Shared Honda Bay Island Hopping Tour

Sun, sea, and a Filipino lunch make a fine day. This shared Honda Bay trip gives you an easy way to reach Lu-Li and Cowrie islands from Puerto Princesa without arranging a boat, guide, or meal separately. I especially like the included hotel transfers from selected properties and the small maximum group of 15, which should make the day more personal than a large boat outing.

I also like the simple rhythm: swim and relax at Lu-Li, then spend longer at Cowrie Island with lunch and more time in the water. The main catch is cost control. Snorkel gear is not included, water shoes may be worth renting, and a ₱150 government fee is added per person.

Key details before you book

• Two island stops keep the day straightforward: You visit Lu-Li Island for about one hour, then Cowrie Island for about two hours.
• Cowrie Island includes lunch: Your Filipino meal is served during the longer second stop, with swimming and other water activities nearby.
• The group is capped at 15 people: That is small enough for more direct help from the local guide, though it is not a private boat.
• Bring extra money for add-ons: Snorkel equipment, water shoes, and the ₱150 government fee are not covered in the basic price.
• Pickup depends on your hotel: Transfers are offered from selected hotels, generally within 15 kilometers of Puerto Princesa Airport.
• Weather controls the schedule: Poor conditions can lead to an alternative date or another tour, so keep some flexibility in your plans.

What a $38 Honda Bay day really gives you

At $38 per person, this is priced as an accessible full-day outing rather than a luxury cruise. You get transportation from selected hotels, a local guide, lunch, boat travel, and admission to the two island stops. For a visitor who wants the basics handled, that is a useful bundle.

The price needs a little adjustment in your head, though. The ₱150 government fee is extra, and you must pay separately for snorkeling equipment. One recent booking experience also makes water shoes worth considering, since the first van stop may be a rental point for shoes and snorkel gear. That is not a major flaw, but it means the advertised price is not the day’s final cost.

I like this kind of tour for a first visit to Puerto Princesa. You do not need to negotiate a boat, find a beach lunch, or work out how to reach the port. The tradeoff is less freedom. Your schedule follows the group, and the length of each stop is set in advance.

The tour lasts about six to eight hours, including transfers and time on the water. That range matters. Traffic, hotel pickups, and local conditions can change the exact timing, so avoid booking a tight evening flight or an important appointment afterward.

Leaving Puerto Princesa for Honda Bay

Pickup is available from selected hotels, with the exact time provided to your hotel receptionist the day before. The operator notes that properties more than 10 miles, or 15 kilometers, from the airport are outside the standard pickup arrangement. If you are staying at Astoria Palawan, you need to arrange transfers separately.

The official meeting point is in Barangay Sta Lourdes, Puerto Princesa City. If your hotel is not covered, you may need to reach that point yourself. That is worth checking before you pay, since an inexpensive island tour becomes less convenient if you must arrange an early taxi across town.

The drive and boat transfer are approximate rather than fixed. Traffic affects the road portion, while weather and local operating conditions can affect the time on the water. I would treat the stated six to eight hours as a planning window, not a promise of a precise return time.

A shared tour can be a good social choice for solo visitors and couples who do not want to pay for a private boat. The maximum of 15 people is modest, but you should still expect a group rhythm. The guide will have several people to coordinate, especially when moving between the van, boat, lunch area, and swimming spots.

Lu-Li Island: one hour for hammocks and water

The first island stop is Lu-Li Island, where you have about an hour. The available activities are refreshingly simple: swim, relax on a hammock, and order a cocktail from the mini bar if you want one.

That short visit works best if you see it as a quick coastal pause rather than a full beach day. You can get into the water, dry off in the sun, and enjoy the island setting without needing a long activity list. If you prefer a quiet break after the transfer, the hammocks give you an easy place to settle.

One hour passes quickly. You may not have time for an extended swim, a long snorkel session, and a leisurely drink all at once. If your priority is water time, put your bag down quickly and use the stop efficiently. If you prefer lounging, skip the rush and enjoy the hammock.

The tour description presents Lu-Li as a place for swimming and relaxation, not as a site with extensive sightseeing. That is useful to know. You are coming for the sea and the sun, not a guided cultural visit or a long walk around the island.

Cowrie Island: two hours with lunch and more room to swim

Cowrie Island is the main stop, with about two hours. This is where your Filipino lunch is served, and the longer visit gives you more time to swim, sunbathe, and try other water activities.

I see Cowrie as the practical center of the day. You can eat without leaving the island, then return to the water instead of spending half your time in transit. There is also the option of a massage or a cold coconut water while you sit in the sun, though these are not listed as included services.

The generous swimming area should appeal to families and casual swimmers who do not want the whole stop reduced to a quick photo opportunity. You can divide the time as you like: lunch first, water second, or a slow hour on the beach followed by a meal. The exact choices available on the day may depend on weather and local operations.

