Things to Do in Philippines in August

August Weather in Philippines

32°C (89°F) High Temp

20°C (68°F) Low Temp

51mm (2.0 inches) Rainfall

70% Humidity

Is August Right for You?

Advantages

Dry season in most regions - August sits in the sweet spot between the rainy months, with only 51mm (2.0 inches) of rainfall making outdoor activities highly reliable
Perfect diving conditions in Palawan and Bohol - visibility reaches 25-30m (82-98 ft) and seas are calmest, ideal for accessing remote dive sites like Apo Island
Shoulder season pricing - accommodation costs 20-30% less than December-February peak season, while flights from major cities average ₱15,000-25,000 ($270-450) roundtrip
Optimal island-hopping weather - consistent northeast winds at 10-15 knots create perfect sailing conditions in the Visayas, with minimal chance of typhoons affecting travel plans

Considerations

High humidity makes midday activities uncomfortable - 70% humidity combined with 32°C (89°F) temperatures creates a heat index of 38°C (100°F) between 11am-3pm
Tourist crowds increase significantly - August marks the start of European holiday season, creating 40% higher visitor volumes at major attractions like Boracay and El Nido
Occasional brief downpours - while total rainfall is low, when rain does come it's intense (20-30mm/hour) and can disrupt outdoor plans for 1-2 hours

Best Activities in August

Palawan Underground River and El Nido Island Tours

August offers the most reliable weather for exploring Palawan's limestone karsts and lagoons. Calm seas make the 45-minute boat ride to El Nido's Big Lagoon comfortable, while low rainfall ensures cave tours at the Underground River proceed without weather delays. Water temperatures hold steady at 28°C (82°F), perfect for swimming in hidden lagoons.

Booking Tip: Reserve 2-3 weeks ahead through licensed operators - tours typically cost ₱3,500-5,500 ($65-100) including transfers. Look for operators with covered boats and life jackets. See current tour options in the booking section below.

Bohol Chocolate Hills and Tarsier Sanctuary Tours

August's dry conditions make the 1.5km (0.9 mile) trek up to Chocolate Hills viewing platforms comfortable, with clear visibility extending 20km (12 miles) on most days. The grass-covered hills turn their signature brown color by mid-August, creating the iconic landscape. Early morning visits (7am-9am) avoid both crowds and peak heat.

Booking Tip: Day tours cost ₱2,800-4,200 ($50-75) including Loboc River cruise. Book through operators offering air-conditioned transport - the 2-hour drive from Tagbilaran requires it. See current options in the booking section below.

Manila Food Walking Tours and Intramuros Heritage Walks

August evenings in Manila are perfect for street food exploration - temperatures drop to 26°C (79°F) after 6pm, making 3-4 hour walking tours through Binondo Chinatown and Malate comfortable. The brief afternoon rains actually cool the air and wash the streets, creating better conditions for evening food tours.

Booking Tip: Evening tours (5pm-9pm) cost ₱2,000-3,200 ($35-60) and include 8-10 food stops. Book with guides who provide wet wipes and bottled water. Avoid midday tours in August heat. See current tour options in the booking section below.

Siargao Surfing and Island Hopping

August brings consistent 1-2m (3-6 ft) swells to Cloud 9, perfect for intermediate surfers. The dry northeast winds create offshore conditions in the morning, grooming waves beautifully. Island hopping to Naked Island and Guyam Island benefits from calm seas and excellent visibility for snorkeling.

Booking Tip: Surf lessons cost ₱1,500-2,500 ($25-45) for 2 hours. Island hopping tours run ₱2,500-3,800 ($45-70) for full day. Book accommodations 3-4 weeks ahead as August sees increased surf tourism. See current tour options in the booking section below.

Banaue Rice Terraces Trekking Tours

August's moderate rainfall keeps the rice terraces lush and green without creating muddy, dangerous hiking conditions. The 8km (5 mile) Batad trek to Tappiya Falls is most comfortable in August, with temperatures staying around 22°C (72°F) at 1,500m (4,920 ft) elevation. Clear morning views extend across the entire Cordillera range.

Booking Tip: Multi-day treks cost ₱4,500-7,000 ($80-125) including guide and homestay accommodation. Book local guides through the Banaue tourism office. Bring layers - temperature drops 10°C (18°F) at night. See current tour options in the booking section below.

Cebu Whale Shark Swimming and Canyoneering

August offers optimal conditions for swimming with whale sharks in Oslob - calm seas and excellent 20m (65 ft) visibility. The 4-hour canyoneering adventure in Kawasan Falls benefits from August's moderate water levels - high enough for exciting jumps but not dangerously fast currents from heavy rains.

Booking Tip: Whale shark tours cost ₱1,500-2,200 ($25-40) for 30 minutes in water. Canyoneering runs ₱2,800-4,000 ($50-70) including safety gear. Book early morning slots (6am-8am) to avoid crowds and heat. See current tour options in the booking section below.

August Events & Festivals

Third week of August

Kadayawan Festival

Davao's premier harvest festival celebrates the region's cultural diversity and bountiful harvests. Street dancing, floral floats, and tribal performances fill the city for a week. The festival showcases 11 indigenous tribes and features durian fruit competitions unique to August timing.

Late August

Ilocos Longganisa Festival

Vigan celebrates its famous pork sausage with cooking competitions, cultural shows, and street parties. Local families open their ancestral homes for special heritage tours during the festival week, offering rare access to colonial-era interiors.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Quick-dry synthetic shirts - cotton stays damp in 70% humidity and takes hours to dry after brief August downpours

Lightweight rain poncho - afternoon showers dump 20-30mm in 30 minutes but pass quickly, umbrellas are useless in wind

SPF 50+ reef-safe sunscreen - UV index hits 8+ and many marine parks ban chemical sunscreens that damage coral

Waterproof phone case - essential for island hopping and unexpected rain, local replacements cost 3x international prices

Breathable hiking shoes with good grip - wet limestone surfaces in caves and rice terraces become extremely slippery

Electrolyte packets - sweating is constant in August heat and humidity, local pharmacies may not stock familiar brands

Long-sleeve UV shirt - protects from sun on boat rides and prevents jellyfish stings while snorkeling

Cash in small bills - ₱20 and ₱50 notes for tricycle rides, many drivers can't make change for ₱500+ bills

Portable power bank 10,000+ mAh - humidity drains batteries faster and power outages during storms are common

Anti-chafe balm - walking in humid conditions causes serious chafing, especially during long temple visits or city tours

Insider Knowledge

Book domestic flights by July 15th - Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines raise prices 40-60% for August routes after mid-July as demand from overseas Filipino workers spikes

Avoid Boracay Station 1 after August 20th - European tour groups arrive in mass, tripling beach chair prices from ₱200 to ₱600 per day and creating 30-minute waits for restaurants

Visit public markets between 6am-8am in August - vendors display tropical fruits at peak ripeness (rambutan, mangosteen, lanzones) before heat affects quality, plus avoid afternoon crowds

Use Grab car instead of jeepneys during August rains - regular jeepneys leak extensively and don't have air conditioning, making humid conditions unbearable for tourists with luggage

Avoid These Mistakes

Scheduling outdoor activities between 11am-3pm - heat index reaches 38°C (100°F) making hiking, sightseeing, and beach activities genuinely dangerous without proper hydration

Bringing only flip-flops for footwear - wet season surfaces are slippery and many religious sites require closed-toe shoes, forcing expensive last-minute purchases

Not bringing backup entertainment for rain delays - afternoon downpours can trap you indoors for 2-3 hours, especially problematic during island transfers