Shared Honda Bay Island Hopping Tour

Honda Bay’s appeal is simple: warm water, open sky, a boat ride, and two easy island stops. This 6 to 8-hour outing keeps the plan straightforward, with time at Lu-Li Island for swimming and hammocks, followed by a longer stay at Cowrie Island for lunch and water activities.

I like the included Filipino lunch and the round-trip pickup from select hotels. I also like the capped group size of 15, which should make it easier to get help from the guide than on a crowded boat trip. The main drawback is the extra cost and planning for snorkeling gear, water shoes, and the ₱150 government fee.

Key points at a glance

• Two island stops: Spend about one hour at Lu-Li Island and two hours at Cowrie Island.
• Lunch at Cowrie Island: Your included meal is served during the longer second stop.
• Maximum group size of 15: This is a more manageable setup than a large boat packed with people.
• Gear is not included: Bring snorkeling equipment or rent it, and consider water shoes.
• Pickup has limits: Transfers are available from select hotels, but not beyond 15 kilometers from the airport.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can lead to an alternative date or tour.

A simple day on Honda Bay

This is a sun-and-water trip rather than a packed sightseeing day. You board the boat, visit two islands, swim, eat lunch, and return to the meeting point in Barangay Sta Lourdes.

That simplicity is part of the value. You do not need to organize a boat, find an island restaurant, arrange a guide, or figure out transfers on your own. The experience bundles those practical pieces into one outing for $38 per person, before the government fee and optional equipment rental.

The total time is listed as roughly six to eight hours. That wide range matters. Transfer time depends on traffic and the time of day, so do not schedule a tight evening activity immediately afterward.

The trip is designed for most people who can manage a regular boat excursion and basic swimming or beach activity. Children must be accompanied by an adult. The tour is subject to favorable weather, so keep your plans flexible.

Lu-Li Island, hammocks and open water

Lu-Li Island is the first featured stop, with about one hour available. The pace here is relaxed. You can swim, sit on the hammocks, or order a cocktail from the mini bar.

The one-hour stay is enough for a quick swim and some time in the sun, but it is not a long beach session. If you like to move slowly, take photos, dry off, and settle into a hammock, the clock may feel short.

This stop works best as an introduction to the day. You get your first chance to enter the water and enjoy the island setting without needing to plan an activity every minute. If you prefer constant snorkeling or a long stretch on the beach, Lu-Li may feel more like a brief pause than a full destination.

Bring a cover-up or shirt for the boat ride back. The combination of wet clothes, wind, and open water can become uncomfortable, even on a warm day.

Cowrie Island, lunch and more swimming time

Cowrie Island receives about two hours and is the main stop. This is where the Filipino lunch is served, and where you have the most time for swimming and other water activities.

I like the order of the day. You get a short first stop, then a longer period at the island that handles lunch and most of the free time. You can eat, swim, drink coconut water, sunbathe, or arrange a massage if available during the visit.

The generous swimming area makes Cowrie Island more useful for a mixed group. One person can relax on the beach while another spends time in the water. That flexibility is valuable if you are traveling with children or with people who do not want to snorkel.

Do not expect a long, slow lunch break with a wide choice of dishes. The information provided confirms an included Filipino lunch, but it does not give a menu or explain how dietary requests are handled. If you have food restrictions, ask the provider before booking.

Cowrie Island also has other water activities, but the details and prices are not specified. Treat those as optional extras, not part of the $38 package.

Snorkeling gear and the water-shoe question

Snorkeling equipment is not included. You need to bring your own equipment or rent it, and the tour information lists equipment rental separately from the package.

A practical note is especially important here: plan for a stop to rent snorkeling gear and water shoes before reaching the islands. Water shoes are recommended for entering the water and walking around the island areas, and they may cost extra even if you expected snorkeling equipment to be part of your booking.

Pack your own gear if you already have it. That can save time and remove uncertainty over fit, availability, and rental charges. If you rent, confirm exactly what you are receiving and what the price covers.

Do not assume that a booking selection for snorkeling includes every item you need. The supplied details clearly state that snorkeling equipment is not included, and one booking note points to additional water-shoe charges. Budget for both if you want to spend time in the water comfortably.

Bring a dry bag or waterproof pouch for your phone and cash. The information does not state that such storage is provided, so you should plan to protect small valuables yourself.

What the $38 price really covers

At $38 per person, the tour offers a fair package if you want an organized day rather than a do-it-yourself boat arrangement. The price includes the local guide, lunch, and hotel pickup and drop-off from select hotels.

That value improves if your hotel is within the transfer area and you would otherwise need to arrange transport to the port. It also helps if you want an included meal and a guide handling the basic timing between the boat and the islands.

The price is less complete than it first appears. Add the ₱150 government fee per person. Add snorkeling gear or water shoes if you need to rent them. Guests staying at Astoria Palawan must book transfers separately, so the advertised convenience does not apply in the same way.

