Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
DIVE PARADISE
The Philippines is blessed by a dazzling richness and
diversity of marine life and
diving
is one of the most
popular activities in the archipelago. Under the
waves lies an underwater wonderland of stupefying
coral gardens
teeming with brilliantly coloured reef
fish, turtles, giant clams and starfish, while at depth
there are giant rays and prowling sharks. Indeed, this
vast tropical archipelago is at the heart of Southeast
Asia's “coral triangle”, the most biologically diverse
marine ecosystem on earth, with over three hundred
types of coral and 350 fish species. Diving here is
affordable and, thanks to warm waters, can be
enjoyed year-round. If you're serious about your
diving, booking a trip on a
liveaboard
(see p.39) can be a memorable experience, giving you
the opportunity to get away from the more popular dive resorts and explore the wilderness.
When to go
The Philippines has a hot and humid tropical climate with a
wet season
(southwest
monsoon, or
habagat
) from May to October and a
dry season
(northeast monsoon, or
amihan
) from November to April. The
best time to visit
is during the dry season,
although even during the wet season it doesn't always rain torrentially and days can be
hot and sunny, with short, intense downpours at dusk. January and February are the
coolest months and good for travelling, while March, April and May are very hot: expect
sunshine all day and temperatures to peak at a broiling 36°C. As well as higher humidity,
the wet season also brings
typhoons
(see box, p.48), with flights sometimes cancelled and
roads impassable. The first typhoon can hit as early as May, although typically it is June
or July before the rains really start, with July to September the wettest (and stormiest)
months. The southern Visayas and Palawan are less prone to this danger, and Mindanao
sees less rain during the wet season and no typhoons.
AVERAGE TEMPERATURES AND RAINFALL
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
MANILA
ºC
25
27
28.5
31.5
31
29
28.5
28
28
28.5
28
27
ºF
77
81
83
89
88
84
83
82
82
83
82
81
Rainfall (mm)
0.74
0.46
0.58
1.1
4.2
8.5
13.9
13.6
11.8
6.2
4.8
2.1
BAGUIO
NORTHERN LUZON
ºC
17
19
20.5
23.5
23
21
20.5
19.5
20
20.5
20
18.5
ºF
63
66
69
74
73
70
69
67
68
69
68
65
Rainfall (mm)
0.74
1.2
1.1
1.4
4.8
10.2
14.8
14.2
12.6
8.4
6.6
3.2
SIARGAO
MINDANAO
ºC
25.5
26
26
27
27
27
27
27
27
27
26
26.5
ºF
78
79
79
81
81
81
81
81
81
81
79
80
Rainfall (mm)
17.5
13.4
16.3
8.4
5
4.2
5.7
4.1
5.6
8.8
14.2
20
