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When To Go · Destination Guide

Puerto Princesa + Tubbataha Gateway (Palawan)

A seasonal liveaboard to UNESCO reef walls, with Palawan nature on shore

Updated Feb 13, 2026 • 12 sources

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When to go

Best time to visit Puerto Princesa + Tubbataha Gateway (Palawan)

Plan around two realities: Palawan has a broader dry season that suits topside travel, but Tubbataha has a strict, short open window for diving.

Best overall window

March to May (Tubbataha) and December to April (topside)

Best overlap for liveaboard departures and Palawan weather. Warm water 27°C to 29°C.

Outside that window

Rainier southwest monsoon period. Offshore seas can be rough and Tubbataha is closed.

Choose your trip style

Start with the overall answer, then switch only when scuba, freedive, snorkel, or topside timing changes the trip in a meaningful way.

Month-by-month planner

The overall row stays visible so you can compare it against the currently selected scope.

BestGoodTradeoffsMore variable
ScopeJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Overall
Wildlife goals and seasonal highlights

These do not replace the overall planner. Use them only if a specific animal or event is driving your trip dates.

  • Manta ray cleaning stations

    Best for Scuba, Freedive

    Mar to Jun

    JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

    During the park season, sites like Black Rock can host manta cleaning behavior where mantas hover while cleaner fish work.

  • Shark-heavy wall dives

    Best for Scuba, Freedive

    Mar to Jun

    JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

    Expect frequent reefshark sightings at sites like Shark Airport and Seafan Alley, especially on currentswept walls.

  • Whale shark chance encounters

    Best for Scuba, Snorkel, Freedive

    Apr to Jun

    JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

    Whale sharks are not guaranteed, but they do appear in season and can cruise by sites known for pelagic traffic.

  • Fireflies in the mangroves

    Best for Topside

    Year-round

    JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

    Evening firefly tours in Puerto Princesa's mangrove areas are a reliable wildlife experience yearround.

Always true for this destination
  • If Tubbataha is your priority, lock the liveaboard first and then build Puerto Princesa days around it.
Seasonal cautions
  • Jun: End of the park season. Expect more variable seas and scattered rain.
  • Jul to Nov: Rainier southwest monsoon period. Offshore seas can be rough and Tubbataha is closed.

Built from climate references, access rules, and destination operators. Wildlife timing and route flexibility can shift year to year.