Palawan Diving: When to Visit for Wrecks, Reefs, and Remote Adventures

Scattered across turquoise seas and limestone cliffs, the province of Palawan is often referred to as the last frontier of the Philippines, both above and below the surface. Beneath its island-dotted waters lie World War II wrecks, pristine coral reefs, and UNESCO-listed marine parks filled with reef sharks, turtles, and swirling clouds of fish. From Coron's ghostly wrecks to El Nido’s coral walls and the remote Tubbataha Reefs, Palawan offers a diversity of dive experiences that few regions can match. But while the diving is good most of the year, knowing when to go can make a great trip even better. Here’s your guide to the best time to dive in Palawan — and where to go for the most memorable underwater encounters.

Quick Summary

Best time to dive: March to June (dry season); Tubbataha only opens March to mid-June
Water temperature: 27–30°C (81–86°F)
Visibility: 15 to 40 meters (50–130 feet)
Marine highlights: WWII wrecks, reef sharks, turtles, barracuda, pristine reefs
Season type: Tropical; dry and wet seasons, with regional variation

Diving Seasons in Palawan

Dry Season (March to June)

This is the best time to dive in Palawan, particularly if you’re planning to visit Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, which is only accessible during this window. During these months, seas are calm, visibility is excellent, and all major dive regions — from Coron to El Nido and Apo Reef — are at their most accessible.

Coron’s WWII wrecks, including the famous Irako, Akitsushima, and Olympia Maru, are typically best dived in the morning, when visibility is clearest and the sun lights up the interiors. In El Nido, dive sites like South Miniloc, Dilumacad Tunnel, and Nat Nat offer excellent coral coverage and calm drift dives during this season.

Wet Season (July to October)

The rainy season brings more variable conditions. Typhoons can occasionally affect Palawan, especially in August and September, but diving continues to be available around Coron and El Nido, as these areas are partially sheltered. Visibility may decrease after storms, but dive sites remain accessible, and there are fewer tourists during this time.

This is also a good season for macro diving and exploring interior wrecks in Coron, as visibility is less of a concern when photographing the fine details of rusted machinery or ghostly swim-throughs. Liveaboard routes to Apo Reef may still operate in early July, weather permitting, but Tubbataha closes in mid-June and remains inaccessible for the remainder of the year.

Marine Life Highlights

Palawan’s waters are home to green and hawksbill turtles, blacktip and whitetip reef sharks, Napoleon wrasse, schooling jacks, and a wide array of reef fish and nudibranchs. At Tubbataha, divers can also encounter hammerheads, whale sharks, and giant trevally, particularly at sites such as Black Rock, Delsan Wreck, and Washing Machine.

In Coron, the main attraction is the Japanese WWII fleet, sunk during a U.S. air raid in 1944. These wrecks, now overgrown with coral and sponges, serve as artificial reefs hosting lionfish, groupers, nudibranchs, and batfish. In El Nido, walls and reef slopes are lined with soft corals, sea fans, and macro subjects, such as pygmy seahorses and orangutan crabs.

Photography Tips by Season

March to June offers the best conditions for wide-angle photography in open-water sites, such as Tubbataha, South Miniloc, and Apo Reef. Bring wide lenses and strobes to capture turtles, reef sharks, and dramatic coral walls in full clarity.

Wreck diving in Coron is best shot during morning dives, when sunlight enters the open hulls. For macro photography and moody interior shots, the wet season can be ideal — especially inside deeper wrecks, such as the Irako and Akitsushima, where flashlight beams and focus lights bring rusted details into sharp relief.

Dive Travel Tips for Palawan

Liveaboards vs. Resorts: Tubbataha is a liveaboard-only destination, operating out of Puerto Princesa. Coron and El Nido are resort-based and offer both day dives and multi-dive packages.
Booking in advance: Tubbataha trips sell out a year in advance. For Coron and El Nido, book 3–6 months ahead during the dry season (March–June).
Permits: Marine park fees apply in Tubbataha, Apo Reef, and El Nido. Wreck diving in Coron also includes heritage fees, usually included in dive packages.

Dive Operators and Itineraries

Top liveaboards operating in Tubbataha offer 6–10 night cruises from March to mid-June.

In Coron, operators offer daily trips to the WWII wrecks, Barracuda Lake, and Twin Peaks Reef. El Nido dive centers explore sites in Bacuit Bay, often combining diving with island-hopping tours.

Other Top Dive Destinations by Season

If you're planning a Philippines dive trip, you may also enjoy:

When to Dive in Palawan

For the best diving across Tubbataha, Coron, and El Nido, visit between March and June, when the seas are calm, visibility is at its peak, and all major dive zones are open. Outside this window, diving continues in Coron and El Nido. just with slightly reduced visibility and a greater focus on wreck interiors and macro life. Whether you're exploring sunken warships, remote coral atolls, or karst-lined reef walls, Palawan is one of Southeast Asia’s most diverse and rewarding dive destinations.