What to bring for island hopping
· For meet time, pier fee, and what is already on the boat, see our Saturday island hopping guide.
A bangka day is wet, sunny, and social. You do not need a resort-sized beach bag — just the essentials that keep you comfortable, respectful of the reef, and ready for small cash fees that are not part of your online seat price. Pack light and you will enjoy the ride more.
Bring these
- Dry bag (or a zip-lock inside your day pack) for phone, wallet, and anything that hates salt water.
- Swimsuit worn under clothes you can peel off at the pier; a light cover-up or rash guard for sun between stops.
- Reef-safe sunscreen applied before boarding; reapply after swimming. Avoid aerosols that spray the whole bench area.
- Towel — quick-dry travel towels pack small.
- Cash in small bills — Cordova RORO pier fee is usually around ₱10 per person at the gate (collected by port staff, separate from your ticket). Island hut or eco fees, buko vendors, and an optional crew tip are also cash-friendly.
- Flip-flops or water shoes for wet ladders and rocky shallows; secure sandals beat loose hotel slippers.
- Light hat and sunglasses with a strap if you care about them.
- Motion-sickness remedy if you are prone — take it before the boat leaves the pier, not after.
What we already provide
Lunch most weeks, rice, soft drinks, shade, tables, karaoke, snorkel time when conditions allow, and an onboard comfort room. You do not need to cater the whole trip yourself. Full onboard details are in the Saturday guide.
What not to bring
- Large hard suitcases or rolling luggage — bench space is shared and walkways are narrow.
- Glass bottles or fragile drinkware that can shatter on a moving deck.
- Non-reef-safe sunscreens with oxybenzone/octinoxate if you plan to snorkel near coral.
- Excessive alcohol you did not arrange with us in advance on a private charter; shared Saturdays follow our onboard house rhythm.
- Drone flights without prior agreement — crew safety and guest privacy come first.
- Valuables you cannot afford to get wet — leave extra jewelry, passports you do not need that day, and bulky electronics at the hotel when possible.
Phone, photos, and your album
Salt spray and pocket dives happen. Use a dry bag, keep one hand free on ladders, and charge overnight. We also shoot during the sail — every paying guest gets access to a private sail-day album to view and download originals. Watch for the email after your trip, then use My album or albums.hoponcebu.com. That link is intentionally not indexed like a public gallery; only guests with the invite should open it.
If you are joining a shared Saturday, confirm your seat and meet time on Departures before you pack.
First time with us?
Read Saturday island hopping from Cordova (near Mactan) for pier location, 8:00 AM push-off, and confirmation numbers — then pack from this list.
