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Palawan - Things to Do in Palawan in July

Things to Do in Palawan in July

July weather, activities, events & insider tips

Good time to visit Low Season · Budget Friendly

July Weather in Palawan

Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance

84°F (29°C) High Temp
76°F (25°C) Low Temp
0.2 inches (5 mm) Rainfall
70% Humidity

Is July Right for You?

Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking

Advantages
  • + July lands between habagat and amihan. Mornings at El Nido's Big Lagoon turn glass-flat. Kayak early. Clouds gather by lunch.
  • + Seas stay calmer than August. Operators cancel only 20% of trips to Shimizu Island and Secret Lagoon. Later months hit 60%.
  • + Fishermen dock at Puerto Princesa pier around 6 AM. Spanish mackerel (tanigue) glistens. Kalui Restaurant turns it into sashimi that still tastes like the ocean.
  • + Rates drop 30-40%. Beachfront cottages in San Vicente cost what inland rooms charge in December. Same sand, smaller bill.
Considerations
  • − UV index hits 8. Burn time is 15 minutes. Boat decks double the dose. SPF 50+ or fry.
  • − Thunderstorms crash in at 2-4 PM. Thirty to forty-five minutes of solid rain. Dirt roads to Nacpan Beach turn to soup. Motorbikes stall.
  • − Tubbataha shuts in July. Season ends June. Day-trip diving around El Nido's Bacuit Bay remains your only option.

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Best Activities in July

Top things to do during your visit

El Nido Island-Hopping Tours An and C

Morning calm makes the 45-minute ride to Shimizu Island feel like a lake cruise. Snorkel the 3-meter coral gardens before clouds build. Tour A's Secret Lagoon stays swimmable at 28°C (82°F). You will not jostle with 50 boats like in March.

Booking Tip: Book after you land. Local captains read marine forecasts hourly. They reschedule free. Pick boats with sun covers. Pack dry bags.
Subterranean River National Park Tours

The underground river blows 24°C (75°F) air. Outside humidity hits 70%. July means thinner crowds. You might score a boat alone. Peak season packs eight to a vessel. The 45-minute paddle through cathedral chambers runs rain or shine.

Booking Tip: Permits come from Puerto Princesa booking offices. Daily cap is 900. July slots stay open. December sells out weeks ahead.
San Vicente Long Beach Motorbike Routes

The 14.7 km (9.1 mile) Long Beach lies empty at dawn. Ride before the sea breeze wakes. Pass Batak settlements. Kids sell woven bracelets cheaper than city stalls. The road holds firm until afternoon rain turns it to peanut butter.

Booking Tip: Rent in Puerto Princesa. Head north through Roxas. It bypasses coastal washouts. Be off the sand by 1 PM. Storms rarely wait.
Tubbataha Reef Liveaboard Diving

Tubbataha season ends in June. Three boats still sail in July. Seas stay moderate. You share the reef with almost nobody. Visibility drops to 20-25 meters (65-82 feet).

Booking Tip: Expedition trips leave Puerto Princesa. Book months ahead. Only three boats run July dates. Expect 5-7 days at sea.
Estrella Falls Jungle Trekking

The 20-meter (66-foot) twin falls near Narra thunder in July. Rains fill natural infinity pools above rice terraces. The 45-minute jungle trek stays cool under canopy. Hornbills call. Dao trees predate Magellan by centuries.

Booking Tip: Hire Batak guides at the trailhead. They know which turns to avoid when clay goes slick. They point out medicinal plants. Start early. Beat heat and storms.
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Where to Stay in Palawan in July

Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for July travellers.

