Weather in the Philippines: Diving Through the Seasons

If you’re planning a dive trip to the Philippines, one of the first questions you’ll ask is: When is the best time to go?

The short answer? You can dive year-round.

The longer (and more useful) answer? The Philippines has distinct seasons that affect visibility, surface conditions, marine life behavior, and your overall dive experience. Understanding how weather patterns work here will help you plan better — whether you’re coming for thresher sharks, macro critters, reef exploration, or freediving depth sessions.

Let’s break it down the diver’s way.

Understanding Philippine Seasons

The Philippines has a tropical maritime climate with three general seasons:

• Dry Season (Amihan) – roughly November to May

• Hot Dry Season – March to May

• Rainy Season (Habagat) – June to October

Unlike temperate countries, water temperature doesn’t swing dramatically. You’ll typically see:

• Water temp: 26°C–30°C (79°F–86°F)

• Air temp: 25°C–33°C (77°F–91°F)

So you’re never really “too cold” — but conditions above the surface can change your diving dramatically.

Dry Season (November–February): Prime Diving Conditions

This is what most people consider the best diving season.

What’s happening weather-wise?

The Northeast Monsoon (Amihan) brings cooler air, lower humidity, and generally calmer seas in many parts of the country — especially in the Visayas.

Why divers love it:

• Excellent visibility (often 15–30 meters)

• Stable sea conditions

• Less rain and fewer cancellations

• Comfortable surface intervals

• Great reef color and light penetration

For scuba divers, this means:

• Cleaner blue water for wide-angle photography

• More predictable boat schedules

• Comfortable multiple-dive days

For freedivers:

• Calmer surface conditions

• More consistent training windows

• Less thermocline variability

Downside?It’s peak season. Resorts book out early, prices increase, and popular dive sites get busier — especially around Christmas, Chinese New Year, and Easter.

Hot Dry Season (March–May): Warm, Clear, and Busy

This is technically part of the dry season, but it deserves its own section.

What changes?

Temperatures rise. Humidity climbs. The ocean warms slightly.

Diving conditions:

• Warmest water of the year (sometimes 30°C)

• Often excellent visibility

• Very calm mornings

This period can be fantastic for:

• Long dive days

• Liveaboards

• Training courses (Open Water through Instructor)

• Freediving depth training

Things to consider:

• It gets hot. Surface intervals can feel intense.

• Accommodation prices remain high.

• UV exposure is no joke — sun protection is essential.

Marine life activity remains strong, and many macro species thrive in warmer water. It’s a very “easy” season to dive.

Rainy Season (June–October): Underrated and Often Misunderstood

Now let’s talk about the season many divers hesitate about.

The Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) brings more rain, occasional storms, and changing winds. But here’s the important part:

It does not rain all day, every day.

Rain often comes in bursts — heavy tropical showers followed by clear skies.

What changes underwater?

• Visibility can fluctuate (10–20 meters common)

• Plankton increases

• Surface conditions depend heavily on location

• Some areas become protected while others get rough

The Big Advantage: Fewer Divers

Dive boats are quieter.Resorts are cheaper.Marine life behaves more naturally.

In some regions, plankton-rich water during rainy season can actually attract larger pelagic species.

The Risks:

• Typhoons (typically July–October)

• Occasional boat cancellations

• Wind-dependent site access

Professional dive centers monitor forecasts carefully and adjust schedules accordingly. Safety remains the priority.

Regional Differences Matter

The Philippines is an archipelago of over 7,000 islands. Weather isn’t uniform.

For example:

• The Visayas (including Panglao, Bohol, Cebu, Siquijor) are often protected during parts of Habagat.

• Some areas in Palawan are better during certain monsoon directions.

• Northern Luzon experiences stronger typhoon exposure.

If you’re planning a trip, it’s always worth asking your dive center how monsoon winds affect their specific coastline.

Scuba Diving Through the Seasons

Here’s how the seasons typically affect scuba diving:

Visibility

• Best: November–May

• Variable but often good: June–October

Marine Life

• Year-round diversity

• Some pelagics more common with plankton shifts

• Macro life thrives in warmer water

Conditions

• Dry season = predictability

• Rainy season = flexibility required

If your goal is:

• Wide-angle reefs and blue water → Aim for dry season.

• Budget diving with fewer crowds → Rainy season can be ideal.

• Training and certifications → Any season works, but dry months are easiest for beginners.

Freediving Through the Seasons

Freedivers tend to care deeply about:

• Surface chop

• Thermoclines

• Current strength

• Consistent depth line conditions

Best Months for Freediving

Generally November–May provides the most stable conditions.

However, certain sheltered bays can remain workable even during Habagat.

Thermoclines can become more pronounced during seasonal transitions, which can affect comfort at depth. Most freedivers here dive in 2–3mm suits year-round, occasionally 3mm full suits during cooler months.

The upside of the rainy season freediving?Less boat traffic. More tranquility. Cleaner depth sessions.

Some of the conditions that affect freediving also affect snorkeling. If you're interested in snorkeling, please read our designated post - the best snorkeling sites in the Philippines.

Typhoon Season: What You Should Know

Typhoons usually occur between July and October, though not constantly.

Important points:

• They are monitored days in advance.

• Dive operations cancel trips when necessary.

• They rarely affect the entire country simultaneously.

• Travel insurance is highly recommended during this period.

It’s not “dangerous season” — it’s just more unpredictable.

So When Is the Best Time to Dive in the Philippines?

It depends on what kind of diver you are.

If you want:

• Maximum visibility

• Minimal scheduling changes

• Calm seas

→ Come during November–May

If you want:

• Fewer crowds

• Better prices

• A more relaxed vibe

→ Consider June–October, but stay flexible.

The truth is, the Philippines offers world-class diving every month of the year. Coral reefs don’t shut down. Marine life doesn’t migrate away entirely. The ocean keeps moving.

The key is understanding the rhythm of the seasons — and planning accordingly.

You're in the Philippines already. Where to Check the Weather?

We find two reliable sources to check the weather in the Philippines, especially in the rainy season, or the typhoon season (Amihan). The first is PAGASA - the official Philippines Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration. The second one is Windy, which is very useful for checking a specific location's weather conditions, like winds, waves, local thunderstorms, etc.

Alternatively, you can also join this WhatsApp group for diving tips in the Philippines. There are many actual divers in the groups - diving professionals, residents, and tourists, who are now in the Philippines and can share live information about the weather, especially data that websites can't provide, like: ferry cancellations, flooded areas that lead to land transportation halts, and local water activities cancellations.

Final Thoughts

The Philippines isn’t a one-season destination. It’s a year-round diving country with shifting moods.

Dry season offers postcard-perfect diving days. The rainy season offers intimacy, fewer crowds, and sometimes surprising marine encounters.

As divers — whether scuba or freediving — we adapt. We watch forecasts. We respect the ocean. And we dive when conditions align.

If you're planning your trip and unsure which month suits your goals, reach out. The right season isn’t about a calendar date — it’s about matching conditions to your style of diving.

See you underwater.