When To Go · Destination Guide
Puerto Princesa And Tubbataha Gateway Palawan Philippines
A seasonal liveaboard to UNESCO reef walls, with Palawan nature on shore
Updated Feb 13, 2026 • 12 sources
When To Go
Season planner for 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. Most liveaboards target mid-March to mid-June when the Sulu Sea is calmest and visibility is usually best, with water around 26°C to 29°C. Outside that window, the marine park is closed and offshore conditions are less predictable. For Puerto Princesa day trips, the driest months generally run from about December to May, while the southwest monsoon months bring higher rain and more frequent boat cancellations.
At A Glance Heatmap
| Activity | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | ||||||||||||
| Scuba | ||||||||||||
| Freedive | ||||||||||||
| Snorkel | ||||||||||||
| Topside |
Activity Drilldowns
OverallMarch to May (Tubbataha) & December to April (topside)·Crowd:High In Mar-May, Moderate Otherwise·Cost:Premium In Tubbataha Season
Ideal: Best overlap for liveaboard departures and Palawan weather. Warm water 27°C to 29°C.
Plan Carefully: Rainier southwest monsoon period. Offshore seas can be rough and Tubbataha is closed.
If Tubbataha is your priority, lock the liveaboard first and then build Puerto Princesa days around it.
ScubaMid-March to mid-June (official Tubbataha season)·Crowd:High·Cost:Premium
Ideal: Park open and sea state often calmer. Typical visibility 25 m to 35 m.
Plan Carefully: Tubbataha closed and seas can be choppy. Build buffer days for boats.
The limiting factor is the park season.
FreediveMarch to May·Crowd:Low·Cost:Moderate
Ideal: Best chance of calm surface conditions for boat-supported sessions. Water 27°C to 29°C.
Plan Carefully: More wind and rain. Focus on pool training or sheltered locations.
For most travelers, freediving is best as a course or warmup in Puerto Princesa, then optional guided breathhold sessions during a liveaboard.
SnorkelMarch to May·Crowd:Moderate·Cost:Moderate
Ideal: Calmer seas and clearer surface visibility. Best for reef-top snorkeling.
Plan Carefully: Choppier surface and more rain. Choose protected bays and be flexible.
Casual snorkelers should prioritize Puerto Princesa nearshore options.
TopsideDecember to April·Crowd:Moderate·Cost:Budget To Moderate
Ideal: Drier days for the Underground River, road trips, and beach time.
Plan Carefully: Rainier months. Some tours may cancel due to sea state or river conditions.
If you are not doing the liveaboard, the dry months deliver the most reliable topside logistics.
Seasonal Callouts Timeline
Manta ray cleaning stations
JanJanFebFebMarMarAprAprMayMayJunJunJulJulAugAugSepSepOctOctNovNovDecDecDuring the park season, sites like Black Rock can host manta cleaning behavior where mantas hover while cleaner fish work.
Shark-heavy wall dives
JanJanFebFebMarMarAprAprMayMayJunJunJulJulAugAugSepSepOctOctNovNovDecDecExpect frequent reef-shark sightings at sites like Shark Airport and Seafan Alley, especially on current-swept walls.
Whale shark chance encounters
JanJanFebFebMarMarAprAprMayMayJunJunJulJulAugAugSepSepOctOctNovNovDecDecWhale sharks are not guaranteed, but they do appear in season and can cruise by sites known for pelagic traffic.
Fireflies in the mangroves
JanJanFebFebMarMarAprAprMayMayJunJunJulJulAugAugSepSepOctOctNovNovDecDecEvening firefly tours in Puerto Princesa's mangrove areas are a reliable wildlife experience year-round.