Best time to visit El Nido

The best time to visit El Nido is during the dry season from December through April when you can expect clear sunny skies with a cooling north-easterly wind, and temperatures averaging 28°C (82°F).

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El Nido weather

El Nido experiences a hot tropical climate with two distinct seasonal weather patterns: a dry season from mid-November through to mid-May, and a wet season from mid-May to mid-November.

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What is the best month to visit El Nido?
February is the best month to visit El Nido – the climate is perfect with hot, sunny weather and little to no rainfall.

However, anytime during the dry season from December to April is good – you can expect clear sunny skies with temperatures averaging a high of 30°C (86°F).

Which is the hottest month in El Nido?
The hottest month in El Nido is usually May, with an average high temperature of 33°C (91°F), with very high heat and humidity, and a night-time low of 26°C (79°F).

However, on the warmest days of the month, the temperature often exceeds 33°C (91°F).

The hot season lasts from early-April through May, with an average daily high temperature above 32°C (89°F).

Which is the coldest month in El Nido?
The coldest month in El Nido is usually January, with an average high-temperature of 30°C (86°F) and night-time low of 24°C (75°F)

The cooler season lasts from mid-December through February, with an average daily high temperature below 30°C (86°F).

When is it sunniest in El Nido?
The sunniest time of year in El Nido is usually April with bright sunshine on average for 70% of daylight hours; that's nine hours of sunshine per day.

What is the humidity in El Nido?
El Nido experiences little seasonal variation in perceived humidity, with approximate average relative humidity calculated at between 73% – 80%, reaching a high of 100% over the course of the year.

What do the humidity conditions feel like in El Nido?
We derive the humidity comfort level – what conditions feel like – from the dew point temperature, which measures moisture content in the atmosphere: a higher dew point feels more humid, while a lower dew point feels drier.

Meteorologists agree that dew point temperature is a more consistant indication of 'absolute humidity' than relative humidity, which fluctuates with temperature. 

The average annual dew point in El Nido is 24°C (75°F), and varies little over the course of the year. Typically, it's muggy all year round in El Nido – almost every day feels muggy or oppressive.

When is the sea warmest in El Nido?
The sea is usually at its warmest in El Nido in June, when the water temperature averages 30°C (86°F), with good conditions for diving, snorkeling, swimming and surfing.

The sea temperature is good for swimming year-round in El Nido.

Which month has the most rain in El Nido?
July is usually the wettest month in El Nido with 306mm (12in) of rainfall on average, distributed across 24 days at least.

The wet season lasts from mid-May through to mid-November, with a greater than 42% chance of a given day being a wet day.

The dry season lasts from mid-November through to mid-May. The month with the fewest wet days in El Nido is February, with an average of less than two days and 8mm (≤1in) of rainfall.

What are the windiest months in El Nido?
The windiest month of the year in El Nido is January, with an average hourly wind speed of 26 kilometres per hour (16 mph; 14 knots).

The windy part of the year lasts from early-November to late-March, with average wind speeds of more than 20 kilometres per hour (12 mph; 11 knots).

The calmer time of year lasts from late-March through to early-November. The least windy month of the year in El Nido is May, with an average hourly wind speed of 14 kilometres per hour (8.7 mph; 7.6 knots).

The predominant average hourly wind direction in El Nido varies throughout the year.

Is there a risk of a tropical storm in El Nido?
The risk of a tropical storm in El Nido is greatest in November, with the likelihood of this happening is around 6%. The region is prone to tropical cyclones, which usually develop between October and December.

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El Nido Weather Averages

Holiday seasons

High season: From mid-December to May, including Christmas, New Year, Easter and Philippine school holidays during April and May.

Low season: June to September.

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Note: Meteorological data for El Nido, Palawan, Philippines is based on weather statistics gathered for the period 2012 to 2021, and is sourced from the closest weather station at Puerto Princesa International Airport (PPS), which is located 183km (113mi) south of El Nido, in Puerto Princesa, the capital of Palawan. This station is deemed sufficiently nearby to be relied upon as the primary source for historical climate records, although weather conditions in El Nido may vary slightly. Additional climate data is sourced from the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Advice on the best time to visit a particular destination is based on average local weather statistics, when the weather conditions are generally better than at other times of the year. We consider high and low temperatures, risk of rain (and thunderstorms, etc.), amount of sunshine and sea temperature. For general outdoor activities we favour clear, rainless days with a temperature range between 18°C (64°F) and 27°C (80°F); and for hot-weather activities we favour clear, rainless days with a temperature range between 24°C (75°F) and 32°C (89°F). Often, the best times to visit correspond to high season and therefore involve higher prices.

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Latest update: Best time to visit El Nido, Palawan: 30 March, 2024

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Disclaimer: The information on this site is provided as is, without any assurances as to its accuracy or suitability for any purpose. Weather data and conditions at any given location and time are unpredictable and variable. We assume no responsibility and can not be held legally responsible for any decisions made on the basis of the information presented on this site.

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