Shared Honda Bay Island Hopping Tour

Two islands, one bright day on Honda Bay. This shared boat trip gives you swimming and sun time at Lu-Li and Cowrie islands, plus a Filipino lunch at Cowrie. I like the included hotel transfers from selected Puerto Princesa hotels and the small maximum group of 15, but you should budget extra for snorkeling gear, water shoes, and the ₱150 government fee.

The pace is easy rather than packed. Lu-Li gives you about an hour for hammocks, swimming, and a drink at the mini bar, while Cowrie allows two hours for lunch, water activities, a massage, or quiet time with coconut water. The main catch is that pickup rules are limited, and the exact hotel collection time arrives only the day before.

Key points to know before booking

• Two named island stops: You visit Lu-Li Island and Cowrie Island, with about one hour at the first stop and two hours at the second.
• Lunch is included: A Filipino meal is served at Cowrie Island, helping keep the total cost reasonable.
• Snorkeling costs extra: Bring your own equipment or plan to rent it. Water shoes may also be useful.
• Small shared group: The boat can carry up to 15 people, so you should receive more guide attention than on a large party boat.
• Pickup has limits: Transfers are included only from selected hotels, and properties more than 15 kilometers from the airport are excluded.
• Weather can change the plan: Poor conditions may lead to another date or an alternative tour.

A simple day on Honda Bay

Honda Bay is the practical island-hopping choice from Puerto Princesa. You do not need to arrange several boats, meals, or transfers yourself. Corazon Travel and Tours handles the basic structure, leaving you to focus on sun, water, and the short island stops.

The full outing lasts about six to eight hours, including transport. That range matters because the road portion depends on traffic and the time of day. You may spend much of the day outside, but it is not a nonstop boat ride from hotel to island. Allow room in your schedule before making evening plans.

This is a shared tour, not a private charter. The maximum group size is 15, which is modest enough to avoid the feel of a crowded excursion while still keeping the price at about $38 per person. For that amount, you receive a local guide, lunch, and hotel pickup and drop-off from eligible properties.

I see the price as fair for a full day, especially if your hotel is covered by the transfer area. It becomes less of a bargain if you need to arrange your own transport, rent several pieces of equipment, and pay the government charge on top. The extra costs are not large individually, but they change the final total.

Getting to the boat from Puerto Princesa

The stated meeting point is in Barangay Sta Lourdes, Puerto Princesa City. The activity ends back at the same meeting point, unless your hotel qualifies for the included return transfer.

For selected hotels, pickup and drop-off are part of the package. The exact pickup time is not given at booking. Instead, the hotel receptionist receives the time one day before departure, so check with the front desk rather than waiting for a message at the last minute.

This arrangement is convenient, but it requires a little attention. Tell your hotel staff about the booking and ask them to watch for the pickup details. If you are staying more than 15 kilometers from the airport, hotel transfers are not included. Astoria Palawan has a separate transfer requirement, so arrange that before the morning of the trip.

Transport times are approximate. Traffic can stretch the ride, which helps explain the six to eight hour total duration. If your day depends on a fixed dinner reservation, ferry, or flight, leave a generous gap.

Lu-Li Island: one hour for water and hammocks

Lu-Li is the first island stop and the shorter one, with about one hour available. The name of the stop is less important than how you use that hour: this is your chance to swim, sit in a hammock, and get settled into the island rhythm before lunch.

The island has a mini bar serving cocktails. That gives you an option beyond swimming and lounging, though drinks are not listed as part of the package. If you want a cocktail, expect to pay separately.

One hour passes quickly. You will probably need to choose between getting into the water, relaxing on a hammock, and ordering a drink. Try not to treat Lu-Li as a full beach afternoon. It is a short opening stop, designed to give you a taste of Honda Bay rather than a long, unhurried stay.

Snorkeling is also possible during the day, but equipment is not included. Bring your own mask and snorkel if you have them, or ask about rental arrangements. A practical tip is to wear or pack water shoes. A stop for renting water shoes and snorkel gear may happen in the transfer process, and renting both can add an unexpected charge.

The water shoes are especially worth considering if you dislike walking over rough or uneven surfaces. The available information does not describe the exact beach or seabed, so I would not assume bare feet will be comfortable. Pack footwear that can get wet, and keep your sandals in a secure place on the boat.

Cowrie Island: lunch and two hours by the water

Cowrie Island is the longer stop and the main part of the day. You get about two hours here, including the Filipino lunch provided with the tour.

The island has a generous swimming area, so you have more freedom than at Lu-Li to settle into your preferred pace. Swim, take part in available water activities, or find a spot to sunbathe. You can also use the time for a massage or simply drink coconut water in the shade or sun.

I like the mix of choices here. An active person can spend the stop in the water, while someone who has had enough sun can eat, sit back, or arrange a massage. Since the tour is shared, the group will set the broad schedule, but you should have enough time to enjoy Cowrie without rushing through lunch.

The meal is a useful part of the package. Food on an island can be inconvenient to arrange independently, and lunch means you do not have to carry a full meal or search for a restaurant between boat rides. The description identifies it as Filipino lunch but does not list the dishes or explain how dietary requests are handled. If you have food restrictions, ask Corazon Travel and Tours before booking.

Do not confuse the included lunch with an all-inclusive island package. Cocktails, coconut water, massage services, and equipment are separate unless the operator confirms otherwise. Keep some Philippine pesos with you for these extras and for the ₱150 government fee.

What to pack for a smoother island day

The basic packing list is simple, but the equipment policy deserves attention. Snorkeling gear is not included, so bring your own or plan to rent it. The available information also points to a water-shoe rental stop, making water shoes one of the most useful additions to your bag.

