Things to Do in Palawan in March
March weather, activities, events & insider tips
Low Season · Budget Friendly
March Weather in Palawan
Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance
84°F
High Temp
74°F
Low Temp
0.1 inches
Rainfall
70%
Humidity
Is March Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + March sits in the sweet spot between northeast monsoon and dry season - mornings start at 23°C (73°F) with glass-calm seas good for island-hopping, while afternoons peak at 29°C (84°F) with enough breeze to keep things comfortable
- + Water clarity hits its annual maximum this month - visibility stretches 30 m (98 ft) at sites like Barracuda Lake, meaning your underwater photos won't have that green murk you see during plankton blooms
- + Crowds haven't arrived yet - you'll share El Nido's Big Lagoon with maybe six other boats instead of the thirty that show up from April onward, and you might get Coron wrecks entirely to yourself
- + Whale shark sightings peak around Honda Bay as they follow krill concentrations - locals know the shallow reefs off Pandan Island where juvenile males feed between 6-8 AM when tourist boats are still loading
Considerations
- − The transition weather means afternoon thunderstorms build quickly - that 30% chance translates to sudden 20-minute downpours that can strand you on exposed beaches without cover
- − March winds kick up whitecaps on the exposed western side of El Nido - boat captains often cancel trips to Secret Beach and Helicopter Island when swells exceed 1.5 m (5 ft), which happens roughly every third day
- − Fresh produce gets thin before the April harvest - mangoes are still trucked from Davao and cost triple what locals pay in May, and the famous Palawan cashews are mostly last year's crop
Year-Round Climate
How March 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 March
Top things to do during your visit
Coron Wreck Diving Tours
March's minimal rainfall means sediment stays settled on these World War II Japanese shipwcks - the 168 m (551 ft) Okikawa Maru sits at 26 m (85 ft) with visibility so clear you can read the ship's name from the surface. Morning dives catch the best light filtering through blast holes, and the water temperature hovers at 27°C (81°F) without needing thick wetsuits.
Booking Tip: Book 7-10 days ahead for Coron operators - March isn't peak but dive boats still fill up, for the deeper wrecks that require advanced certification. Look for operators who supply both 15L and 12L tanks since the deeper sites benefit from extra air.
El Nido Island-Hopping Boat Tours
The early morning glass-off conditions in March make those postcard-perfect lagoon photos possible - by 9 AM the water mirrors limestone cliffs so clearly you'll think it's Photoshop. Miniloc Island's Big Lagoon opens at 6:30 AM for the first 15 boats, and if you're on boat #3 you'll have 20 minutes of absolute silence before the echo of other engines arrives.
Booking Tip: Request the 'early bird' departure when booking - legitimate operators leave dock at 6 AM for an extra fee that's worth paying. March seas are calmest before 10 AM on the eastern routes (Shimizu, Secret beaches) but western routes get choppy by noon.
Puerto Princesa Underground River Tours
March sits between bat breeding seasons - you get the full cathedral experience inside the 8.2 km (5.1 mile) cave system without the overwhelming ammonia smell that hits during summer roosting. The cave's acoustics change when water levels drop 0.5 m (1.6 ft) lower than rainy season, revealing stalactite chambers that remain flooded other months.
Booking Tip: Permits release 30 days out but March availability stays open until 2 weeks prior - unlike April when they sell out in hours. The 7:30 AM time slot gets you back to Sabang beach before lunch crowds arrive, and you'll share the cave with maybe two other boats instead of ten.
Port Barton Sea Kayaking Routes
The sheltered bay conditions in March let you paddle 4 km (2.5 miles) to German Island without fighting the afternoon westerlies that pick up in April. German Island's reef sits in 3 m (10 ft) of water - shallow enough to see starfish from your kayak but deep enough that you won't scrape coral when the tide drops at 2 PM.
Booking Tip: Rent kayaks before 8 AM when they're still in shade - the plastic gets hot enough to burn bare feet by 10 AM. March's lower humidity means you won't soak through dry bags as quickly. But bring a dry bag for phones since splash-over happens when crossing the channel between islands.
