Things to Do in Palawan in February
February weather, activities, events & insider tips
Shoulder Season · Good Value
February Weather in Palawan
Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance
82°F
High Temp
73°F
Low Temp
0.1 inches
Rainfall
70%
Humidity
Is February Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + February is Palawan's driest month - only 10 rainy days and 0.1 inches (2.5 mm) of rain, so boat tours to El Nido's lagoons almost never cancel
- + UV index hits 8, giving you the clearest turquoise water photos of the year - the limestone cliffs of Bacuit Bay look almost neon against the sky
- + Chinese New Year week sees mainland package crowds thin out; you'll share Matinloc Shrine's secret beach with maybe 12 people instead of 120
- + North-east amihan wind drops to 10-15 km/h (6-9 mph), so the 45-minute boat ride to Shimizu Island feels like gliding across glass, not bucking through chop
Considerations
- − El Nido town runs low on fresh water by late February - expect salty showers and bucket flushing at budget guesthouses along Calle Real
- − Liveaboard dive boats jack up rates 25-30% for Valentine's week; Tubbataha liveaboards that normally run 80% full hit 100% and feel like floating hostels
- − Puerto Princesa's Honda Bay island-hopping queues back up by 9 AM; if you arrive after 8:30 you'll wait 90 minutes for a bangka to Luli Sandbar
Year-Round Climate
How February compares to the rest of the year
| Month | High | Low | Rainfall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 28°C | 23°C | 0.2 inches |
| Feb | 28°C | 23°C | 0.1 inches |
| Mar | 29°C | 23°C | 0.1 inches |
| Apr | 30°C | 24°C | 0.1 inches |
| May | 30°C | 25°C | 0.2 inches |
| Jun | 29°C | 25°C | 0.3 inches |
| Jul | 29°C | 25°C | 0.2 inches |
| Aug | 29°C | 24°C | 0.2 inches |
| Sep | 29°C | 24°C | 0.3 inches |
| Oct | 28°C | 24°C | 0.4 inches |
| Nov | 28°C | 24°C | 0.3 inches |
| Dec | 28°C | 24°C | 0.3 inches |
Best Activities in February
Top things to do during your visit
El Nido Lagoon Kayaking Circuits
February's slack winds turn Miniloc's Big Lagoon into a mirror - you can paddle 400 m (1,300 ft) into the cave without fighting the usual afternoon cross-breeze that traps novices against the walls. The water's so clear you spot starfish 4 m (13 ft) down, and the low sun angle at 5 PM lights the limestone like candlestone.
Booking Tip: Book the kayak add-on when you reserve your island-hopping slot - they limit boats to 30 kayaks per day and sell out by 8 AM. Look for operators that include dry bags and waterproof phone cases.
Puerto Princesa Underground River Dawn Slots
The 7:30 AM time slot in February means you enter the cave before the sun climbs high enough to roast the mangrove boardwalk - temperatures sit at 24°C (75°F) instead of the 31°C (88°F) oven-blast by 10 AM. Bats are still active, so you hear the wings rustle overhead and smell the guano before the crowds drown it out with chatter.
Booking Tip: Permits release 30 days ahead; February slots vanish within 48 hours. Book the first time slot (7:30 AM) and arrange a private van - the shared shuttle waits until 9 AM and you'll lose the cool window.
Coron Wreck Diving at Barracuda Lake Thermocline
February thermocline sit at 14 m (46 ft) on the Japanese shipwrecks - you drop through 28°C (82°F) surface water into a sudden 22°C (72°F) layer so sharp you watch your exhaled bubbles shear sideways. Visibility stretches 25 m (82 ft), and the lake's halocline feels like swimming through warm silk over cold velvet.
Booking Tip: Choose operators that run 6-8 diver boats, not 16-diver cattle boats - the wrecks feel crowded with more than ten fins in the water. Ask if they provide 3 mm full suits. The thermocline can chill you even in Palawan heat.
Nacpan Beach Sunset Horse Rides
The tide pulls out 150 m (490 ft) by 5 PM in February, leaving a hard-packed sand highway good for barefoot trots. The sun drops behind the twin headlands at 6:15, painting the surf copper while you smell horse sweat mixing with salt spray - no rainbow crowds like Boracay, just fishermen hauling nets nearby.
Booking Tip: Walk 10 minutes south past the surf club to find Kuya Rene's three horses - he doesn't advertise online but his animals are the only ones with proper saddles and hoof care. Agree on a 45-minute loop that includes the river mouth for mangrove views.
Port Barton Firefly Night Paddle
New moon nights in February turn the mangrove channel behind Port Barton into a planetarium - fireflies blink in perfect sync with the Milky Way reflected on dead-calm water. The air cools to 24°C (75°F), so you don't steam inside the life-vest, and the absence of rain means no cloud cover blocking the stars.
Booking Tip: Book only on nights with no moon visible. Operators who insist on full-moon paddles are selling you a dinner cruise, not fireflies. Bring a red-filter flashlight - white light kills the glow for 15 minutes.
Where to Stay in Palawan in February
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for February travellers.
February Events & Festivals
What's happening during your visit
Late January to early February (follows lunar calendar)
Balayong Festival
Balabac's tiny molbogg-rattan festival coincides with Chinese New Year - islanders race 6 m (20 ft) outriggers carved from single molave logs while chewing betel nut that stains smiles crimson. Tourists are rare; you'll get invited to drink tuba palm wine under mango trees.
Packing Checklist
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Climate-specific gear, brand recommendations, and what to leave at home.
View Palawan Packing List →Essential Tips
Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
Insider Knowledge
El Nido's water trucks refill town tanks only on Tuesdays and Fridays - shower early Monday and Thursday mornings when pressure is highest
Coron's Maquinit Hot Springs hits perfect 40°C (104°F) on cool February evenings. Locals arrive after 6 PM when day-trippers leave
Puerto Princesa's Baywalk food court runs a quiet disco every Friday in February - pensioners dance under LED coconut trees while you eat PHP 20 grilled squid
Port Barton's island-hopping boats leave at 8 AM sharp. If you miss the crew's coffee run they sail without you and you'll lose your slot fee
Avoid These Mistakes
Booking the last underground river slot at 3 PM - February's low sun angle leaves the cathedral chamber dim and bat sightings drop 70%
Assuming El Nido ATMs work - they run dry by Saturday night. Bring pesos from Puerto or Coron before you arrive
Board shorts are a mistake. Mangrove mosquitoes hunt at dusk even in dry season. Long sleeves spare you 30 itchy bites. Pack light cotton. The fireflies still sparkle.
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Top-rated things to do in Palawan this February
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