Packing Checklist

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Essential Tips

Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid

Insider Knowledge
Best halo-halo hides outside NCCC Mall. Lola Cora has shaved ice for 22 years. She stirs in carabao milk and homemade ube jam. Avoid El Nido town seafood prices. Walk ten minutes north to Caalan Beach. Fishermen's wives fire up grills at sunset. Same tuna, half the cost. Eat barefoot. Southwest winds bend Nagtabon Beach waves both ways. July creates beginner-friendly surf. Rent boards from the sari-sari store. Rates beat El Nido shops. El Nido flights full? Land at San Vicente's new airport. Forty-five minutes to Long Beach beats six hours from Puerto Princesa. From there, a 2.5-hour coastal drive reaches El Nido.
Avoid These Mistakes
Never pre-pay non-refundable tours online. July skies flip fast. Local operators reschedule free once you are on the ground. Trusting 'waterproof' phone cases is foolish. July rain hunts seams. Pack a real dry bag or kiss your camera goodbye. July's monsoon turns three-island day trips into two-island sprints. Storms roll in by 2 pm. Operators head for port early. Pick one solid island. Linger. You'll see more and swim longer. Manila to El Nido is never 24 hours on paper. Flames, flat vans, and cancelled boats stretch it to 30. July multiplies the odds. Pad your plan with two spare days. Miss nothing.

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Top Things to Do

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What to Pack

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Book Experiences in Palawan

Top-rated things to do in Palawan this July

Exclusive Super Ultimate tour for 2 pax

Exclusive Super Ultimate tour for 2 pax
★ 5.0 10 reviews from $245
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Puerto Princesa: 3D2N Tours + Hotel

Puerto Princesa: 3D2N Tours + Hotel
★ 5.0 10 reviews from $150
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El Nido to Coron Group Palawan Expedition 3D2N all inclusive

El Nido to Coron Group Palawan Expedition 3D2N all inclusive
★ 5.0 6 reviews from $361
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Full-Day Puerto Princesa Underground River Tour

Full-Day Puerto Princesa Underground River Tour
★ 5.0 6 reviews from $60
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El Nido Private Tour D with Lunch

El Nido Private Tour D with Lunch
★ 5.0 9 reviews from $159
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Discover Scuba diving in El Nido

Discover Scuba diving in El Nido
★ 5.0 4 reviews from $145
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Continue Planning Your Trip

June

Travel guide for June

August

Travel guide for August

Where to Stay in July

Accommodation guide for Palawan in July

Climate Guide in July

Weather and seasonal patterns for Palawan in July

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is Palawan Like in July?

July falls squarely in Palawan's wet season, driven by the southwest monsoon (habagat), but the day-to-day reality is more nuanced than that label implies — mornings are often bright and clear, with heavy rain arriving in the afternoon and typically blowing through within an hour. It's low season, so prices at resorts in El Nido and Coron drop 20–40% from peak rates and the crowds that pack the islands from November to April are largely absent. The genuine trade-off is rougher seas and a higher chance of island-hopping tours being cancelled on blustery days, so build flexibility into your itinerary.

What Is the Weather Like in Palawan in July?

Expect daytime temperatures of 27–29°C (81–84°F) with high humidity throughout July. The southwest monsoon delivers the bulk of Palawan's annual rainfall during this stretch — El Nido typically sees 200–300mm over the month, with west-facing coastlines bearing the brunt. Seas can be choppy, particularly around Coron and the Bacuit Archipelago, which may limit access to more exposed dive sites and outer islands; always confirm tour departures with operators the evening before, as conditions can change quickly.

What Is Palawan Like as a Destination Overall?

Palawan is a long, narrow island in the southwest Philippines, consistently rated among the world's best islands for its combination of dramatic limestone karst scenery, turquoise lagoons, and outstanding marine biodiversity. The main draws are El Nido in the north (island hopping through the Bacuit Archipelago), Coron in the northeast (wreck diving and crater lakes), and Puerto Princesa in the center (gateway to the UNESCO-listed Underground River). It's more rugged and less developed than Boracay or Cebu, which is precisely why many travellers prefer it.

What Is the Weather in Palawan in June?

