Visiting Palawan by yacht
When to come, where yachts cruise around Palawan and what Tubbataha Reefs requires.
Picture made with AI. It shows the place but is not a photograph.
When to come
| Season | Months | Daily high | Monthly rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peak | January to April | 30.9 to 32.9 °C | 31 to 56 mm |
| Shoulder | May and December | 31.0 to 32.9 °C | 126 to 175 mm |
| Off season | June to November | 31.4 to 32.1 °C | 157 to 213 mm |
WMO climate normals 1991 to 2020, Puerto Princesa City station 98618. Season bands are our own estimate.
Where yachts cruise
Y.CO gives this Palawan charter route in its Philippines itinerary. All legs are at 12 knots.
Palawan Island to El Nido
192 NM, 16 hours. Y.CO describes El Nido as 45 islets around Bacuit Bay.
El Nido to Coron Island
64 NM, 5.25 hours. Y.CO says Coron has wreck diving, including a dozen Japanese warships in 20 m of water.
Coron Island to Tubbataha Reefs
197 NM, 16.5 hours. Y.CO says the reefs are essentially only accessible by private yacht.
Tubbataha Reefs to Bohol
287 NM, 24 hours, as Y.CO gives it.
Y.CO Philippines cruising guide, page opened 8 November 2026.
El Nido sample plan
The Asia Pacific Superyachts Philippines page gives a seven day El Nido plan. Guests fly in and a tender takes them to the yacht.
Day 1
Guests arrive at the El Nido air strip and take a tender to the boat. The boat steams 8 to 10 miles to Dilumacad Island and stays overnight.
Days 2 to 4
Dive sites, jet ski trips, a village walk and lagoon visits. On day 3 the page says the next anchorage is not easy to find and needs checking.
Day 5
The plan goes either south to Malampaya Sound, where Irrawaddy dolphins live, or north to the Lalutaya, Cabuli and Darocotan islands.
Day 7
The boat moves close to El Nido airport and guests fly out.
Asia Pacific Superyachts, Philippines itinerary, page opened 8 November 2026.
Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park
By gross tons
The park charges PHP 5,500 up to 100 gross tons, PHP 8,250 from 101 to 200 gross tons and PHP 11,000 from 201 gross tons.
Per person
The park charges PHP 5,000 per visitor and PHP 500 per divemaster. Minors aged 12 and under pay no conservation fee.
Permit and equipment
Every vessel needs a holding tank and an AIS transceiver. Private boats and non-commercial trips are limited to seven days. The park has no facilities, so guests stay aboard.
Sources. Checked 8 November 2026.
- Asia Pacific Superyachts: Philippines
- Y.CO: Philippines cruising guide
- Y.CO: Philippines yacht charter
- Tubbataha Management Office: About Tubbataha
- Tubbataha Management Office: Permits and fees
- Noonsite: Puerto Princesa
- Palawan Daily News: El Nido installs mooring buoys
- WMO climate normals 1991 to 2020: Puerto Princesa City 98618
- UKSA superyacht salary guide
Let the yachts come to you
Upload your CV and we build your crew profile from it. Captains and recruiters contact you. Free for crew.