Boracay Weather Conditions to Visit or Avoid

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As is true all over the Philippines, there are only two seasons in Boracay – the dry and wet seasons. These seasons go by the names Amihan and Habagat. The better weather happens from November to February, which is time for Amihan or the northeast monsoon. In these months, the skies are generally clear, the waves are calm and there are cool breezes all around. This is the time that is ideal for a stroll along Boracay’s world-famous white sand beach or an afternoon dip in its pristine blue ocean. The overall conditions are very good at this time of the year, which is why hotels and resorts are packed to the brim. Make a reservation months earlier to avoid the rush. Some backpackers actually resort to setting up tents on the white sand.

The Amihan season extends as far as March and until June but these months are much warmer and humid. The sun can be too hot for Western tourists who are not used to scorching heat and the humidity, best described as sweltering. Avoiding taking a swim or sunbathing from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. During this period, it is a better idea to find some shade to sit and play poker, or perhaps grab a bite to eat in a restaurant. Whatever you decide to do, you should avoid being in the sun. Doing otherwise can lead to bad skin rashes and, in the worst cases, to skin cancer. If you can’t help it, however, and absolutely must get into the water at such times, the best spot to swim along White Beach is beside Willy’s Rock. The unusual volcanic formation in shallow waters at the center of White Beach provides a much needed shade.

Local tourists flock to Boracay around this time since school vacation in the Philippines is in April and May. It is also during the Amihan season when the water off White Beach is glassy-smooth while that in Bulabog Beach at the other side of the island has winds strong enough for windsurfing and kite boarding.

While Boracay’s white sand and overall tropical atmosphere are still enticing during the Habagat season, try to avoid the months of July to October where there are rains and strong winds. This is not exactly the perfect weather for sunbathing. Boracay is not far from the typhoon belt of the Philippines, after all. It was only recently devastated by Typhoon Ketsana in October 2009. It was officially closed to foreign visitors then since most of the shops, hotels and restaurants were destroyed and flooded. And yet, thousands of visitors still came to visit Boracay’s White Beach despite the lack of comfortable facilities.

So far, the two devastating tsunamis – in Indonesia and Japan, which were both very near the Philippines, have not touched Boracay. Nevertheless, avoid visiting Boracay or any Philippine tourist spots near the ocean or on top of the mountains during the typhoon season. It is during this Habagat season, however, when the best sunsets can be seen and photographed.

During Amihan, daytime temperatures typically range from 77-90°F (25-32°C) from February or March, and get warmer to about 82-100°F(28-38°C) just before Habagat sets in. With rainfalls and storms, daytime Habagat temperature could be as low as 68°F (20°C).

Boracay, as most parts of the Philippines, is generally very humid all year long. To be a well-informed traveler, always check weather forecasts before planning your Boracay vacation. Avoid the months with bad weather as typhoon season could get really bad.