October marks the beginning of Palawan's return to good weather. The southwest monsoon weakens progressively through the month, rainfall decreases, and El Nido's Bacuit Bay gradually calms. By late October, island hopping tours are running more reliably, though conditions remain variable. Prices are still at off-season lows. For travellers who can time the back half of October, conditions can approach early-dry-season quality at very significant savings. All Saints' Day (1 November) brings a brief domestic surge at month's end.
24–31°C (75–88°F)
Air temp
27°C (81°F)
Sea temp
Moderate
Rainfall
Low
Crowds
why go
what's on
All Saints' Day Approach
Late October1 November is Philippine All Saints' Day — Filipino families visit cemeteries and reunite. The last days of October see domestic visitors arriving, particularly to Puerto Princesa.
travel tips
Time your El Nido visit for the last 10–14 days of October if possible — conditions improve significantly in this window. Early October can still have rough, monsoon-like days.
October is an excellent month for a Coron-focused trip — Coron's sites are on the more sheltered east side of Palawan and October conditions are often quite good while prices remain at low-season levels.
Book accommodation for 1–2 November before you go — All Saints' Day long weekend can surprise you with a sudden shortage of good mid-range options in El Nido and Puerto Princesa.
common questions
The second half of October is a good value visit — improving weather, low prices, and smaller crowds than peak season. Early October can still be rough and rainy. If choosing between October and November, November is more reliably good. But for off-season prices with near-peak conditions, late October is a legitimate choice.
Variable. Early October can still have rough Bacuit Bay conditions with cancelled tours. By mid-October, calmer windows increase. Late October (last two weeks) generally allows tour A and B to run most days. Tour C (more exposed route) returns to reliability first in November. Always confirm with operators on the day.
Coron is slightly better positioned in October due to its partially sheltered geography. Kayangan Lake, Twin Lagoon, and Barracuda Lake tours run from Coron Town by short boat ride and are available on most October days. Wreck diving at Coron Bay continues with good underwater visibility even when the surface is choppy.
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