Seasons, Weather & Visibility For Scuba Diving in the Verde Island Passage
Short answer: you can dive Puerto Galera and the Verde Island Passage all year. Conditions shift with the monsoons, but there’s good diving in every month—just pick what you value most: flat seas, cooler air, warmer water, or quieter sites.
Amihan (northeast monsoon): Nov–May.
Generally drier weather, calmer seas, and many operators’ “best” window for easy planning. Expect frequent blue-sky days and settled water, especially Dec–Apr.
Habagat (southwest monsoon): Jun–Oct.
Warmer air and more rain, with occasional wind or swell; diving continues most days thanks to Puerto Galera’s sheltered bays and surrounding hills.
Climate Change and Weather Variability
While these seasonal patterns still serve as a good guide, climate change is making local weather less predictable. Sea temperatures are rising, rainfall is shifting, and wind patterns can now vary from year to year. Calm spells may appear earlier or later than expected, and occasional rough weather can occur outside the usual Habagat months.
Expect about 25–30 °C across the year—coolest around Dec–Feb (~25–26 °C) and warmest Apr–Sep (~29–30 °C). Pack a 3–5 mm suit for the coolest months; a shortie often suffices in summer.
Average visibility sits around 15–25 m, with 30 m+ on good days. In peak dry season you’ll often get steady blue days; in the rainy months, short-lived drops can follow heavy squalls—but low season can also deliver excellent, quiet diving when winds ease between systems.
The Passage’s signature sites—especially around Verde Island and the Islands of Calapan—owe their life to moving water. Currents can be strong and timing matters; plan for slack or drift dives with experienced guides. Advanced divers love the action; newer divers can enjoy leeward reefs and gentler windows.
Nov–May (Amihan)
Dry, sunny, generally calmer seas; popular months with straightforward travel. Great for mixed-ability groups and photogs who like predictable surface conditions.
Jun–Oct (Habagat)
Warmer water, fewer boats, and flexible day-by-day site choices to match wind and swell. Ideal if you like quieter sites and don’t mind occasional weather moves.
If you want the classic mix of calm seas and clear water, Nov–May is a safe bet. If you prefer fewer crowds and don’t mind a passing shower, Jun–Oct delivers rewarding diving too. With protected bays, varied sites, and dependable temperatures, the Verde Island Passage is a genuine year-round destination.
Our Ocean Safari travel packages combine guided adventure diving in the Verde Island Passage, hands-on marine research with our Reef Support Crew, and relaxed recreational dives across the reefs surrounding Puerto Galera.
