Things to Do in Palawan in March
March weather, activities, events & insider tips
March Weather in Palawan
Is March Right for You?
Advantages
- Peak dry season conditions - March sits right in the sweet spot between December crowds and April heat. You'll get consistently calm seas for island hopping, with visibility underwater reaching 20-30 m (65-100 ft) around Coron and El Nido. The northeast monsoon has basically finished, meaning protected bays and exposed coastlines are equally accessible.
- Shoulder season pricing kicks in mid-month - International flight prices drop 15-20% after the first week of March as European winter holidays end. Domestic Manila-Puerto Princesa flights hover around PHP 2,500-4,000 versus PHP 5,000+ in February. Resort rates in El Nido typically decrease 20-30% after March 10th, though you'll still get perfect weather through month-end.
- Ideal conditions for the Underground River - Water levels inside Puerto Princesa Subterranean River stabilize in March after the minor wet season ends in February. The cave formations are fully visible without high water obscuring lower sections, and the 45-minute boat journey through is comfortable without the chop you'd get in monsoon months. Daily visitor caps mean March's lower crowds give you better permit availability.
- Migratory species still present - March catches the tail end of whale shark season around southern Palawan, particularly near Balabac and Busuanga. You've got maybe 30-40% chance of encounters versus 60-70% in January-February, but the odds are still decent. Manta rays are reliably around cleaning stations off Coron through March before dispersing in April.
Considerations
- Heat builds through the month - Early March feels comfortable at 28-29°C (82-84°F), but by late March you're pushing 31-32°C (88-90°F) on exposed beaches. That 70% humidity makes midday feel oppressive, especially on boat transfers between islands where there's no shade. Budget an extra liter of water per person per day compared to what you'd drink back home.
- Variable weather patterns increasing - March 2026 sits in a period where Palawan's dry season has been trending slightly wetter over the past decade. Those 10 rainy days are scattered unpredictably rather than following the old pattern of occasional evening showers. You might get three consecutive sunny days, then two days of intermittent rain. It rarely ruins plans completely, but it makes day-to-day scheduling less predictable than it used to be.
- Peak nesting season limits some beach access - March is prime sea turtle nesting season on several beaches around El Nido and northern Palawan. Some sections of Nacpan Beach and parts of the Bacuit Archipelago have restricted evening access from 6pm-6am. Worth noting if you had sunset beach walks planned - you'll need to adjust expectations or choose different beaches.
Best Activities in March
El Nido Island Hopping Tours
March offers the calmest seas of the year for accessing the Bacuit Archipelago's 45 islands. The famous Tours A through D run smoothly with minimal wave action, meaning even travelers prone to seasickness handle the bangka boats comfortably. Water clarity peaks at 25-30 m (82-98 ft) visibility for snorkeling at spots like Shimizu Island and Helicopter Island. The lagoons - Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Secret Lagoon - have stable water levels perfect for kayaking through limestone channels. You'll share popular spots with other tourists since March still draws decent crowds, but nothing like the January-February crush where you're literally waiting in line to enter Small Lagoon.
Puerto Princesa Underground River Tours
The UNESCO World Heritage Site performs beautifully in March with low water levels revealing cave formations that get partially submerged during wetter months. The 8.2 km (5.1 mile) navigable underground river - you'll see about 4.3 km (2.7 miles) on the standard 45-minute tour - maintains comfortable conditions without the claustrophobic humidity that builds up in April-May. March's stable weather means the 1.5-hour boat transfer from Sabang wharf to the cave entrance is reliably smooth. The real advantage is permit availability - daily caps of 900 visitors are easier to secure in March than peak season, though weekends still book out 5-7 days ahead.
Coron Wreck Diving
March delivers premium conditions for exploring the 12 Japanese WWII wrecks scattered around Coron Bay. Water temps sit comfortably at 27-28°C (81-82°F), visibility ranges 15-25 m (49-82 ft), and seas are calm enough that surface intervals between dives are pleasant rather than stomach-churning. The wrecks themselves - particularly Irako, Okikawa Maru, and the shallow Lusong Gunboat - are accessible to Advanced Open Water divers, with several penetration opportunities for those properly trained. March catches the end of the cooler season when thermoclines are less pronounced, meaning you won't hit sudden cold layers at depth. Non-divers can snorkel several wrecks in 5-10 m (16-33 ft) of water.
Port Barton Coastal Exploration
Port Barton remains genuinely less developed than El Nido or Coron, offering a mellower island-hopping experience without sacrificing March's excellent weather. The town sits on Palawan's west coast with access to 15-20 nearby islands, most seeing a fraction of El Nido's visitor numbers. March conditions mean glassy morning seas for reaching spots like Exotic Island, German Island, and Paradise Island - typically 30-45 minutes by bangka. Snorkeling here tends to be more relaxed since you're not competing with five other boats at the same reef. The town itself maintains a low-key vibe with beach bars rather than resort complexes.
Kayaking and Stand-Up Paddleboarding
March's calm conditions make this the ideal month for self-guided kayaking around protected bays and lagoons throughout Palawan. The stable weather patterns mean you can confidently rent a kayak in the morning without worrying about sudden wind shifts or afternoon storms disrupting your plans. El Nido's lagoons are the obvious choice, but you'll find excellent paddling around Port Barton's coastline, through the mangroves near Sabang, and along Nacpan Beach's 4 km (2.5 mile) stretch. Early morning sessions from 6-9am offer the best conditions before winds pick up slightly around midday, plus you'll catch better light for photography.
Balabac Island Multi-Day Expeditions
Balabac, Palawan's southernmost municipality, becomes accessible in March as seas between the islands calm down after the northeast monsoon. This is genuinely remote territory - closer to Malaysian Borneo than to Puerto Princesa - with white sand beaches, turquoise sandbars that appear at low tide, and minimal tourism infrastructure. March offers the reliable weather window needed for the 10-12 hour boat journey from Rio Tuba or the twice-weekly ferry service. You're looking at 3-4 day minimum commitments since getting there takes effort, but you'll experience Palawan before mass tourism arrived. Accommodations are basic homestays rather than resorts.
March Events & Festivals
Baragatan Festival
Puerto Princesa's founding anniversary celebration typically runs in early March, though exact dates shift year to year around March 4th. The festival includes street dancing competitions, cultural performances showcasing indigenous Palawan tribes, food fairs featuring local specialties, and sports tournaments. The main events happen around the city plaza and Mendoza Park. It's worth catching if you're in Puerto Princesa during the first week of March, though it's a local civic celebration rather than a major tourist draw. Expect some traffic disruptions in the city center during parade days.