Shared Honda Bay Island Hopping Tour

Two islands, one easy boat day. This shared Honda Bay trip is built around swimming and snorkeling plus serious hang-time on Lu-Li and Cowrie Islands, with a solid Filipino lunch waiting on Cowrie. I like the small-group feel, which usually means you get more help from your guide when you want to get in the water. One catch to plan for: snorkeling gear use is not included, and you may also want to budget for water shoes once you’re on the way.

If you want a low-stress Palawan day, this tour is set up to work. You get round-trip transfers from select hotels, a local guide, and lunch, and the whole outing runs about 6 to 8 hours depending on timing and traffic. Lu-Li is more laid-back, with hammocks and a mini bar vibe, while Cowrie is where you shift into meal and longer beach time.

Key things to know before you go

• Small group up to 15 people means less waiting and more personal attention from your guide
• Lu-Li Island is only about 1 hour, so keep your must-do list simple
• Cowrie Island gives you about 2 hours, plus lunch, swimming room, and a massage option
• Lunch is included, served at Cowrie, so you do not lose your day hunting for food
• Snorkeling equipment is not included, and there can be a rental stop during transfers
• Government fee is extra (₱150 per person), so your all-in cost will be a bit higher than the base price

Why Honda Bay’s Lu-Li and Cowrie Islands work so well

Honda Bay is one of those places where the water looks postcard-clean, but the best part is how relaxed the day feels. You are not bouncing around to a long list of far-flung islands, you are doing two solid stops with time to actually swim, lounge, and breathe.

Lu-Li Island is the quick hit. You get about an hour, which is just enough to get into the water, rinse off (if you can, because salt water sticks around), and find a hammock seat. Cowrie Island is the longer pause. This is where you settle in for lunch, more swimming, and optional downtime like a massage or coco water.

The balance is what I like. You get “activity” time early, then “slow island day” time at the end.

Price and value: what $38 includes (and what costs extra)

At $38 per person, this shared tour is priced like a good-value day out, especially because lunch and a local guide are included. Hotel pickup and drop-off are also included, but only from select hotels, so you should double-check whether your hotel qualifies.

Here’s what you can count on:

• Lunch is included
• Local guide included
• Hotel pickup and drop-off included for select hotels
• Mobile ticket is used
• Trip runs roughly 6 to 8 hours

Here’s what you should plan for separately:

• Government fees of ₱150 per person
• Snorkeling equipment is not included
• Use of snorkeling gear and any add-ons like water shoes may cost extra once you’re on the ground

So the value question is really: do you want to spend time in the water and keep the day simple? If yes, $38 plus a little extra for fees and gear can feel fair. If you already own gear and have water shoes, you may spend less than someone who needs to rent everything.

Pickup and timing: how the small group keeps your day sane

This tour is capped at 15 travelers, which matters more than it sounds. In real island-hopping days, the bottleneck is usually not the boat, it is waiting around with a crowd. A smaller group tends to mean fewer delays and more chance for your guide to help with questions that pop up once you reach the islands.

Pickup is offered, but only for select hotels. If you are staying beyond 10 miles (15 km) from the airport, hotel transfers may not be included. Also note this specific heads-up: people staying at Astoria Palawan should book transfers separately.

Timing is handled in a practical way. Exact pickup time is given the day before through the hotel receptionist, and transfer times are approximate because traffic and time of day can shift things. That means you should plan to be flexible on the clock and not build tight connections right after the tour.

For meeting, the start point is Barangay Sta. Lourdes RPX5+876, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, and the tour returns to the same meeting point.

Stop 1: Lu-Li Island, hammocks, mini-bar cocktails, and easy swimming

Lu-Li Island is your first stop, and you get about 1 hour. That time window is short, so I suggest you treat it like a “get set up fast” island.

What Lu-Li is good at:

• Swimming and sun time without overthinking it
• Hammocks for relaxing
• A mini bar that serves cocktails, if that fits your day

This stop is also a good moment to manage your gear. If you need to rent or finalize snorkeling items, do it early so you do not feel rushed. The water here is the main event, so focus on comfort: sunscreen, a towel, and water shoes if you want less fuss around the shoreline.

One practical note from real-world experience: wear water shoes. You do not want your foot situation to be the thing that ruins your day. If you have not packed them, plan for rental.

Stop 2: Cowrie Island lunch island, plus massage and coco water

Cowrie Island is where the tour shifts into full-on vacation mode. You get about 2 hours here, and this is also where your Filipino lunch is served.