There is no group discount amount listed, only an indication that group discounts are available. Ask for the current rate before assuming a saving. The same applies to optional water activities and massages at Cowrie Island.

For a solo booking, couple, or small family, the cost is easiest to justify if you value convenience. If you already have transport, lunch plans, and a boat arranged, the package may offer less financial advantage.

Pickup, meeting point and timing

Pickup is available from select hotels, with the exact collection time provided one day before the trip through the hotel receptionist. This is useful, but it means you should check with the front desk rather than rely on the original booking time.

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

Hotel transfers are not offered for hotels more than 15 kilometers from the airport. That rule can affect your total cost and morning schedule, so check your hotel location before booking. Astoria Palawan is specifically excluded from the standard transfer arrangement and requires separate transfer booking.

Traffic can change the length of the ride. The transfer duration is approximate, and the operator does not promise a fixed travel time. I would leave a buffer after the tour, especially if you have a flight, dinner reservation, or another paid activity.

The mobile ticket is useful for keeping your booking details on your phone. Confirmation is provided at booking, but the final pickup time comes later.

A small group, but not a private tour

The maximum group size is 15 people. That is small enough for a more personal feel than a large island boat, while still being a shared experience rather than a private charter.

The distinction matters. You will have less control over departure times, stop lengths, and the pace of the day than you would on a private boat. In return, you pay a lower per-person price and share the practical work of transport and guiding.

The group limit should help with questions and basic coordination. It may also make boarding, lunch, and equipment arrangements less awkward than they can be with a very large crowd. Still, the boat and islands are shared spaces, so do not expect solitude.

No guide name is provided, so you cannot request a particular guide in advance. The experience includes a local guide, but the exact guiding style will depend on the person assigned that day.

What to pack for a better day

A few useful items can make this outing much easier:

• Swimsuit and a change of clothes
• Water shoes, or money to rent them
• Towel and sun protection
• Waterproof phone pouch or dry bag
• Cash for the ₱150 government fee and optional purchases
• Snorkeling equipment, if you have your own
• Motion-sickness medicine if boat travel tends to bother you

The tour includes lunch, but the details of drinks and snacks are not specified. Bring a little cash for the mini bar at Lu-Li Island, coconut water, a massage, or optional activities at Cowrie Island.

Use reef-safe sun protection if available, and reapply after swimming. The day is built around sun exposure, open water, and beach time, so shade may not always be available when you want it.

Who will enjoy this Honda Bay trip

I would recommend this outing to you if you want an easy introduction to island hopping from Puerto Princesa. It suits couples, families with older children, and small groups who want swimming and beach time without arranging every detail themselves.

It is also a good fit if you prefer a moderate schedule. You get two stops rather than a long list of islands, and the main activities are clear: swim, relax, eat, and spend time by the water.

You may want a different experience if snorkeling is your main goal. The schedule gives you water time, but snorkeling gear is extra, the itinerary does not promise a particular reef or marine-life site, and the stop durations are fixed.

You should also think twice if you dislike shared schedules. A group tour cannot adjust every stop to your preferred pace, and the six to eight-hour duration depends partly on traffic and transfer conditions.

Weather, cancellation and practical booking advice

Weather can change the plan. If poor conditions lead to cancellation, you are offered an alternative tour or date. That is reassuring, but it still makes sense to avoid placing this outing on the final day of your trip if your schedule is tight.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Before booking, confirm three things: your hotel’s distance from the airport, the transfer arrangement if you are staying at Astoria Palawan, and the cost of snorkeling equipment and water shoes. These are the details most likely to change your real total cost.

The experience has a 4.6 rating from 20 reviews, with 90 percent recommending it. Those numbers suggest a dependable day out, while the equipment issue remains the clearest point to manage in advance.

Should you book the Shared Honda Bay Island Hopping Tour?

Book it if you want a reasonably priced, organized day with hotel transfer options, an included Filipino lunch, and two island stops that leave room for swimming and rest. The group cap of 15 is a useful middle ground: more social and affordable than a private boat, but less unwieldy than a very large group.

Skip it if you want a fully private schedule, guaranteed snorkeling equipment, or a long visit to many different islands. For the best value, bring your own mask and snorkel, prepare for water-shoe rental, carry cash for the ₱150 government fee, and confirm pickup details with your hotel the day before.

FAQ

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

The tour lasts approximately 6 to 8 hours. Transfer time varies with traffic and the time of day.

Which islands are included?

The planned stops are Lu-Li Island and Cowrie Island. Lu-Li includes hammocks, swimming, and a mini bar. Cowrie Island includes lunch, swimming, and other water activities.

Is lunch included?

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

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

No. Snorkeling equipment is not included. You must bring your own or rent it, and water shoes may also require a separate rental fee.

Is hotel pickup available?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are available from select hotels. Hotels more than 15 kilometers from the airport are excluded, and Astoria Palawan requires separate transfer arrangements.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The activity is subject to favorable weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you can choose an alternative tour or another date.