Shared Honda Bay Island Hopping Tour

The best part of this Honda Bay day is its simple rhythm: boat ride, warm water, hammocks, Filipino lunch, then more time by the sea. You visit Lu-Li Island and Cowrie Island, two easygoing stops suited to swimming and sunbathing rather than a packed list of sights. I like the included hotel transfer from select properties and the small maximum group of 15, which should make it easier to get help from your guide.

I also like that lunch is served at Cowrie Island, where you have a generous swimming area and optional extras such as a massage or coconut water. The main catch is practical: snorkeling equipment is not included, and you may also need to pay for water shoes. A ₱150 government fee is extra, too.

Key points to know before you book

• Lu-Li Island gives you one hour for swimming and hammock time, with a mini bar serving cocktails.
• Cowrie Island is the longer stop, with two hours for lunch, swimming, sunbathing, and optional activities.
• The group is capped at 15 people, a useful middle ground between a private boat and a large coach trip.
• Snorkel gear must be rented or brought, and water shoes may be worth arranging before you leave.
• Pickup is limited to select hotels, with exact collection time supplied through your hotel receptionist the day before.
• The $38 price covers lunch and selected transfers, but not the ₱150 government fee or snorkeling equipment.

A straightforward day on Honda Bay

This is a classic Puerto Princesa boat day, not a sightseeing marathon. The focus is water, sun, and unhurried time on two islands. You should plan on roughly 6 to 8 hours from pickup to return, with the exact length affected by traffic, transfer timing, and conditions at sea.

The tour is shared, and the maximum group size is 15. That matters because Honda Bay excursions can feel very different depending on how many people are packed into the boat or waiting for help at each stop. A group of this size still gives the tour a social feel, but it should be more manageable than a large outing.

Your day begins at the listed meeting point in Barangay Sta. Lourdes, Puerto Princesa City, unless you arrange pickup from an eligible hotel. The description says pickup is available from select hotels, not every property. If your hotel is more than 10 miles, or 15 kilometers, from the airport, hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

One important exception is Astoria Palawan. If you stay there, you need to book transfers separately. Exact pickup time is provided one day before the tour through your hotel receptionist, so keep your morning flexible rather than planning a tight breakfast or another early activity.

Lu-Li Island: hammocks, swimming, and a short first stop

Lu-Li Island is your first scheduled stop, with about one hour to use as you please. You can swim, rest on the island hammocks, or take a drink from the mini bar, which serves cocktails.

That one-hour window is short enough that you should get changed and ready before arriving. If you want to swim, do not spend the whole stop finding a seat or sorting equipment. Bring your swimsuit under your clothes, keep sunscreen handy, and have your phone or camera secured before leaving the boat.

Lu-Li works well as an opening stop because it lets you settle into the pace of the day. You are not expected to hike, tour a museum, or follow a strict walking route. The appeal is the chance to get into the water and enjoy a bit of island downtime.

The limitation is just as clear: one hour goes quickly. If your main aim is extended snorkeling, this is not enough time by itself, especially if you need to rent equipment after arriving. The island is better treated as a pleasant first swim and rest stop than as the main event.

A mini bar can be convenient, but cocktails and other drinks are not listed among the included items. Lunch is included later at Cowrie Island, but you should not assume every drink or activity is covered by the tour price.

Cowrie Island: the longer stop and lunch base

Cowrie Island receives about two hours, making it the more substantial stop. This is where your Filipino lunch is served, and it also gives you a larger window for swimming and water activities.

I like the way lunch is built into the island visit. You do not have to leave the bay to find a restaurant or cut short your swimming time in search of food. Instead, the meal is part of the day’s natural pause. You can eat, return to the water, then spend time on the beach or in the sun.

Cowrie also offers optional ways to slow down. You might arrange a massage, drink coconut water, or simply sunbathe. These extras are not described as included, so bring a little spending money if you want to use them.

The two-hour stop gives you more room than Lu-Li, but it is still not an all-day beach stay. Lunch, changing clothes, swimming, and any water activity all compete for the same block of time. If you want the most from Cowrie, decide early whether your priority is eating, swimming, snorkeling, or resting.

The tour description calls the swimming area generous, which makes Cowrie the better place to plan your main water time. Still, conditions can change with weather, and the tour is subject to favorable conditions. You should view the island schedule as a plan rather than a guarantee of perfect water or sun.

Snorkeling: bring your own plan

Snorkeling is one of the main reasons to choose an island-hopping day, but equipment is not included here. You must bring your own gear or rent it. That small detail affects both cost and timing.

One practical tip is to consider water shoes. A stop in the van is used for renting water shoes and snorkel equipment, and you may have to pay for water shoes even if you thought snorkeling gear had already been included. The safest approach is to confirm exactly what your booking covers and ask about equipment before the boat leaves.

Water shoes are useful if the shore or boat access is uncomfortable underfoot. They also make it easier to move between the boat, beach, and shallow water. The supplied information does not promise a specific reef site, a particular fish species, or a guided snorkeling session, so you should not book this expecting a specialist marine excursion.

