The Best Time to Visit Balabac Palawan (And When I’d Go Again) 2025

Balabac, down in the far south of Palawan, ended up being one of my favorite little adventures in the Philippines.

The nature out there is just incredible with crystal clear waters, white sand beaches, uninhabited islands, and some seriously impressive marine life. It was one of those places that felt properly remote and raw, and I genuinely loved it.

I spent around four days exploring the islands, and during that time, I had a mix of weather. A couple of days were perfect with blue skies, blazing sunshine, and crazy hot. But I also had some overcast skies and even rain.

So yeah, from my own experience, I can definitely say that the weather can make or break this trip. That’s why I decided to put together this quick guide on the best time to visit Balabac Palawan, so you hopefully get to skip the rain and clouds.

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The Best Time to Visit Balabac Palawan (And When I’d Go Again) 2025

Best Time to Visit Balabac Palawan – My Quick Answer

Alright, here’s my quick answer and a bit of personal experience too.

I spent four full days exploring the Balabac islands, and the weather was a total mix. Some days we had clear skies and sunshine (absolutely amazing), and others were cloudy or even rainy.

The thing is, trips like this, where you’re island hopping, snorkeling, and literally camping on beaches, they are super weather dependent. And personally, I want sun every single day.

Even if it’s not raining, a cloudy day just doesn’t hit the same. The colors of the water, the reefs, the whole vibe, it all just looks better when the sun’s out. Or is that just me?

So, the best time to visit Balabac is for sure during Palawan’s dry season, which runs from December to around April. That’s when you’ve got the best shot at perfect weather.

I visited in May and unfortunately we had some rain.

Another thing to keep in mind: Filipinos love traveling their own country, especially around public holidays. So I’d avoid visiting during Christmas or Easter since it can get pretty hectic. But January and February should be absolutely perfect.

Balabac Weather By Season

Dry Season (December – April)

December to April is definitely the best time to visit Balabac. This is Palawan’s dry season and if I ever return (which I’d love to), I’d for sure come around January or February. The days are mostly sunny, the sea is calmer, and island hopping just works better when the weather isn’t messing with your plans.

Yes, it’s peak season in the Philippines and things can get busier, but in Balabac, that still means pretty quiet. It’s not like El Nido or Coron. Just keep in mind: the seasons in the Philippines aren’t the same everywhere. For example, Palawan is dry from December to April, but over in Siargao, the dry season doesn’t start until May and lasts through August.

Hot & Transitional Season (May – June)

I visited Balabac in May and while it wasn’t bad, the weather was hit or miss. Some days were absolutely beautiful, others were grey or rainy. It’s a bit of a gamble. The sea was still calm enough, and we could do all the island hopping, but I wouldn’t say it was ideal. If you can only visit during this window, it’s still doable, just expect mixed conditions.

Wet Season (July – November)

This is the part of the year I personally wouldn’t risk. July to November brings the southwest monsoon, so you’re looking at rougher seas, frequent rain, and potential trip cancellations, especially with multi-day island hopping. Some tour operators even shut down temporarily during this time. If you’ve got flexibility, I’d avoid these months completely.

When Is Balabac the Most Crowded?

I mentioned this earlier but let me go into it a bit more here, based on my own experience and what I’ve heard from chatting with loads of locals.

Filipinos love traveling their own country. I haven’t seen this in the same way anywhere else in Southeast Asia. Locals go on holiday a lot and explore their own islands, which I honestly love, good on them.

Balabac is still more off the beaten path and doesn’t feel overrun by tourists, especially not international ones. But that doesn’t mean it stays quiet all year. It’s actually quite well known among Filipinos, so it does get busy, especially during Easter, Christmas, and school or public holidays.

If I were you, I’d avoid traveling in the Philippines during Holy Week. I’ve done it before, and it’s just way too intense, hotels book out ridiculously fast and the crowds can be overwhelming, even in more remote places like Balabac.

January and February are still peak season for international tourists, but they’re manageable. You could also go in April or May. It’s just more of a gamble with the weather, but honestly, have a look at my photos. We still had plenty of sunshine.

How to Go to Balabac Palawan

Ok, I’ll keep this short and to the point because there really isn’t that much to explain, but I still had loads of people reach out asking how to get to Balabac, so here’s the quick answer.

Balabac can pretty much only be visited as part of a booked tour. Think of it similar to the El Nido to Coron expeditions. The Balabac island hopping tour is usually a 4-day, 3-night guided trip, and it almost always includes roundtrip transfer from Puerto Princesa to Balabac.

In our case, our tour operator picked us up from our hotel in Puerto Princesa at 3 AM (yes, brutal), and then we were driven all the way down to the port, where we hopped on the boat and started the expedition from there.

Where to Stay in Balabac Philippines

This one’s kind of the same answer as how to get to Balabac, but since a lot of you asked where to stay, I’ll quickly break it down here.

Since Balabac is mostly visited as part of a boat tour, you’ll be staying in whatever accommodation your tour operator provides. It’s usually a mix of simple beach campsites, small huts, or tents on the sand.

It depends a bit on the company you go with, but most offer standard tents and optional upgrades. I personally booked the upgraded tent, basically just a larger version where I could actually stand up inside. Definitely worth it, especially if you’re traveling as a couple. It just made the whole experience a bit more comfortable.

That said, don’t expect anything fancy. It’s basic, rustic, and very much part of the charm. It’s camping on remote beaches, no resorts, no Wi-Fi, no hot showers. Just you, the ocean, and a few other people on the same adventure.

FAQs About The Best Time to Visit Balabac Palawan

Is it safe to go to Balabac Palawan?

From my personal experience, yes, absolutely. The islands are super remote, and you’ll mostly be with your tour group the whole time. The only thing that can feel a bit intimidating is the weather. If a storm rolls in while you’re camping on a far-out island, it can get intense. But as far as safety goes, I never felt uncomfortable or at risk.

Is Balabac worth visiting?

Definitely. It’s basic and very remote, but it’s stunning. That said, if you’re choosing between Balabac and a more classic Palawan experience, I’d personally go for the island tours in Coron or El Nido first. But if you’ve already done those, Balabac is an incredible next step.

What are the best hotels in Balabac Palawan?

Honestly, there aren’t really proper hotels in Balabac. Since you can only access the islands via multi-day tours, most companies include accommodation which are usually beach camping or rustic beach huts.

What is the best Balabac island hopping tour?

I heard great things about The WanderWalkers. Their trips are well-organized and cover all the best spots. If I ever go back, I’d book with them for sure.

Final Thoughts on When to Visit Balabac Palawan

To keep it short: the best time to visit Balabac Palawan is during the dry season, which runs from December to late April. I visited just after the dry season ended, and while I still had a great time, a few cloudy and windy days really changed the vibe. I kept thinking how incredible the islands would’ve looked with full sun and blue skies.

If I were to visit again, I’d aim for January or February, those months usually hit the sweet spot for weather. Just a heads-up: tours to Balabac are limited and fill up quickly, especially in peak months, so book well in advance to avoid missing out.

Hope this little guide on the best time to visit Balabac Palawan helped you figure out when to go!