Do not expect the tour to provide a full snorkeling setup. Equipment use is specifically excluded, so bring your own gear or budget for rental. The available information also points to a stop where you may rent water shoes. Those shoes can be a sensible choice if you dislike walking over rough or rocky surfaces, though the tour does not promise a particular type of shoreline.

The lunch is one of the stronger inclusions here. A Filipino meal makes the day feel more complete than a trip where you must carry food or buy it separately. Still, dietary needs are not described, so you should confirm directly with Corazon Travel and Tours if you require a special meal.

Snorkeling, water shoes, and what to pack

The clearest practical warning concerns equipment. Snorkeling gear is not included in the basic tour, despite the day being promoted around swimming and marine life. You can bring your own equipment or rent it, but plan for that expense before departure.

A previous booking experience also found that water shoes and snorkel equipment were rented during an early van stop. If you had selected an option expecting gear, confirm exactly what that option includes before the trip. The supplied tour details list snorkeling equipment under exclusions, so the safest assumption is that you pay separately.

For this outing, I would pack:

• Swimwear and a change of clothes
• Towel and sun protection
• Cash for the government fee, equipment, drinks, or other extras
• Water shoes if you already own them
• Your own mask and snorkel if you prefer a familiar fit
• A waterproof bag for small valuables

The operator says most people can participate, but children must be accompanied by an adult. Specific swimming ability requirements are not given. You should use your own judgment around the water and ask the local guide for help if you are unsure about conditions.

The small-group setup and guide support

The maximum group size is 15 people. That is a useful middle ground. You get the convenience of a shared price without being placed in a giant excursion crowd, and the guide has a reasonable chance to answer questions or help with the day’s movements.

Small group does not mean private. You will still follow a shared pickup schedule, shared boat arrangements, and fixed island timings. If you want to linger at one island, change the route, or leave early, a private tour would offer more control.

The local guide is included, though no guide name is provided. The guide’s role is likely most valuable in the practical moments: gathering the group, explaining the next move, helping with transfers, and keeping lunch and island visits on schedule. This is not presented as a specialist marine biology tour, so choose it for easy access and a relaxed beach day rather than detailed instruction about reef ecology.

The current rating is 4.6 out of 5 from 20 ratings, with 90 percent recommending the experience. That points to a generally strong outing, while the equipment confusion is a reminder to read the inclusions carefully.

Weather, timing, and the parts you cannot control

Honda Bay is an outdoor trip, so weather matters more than any schedule on paper. The tour is subject to favorable conditions. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you are offered an alternative tour or another date.

That policy is helpful, but you should still plan sensibly. Leave a free day in your Puerto Princesa schedule if possible, especially if this is one of the main activities of your trip. A same-day replacement may not suit your plans.

Transfers also deserve patience. The exact duration depends on traffic and time of day, and the tour may collect people from several hotels. If you are sensitive to early starts or road delays, ask the operator for the pickup estimate once it is available through your hotel receptionist.

The cancellation terms are favorable if your plans change early. You receive a full refund when you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that window are not refunded or accepted.

Who will get the most from this island tour

I would recommend this outing to you if you want a simple Honda Bay experience at a moderate price. It suits couples, solo visitors, families with an adult supervising children, and anyone who prefers a planned day over arranging boats and meals independently.

It is especially useful if you are staying at a participating hotel within the pickup area. Round-trip transfers remove one of the most annoying parts of a day trip: figuring out how to reach the starting point before the boats leave.

You may want another option if you want a private schedule, specialist snorkeling guidance, or long hours at one beach. Two stops and fixed timings give you variety, but not complete freedom. You should also look elsewhere if you dislike paying separately for basic water equipment.

For a first taste of Honda Bay, the structure is sensible. Lu-Li provides a short swim and hammock break, while Cowrie offers the main meal and the longer water stop. You get enough variety without spending the whole day shifting between islands.

Should you book the Shared Honda Bay Island Hopping Tour?

Book it if you want an affordable, organized day with two island stops, lunch, and hotel transport. The $38 starting price is fair for the package, particularly when you value convenience and do not need a private boat.

Before booking, confirm three things: that your hotel qualifies for pickup, that snorkeling gear is not included, and that you have money for the ₱150 government fee and possible water shoe rental. If you accept those extras and keep your schedule flexible for weather and traffic, this is a practical way to spend a sunny day around Puerto Princesa.

FAQ

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

The tour lasts approximately six to eight hours, including transfers and the island visits. The exact length can change with traffic and local conditions.

Which islands are included?

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

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included and served at Cowrie Island. The available details describe it as a Filipino lunch.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

No. Snorkeling equipment is not included in the basic tour price. You must bring your own gear or rent it separately.

Is hotel pickup available?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are available from selected hotels. Properties beyond 10 miles, or 15 kilometers, from the airport are not covered by the standard arrangement.

Can Astoria Palawan guests use the regular transfer service?

Guests staying at Astoria Palawan must book transfers separately.

What is the maximum group size?

The tour has a maximum of 15 participants. It is a shared tour, not a private excursion.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

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