Cowrie Island is one of the most popular islands in Honda Bay. The island is named after the family of marine mollusk with smooth and polished shells called “cowries”.

Cowrie Island is a small paradise island located near the east coast of Palawan Island, Philippines. The island is surrounded by white sand beaches with large palm trees running through the center. Wooden cabanas are lined along the edge of the beach that provide shade to rest under when not enjoying the beach activities. The island’s clear blue waters provides visitors with picturesque views from the island.

Getting to Cowrie Island

The primary way for getting to Cowrie Island is on Bangka Boats. Bangka Boats are native watercrafts of the Philippines which are typically a canoe like boat with a small outrigger on each side. This style of boat are designed to navigate rivers and shallow coastal waters. The trip to Cowrie Island take about 15 minutes by boat from the Honda Bay pier.

Hangout areas and snack bar

The island is a day only island that is commonly part of an island hopping tour to multiple islands in Honda Bay but it has cabanas for visitors who want to stay for the day. There are areas for various water and beach activities such as beach volleyball, playing Frisbee and going on banana boat rides. The restaurant on the island is just a snack bar that serves smoothies, beer and soft drinks.

Photo props

I always look for nice places to take memorable photos and Cowrie Island has good beaches and picturesque trees and palms that make nice nature photos but the island also has a few man-made photo props that are also good places to take memorable photos.

Beaches and swimming

The main activities on the island are swimming, snorkeling and of course lounging and relaxing on the beach. The beaches on the island are beautiful with white sand and clear blue water. The water is shallow near the beach making it good even for small children. There is also a place for showering off after going for a swim.

Snorkeling at Cowrie Island

If I go to the beach, chances are that I will check out the snorkeling. Cowrie Island does have a separate spot for snorkeling but I will admit that I was disappointed. That being said, I always see new species of sea life every time that I snorkel in a new place. The photos below are the new species of sea life that I had never seen in my other snorkeling trips.

Blackbanded Damsel

Narrow-lined Puffer

Pastel green Wrasse

Pink Shrimpgoby

Threespot Damsel

Three-stripe Whiptail

Yellow Shrimpgoby

Indian Feather Duster Worm

Mermaid’s Fan Seaweed

Sea Squirt

Pore Coral

Chocolate Chip Sea Star

The Dust on My Shoes

Cowrie Island is a private island that is ideal for a wonderful day trip. It is only a short boat ride on a traditional Philippine style outrigger boat that I consider a fun part of the trip. The island is beautiful with white sand beaches, shallow blue water and lots of palm trees swaying in the gentle breeze.

While the snorkeling was not as good as I had hoped for, I still enjoyed the adventure of exploring the water under the surface and seeing new species that I had never seen and may never have another opportunity to see again.

Anytime that I can spend the day on a beautiful tropical beach, it is a good day!

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