Travelling the Philippines in Typhoon Season: How We Plan Trips from September to November
People always ask us whether it's "safe" to travel the Philippines between June and November. Our honest answer: yes, if you plan for it. The rainy months can mean emptier beaches, cheaper rooms, and dramatic skies. They can also mean cancelled ferries, delayed flights, and island hopping trips that turn into very long lunches.
Being based in the Philippines, I've had my fair share of off-season adventures. There was a recent trip I went to in Zambales where the beach was flooded due to the heavy rains. You can watch the full vlog here.
Here's how we plan around typhoon season so the weather changes our itinerary without ruining the trip.
When Is Typhoon Season in the Philippines?
Typhoon season runs roughly June to November, peaking from July to October, when PAGASA says the majority of the country's typhoons form. Activity drops sharply after November, although PAGASA still tracks the occasional cyclone into early December.
That means if you're travelling in late September or October, you're still in the thick of it. Plan accordingly.
Which Regions Are Safer?
No part of the country is completely typhoon-proof, but some areas are hit much more often than others.
More exposed:
Northern and eastern Luzon
Bicol Region
Eastern Visayas (Samar and Leyte)
Comparatively sheltered:
Palawan
Western Visayas (Iloilo, Guimaras, Negros Occidental)
Much of Mindanao, which sits south of the usual typhoon belt
This is one reason we like the Western Visayas in October: MassKara in Bacolod, food trips in Iloilo, and Guimaras beaches are all in a lower-risk zone.
(Insert your personal take here: any trip where the weather changed your plans?)
Build in Buffer Days
This is the single most useful rule we follow. Between July and October, add 2–3 buffer days around any:
International flight home
Ferry or fastcraft connection
Island hopping or boat tour
Put your "must-do" boat trips early in the itinerary so you have time to reschedule. And never book your flight home for the same day as a ferry.
Understand Storm Signals and Ferry Cancellations
When PAGASA raises a Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) over an area, the Coast Guard typically suspends sea travel, from big RoRo ferries down to small bangkas. This can happen even when the sky above you looks fine, because conditions at sea are worse.
Check PAGASA daily. During an active storm, they update bulletins every 6 hours.
Follow your ferry operator's Facebook page. Cancellations often appear there first.
Ask your resort or homestay. Locals usually know before the official announcements.
Get the Right Travel Insurance
Buy travel insurance with weather and trip-interruption cover as soon as you book. Most policies won't cover a storm once it has already been named, so waiting until you see something forming on the forecast is too late.
Keep screenshots of cancellation notices and receipts for any extra nights or rebooked flights. You'll need them for claims.
What to Pack for Rainy Season
Lightweight rain jacket: Umbrellas are useless in proper tropical wind
Dry bag: For phones, passports, and cameras on boat trips
Quick-dry clothes: Cotton takes forever to dry in humid weather
Sandals with grip: Wet tiles and jetties are slippery
Power bank: Brownouts happen during and after storms
Offline maps and cash: ATMs and card machines can go down
The Upside of Travelling Off-Peak
It's not all logistics and warnings. Typhoon season also means:
Lower prices: Resorts and flights are often noticeably cheaper than in peak season
Fewer crowds: Popular beaches can feel almost private between rain showers
Greener landscapes: Rice terraces, waterfalls, and hills are at their most lush
Festival season: October brings MassKara in Bacolod, and plenty of local fiestas
Most days in typhoon season aren't stormy at all. Expect a heavy afternoon downpour, then clear skies for sunset.
Our Take
We'd never tell you to avoid the Philippines between June and November. We would tell you to stay flexible, watch the forecast, and treat your itinerary as a draft rather than a contract. Pick lower-risk regions, keep a few free days up your sleeve, and you might find the rainy months become your favourite time to travel.
— The Travelling Foxes
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