Shared Honda Bay Island Hopping Tour

Honda Bay’s appeal is simple: a full day of warm water, open sky, island stops, and a Filipino lunch without the price of a private charter. You’ll visit Lu-Li Island for swimming and hammock time, then spend longer at Cowrie Island, where lunch and extra water activities fill out the day.

I like the included hotel transfers from selected hotels and the small group limit of 15 people. I also like that Cowrie gives you more than a quick photo stop, with two hours for swimming, sunbathing, coconut water, a massage, or other water activities. The main catch is the extra cost for snorkeling gear, water shoes, and a ₱150 government fee, so the advertised price is not the final spend.

Key points to know before booking

• Two very different island stops: Lu-Li is a short, relaxed swimming stop, while Cowrie Island gets the longer visit and lunch.
• Lunch is included at Cowrie Island: You receive a Filipino meal, which makes the day easier and adds local flavor to the outing.
• The shared group is capped at 15 people: That is small enough for more direct attention than a large party boat.
• Bring or budget for water gear: Snorkeling equipment is not included, and water shoes are a smart extra according to the practical experience provided.
• Pickup depends on your hotel: Selected hotels receive round-trip transfers, while properties beyond 15 kilometers from the airport are excluded.
• Weather controls the schedule: Poor conditions can lead to an alternative date or tour, so keep some flexibility in your Puerto Princesa plans.

What a day on Honda Bay is really like

This is a straightforward island day rather than a packed sightseeing program. The total outing lasts about six to eight hours, including transport, the boat ride, island time, and the return to your starting point.

You should expect a relaxed rhythm: collect passengers, reach the departure point, board the boat, swim and rest at Lu-Li, then spend more time at Cowrie Island for lunch and water activities. It is a good match for you if you want sun and sea without arranging boats, food, transfers, and island access on your own.

The shared format also affects the pace. You will follow the group’s departure and return times rather than choosing exactly how long to stay in each place. That trade-off helps keep the cost near $38 per person, but it gives you less freedom than a private trip.

Starting near Barangay Sta. Lourdes

The stated meeting point is in Barangay Sta. Lourdes, Puerto Princesa City, at the listed location near RPX5+876. If your hotel is included for pickup, the exact collection time is supplied one day before departure through the hotel receptionist.

That system is useful, but do not assume every Puerto Princesa hotel is covered. Hotel pickup and drop-off apply only to selected properties. If your accommodation is more than 10 miles, or 15 kilometers, from the airport, transport is not included. Astoria Palawan also requires separate transfer arrangements.

Traffic and time of day can change the length of the road transfer. For that reason, I would avoid booking a tight airport connection or another fixed activity immediately after the tour. The trip ends back at the meeting point, so you should also confirm how you will return to your hotel if your property is outside the pickup area.

The tour is near public transportation, which gives you another way to reach the start if needed. Still, check the meeting instructions carefully because a shared island trip is not the place to arrive late.

Lu-Li Island: one hour for swimming and shade

Lu-Li Island is the first island stop and lasts about one hour. The main choices are swimming, relaxing on hammocks, and ordering a drink from the mini bar, which serves cocktails.

I would treat this as a gentle opening stop, not the main event. The short visit gives you enough time to get into the water, dry off in the sun, or settle into a hammock before the group moves on. If you want a cocktail, keep an eye on the schedule and any extra charges, since only the tour’s lunch is specifically included.

The island’s simple setup is part of its appeal. You are not being rushed through a long list of activities. You get a compact slice of Honda Bay, with warm-weather downtime and a chance to see how you feel in the water before the longer stop at Cowrie.

The limitation is clear: one hour passes quickly. If you want extended snorkeling, quiet reading, or a long swim, Lu-Li will not provide much time for all three. The tour is designed to spread the day across two islands, not to let you settle at one beach for the entire afternoon.

Cowrie Island: the main stop and lunch base

Cowrie Island receives about two hours, making it the center of the day. This is where your Filipino lunch is served, and where you get a larger swimming area plus access to other water activities.

The extra time matters. You can eat without rushing, swim afterward, sunbathe, drink coconut water, or consider a massage. That range of choices makes Cowrie more flexible than Lu-Li. If one person in your group wants to swim while another prefers a hammock or a drink, this stop should work better for both.

Lunch is a real part of the value here. A boat trip can become inconvenient when you have to find food on your own, especially after swimming. With the meal included, you can focus on the day rather than carrying a full picnic or searching for a restaurant between island stops.

You should still see the lunch as a practical included meal rather than a reason to book the tour by itself. The information provided does not specify the exact dishes, so anyone with dietary concerns should confirm what is available before departure. The meal is described as Filipino, which gives you a chance to eat local food in a distinctly island setting.

Cowrie also gives you optional ways to spend extra money. Massages, coconut water, cocktails, and water activities may not be part of the base price. Bring enough cash or ask the operator what payment methods are accepted, but do not assume every optional service is included.

Snorkeling, water shoes, and what to pack

Snorkeling gear is not included in the tour price. You need to bring your own equipment or rent it locally. One practical detail is especially worth noting: a stop at a rental place may be made in the van, where water shoes and snorkeling equipment are available.

