November is one of Palawan's most rewarding months. The northeast monsoon re-establishes, Bacuit Bay calms, and El Nido's iconic lagoons return to their turquoise, serene best. All island hopping tours (A, B, C, D) run reliably by mid-November. Prices are still well below December–March peak levels, crowds are thin, and the natural scenery of Palawan's rainforests is lush green from the monsoon season. It's the ideal combination of good conditions and value pricing. All Saints' Day (1 November) brings a brief early-month domestic surge.
23–30°C (73–86°F)
Air temp
27°C (81°F)
Sea temp
Low
Rainfall
Moderate
Crowds
why go
what's on
All Saints' Day
1–2 November1–2 November is a national holiday — Filipino families visit cemeteries and reunite. The first 3–5 days of November see a domestic surge in El Nido and Puerto Princesa before quickly returning to quiet.
travel tips
If visiting in early November, book accommodation before you arrive — All Saints' Day weekend (1–3 November) sees El Nido's better guesthouses fill up with domestic Filipino visitors.
Mid-November is the sweet spot: All Saints' Day domestic surge has passed, conditions are good, and Christmas crowd hasn't yet arrived. The quietest and best-value window of the year.
Nacpan Beach in November is at its most peaceful — lush green backdrop from monsoon rains, calm water, and almost no tourists. One of the most beautiful beach experiences in the Philippines.
common questions
Excellent — one of the best times. By mid-November, sea conditions in Bacuit Bay are reliably calm, all island hopping tours run daily, and prices are 20–30% below the December–March peak. The lagoons are as beautiful as in January with a fraction of the crowd.
November has similar weather to December — both dry season, calm seas, and clear skies. The main difference: December sees higher prices due to Christmas demand, more visitors, and accommodation books out faster. November offers the same quality of weather at 20–35% lower accommodation rates and noticeably fewer boats at the lagoons.
Yes — by November the sea conditions are calm enough for the ferry to run reliably. The crossing takes approximately 4–5 hours and costs around PHP 2,500–3,500. Book a few days ahead in November, as capacity is limited and it's becoming popular among travellers doing the northern Palawan circuit.
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