The sea temperature at El Nido (Palawan) today is 30.1 °C (86 °F) – water as warm as a bath. The usual October average is 29.6 °C. Over the last 30 days the sea has cooled from 30.7 °C to 30.1 °C. Swimmable all year – the sea averages 27 °C or more in every month. Source: Sea Temp Map (seatempmap.com) – NASA MUR satellite data and the Copernicus Marine sea forecast.
| Month | Min | Avg | Max |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 27.9°C / 82.3°F | 28.2°C / 82.7°F | 28.5°C / 83.3°F |
| February | 27.1°C / 80.8°F | 27.5°C / 81.5°F | 27.9°C / 82.2°F |
| March | 27.3°C / 81.1°F | 27.8°C / 82.1°F | 28.3°C / 82.9°F |
| April | 28.8°C / 83.8°F | 29.0°C / 84.2°F | 29.2°C / 84.5°F |
| May | 29.6°C / 85.3°F | 30.0°C / 85.9°F | 30.6°C / 87.1°F |
| June | 29.8°C / 85.6°F | 30.2°C / 86.4°F | 30.6°C / 87.1°F |
| July | 29.4°C / 84.9°F | 29.7°C / 85.5°F | 29.9°C / 85.8°F |
| August | 29.4°C / 84.8°F | 29.6°C / 85.4°F | 30.0°C / 86.1°F |
| September | 29.1°C / 84.3°F | 29.5°C / 85.0°F | 29.8°C / 85.6°F |
| October | 29.3°C / 84.7°F | 29.6°C / 85.3°F | 29.9°C / 85.9°F |
| November | 29.1°C / 84.3°F | 29.5°C / 85.0°F | 29.9°C / 85.8°F |
| December | 28.8°C / 83.8°F | 29.0°C / 84.1°F | 29.1°C / 84.3°F |
| Month | Min | Avg | Max |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 26.1°C / 79.0°F | 27.2°C / 80.9°F | 28.2°C / 82.8°F |
| February | 26.0°C / 78.7°F | 27.1°C / 80.8°F | 28.4°C / 83.1°F |
| March | 26.3°C / 79.3°F | 27.7°C / 81.8°F | 29.2°C / 84.6°F |
| April | 27.0°C / 80.5°F | 28.5°C / 83.3°F | 30.0°C / 86.0°F |
| May | 27.1°C / 80.8°F | 28.6°C / 83.5°F | 29.9°C / 85.9°F |
| June | 26.4°C / 79.5°F | 27.8°C / 82.0°F | 29.2°C / 84.5°F |
| July | 26.4°C / 79.5°F | 27.6°C / 81.7°F | 28.8°C / 83.8°F |
| August | 26.3°C / 79.3°F | 27.7°C / 81.8°F | 29.2°C / 84.5°F |
| September | 26.1°C / 79.0°F | 27.4°C / 81.2°F | 28.6°C / 83.5°F |
| October | 26.2°C / 79.2°F | 27.5°C / 81.4°F | 28.5°C / 83.3°F |
| November | 26.8°C / 80.2°F | 28.0°C / 82.3°F | 29.1°C / 84.3°F |
| December | 26.6°C / 79.9°F | 27.6°C / 81.8°F | 28.6°C / 83.6°F |
5-year averages (2021–2025). Min/Max are typical daily lows and highs, not record extremes. (Copernicus ERA5)
El Nido holidays
El Nido is a town and municipality at the northern tip of Palawan in the Philippines, facing Bacuit Bay and its dozens of limestone islands. Tall karst cliffs rise straight from the water around the bay, and boat trips between lagoons, coves and small beaches are the main reason people travel this far.
Beaches
Las Cabanas, south of El Nido town, is a long stretch of sand facing west towards the islands, busy at sunset, with a zipline to a small islet offshore. Nearby Marimegmeg and Corong Corong have beach bars and resorts, while the beach in El Nido town itself is used mainly by the island-hopping boats. About 30 minutes north by road, Nacpan Beach is a wide curve of sand several kilometres long with few buildings, and Duli Beach nearby catches waves for surfing. The sea temperature on this page is measured off Las Cabanas.
Things to do
Island hopping in Bacuit Bay is organised as set tours, usually labelled A to D, which visit places such as the Big and Small Lagoons, the Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Seven Commandos Beach and Helicopter Island; visitors pay an environmental fee, and some lagoons have daily limits and kayak rules, so check current conditions. For views over the town and the bay, the guided Taraw Canopy Walk climbs the cliffs behind El Nido town; check which route is currently open. Private boat trips and kayaks reach quieter coves, and ferries connect El Nido with Coron, further north, weather permitting.
Weather and best time to visit
At El Nido the sea stays above 27 °C / 81 °F all year, even in the coolest month.
In El Nido, the dry season runs from about December to May, with the calmest sea and the most visitors in March, April and May. From June to October the south-west monsoon brings rain and stronger winds, and island-hopping tours can be cancelled when the sea is rough. Typhoons pass through the Philippines mainly in the second half of the year, although northern Palawan is less often in their path than islands further east.
Hotels and where to stay
El Nido town has guesthouses and small hotels close to the boats and restaurants. Las Cabanas, Marimegmeg and Corong Corong have beach resorts a short tricycle ride from town, the Lio Tourism Estate near the airport has hotels on its own beach, and several resorts occupy private islands in Bacuit Bay.
Signature hotels: Pangulasian Island Resorts El Nido (Bacuit Bay) · Lagen Island Resort El Nido (Bacuit Bay)
Airport and getting there
El Nido Airport, in Lio about 20 minutes north of the town, has domestic turboprop flights; check current routes and departure airports, which include Clark. Another option is to fly into Puerto Princesa (PPS) and continue by van or bus, allowing about 5 to 6 hours or more by road. Ferries run between El Nido and Coron, weather permitting; check current timetables.