Water shoes are a smart choice for this type of day. The supplied experience specifically advises wearing them, and one booking included a complaint about having to pay for water shoes despite expecting snorkeling equipment to be covered. The lesson is simple: confirm exactly what your booking includes and budget separately for both items.

I would pack:

• Swimsuit and a dry change of clothes
• Towel and sun protection
• Water shoes
• Your own mask and snorkel, if you have them
• Cash for the ₱150 government fee and optional purchases
• A waterproof bag for your phone and other small items

The equipment issue is not a deal breaker, but it changes the value calculation. At $38 per person, the tour remains fairly priced for transport, a guide, lunch, and island access. Add gear rental, the government charge, drinks, and a massage, and your actual cost rises.

Small-group sailing with a shared-tour rhythm

The maximum group size is 15 people. That is a useful middle ground. You avoid the cost of a private boat, while the guide still has a better chance of answering questions and keeping track of the group than on a very large outing.

A small group does not mean a private experience. You still share the boat, schedule, lunch setting, and island time with other people. If you want complete control over departure time, snorkeling locations, or how long you stay at Cowrie, a private option would fit better, but the supplied details do not provide a private-tour price.

The local guide is included, which helps with the practical parts of the day: meeting instructions, boarding, timing, and moving between stops. No guide name is provided, so you should not expect to book the trip around a particular guide.

The tour suits couples, families with older children, and small groups of friends who want a social day at a manageable cost. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Most people can participate, but you should judge your own comfort with boat travel, swimming, sun, and getting in and out of the water.

Is $38 a good value?

At $38 per person, the package covers several costs that quickly add up when arranged separately: round-trip hotel transport for eligible hotels, a local guide, the boat outing, island admission, and lunch.

That makes the tour a reasonable choice if you value convenience. You do not need to negotiate transport, locate a boat, arrange a lunch stop, or work out how to reach both islands. The shared format keeps the price lower than a private charter and is capped at 15 people.

The price needs a small asterisk. You must add the ₱150 government fee per person. Snorkeling equipment is excluded, and water shoes may also require a rental payment. Optional drinks, massages, coconut water, and other water activities are extra as well.

I would compare the $38 base rate with your likely extras, not just the headline figure. If you already own snorkeling gear and are happy with a simple day of swimming and lunch, the value improves. If you plan to rent equipment, buy drinks, book a massage, and use several paid activities, the final price will be noticeably higher.

Weather, timing, and cancellation flexibility

The trip depends on favorable weather conditions. If poor weather makes the outing unsafe or impractical, you receive the choice of an alternative tour or another date.

That policy is helpful in Palawan, where an island day should not be forced during rough conditions. I would leave one flexible day in your schedule if the Honda Bay trip is important to you. The road transfer time is approximate, too, since traffic and the time of day affect the journey.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded, and changes inside that window are not accepted. This is worth remembering if your Puerto Princesa plans are still shifting.

The stated rating is 4.6 out of 5 from 20 ratings, with 90 percent recommending the experience. That points to a generally dependable outing, while the equipment confusion shows why you should read the inclusions carefully before paying.

Who should book this Honda Bay outing?

I would recommend it if you want a simple, organized island day from Puerto Princesa. It works particularly well for you if:

• You want swimming and sun rather than a demanding adventure
• You prefer lunch and transport arranged in advance
• You are comfortable sharing a boat with up to 15 people
• You are staying at a hotel covered by the pickup area
• You want two island stops instead of spending all day at one place
• You can bring or rent your own snorkeling equipment

Families should note that children need adult supervision. The tour is suitable for most people, but the provided details do not promise special assistance or equipment for limited mobility. If you need that kind of support, confirm it before booking.

This is less suitable if you want guaranteed snorkeling equipment, a quiet private beach, a custom departure time, or an exact schedule unaffected by weather and traffic. It is also not ideal if you are staying at Astoria Palawan and expect standard pickup, since separate transfer arrangements are required.

Final call: book it for an easy island day

Book the Shared Honda Bay Island Hopping Tour if you want convenience, a modest price, and a relaxed day split between Lu-Li and Cowrie islands. The included Filipino lunch, hotel pickup from eligible properties, local guide, and 15-person limit give it a practical edge.

Before you commit, confirm your hotel transfer, set aside the ₱150 government fee, and plan for snorkeling gear and water shoes. If you do that, the tour should deliver what it promises: swimming, sun, lunch, and a straightforward taste of Honda Bay without the work of arranging every piece yourself.

FAQ

How long does the Honda Bay island-hopping tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 6 to 8 hours, including transfers and island time. The exact duration can change with traffic and the time of day.

Which islands does the tour visit?

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

How long do you spend at Lu-Li Island?

The planned stop at Lu-Li Island lasts about one hour. You can swim, relax in hammocks, or visit the mini bar.

How long do you spend at Cowrie Island?

The planned Cowrie Island stop lasts about two hours. This is where lunch is served, and you can swim, sunbathe, drink coconut water, book a massage, or take part in other water activities.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A Filipino lunch at Cowrie Island is included in the tour.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

No. Snorkeling equipment is not included. You must bring your own or rent it separately.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included only for selected hotels. Properties more than 15 kilometers from the airport are not covered, and guests staying at Astoria Palawan must arrange transfers separately.

How many people can join the shared tour?

The tour has a maximum of 15 travelers.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

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