What's on in El Nido (Palawan), Philippines through the year

Peak crowds — Amihan, the calm months, Christmas and New Year peak

Nothing new starts in January.

Still on: Amihan, the calm months (15 Nov – 15 May (usually)), Christmas and New Year peak (18 Dec – 5 Jan)

Busy — Amihan, the calm months, school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in February.

Still on: Amihan, the calm months (15 Nov – 15 May (usually))

Peak crowds — Holy Week, Amihan, the calm months

• Holiday

  Holy Week

  20 Mar – 20 Apr · usuallyCrowdedBook early

  The single busiest week on this coast. Flights into Lio and the vans from Puerto Princesa sell out, and the lagoons run at their daily visitor cap by nine in the morning. Source ↗

Still on: Amihan, the calm months (15 Nov – 15 May (usually))

Peak crowds — Holy Week, Amihan, the calm months

Nothing new starts in April.

Still on: Holy Week (20 Mar – 20 Apr (usually)), Amihan, the calm months (15 Nov – 15 May (usually))

Peak crowds — Amihan, the calm months, End-of-school-year break in Philippines

Nothing new starts in May.

Still on: Amihan, the calm months (15 Nov – 15 May (usually))

Busy — End-of-school-year break in Philippines, school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it

• Season

  Habagat

  1 Jun – 15 Oct · usuallyMonsoon

  The southwest monsoon puts a swell straight into the bay and the coastguard cancels tours on the rough days, sometimes several in a row. Rooms cost half what they do in March.

• Hazard

  Typhoon season

  1 Jun – 30 Nov · usually

  Northern Palawan sits west of the main track and takes fewer direct hits than the rest of the country, but a storm passing anywhere near grounds the small planes and the boats for a day or two. Source ↗

Quiet — school holidays in 5 of the markets that fill it, one of its worst months for weather

Nothing new starts in July.

Still on: Habagat (1 Jun – 15 Oct (usually)), Typhoon season (1 Jun – 30 Nov (usually))

Shoulder season — school holidays in 4 of the markets that fill it, an ordinary month

Nothing new starts in August.

Still on: Habagat (1 Jun – 15 Oct (usually)), Typhoon season (1 Jun – 30 Nov (usually))

Busy — Term 1 wellness break in Philippines, school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in September.

Still on: Habagat (1 Jun – 15 Oct (usually)), Typhoon season (1 Jun – 30 Nov (usually))

Quiet — school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it, one of its worst months for weather

Nothing new starts in October.

Still on: Habagat (1 Jun – 15 Oct (usually)), Typhoon season (1 Jun – 30 Nov (usually))

Busy — Amihan, the calm months

• Season

  Amihan, the calm months

  15 Nov – 15 May · usuallyDry seasonCrowded

  The northeast wind flattens Bacuit Bay and every tour boat runs, which is the whole reason to be here. Big and Small Lagoon are on timed entry and full by mid-morning.

Still on: Typhoon season (1 Jun – 30 Nov (usually))

Peak crowds — Amihan, the calm months, Christmas and New Year peak

• Holiday

  Christmas and New Year peak

  18 Dec – 5 JanChristmas & New YearCrowdedBook early

  Flat water, clear skies and the highest rates of the year. Everything routes through Manila or Puerto Princesa on the same days the whole country is trying to get home. Source ↗

Still on: Amihan, the calm months (15 Nov – 15 May (usually))