Shared Honda Bay Island Hopping Tour

Honda Bay island hopping is a simple, sun-filled day built around two very different stops: Lu-Li Island for swimming and hammocks, then Cowrie Island for lunch and a larger stretch of water. You can snorkel, but bring your own gear or budget for rental, since it is not included.

I like the included Filipino lunch and the small maximum group of 15, which should make the boat and guide feel less crowded than a large public excursion. Round-trip hotel transfers are another useful touch. The main catch is the extra cost for snorkeling gear and the ₱150 government fee, plus possible pickup limits if your hotel sits far from Puerto Princesa.

Key points at a glance

• Two island stops: Lu-Li offers hammocks and swimming, while Cowrie has lunch, a larger swimming area, and optional water activities.
• Lunch at Cowrie Island: Your Filipino meal is included, so you do not need to arrange food during the island portion.
• Small group format: The boat can carry no more than 15 people, allowing more room for help from the local guide.
• Snorkeling costs extra: Bring your own equipment or expect to rent it. Water shoes may also be useful.
• Hotel pickup has limits: Transfers are offered from select hotels, but not for stays more than 10 miles, or 15 kilometers, from the airport.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can lead to a different date or an alternative tour.

A six to eight hour day on Honda Bay

This is the kind of tour that works best when you want a full day outdoors without arranging boats, lunch, island fees, and transport yourself. The schedule runs about six to eight hours, though the exact length depends partly on traffic and transfer time.

You begin at the meeting point in Barangay Sta. Lourdes, Puerto Princesa City, unless pickup from your hotel has been arranged. The exact pickup time is provided one day before the tour through your hotel receptionist. That late notice is normal for a shared excursion, but do not plan a tight appointment afterward.

The boat carries a maximum of 15 people. That is small enough to keep the day personal, while still giving the trip a social feel. I would choose this format if you want company on the water but do not want to pay for a private boat.

The day is mostly about water, sun, and unhurried time outside. There is no long sightseeing program on land. You should arrive ready to swim, sit in the sun, and accept that the quality of the day will depend on weather and sea conditions.

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

Lu-Li Island is the first scheduled stop, with about one hour set aside. Its appeal is relaxed rather than grand. You can swim, lounge on hammocks, and order cocktails at the small bar.

That makes Lu-Li a good place to get comfortable with the water and the pace of the excursion. If you prefer a quiet start, use the hammocks and take in the bay. If you want to get in the water right away, the island gives you that chance without requiring a long stay.

One hour passes quickly. You will not have time for a long beach session, extensive snorkeling, and a leisurely drink all at once. I would treat this as a short first stop, not the main event of the day.

The bar is a pleasant extra, but drinks are not listed as included. Keep some money available if you want a cocktail. Also remember that the tour price does not cover the ₱150 government fee, which is charged per person.

Cowrie Island: lunch and the longest island stay

Cowrie Island is the final stop and receives about two hours, making it the more substantial part of the island visit. This is where the included Filipino lunch is served, so the tour does not leave you searching for food after a morning in the sun.

The island has a generous swimming area and other water activities. You can also have a massage or drink coconut water while sitting in the sun. These choices give the stop a little flexibility. You can swim hard, take a break, or simply use the time to cool down and eat.

I like having lunch at the last stop because it gives you a clear reason to slow down. After swimming at Lu-Li, Cowrie provides a longer pause. Still, two hours is not an unlimited block of beach time. Lunch, changing, water activities, and a massage can quickly fill it.

If you are sensitive to heat, use part of this stop for shade and water rather than trying to stay in the sun the whole time. The description highlights sunbathing, but a full day of tropical heat can be tiring. Comfortable clothes, sun protection, and a dry change of clothes will make the return trip easier.

Snorkeling and water shoes require planning

Snorkeling is part of the appeal, but the equipment is not included. You need to bring your own mask and snorkel or pay to rent them locally.

There is also a practical warning about footwear. A firsthand booking note advises wearing water shoes, and the van makes an early stop where you can rent water shoes and snorkeling equipment. If you already selected a snorkeling option, do not assume water shoes are covered. Plan for a separate rental charge.

This is the sort of small cost that can affect the value of a budget tour. At $38 per person, the base price is reasonable for a boat day with lunch and selected hotel transfers. Add the government fee, equipment rental, water shoes, drinks, and any massage, and your final spending can rise.

Bring your own equipment if you already have it and do not mind carrying it. Otherwise, budget for rentals and ask about the total cost before you leave the van stop. That simple question can prevent confusion later.

What the $38 price really covers

The $38 price includes a local guide, lunch, and hotel pickup and drop-off from select hotels. It also covers admission to the two scheduled islands. Those inclusions make the tour a practical choice for someone who wants a ready-made day on Honda Bay.

The price does not cover the ₱150 government fee per person. Snorkeling equipment is also excluded. Pickup and drop-off are not included for hotels more than 10 miles, or 15 kilometers, from the airport, and people staying at Astoria Palawan must arrange transfers separately.