Cowrie gives you a bit more freedom than Lu-Li:

• A generous swimming area
• Other water activities (at least on the general “island day” level)
• Option to get a massage
• A “just relax” option like drinking coco water while sunbathing

This longer stop is perfect for pacing yourself. You can swim for a bit, eat lunch, then slow down with coco water and a massage, or just lounge and watch the light change on the water.

A simple strategy: eat lunch first if you tend to get hungry fast after swimming. If you are an early-sun person, swim first, but keep an eye on sunscreen. Salt water is great, but sunburn is not a souvenir you want to take home.

Snorkeling gear and water shoes: plan for the extra step

Let’s talk about the part that surprises people: snorkeling equipment is not included.

That means you have two choices:

• Bring your own snorkeling gear
• Rent gear once you are there

There is also a strong practical lesson from the field: during transfers, there may be a stop where you can rent water shoes and snorkel gear. If you only budget for the base tour price, you might end up paying on-site for things you assumed were handled.

So here is my advice to keep your day smooth:

• Bring water shoes if you can
• If you do not have them, expect to rent them
• Confirm what you are actually getting at booking time, especially if you chose any add-on options

And if you are snorkeling for the first time, keep it simple. Focus on comfort and breathing. You do not need to turn it into a scuba qualification course. The goal is to enjoy the marine life you can see, then get back to relaxing.

Small group + local guide: what better attention really looks like

A small group is not just a marketing line. When you are on a boat and then stepping onto islands, people usually need quick help: where to go, how to handle gear, when the group is moving, and what to do if conditions are different from what you expected.

This tour includes a local guide, and the “small group” size (max 15) supports better attention. You are more likely to get answers without feeling like you have to shout over the crowd.

You also tend to get a smoother flow between stops. The day runs about 6 to 8 hours, so you want to feel guided and organized rather than stressed and lost. That is what the guide and group size are really buying you.

Weather and sea conditions: don’t bet your whole day on perfect sun

This experience is subject to favorable weather conditions. If poor weather cancels the tour, you are given an option for an alternative tour or date.

That policy matters because Honda Bay days are about water time. If you show up expecting guaranteed snorkeling and perfect sun, you might be disappointed. But if you treat this like a flexible plan, you are in good shape.

If you are in Puerto Princesa and you have multiple days, build this tour around that flexibility. If you only have one day, do extra planning so you are not stuck without backup options.

Who should book this shared Honda Bay tour

This tour fits best if you want:

• A guided day that mixes swimming, snorkeling, and lounging
• Included lunch without hunting for it yourself
• A smaller group size for less waiting
• Hotel pickup from a select list (and you are staying close enough to qualify)

It is also a good choice for many couples and friends who want an easy “boat day” with two manageable stops rather than an all-day scramble.

It may be less ideal if:

• You hate paying extra on-site for items you assumed were included
• You need guaranteed private pacing, since it is shared
• You are very sensitive to sun and do not plan for water safety and sunscreen

For families, children must be accompanied by an adult, so plan accordingly.

Should you book the Shared Honda Bay Island Hopping Tour?

If you want a straightforward, good-value day on the water, I would book it. The mix is practical: Lu-Li for quick relaxation, Cowrie for lunch and longer beach time, plus the small-group setup and local guide.

I would just make sure you go in prepared. Bring water shoes if you can, and do not assume snorkeling gear is included. Also budget for the ₱150 government fee so your total cost is not a surprise.

One more good reason to consider it: the review score is strong, with about 90% recommending the experience and an overall 4.6 rating. That usually means people found the day worth the time, which is exactly what you want for island days where time on the water matters most.

If your hotel qualifies for pickup and you can be flexible with timing and weather, this is a solid pick for Honda Bay.

FAQ

How long is the shared Honda Bay island hopping tour?

The duration is about 6 to 8 hours, depending on conditions and timing.

Does the tour include hotel pickup and drop-off?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included for select hotels. If your hotel is beyond 10 miles (15 km) from the airport, transfers may not be included.

What islands do you visit?

You visit Lu-Li Island first, then Cowrie Island.

How much time do you spend at each island?

Lu-Li Island is about 1 hour. Cowrie Island is about 2 hours.

Is lunch included?

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

Is snorkeling equipment included?

No. The use of snorkeling equipment is not included.

What is the government fee?

There is a government fee of ₱150.00 per person.

What happens if the tour is canceled due to poor weather?

If canceled for poor weather, you will be given the option of an alternative tour or date.

Are children allowed on this tour?

Children must be accompanied by an adult.