Shared Honda Bay Island Hopping Tour

Honda Bay’s appeal is simple: board a local boat, leave Puerto Princesa behind, and spend the day in the water. This 6-to-8-hour island outing visits Lu-Li Island and Cowrie Island, with time for swimming, hammocks, snorkeling, and a Filipino lunch.

I like the small maximum group of 15, which should give you more access to your guide than a packed boat tour. I also like the easy hotel transfer option and the fact that lunch is included. The catch is that snorkeling equipment is not included, and you may also need to pay to rent water shoes.

Key points to know before booking

• Lu-Li Island offers a relaxed first stop: Swim, lounge in hammocks, or order a cocktail from the island’s mini bar during the one-hour visit.
• Cowrie Island is the main beach stop: You get about two hours for lunch, swimming, water activities, a massage, or coconut water in the sun.
• The price is $38 per person: That includes lunch, a local guide, and hotel transfers from select locations, but not the ₱150 government fee or snorkeling gear.
• Bring or rent your own equipment: Snorkeling gear must be rented or brought, and water shoes are a smart choice.
• Pickup has limits: Transfers are not included for hotels more than 15 kilometers from the airport, and Astoria Palawan requires separate transfer arrangements.
• Weather controls the schedule: Poor weather can lead to a different date or an alternative tour.

Two Honda Bay islands in one long day

This is a straightforward island-hopping day from Puerto Princesa. You will meet at the departure point in Barangay Sta Lourdes, or use hotel pickup if your accommodation is among the selected properties covered by the operator.

Allow plenty of time. The advertised duration is approximately six to eight hours, and road traffic affects the transfer portion. You will not spend all of that time on the islands. The listed stops account for about three hours, with the rest used for pickup, boarding, sailing, and returning to the meeting point.

That timing is normal for a Honda Bay outing, but it matters when planning the rest of your day. I would not schedule an evening flight, a late dinner reservation, or another major activity immediately afterward.

The boat ride is part of the day, not just a way to move between stops. You leave the city, spend time on the water, and reach two islands with different moods. Lu-Li is the shorter, more casual stop. Cowrie is where the day settles in, with lunch and a larger block of free time.

Lu-Li Island: hammocks, swimming, and a mini bar

Lu-Li Island is scheduled for about one hour. That is enough for a quick swim and a little rest, but not enough to treat it as a full beach afternoon.

The island’s main draw is its easygoing setup. You can swim, stretch out in one of the hammocks, or order a cocktail from the mini bar. If you want a quiet start, claim some shade or hammock time. If you are eager to get into the water, use this first stop to cool off and get comfortable with the day’s rhythm.

I like that Lu-Li is not overloaded with planned activities. You are not pushed from one scheduled task to another. The hour gives you a chance to enjoy the setting at your own pace, though the short stop means you will need to keep an eye on the departure time.

This is also a good place to set expectations. Honda Bay island trips are built around sun, sea, and simple facilities. Lu-Li is not presented as a major sightseeing site with a long list of attractions. It is a pleasant island pause, and it works best when you treat it that way.

If you want extensive snorkeling time, this may feel brief. The tour’s snorkeling equipment is not included, and the stop itself lasts only one hour. Bring your own mask and snorkel if you have them, or plan to rent equipment before or during the trip.

Cowrie Island: lunch and the longest swim

Cowrie Island is the final stop and receives about two hours, making it the more important beach portion of the day. This is where lunch is served, and where you have the most time for swimming and other water activities.

The included Filipino lunch is a real advantage. Food is one less expense to arrange, and it gives the group a natural break after the boat ride and morning activities. The supplied details do not specify the exact dishes, so you should not book this expecting a particular menu. You can expect a local-style meal rather than a restaurant with a wide à la carte selection.

Cowrie has a generous swimming area. That makes it the better stop for anyone who wants a proper swim instead of a quick dip. You can also spend the time sunbathing, drinking coconut water, trying a water activity, or arranging a massage.

The extra options are useful, but they may cost more. Lunch is included, while the details do not say that massages, drinks, or other activities are covered. Bring some spending money if you want more than the basic tour package.

Two hours is a sensible amount of time here. You can eat without rushing, swim, and still have room for a slower hour in the sun. On the other hand, anyone hoping to spend most of the day snorkeling should note that this is a shared island visit with a fixed schedule, not a private custom boat charter.

Snorkeling gear and water shoes need careful planning

The biggest practical warning is equipment. Snorkeling gear is not included in the standard package, so you must bring your own or rent it.

One useful tip is to wear water shoes. A rental stop is made early in the van transfer, and water shoes can help you manage wet or uneven surfaces around the islands. The available booking details also indicate that a customer who had selected snorkeling equipment still had to pay separately to hire water shoes. In plain terms, do not assume that one rental covers the other.

Before departure, confirm exactly what your booking includes. Ask about:

• Mask and snorkel rental
• Water shoe rental
• Any separate equipment deposit
• The ₱150 government fee
• Optional activities, drinks, or massage costs

This small bit of preparation can prevent an annoying surprise at the first stop. If you already own a comfortable mask and snorkel, bringing them is the simplest option. If you do not, budget for rental costs rather than treating them as part of the $38 price.