I would pack:

• Swimsuit and a dry change of clothes
• Towel and sun protection
• Water shoes or secure sandals
• Your own mask and snorkel, if available
• Cash for the ₱150 government fee and optional purchases
• A waterproof pouch for small valuables

The tour includes sunbathing and swimming, so you should plan for long exposure to heat. The description does not specify lockers, changing rooms, or luggage storage. Keep valuables to a minimum and use a waterproof bag for anything you must carry.

You may also want a light cover-up for the boat ride and island stops. The day is built around outdoor time, not air-conditioned comfort. If you prefer shade, claim it early when the group reaches an island rather than assuming there will be a quiet shaded seat later.

Why the group size matters

A maximum of 15 people is one of the strongest features of this trip. You still share the boat, but the group should be easier to organize than a large excursion with dozens of passengers.

A smaller group can also make practical questions easier. You can ask your guide about the stop, equipment, lunch, or timing without trying to catch someone’s attention across a packed boat. It does not guarantee a private experience, though, and the day still follows a shared schedule.

The tour includes a local guide. No guide name is provided, so you should not expect to choose a particular person. The guide’s role is likely most useful for coordinating the transfers, boat movements, island timing, and lunch arrangements. If you want a highly personal cultural tour or a detailed marine lesson, this may feel more recreational than educational.

The small group suits couples, families with older children, and solo visitors who want company without a major crowd. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Most people can take part, but the information does not provide detailed mobility guidance for boarding boats, entering the water, or moving around the islands. Ask the operator directly if you have specific access needs.

Weather, timing, and the limits of the plan

Honda Bay island trips depend on favorable weather. If poor conditions cancel the outing, you receive the choice of an alternative tour or another date. That is sensible, but it means you should avoid placing this activity on the final possible day of your holiday if the island experience is important to you.

The advertised duration is six to eight hours. Transfer times are only estimates, and traffic affects the road journey. The island time itself is clearer: about one hour at Lu-Li and two hours at Cowrie. The remaining time covers transport, boarding, and the movement between stops.

The plan is not designed for someone who wants to visit many islands in one day. You get two stops, with a longer stay at Cowrie. That smaller number can be a benefit because you spend less of the day repeatedly loading and unloading from the boat.

I would book this as a relaxed water day, not as a tightly timed sightseeing tour. Bring patience for delays, especially if traffic or weather affects the schedule. The tour provider can offer another date or an alternative activity when weather makes the original plan unsafe.

The real value of the $38 price

At around $38 per person, the package covers the expensive basics of a day away from Puerto Princesa: transport from selected hotels, a boat-based island trip, a guide, and lunch. The maximum group size of 15 strengthens the value because you are not paying a low price for a huge crowd.

The price does not cover everything. You should add the ₱150 government fee, plus snorkeling equipment if you do not own it. Water shoes may also cost extra, and drinks, massages, and other island purchases are not included in the stated package.

That makes the tour best for someone who wants a clear, ready-made day and does not mind a few small add-ons. If you already own water shoes and snorkeling gear, the value improves. If you need to rent both and also require separate transfers, compare the final cost with other Honda Bay options before booking.

A group discount is available, though the amount is not stated. If you are traveling with friends or family, check the final booking price rather than assuming the advertised per-person figure is the lowest available rate.

Who should choose this Honda Bay outing?

I would recommend it to you if you want a straightforward day of swimming, sun, and a Filipino lunch without arranging each part yourself. It fits a Puerto Princesa visit when you have a full day available and prefer a small shared group over a private boat.

It is also a good match if you enjoy choosing your own pace. At Cowrie, you can swim, try water activities, book a massage, drink coconut water, or simply sit in the sun. You are not required to spend every minute in the water.

Families should note that children need adult supervision. The tour may work well for mixed-age groups because the islands offer both active and quiet options, but the available details do not specify child prices, age limits, or special child equipment.

I would be more cautious about booking it if you need guaranteed snorkeling equipment, a precise hotel pickup time, or a highly detailed schedule. The pickup time comes the day before, the equipment is extra, and traffic or weather can affect the day.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund, so keep the deadline in mind.

Should you book the shared Honda Bay tour?

Book it if you want value and simplicity. The combination of hotel transfer from eligible properties, lunch, a local guide, two island stops, and a maximum of 15 people makes this a sensible day trip at $38, before fees and rentals.

Go in with realistic expectations. Lu-Li is a short stop, Cowrie carries most of the day, and snorkeling gear is not included. Pack water shoes, bring or budget for a mask and snorkel, carry cash for the ₱150 fee, and confirm your pickup time with the hotel receptionist the day before.

If those conditions suit you, this is an easy way to spend a sunny day on Honda Bay without turning the planning into a project.

FAQ

How long does the Honda Bay island tour last?

The tour lasts approximately six to eight hours, including transfers. Traffic and the time of day can affect the exact duration.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The tour visits Lu-Li Island and Cowrie Island. You spend about one hour at Lu-Li and two hours at Cowrie.

Is lunch included?

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

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included from selected hotels only. Properties more than 15 kilometers from the airport are excluded from the included transfer service.

What if I am staying at Astoria Palawan?

Guests staying at Astoria Palawan must book transfers separately.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

No. You must bring your own snorkeling equipment or rent it separately.

Do I need to pay any government fee?

Yes. A government fee of ₱150 per person is not included in the tour price.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather prevents the tour from operating, you can choose an alternative tour or another date.

How many people can join the shared tour?

The activity has a maximum of 15 travelers. Children must be accompanied by an adult.