Instead, think of snorkeling as an available activity during your island time. You can use the water for swimming and bring or rent gear if conditions suit. That flexibility is helpful for mixed groups, since one person can snorkel while another uses the hammocks or relaxes with a drink.

What the $38 price really covers

At $38 per person, the tour is priced as a fairly accessible full-day outing. The value comes from combining boat transport, a local guide, lunch, and hotel pickup and drop-off when your hotel qualifies.

I think the strongest value is the convenience. Organizing two island visits independently could mean arranging transport to the meeting point, finding a boat, sorting lunch, and managing the return. Here, the main structure is already in place, which lets you focus on the water.

The price is less complete than it first appears. You must add the ₱150 government fee per person. Snorkeling equipment is also extra, and water shoes may cost more if you rent them. Drinks, cocktails, massages, coconut water, and other island purchases are not listed as included.

That does not make the tour poor value. It simply means you should compare the full expected cost, not just the advertised $38. A couple who needs snorkel gear, water shoes, drinks, and the government fee will spend more than the base price.

Group discounts are available, though the exact discount is not specified. The tour also has a private option, but adult pricing applies to all travelers on that option. Since this experience is specifically shared, check the selected booking type carefully if privacy matters to you.

Transfers and the real length of the day

The advertised duration is about 6 to 8 hours. The island stops account for around three hours total: one hour at Lu-Li and two hours at Cowrie. The remaining time includes hotel transfers, reaching the departure point, boarding, and travel across Honda Bay.

Transfer times are approximate. Traffic and the time of day can change how long the van portion takes, so avoid booking a tight evening connection or another fixed activity immediately after the tour.

The listed start point is Barangay Sta. Lourdes in Puerto Princesa City, and the activity ends back at the meeting point. For eligible hotels, round-trip transport is included. If your accommodation falls outside the stated pickup area, you may need to make your own way to the start or pay for a separate transfer.

This arrangement is especially useful if you are staying in a hotel covered by the pickup service. If you are staying farther out, check the transfer terms before paying. A low tour price can lose some of its value if you need an additional long taxi ride.

Weather, comfort, and what to pack

The tour only runs as planned in favorable weather. If poor weather causes a cancellation, you are offered an alternative tour or a different date. That is helpful, but you should still avoid placing an important flight or nonrefundable activity directly afterward.

Pack for a day spent around water:

• Swimsuit and a change of clothes
• Towel and sun protection
• Water shoes, or money to rent them
• Snorkel gear, if you have your own
• Waterproof protection for your phone and valuables
• Cash for the government fee, drinks, rentals, or optional services

The supplied information does not specify locker arrangements, shower facilities, or a detailed lunch menu. Keep your valuables to a minimum and ask your guide where personal items should remain while you swim.

Children must be accompanied by an adult, and most people can participate. No special mobility details are provided, so anyone with concerns about boarding the boat, walking on uneven surfaces, or entering the water should ask the provider before booking.

Who will enjoy this Honda Bay outing

I would recommend this tour to you if you want a relaxed island day without arranging every detail yourself. It suits couples, families with older children, and small friend groups who want swimming and sun rather than a demanding activity schedule.

The 15-person maximum is a good fit if you want some personal attention from a guide but do not need a private boat. The group format also keeps the cost below a fully private excursion.

You may want a different experience if you need guaranteed snorkeling equipment, a long guided reef session, or a tightly controlled schedule. The tour leaves room for relaxed island time, but equipment costs, transfer timing, and weather can add uncertainty.

It is also not the best match if you dislike stopping at rental points or paying small extra fees along the way. Confirm the gear arrangement before departure, especially if your booking confirmation gives you the impression that snorkeling equipment is included.

Should you book this tour?

Book it if you want a practical, moderately priced day on Honda Bay with lunch, two island stops, and the convenience of possible hotel transfers. Lu-Li provides a short first swim and hammock break, while Cowrie gives you the longer visit and the included Filipino meal.

I would book with three conditions in mind: confirm pickup eligibility, budget for the ₱150 government fee, and arrange snorkeling gear and water shoes in advance. If you are comfortable with those extras and with a 6 to 8 hour shared schedule, this is a sensible way to spend a day around Puerto Princesa.

FAQ

How much does the shared Honda Bay island-hopping tour cost?

The listed price is $38 per person. A ₱150 government fee per person is not included, and snorkeling equipment is also extra.

How long does the tour last?

The full experience takes approximately 6 to 8 hours. Transfer times can vary with traffic and the time of day.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The scheduled stops are Lu-Li Island and Cowrie Island in Honda Bay.

How much time is spent at each island?

You receive about one hour at Lu-Li Island and two hours at Cowrie Island.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A Filipino lunch is included and served at Cowrie Island.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

No. You need to bring snorkeling equipment or rent it separately.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup and drop-off are included for select hotels. Properties more than 10 miles, or 15 kilometers, from the airport are excluded from the standard hotel transfer service.

Where does the tour begin and end?

The listed meeting point is in Barangay Sta. Lourdes, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose an alternative tour or another date. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.