Things to Do in Philippines in April
April weather, activities, events & insider tips
April Weather in Philippines
Is April Right for You?
Advantages
- Late dry season conditions mean excellent visibility for diving and snorkeling - water clarity peaks in April before the monsoon arrives, with visibility typically reaching 25-30 m (82-98 ft) around Palawan and Cebu
- Shoulder season pricing kicks in after Easter week - you'll find accommodation rates drop 20-30% compared to February-March peak, while weather remains reliably good for beach activities and island hopping
- Harvest season for mangoes means you're visiting during peak sweetness for Philippine mangoes (widely considered the world's best) - roadside stalls sell them for ₱60-100 per kilo versus ₱150-200 in other months
- Fewer tourists at major attractions compared to December-March high season, but infrastructure still operates at full capacity - you'll actually get decent photos at Chocolate Hills or El Nido without crowds blocking every angle
Considerations
- Heat builds significantly through the month - by late April, midday temperatures regularly push 35°C (95°F) with that 70% humidity creating a heat index around 40°C (104°F), making 11am-3pm outdoor activities genuinely uncomfortable
- April sits at the tail end of dry season, meaning some waterfalls run thin or dry up completely - Kawasan Falls in Cebu still flows decently, but smaller cascades around Bohol and northern Luzon might disappoint
- Holy Week (mid-April typically) creates a domestic travel surge where Filipino families take their main annual vacation - beaches and resorts get packed with local tourists, prices spike temporarily, and transportation books solid 2-3 weeks ahead
Best Activities in April
El Nido and Coron Island Hopping Tours
April offers the sweet spot for Palawan's famous island hopping - seas are calm with minimal wind, rainfall stays low around 50 mm (2 inches) for the month, and that excellent water clarity makes the lagoons and coral gardens spectacular. Tours typically run 9am-4pm visiting 4-5 islands. The heat actually works in your favor here since you're in and out of the water all day. Water temperature sits around 28°C (82°F), genuinely comfortable for extended snorkeling without a wetsuit.
Banaue and Batad Rice Terraces Trekking
Late dry season means the terraces show their full structural beauty without the lush green rice that comes after planting season - you get dramatic shadows and textures that photographers actually prefer. Trails stay dry and manageable, though dusty. The 6-8 hour trek from Banaue to Batad village involves about 400 m (1,312 ft) elevation change. Morning starts around 6am help you avoid the midday heat, and April's lower tourist numbers mean you might have entire sections of trail to yourself.
Cebu and Bohol Whale Shark Swimming
Oslob's whale sharks appear year-round, but April brings that exceptional water clarity and calm conditions that make the experience more enjoyable. You're in the water by 6am-7am before heat builds, spending 30-45 minutes with the whale sharks in water that's typically 3-5 m (10-16 ft) deep. The early timing actually suits April's heat pattern perfectly - you're done and heading to breakfast by 8:30am while the day stays comfortable. Combine with Sumilon Island sandbar visits afterward.
Manila and Intramuros Cultural Walking Tours
Walking Old Manila works better in April than you'd think - start at 7am when temperatures sit around 24°C (75°F) and humidity feels manageable. Fort Santiago, San Agustin Church, and Casa Manila stay comfortably cool inside their thick Spanish-era walls. The 2-3 km (1.2-1.9 mile) walking circuit takes 3-4 hours with stops. By 11am you're finishing up and heading to air-conditioned museums or restaurants. April's lower international tourist numbers mean you can actually appreciate the architecture without fighting through tour groups.
Siargao Island Surfing and Island Tours
April catches the transition between northeast and southwest monsoons, creating inconsistent but occasionally excellent surf at Cloud 9 - you might score 1-2 m (3-6 ft) waves on good days, though it's not the peak August-November season. What April does offer is empty lineups and rock-bottom accommodation prices dropping 40% from peak. The island-hopping tours to Sugba Lagoon, Magpupungko Rock Pools, and Naked Island work beautifully in April's calm seas and low rainfall. Tide pools fill perfectly during April's spring tides.
Davao City and Mount Apo Base Camp Trekking
April offers the driest conditions for approaching the Philippines' highest peak at 2,954 m (9,692 ft) - though full summit attempts require 2-3 days, the day trek to base camp at around 1,800 m (5,905 ft) gives you that montane forest experience with Philippine eagles occasionally spotted. You're hiking in cooler temperatures around 18-22°C (64-72°F) at elevation, a welcome break from coastal heat. Davao itself stays interesting with the night market running 6pm-2am and durian season hitting peak ripeness in April.
April Events & Festivals
Moriones Festival in Marinduque
This Holy Week tradition (dates shift yearly based on Easter - verify 2026 dates) features locals wearing carved wooden masks and Roman centurion costumes reenacting the Passion story. The week-long festival includes street performances, processions, and the hunting of Longinus through town streets. It's genuinely unique to the Philippines and draws mostly domestic tourists, giving you an authentic cultural experience rather than a tourist show. Marinduque requires a 4-hour bus plus 2-hour ferry from Manila.
Aliwan Fiesta in Manila
Usually held late April at CCP Complex in Manila, this festival brings together the best performers from regional festivals across the Philippines for a consolidated cultural showcase. You'll see Sinulog dancers from Cebu, Ati-Atihan performers from Kalibo, and others competing in street dancing and float competitions. It's designed partly for tourists and Manila residents who can't travel to individual regional festivals, making it accessible and well-organized with grandstand seating available.