Tubbataha Reef Liveaboard Diving
March 15 marks the season opener for this UNESCO reef 150 km (93 miles) southeast - liveaboards run exactly 12 weeks and the first trips get virgin sites before 200+ dives accumulate. Whale sharks cruise the reef edges following baitfish schools, and March water temperatures sit at 28°C (82°F) without the thermoclines that arrive in May.
Booking Tip: First-week departures often run half-full as operators ramp up - you might get double-dive time since boats aren't at capacity. But check that your operator carries oxygen and has radio contact with Puerto Princesa Coast Guard - March weather can still turn quickly this far offshore.
Where to Stay in Palawan in March
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for March travellers.
March Events & Festivals
What's happening during your visit
Mid March
Pista y ang Kagueban (Forest Festival)
Puerto Princesa's reforestation festival happens every third weekend - locals hike 8 km (5 miles) into the Irawan watershed to plant native ipil and narra seedlings. Foreigners can join but need to register at City Hall since they assign planting sites and provide seedlings. The hike starts at 5 AM to beat the heat, and you'll share trails with 3,000 students who know every shortcut.
Late March
Balayong Festival
Celebrates Palawan's endemic cherry blossoms (balayong trees) that bloom for exactly two weeks along the Puerto Princesa baywalk. The trees drop pink petals that carpet the sidewalk - it looks like Japan but with 28°C (82°F) weather and tricycles honking past. Evening food stalls serve balayong honey collected from nearby mountains, mixed into halo-halo that's only available during bloom season.
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View Palawan Packing List →Essential Tips
Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
Insider Knowledge
March is habagat transition month - locals check wind forecasts at 5 AM and cancel western-facing boat trips if whitecaps show up. Ask your boatman 'Maayong hangin?' (good wind?) and watch if they hesitate before answering.
The secret cashew harvest happens mid-March in Balabac - locals roast them over coconut husk fires and sell bags along the highway south of Rio Tuba. These taste completely different from store cashews, almost buttery, and disappear by April.
Palawan's electric tricycles cost less in March - drivers drop rates when tourism is thin. But they won't offer. Just say 'pakyaw' (wholesale price) and start walking away. You'll get the local rate about 60% of the time.
March is when Palawan's seaweed farmers harvest - you can join them at low tide in Honda Bay, wading through 1 m (3 ft) deep farms while they cut dried seaweed that's exported to Japan. They'll sell you fresh seaweed for salad that tastes like the ocean but sweet.
Avoid These Mistakes
Booking afternoon island-hopping tours - March thunderstorms build 2-4 PM and operators cancel rather than risk the 1.5 m (5 ft) swells that come with them. Morning tours run 90% of the time, afternoon tours get cancelled 40% of March days.
Assuming El Nido and Coron weather match - they're 150 km (93 miles) apart with completely different weather systems. March can be flat calm in Coron while El Nido's western side gets 2 m (6 ft) waves from habagat winds. Check both forecasts if you're island-hopping between them.
Wearing cotton t-shirts for snorkeling - March water feels warm at 27°C (81°F) but you'll spend 3-4 hours in it, and cotton stays wet and cold when the wind picks up. Locals wear synthetic basketball jerseys that dry in minutes.
Book Experiences in Palawan
Top-rated things to do in Palawan this March
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See All Palawan Tours on ViatorFrequently Asked Questions
What is the weather like in Palawan in March during the dry season?
March sits squarely in Palawan's dry season, which runs from November through May. Expect bright, sunny days with temperatures between 28–33°C (82–91°F), low humidity compared to the wet months, and minimal rainfall — perhaps a brief afternoon shower that won't interrupt a full day on the water. Sea conditions are calm island-wide, and underwater visibility in Coron and El Nido regularly exceeds 20 metres, making this one of the most reliable months on the calendar.
What is Palawan like to visit in March?
March is one of the finest months to visit Palawan across the board. The dry season is in full swing, meaning all four of El Nido's island-hopping tours (A through D) run without weather cancellations, Coron's wreck dives are at their clearest, and the Puerto Princesa Underground River is accessible and crowd-free on weekday mornings. It is peak season, so expect fuller resorts and prices roughly 20–30% higher than shoulder months like November — but the near-guaranteed sunshine more than justifies the premium.