I see the value here in convenience rather than luxury. You are paying for the basic structure of the day: transport, boat access, guide support, two island stops, and lunch. You are not paying for a private yacht, unlimited equipment, or an all-inclusive beach package.

The small group helps the price feel fair. With no more than 15 people, you should have a better chance of getting the guide’s attention than on a large boat with several dozen passengers. Still, the tour remains shared, so you will not control the departure time or every stop.

Transfers from Puerto Princesa need a little care

Hotel pickup is available, but only from select hotels. The exact pickup time arrives one day before departure through the hotel receptionist, so keep your morning flexible.

Transfer times are approximate. Traffic and time of day can change the length of the ride, and the tour itself begins at Barangay Sta. Lourdes. If you are staying outside the standard pickup area, you may need to reach the meeting point yourself.

The 10-mile, or 15-kilometer, limit from the airport is important. A hotel can look close on a map yet still fall outside the service area. Check this before booking instead of assuming all Puerto Princesa accommodations receive the same transfer.

Astoria Palawan is specifically excluded from the normal arrangement and requires separate transfers. This is easy to miss, so it deserves attention when you compare the tour with other island-hopping options.

A small group helps, but this is still a shared day

The stated maximum of 15 people is one of the strongest practical features. You get a shared experience without the scale of a large crowd, and the guide has a realistic chance to answer questions or help with the day’s details.

That said, small does not mean private. The route, timing, and island stops are set in advance. If you want to stay longer at Lu-Li, skip the bar, or leave Cowrie early, the shared schedule may not allow much freedom.

The tour suits people who enjoy a social outing and want the basic work handled for them. It is also useful for solo visitors, couples, and families who want to meet other people without organizing a boat themselves.

Children must be accompanied by an adult. Most people can take part, but you should be comfortable with swimming, boat travel, and spending much of the day outdoors.

Weather can change the entire plan

Honda Bay is an outdoor trip, so weather is not a minor detail. The tour runs only in favorable conditions. If poor weather causes a cancellation, you can choose an alternative tour or another date.

This policy is fair, but it means you should avoid placing an important evening flight or fixed appointment too close to the scheduled return. The day normally ends back at the meeting point, and transfer times can change with traffic.

Bring protection from sun and rain. The provided details do not specify what shade, towels, or changing facilities are available at each island, so it is safer to pack light and practical items rather than assume every comfort is supplied.

A waterproof pouch for your phone and cash is sensible. You may want money for the government fee, rentals, cocktails, coconut water, or a massage. Keep valuables to a minimum because the day centers on swimming.

Who will get the most from this tour

I would recommend this outing if you want a straightforward introduction to Honda Bay with lunch and transport included. It fits a first visit to Puerto Princesa when you would rather spend one day on the water than compare boat operators yourself.

It also works well for people who value a small group. The 15-person limit is a meaningful advantage for anyone who dislikes crowded boats or wants easier access to the guide.

Families can consider it, provided children are supervised and comfortable around water. Couples may like the combination of swimming, hammocks, lunch, and optional massage time. Solo visitors get a planned day without needing to find a private group.

I would hesitate if you want a serious snorkeling expedition, a long beach stay, or a private and flexible schedule. The tour gives you a taste of Honda Bay, not an equipment-heavy marine excursion. Snorkeling is possible, but rentals cost extra and the listed stops leave limited time for extended underwater exploration.

Booking, cancellation, and the final decision

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Changes made within 24 hours are not accepted, so check your hotel location, pickup needs, and equipment plans before that deadline.

The tour earns a strong 4.6 rating from 20 ratings, with 90 percent recommending it. The most useful practical lesson is to prepare for extra charges, especially water shoes and snorkeling gear. That preparation matters more than packing fancy beach clothing.

Book this tour if you want a reasonably priced, organized day with two island stops, a Filipino lunch, and a smaller shared group. Before paying, confirm your hotel pickup, set aside the ₱150 government fee, and decide if you will bring or rent water gear.

Skip it if you need a private boat, guaranteed snorkeling equipment, or a carefully controlled schedule. For everyone else, it is a sensible way to reach Lu-Li and Cowrie islands without spending the day arranging each piece yourself.

FAQ

How long does the Honda Bay island hopping tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 6 to 8 hours. Transfer time can vary depending on traffic and the time of day.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The tour visits Lu-Li Island and Cowrie Island. Lu-Li is scheduled for about one hour, while Cowrie receives about two hours.

Is lunch included?

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

Is snorkeling equipment included?

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

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup and drop-off are offered from select hotels. Hotels more than 10 miles, or 15 kilometers, from the airport are outside the included transfer area. Guests staying at Astoria Palawan must arrange transfers separately.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The activity is subject to favorable weather. If poor weather causes a cancellation, you can choose an alternative tour or another date.