June marks the start of Palawan's full wet season as the southwest monsoon takes hold, with conditions broadly similar to July — temperatures hovering around 27–29°C, increasing rainfall, and building humidity. June is generally slightly drier than July or August, making it a reasonable shoulder-season option if you want lower prices without committing to peak rainy-season risk. Seas begin to roughen noticeably by mid-June, so schedule any island-hopping for the first few days of your trip rather than the last.

What Is the Weather in Palawan in September?

September is one of Palawan's wettest months, sitting near the peak of the southwest monsoon; rainfall is heavy and frequent, and typhoon activity across the broader Philippines is at its highest during this period. Palawan's western position in the archipelago does afford some shelter compared to islands like Samar or Leyte, but many smaller resorts close for maintenance in September and liveaboard dive operations often reduce their schedules. If you visit, treat it as an adventure travel month rather than a beach holiday, and buy comprehensive travel insurance that covers weather cancellations.

What Is the Weather in Palawan in October?

October sits at the tail end of the wet season in Palawan, and conditions typically begin improving noticeably compared to the August–September peak. Rainfall decreases through the month as the southwest monsoon weakens, and by late October seas start calming enough for reliable island-hopping in El Nido and Coron. Prices are still at low-season rates in early October, making it an appealing sweet spot — improving weather without the peak-season crowds and costs that arrive from November onward.

What Is the Weather in Palawan in February?

February is prime dry season in Palawan and widely considered the best month to visit — the northeast monsoon (amihan) keeps skies clear, seas calm, and daytime highs at a comfortable 28–30°C (82–86°F). Island-hopping tours run reliably, dive visibility is at its annual best, and the Underground River is consistently accessible. The trade-off is peak-season pricing and crowds: resorts in El Nido fill weeks in advance, and the most popular lagoon tours can feel busy by mid-morning.

What Is Puerto Princesa Like in September?

Puerto Princesa, Palawan's capital and the base for visiting the Underground River, is quieter and cheaper in September than at any other time of year. The Underground River itself remains open — it sits inside a cave system and is far less weather-dependent than open-water activities — though very heavy rainfall can occasionally affect the access road and boat conditions, so confirm the morning of your visit. Hotels in Puerto Princesa are easy to book and noticeably discounted, making it a practical and affordable base for the inland and river attractions even in the wet season.

Is El Nido Worth Visiting in July Despite the Rain?

Yes — with realistic expectations and a flexible schedule. El Nido in July offers dramatically lower prices (budget bungalows from around ₱800–1,500 per night, mid-range from ₱2,500–4,500), far fewer tourists on the lagoon tours, and a lush, intensely green landscape. Tour routes in sheltered parts of the Bacuit Archipelago (particularly Tour B and portions of Tour D) operate more reliably than the outer-island routes, and booking through a licensed local operator who will proactively reschedule rather than cancel outright makes a significant difference to the experience.

Which Activities in Palawan Hold Up Best During the July Wet Season?

Inland and freshwater attractions are your most weather-proof options: the Puerto Princesa Underground River, Kayangan Lake and Maquit Lake in Coron (accessible when seas permit the short boat ride), and the Iwahig Firefly River tour near Puerto Princesa are all excellent in July regardless of rain. Coron's World War II wreck dives are largely sheltered from surface chop and remain world-class throughout the wet season. For beach time, aim for Nacpan Beach near El Nido on mornings after the weather clears — it's long enough that it never feels crowded even in high season, and in July you may have it almost to yourself.

How Much Cheaper Is Palawan in July Compared to Peak Season?

Accommodation rates in El Nido and Coron typically drop 30–50% from their November–March peak in July — a beachfront cottage that costs ₱5,000 per night in February can be found for ₱2,500–3,000 in July, and many resorts quietly add free-night deals or meal inclusions to fill rooms. Flights from Manila to Puerto Princesa or the El Nido area (via Busuanga for Coron) also tend to run cheaper, particularly when booked four to six weeks out. Tour prices for island hopping are often set by local tourism boards, but operators in July are more willing to add extras — snorkelling gear upgrades, private boat departures — than they would be in a fully booked February.