Is March one of the best times to visit Palawan for good weather?
Yes — March consistently ranks among the top three months to visit Palawan. It hits a sweet spot in the dry season: seas are calm enough for every boat tour, skies are reliably clear, and Holy Week crowds (which can overwhelm El Nido) typically fall in April rather than March, giving you peak-season weather without the Easter rush. If your schedule is flexible, the first three weeks of March offer the best combination of conditions and manageable visitor numbers.
What temperatures and conditions can I expect in Palawan, Philippines in March?
Daytime highs in El Nido and Coron typically reach 31–33°C (88–91°F), dropping to a comfortable 23–25°C (73–77°F) after dark — warm enough that air conditioning feels like a luxury rather than a necessity. The sea surface temperature sits around 28°C, ideal for snorkelling without a wetsuit. UV index is high throughout the day, so pack reef-safe SPF 50+ and a wide-brim hat; sunburn on the water comes faster than it seems.
What are the best things to do in Palawan in March?
Calm March seas open up every itinerary. In El Nido, all island-hopping tours run reliably — Tour A covers the iconic Big Lagoon and Secret Lagoon, while Tour C is the best for snorkelling at Shimizu Island. Coron is exceptional for diving the Japanese WWII wrecks and swimming in Kayangan Lake. March also marks the opening of the Tubbataha Reef liveaboard season (roughly March through June): this UNESCO World Heritage atoll, only reachable by overnight boat, is considered one of the world's top ten dive sites and should be on every serious diver's shortlist.
How crowded is Palawan in March?
March is peak international tourist season, and El Nido in particular shows it — tour boats queue at Big Lagoon by late morning and Nacpan Beach fills up on weekends. To stay ahead of the crowds, book the earliest tour departure (usually 8 a.m.), favour Tour C or Tour D over the busier Tour A route, and consider basing yourself in the quieter village of Port Barton for a few nights. Coron is noticeably calmer than El Nido and feels more authentic even at peak season.
How much does a trip to Palawan cost in March?
Budget travellers can manage on roughly ₱2,500–₱3,500 per day (around USD $45–65), covering a fan-cooled guesthouse, a shared island-hopping tour, and local meals at carinderias. Mid-range travellers should budget ₱5,000–₱8,000 per day (USD $90–145) for air-conditioned accommodation, guided tours, and sit-down restaurants. Tubbataha Reef liveaboards are a separate category — expect to pay USD $1,800–$2,500 for a 7–10 night expedition, which should be booked months in advance as berths sell out fast.
Is March a good month for diving in Palawan?
March is arguably the single best month for diving in Palawan. Visibility in Coron's famous Japanese wrecks — the Okikawa Maru, Kogyo Maru, and Irako — routinely exceeds 20–25 metres, and calm surface conditions make the boat ride out comfortable even for those prone to seasickness. For advanced divers, March opens the Tubbataha Reef season: the atoll offers drift diving alongside reef sharks, manta rays, and hawksbill turtles in conditions that are hard to match anywhere in Southeast Asia.
Are there any local festivals or events in Palawan in March?
March 5 is Palawan Day, marking the province's founding anniversary; Puerto Princesa occasionally holds street parades and cultural performances around this date, though the programme changes yearly — check with your accommodation locally for current events. If Holy Week falls in late March (the date shifts annually, so verify the year's calendar), expect a significant influx of Filipino domestic tourists, higher accommodation prices, and some business closures on Good Friday and Easter Sunday.
Do I need to book tours and accommodation in Palawan in advance for March?
Yes — advance booking is genuinely important in March, not just a formality. Popular boutique guesthouses and eco-resorts in El Nido and Coron regularly fill 4–8 weeks ahead during peak season. Island-hopping tours also have daily participant caps enforced by the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD) to protect the reefs, so walk-in spots are not guaranteed. Book accommodation via reputable platforms, confirm your tours directly with licensed operators on arrival, and arrange the Puerto Princesa Underground River permit well in advance as daily visitor numbers are strictly limited.