The tour is designed for swimming and snorkeling, but the supplied information does not promise a particular marine-life sighting or specific reef condition. Go for time in the water and the island setting, not a guaranteed wildlife encounter.

What the $38 price really covers

At $38 per person, this is a reasonable package if you value convenience. The price includes a local guide, lunch, and round-trip transfers from select hotels. Those inclusions matter in Puerto Princesa, where arranging transport to the departure area and finding lunch independently can take time and add cost.

The group limit is 15 people. That is not a private tour, but it is smaller than a large boat outing. A small group can make pickup, boarding, and basic questions easier, and it gives the guide a better chance to keep track of everyone.

The price is not all-inclusive. Add the ₱150 government fee per person, plus snorkeling equipment if you need it. Water shoes may also be an extra charge. Drinks, massages, and other optional activities at Cowrie Island should be treated as separate purchases unless the operator confirms otherwise.

Hotel transfer coverage also has boundaries. Pickup and drop-off are offered only from select hotels. If your hotel is more than 10 miles, or 15 kilometers, from the airport, transfer service is not included. Those staying at Astoria Palawan need to arrange transfers separately.

For a solo visitor or couple, the package makes sense because it combines transport, a guide, a boat day, and lunch in one booking. A larger family or group should ask about the available group discount. Since adult pricing applies to all participants for the private tour option, compare that price carefully before choosing a private arrangement.

Hotel pickup and the Barangay Sta Lourdes departure

The stated meeting point is in Barangay Sta Lourdes, Puerto Princesa City. The tour ends back there, unless your included hotel transfer takes you onward.

If your accommodation qualifies for pickup, the exact time is provided the day before the tour through the hotel receptionist. Check with the front desk rather than guessing from the general start time. Transfer duration is approximate because traffic and time of day can change the drive.

This arrangement is convenient, but it also means you should keep your phone available and confirm that the receptionist receives the pickup message. If you are staying outside the covered zone, you will need to arrange your own way to the meeting point.

The tour is near public transportation, but the details do not specify routes, fares, or travel time. I would rely on the confirmed pickup information or ask the operator directly if you plan to make your own way there.

How the day feels in a group of 15

A maximum of 15 people creates a middle ground. You get the social feel and lower cost of a shared tour, but you are not in a huge crowd. The local guide handles the group, gives basic direction, and helps keep the schedule moving.

That format suits you if you prefer an organized day without paying private-tour prices. It is less suited to you if you want to choose your own islands, stay longer at one beach, or set your own departure time.

The schedule is fixed enough that you should return to the boat when instructed. Lu-Li has only one hour, and Cowrie has two. Missing the boarding time would affect the entire group.

Children must be accompanied by an adult. Most people can take part, but the day includes boat travel, swimming, sun exposure, and getting in and out of the water. If you have concerns about swimming or boat access, ask the operator before booking. The supplied information does not give detailed accessibility specifications.

Weather can change the plan

Honda Bay is an outdoor activity, so weather matters. The tour operates only in favorable conditions. If poor weather causes a cancellation, you can choose an alternative tour or a different date.

This is one reason to schedule the island day early in your Puerto Princesa stay rather than on the final day before departure. A weather change then leaves you some room to move the booking.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance are not refunded, and changes inside that window are not accepted. The cutoff follows local time in the Philippines.

Who will enjoy this Honda Bay outing?

I would recommend this tour to you if you want a simple day on the water without planning every detail yourself. It fits couples, families with older children, solo visitors who like shared excursions, and anyone who wants swimming and beach time more than an intensive sightseeing schedule.

It is especially useful during a short Puerto Princesa stay. You receive transport, a guide, lunch, and two island stops in one day. The small group size helps keep the outing personal enough without the cost of a private boat.

You may want a different option if your priority is long snorkeling sessions, guaranteed marine-life sightings, or a flexible private schedule. The listed island time is about three hours total, and the main focus is swimming, sunbathing, lunch, and relaxed island time.

Pack a swimsuit, towel, sun protection, a dry bag, and cash for the government fee and optional purchases. Add water shoes to that list unless you are certain the rental stop will have your size and the price suits you.

Should you book the Shared Honda Bay Island Hopping Tour?

Book it if you want good basic value and an easy full-day plan from Puerto Princesa. The $38 price covers several useful pieces, especially lunch, a guide, and select hotel transfers. Lu-Li provides a short, relaxed stop, while Cowrie gives you the longer swim and lunch break.

Before paying, confirm three things: your hotel qualifies for pickup, snorkeling equipment is either included in your specific booking or budgeted separately, and you are prepared to pay the ₱150 government fee. Bring water shoes or plan to rent them.

This is a practical shared tour, not a private island adventure. For a straightforward Honda Bay day with a modest group, two islands, and time in the water, it is a sensible choice.

FAQ

How long does the Shared Honda Bay Island Hopping Tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 6 to 8 hours, including transfers, boat travel, and time on the islands.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The tour visits Lu-Li Island and Cowrie Island in Honda Bay.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included and is served at Cowrie Island.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

No. You must bring snorkeling equipment or rent it. Water shoes may also require a separate rental payment.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included only for select hotels. Hotels more than 15 kilometers from the airport are outside the included transfer area, and Astoria Palawan requires separate transfer arrangements.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose an alternative tour or another date. Free cancellation is also available when you cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time.