Best Time to Visit Palawan, Philippines: Weather by Month, El Nido and Coron

Palawan has two seasons: a dry season of sunny days and calm seas, and a wet southwest-monsoon season that can bring rough water. Picking your months well makes a big difference, especially for island-hopping. Here is how it works.

The short answer

The best time to visit Palawan is between November and May, when it is dry and the sea is calm. For the most comfortable weather, aim for November to February; for diving and the clearest water, March to June.

Palawan weather at a glance

Months	Weather	Sea conditions	Crowds
Nov–Feb	Dry, warm, less humid	Mostly calm	High, peaking at Christmas and New Year
Mar–May	Dry and hot	Calmest and clearest	High around Holy Week, otherwise moderate
Jun–Sep	Southwest monsoon, frequent rain	Rough on the west coast	Low
Oct	Transition, showers easing	Variable	Low

Daytime temperatures in Palawan stay warm all year, typically around 30°C (mid-80s °F), and the sea is warm enough for swimming without a wetsuit in every month.

Month by month

November to February: cool, dry, comfortable

Our favorite months for most travelers: warm days, lower humidity and calm seas for island-hopping. December and January are the busiest, so book rooms and tours well ahead.

March to May: hot and best for diving

The hottest months, with sunny skies and very calm, clear water, good for diving and snorkeling. Bring plenty of sun protection.

June to October: rainy season

The southwest monsoon brings showers and rougher seas, especially on Palawan’s west coast, where El Nido sits. Island tours may be canceled in rough weather. Coron, on the northern end of the island, can be somewhat more sheltered, but expect rain and a limited choice of boat trips. Rooms are cheaper and crowds thinner.

October and November: the transition

The seas calm and the dry season begins, a good moment to travel before the high-season crowds.

Best time for specific plans

• Island-hopping in El Nido: November to May.
• Diving the Coron wrecks: year-round, but best in the dry season.
• Tubbataha Reefs: accessible only by liveaboard, roughly March to mid-June.
• Puerto Princesa Underground River: best in the dry season, when the boat landings are calm.
• Beach relaxing: December to April.

Holidays and peak dates

Palawan is one of the Philippines’ favorite domestic destinations, so local holidays matter as much as the weather. Holy Week (the week before Easter, in March or April) is the busiest time of year, with flights and resorts fully booked by Filipino travelers. The Christmas and New Year period is also very busy, and some resorts require minimum stays. Chinese New Year brings visitors from across the region. If your dates are fixed around any of these holidays, book flights and island-hopping tours several months in advance.

Is the rainy season ever worth it?

For flexible travelers, yes. From June to September, prices fall, the beaches are quiet and the landscape is at its greenest. Rain often falls in heavy bursts, with dry spells in between, rather than all day. The trade-off is the sea: when the wind is up, the coast guard can suspend boat trips, so a stay built entirely around island hopping becomes a gamble. Choose a resort you would enjoy even on a stormy day, keep at least two spare days for tours and avoid tight connections at the end of your trip.

Typhoons

Palawan lies to the southwest of the main typhoon belt and is hit less often than the eastern and northern Philippines. However, storms passing to the north can still bring strong winds and rough seas, especially around Coron in the Calamian Islands, and they occasionally cross the island. Typhoons are most likely between about July and November. If you travel during these months, follow the PAGASA weather bulletins and leave a spare day before international flights.

If you must go in the rainy season

Keep your plans flexible, build in buffer days and consider Coron or Puerto Princesa rather than El Nido. Have travel insurance that covers cancellations, and book transfers and tours through a specialist who can adjust them.

What to pack by season

• Dry season: reef-safe sunscreen, a sun hat, a rash guard for long snorkeling days and a dry bag for boat trips.
• Hot months: light clothing and a refillable water bottle. Plan island hopping for early starts.
• Rainy season: a light rain jacket, quick-dry clothes and seasickness tablets for boat crossings.
• All year: water shoes for rocky landings and some cash, as card payment is not universal outside the main resorts.

El Nido or Coron: which is better when?

El Nido faces the open West Philippine Sea, so it is the first to feel the southwest monsoon. Coron’s islands and lakes are more sheltered, and some tours there can run on days when El Nido’s boats are cancelled. In the dry season, both are excellent. In the shoulder months of May and October, Coron is often the safer choice.

Sources differ slightly

Dry-season dates vary between weather sources, with some starting in October and others in November, and ending in May. Check the forecast close to your date.

Plan your Palawan trip

Read our Palawan travel guide and our guide to El Nido’s best beaches, explore our Philippines tours, or see the best time to visit the Philippines.

Best time to visit Palawan: FAQ

What is the best month to visit Palawan?

February or March for reliably dry weather and calm seas.

Is Palawan good in June?

It is the start of the wet season; conditions vary, and some tours may be canceled.

When is the rainy season in Palawan?

Roughly June to October.

What month is the hottest?

April and May.

When is the cheapest time to go?

The rainy season, but with weather risk.

When is Holy Week in Palawan, and is it busy?

Holy Week is the week before Easter, in March or April. It is the busiest time of the year in Palawan, so book well ahead.

Does Palawan get typhoons?

Less often than most of the Philippines, but storms from about July to November can bring rough seas, especially in the north around Coron.