Things to Do in Palawan in September

September sits firmly in Palawan's wet season, with the southwest monsoon (habagat) delivering regular afternoon downpours and occasional multi-day stretches of rain. Temperatures hover around 27–30°C with high humidity, and seas can be choppy — especially around El Nido and the northern islands. Rain rarely falls all day without a break, but you should build flexibility into your itinerary; tours get cancelled when waves exceed safe operating limits.

Coron in September is wet but surprisingly functional for divers. The town's sheltered harbor means the WWII Japanese shipwrecks — including the famous Okikawa Maru and Irako — remain diveable on most days, even when outer-island tours are suspended. Expect rain most afternoons, thinner crowds than peak season, and accommodation prices that can be 30–50% lower than the December–March high season. Check with your dive operator day-by-day, as weather windows open and close quickly.

September is genuinely low season, which cuts both ways. On the upside: resorts are quiet, prices are negotiable, and you'll have iconic spots like Kayangan Lake and Big Lagoon largely to yourself on calm days. The downside is real — some island-hopping tours are suspended for days at a time, a handful of smaller guesthouses close entirely, and occasional typhoon tracks can disrupt travel plans. It suits flexible, budget-conscious travelers; it's a gamble for those on a tight itinerary.

September is one of the Philippines' peak typhoon months, but Palawan's position on the western side of the archipelago provides more shelter than eastern islands like Samar or Leyte. Direct hits are relatively rare — most typhoons track across the Visayas to Palawan's east — but close passes still bring heavy rain, strong winds, and cancelled inter-island flights. Monitor PAGASA (the Philippine weather agency) and buy travel insurance that covers weather-related disruptions.

Scuba diving is the standout activity in September — visibility around Coron's wrecks and Tubbataha (if you're on a liveaboard) can be excellent, and the rain keeps fair-weather tourists away. Puerto Princesa's Underground River tour runs year-round in a sheltered bay, making it a reliable wet-season option. Island-hopping in El Nido operates on weather-dependent days; go when operators give the green light and you'll often find eerily beautiful, crowd-free lagoons. Avoid planning once-in-a-trip experiences on a fixed date.

El Nido town is open and operational in September, but the signature island-hopping tours (Tours A, B, C, and D) operate at the discretion of the bancas and local coast guard, who enforce no-sail conditions when waves are too high. On a calm September day, the Big Lagoon and Small Lagoon are breathtaking with almost no other boats. On a rough day, you might be stuck onshore for one to three days. Book accommodations with flexible cancellation and treat unexpected rest days as a bonus to explore town or nearby beaches.

September is one of the quietest months in Palawan. Where peak season (December–March) sees El Nido's Tour A boats travelling in convoys of twenty or more, September visitors often share the lagoons with just two or three other boats. Puerto Princesa accommodation runs well below capacity, and you can typically walk into highly-rated restaurants without a reservation. The reduced crowds are one of the most compelling reasons to visit this month if weather uncertainty doesn't deter you.

September doesn't host Palawan's major festivals — the big ones like Baragatan (June) and Pista Y Ang Kagueban (June) fall earlier in the year. That said, local barangay fiestas happen throughout the province year-round; check locally in El Nido or Coron for small community celebrations during your stay. The low-season quietness means any local event you stumble upon will feel authentically attended by residents rather than staged for tourists.

Pack a lightweight rain jacket or poncho, quick-dry clothing, and waterproof bags for your electronics — a dry bag is essential on any boat trip. Reef-safe sunscreen is worth bringing from home (it's available locally but more expensive and not always reef-safe). A pair of shoes you don't mind getting soaked is more practical than sandals alone. Given the unpredictable schedule, a good book and downloaded offline entertainment will make rain-day downtime feel like a feature rather than a bug.