecting wildlife requires visitor cooperation, not just ranger enforcement.
What makes this tiny island different from Palawan’s famous beaches
The jellyfish-free advantage other spots can’t claim
Honda Bay’s biggest selling point goes unmentioned in most brochures: zero jellyfish. While snorkeling sites across Palawan deal with seasonal jellyfish blooms, particularly during monsoon months, Starfish Island’s protected cove and current patterns keep waters clear. This isn’t luck—it’s geography locals have known for generations. The bay’s natural barriers create a safer snorkeling environment than even popular sites around Coron.
The cost reality that undercuts El Nido’s premium
A full-day Honda Bay island-hopping tour costs $30 per person, including visits to Luli Island, Cowrie Island, and Starfish Island. Compare that to El Nido’s $120 multi-island packages, and you understand why budget-conscious travelers increasingly choose Puerto Princesa. The trade-off? Far fewer photo opportunities for Instagram. Which is exactly what conservation advocates hope preserves the experience.
The February to March window locals guard carefully
Mating season brings density tourists never expect
During peak mating season, starfish densities reach 50+ individuals per 100 square meters in optimal seagrass beds. This natural spectacle draws marine biology enthusiasts from across Southeast Asia. But tour operators limit daily visitors to 50-100 people during this window, knowing the ecosystem can’t sustain El Nido-level crowds. Just as Florida’s Ten Thousand Islands hide manatees 30 minutes from Miami’s chaos, Starfish Island conceals marine abundance half an hour from Puerto Princesa’s airport—proximity doesn’t diminish wildness when locals guard access fiercely.
The dry season advantage for responsible snorkeling
October through May offers the calmest seas and clearest visibility. Water temperatures hover around 28°C year-round, but monsoon rains from June through September reduce starfish visibility and increase current danger. Local guides recommend morning tours (8am-11am) when sunlight illuminates the shallow seagrass beds where starfish congregate.
How to visit without becoming part of the problem
Booking with conservation-certified operators
Puerto Princesa’s tourism office maintains a list of certified eco-tour operators who enforce no-touch policies and limit group sizes. These tours cost the same $30 as discount operators but include marine ecology briefings and support local conservation efforts. Book directly rather than through resort concierges to ensure your money reaches community-based operators.
The alternative islands that relieve pressure
Honda Bay’s conservation strategy includes directing visitors to less sensitive sites. Cowrie Island offers developed facilities and water sports, while Luli Island’s disappearing sandbar provides Instagram moments without marine life interaction. Spreading tourism across multiple islands prevents Starfish Island from becoming another victim of its own popularity, much like how Australia’s Fitzroy Island offers guaranteed turtle encounters at half of Green Island’s cost.
The starfish covering Honda Bay’s shallows survive because locals enforce boundaries mass tourism typically ignores. Miguel’s urgent “don’t touch” wasn’t tourism theater. It was a community’s last line of defense against becoming the next viral destination that destroys what made it special. Visit during February’s mating abundance, respect the no-touch rule, and you’ll witness why some paradises deserve protection more than promotion.
Planning your responsible visit to Honda Bay
How do I reach Starfish Island from Puerto Princesa?
Fly into Puerto Princesa International Airport (direct flights from Manila, Cebu, and select international hubs). Honda Bay boat tours depart from various points along the coast, typically 45 minutes from Puerto Princesa town proper. Most tours include hotel pickup. Book certified eco-operators through Puerto Princesa’s tourism office to ensure conservation compliance.
What’s included in the $30 Honda Bay tour?
Standard packages cover boat transport, island entrance fees (including environmental fees), snorkeling guidance, and visits to 3-4 islands (typically Starfish, Luli, and Cowrie Islands). Equipment rental (snorkel gear, life jackets) costs an additional $5-10. Lunch and beverages are usually extra. Tours run 8am-4pm with 45-90 minutes per island.
When is the best time to see starfish abundance?
Peak starfish mating season runs February 15 to March 15, when chocolate chip starfish gather in highest densities. However, starfish are visible year-round. Visit during dry season (November-May) for best weather and water clarity. Morning tours (8am-11am) offer optimal lighting for underwater visibility and cooler temperatures.
Can I touch the starfish for photos?
Absolutely not. Starfish breathe through their skin, and air exposure causes respiratory stress. Honda Bay’s conservation regulations prohibit touching, lifting, or removing starfish from water. Violations can result in tour termination without refund. Underwater photos are permitted, but maintain distance. Guides enforce these rules strictly to protect populations.
How does Starfish Island compare to El Nido for snorkeling?
Starfish Island offers unique starfish abundance and jellyfish-free waters at one-quarter of El Nido’s cost ($30 vs $120). However, El Nido provides more dramatic limestone cliff scenery and deeper reef diving. Starfish Island suits budget travelers and families seeking safer, shallower snorkeling with educational marine conservation focus. El Nido caters to photography enthusiasts and experienced divers.