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

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

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.

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

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

BestGoodTradeoffsMore variable

Scope	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Overall	Overall - Jan: More variable	Overall - Feb: More variable	Overall - Mar: Best	Overall - Apr: Best	Overall - May: Best	Overall - Jun: Good	Overall - Jul: Tradeoffs	Overall - Aug: Tradeoffs	Overall - Sep: Tradeoffs	Overall - Oct: Tradeoffs	Overall - Nov: Tradeoffs	Overall - Dec: More variable

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.

If Tubbataha is your priority, lock the liveaboard first and then build Puerto Princesa days around it.

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.