Things to Do in Philippines in August
August weather, activities, events & insider tips
August Weather in Philippines
Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance
Is August Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
- + August is the Philippines' shoulder season, fewer cruise ships, cheaper flights, and beach loungers you don't have to fight for. The water clarity around Palawan is sharpest right after the monsoon winds die down, so snorkelers get visibility that peaks at 30 m (98 ft) in places like El Nido's Big Lagoon.
- + Tubbataha Reef's diving season runs through August, and the live-aboard boats have space again. You're diving with whale sharks and manta rays while the peak-season boats are half-empty. Current operators report seeing twice the usual number of reef sharks this month, they seem to prefer the quieter water.
- + Local fiestas are still running but without the tourist crush. The Kadayawan Festival in Davao happens mid-August, and the durian stands along Roxas Avenue are at peak ripeness, the smell hits you from two blocks away. Locals will cut one open for you on the spot, the creamy flesh sliding out like custard.
- + Room rates have dropped 35-40% from the Easter peak. In Boracay, beachfront cottages that required three-month advance booking in April now pick up same-week reservations. The sandbar at Station 1 feels like the postcards again.
- − The habagat (southwest monsoon) lingers through August, which means sudden afternoon downpours. These aren't gentle tropical showers, they hit like someone turned on a fire hose for 20 minutes, then vanish. Your phone gets soaked regardless of what the forecast said that morning.
- − Ferry schedules between islands get unpredictable. The 8 AM boat to Coron might not leave until 2 PM if the captain decides the waves are too rough. Budget an extra day in your itinerary for weather delays, locals already do.
- − Some island-hopping tours cancel last-minute due to rough seas. The standard El Nido tour package (Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Secret Lagoon) runs about 60% of the time in August. When it runs, though, you share the lagoons with maybe six other people instead of sixty.
Best Activities in August
Top things to do during your visit
August delivers the best balance of calm mornings and dramatic afternoon skies in Palawan. The limestone cliffs around El Nido photograph better with storm clouds, and the lagoons are warm enough for 3-hour swims without a wetsuit. Morning tours usually launch at 7 AM to beat the 2 PM squalls, the water's glass-flat until then, good for kayaking through the hidden caves of Matinloc Island.
August is prime surfing season on Siargao's east coast. The habagat swells create consistent 2-3 m (6-10 ft) waves at Cloud 9, but the crowds haven't arrived yet. Surf schools at General Luna offer lessons at 6 AM when the wind is offshore and the waves are cleanest. The water temperature holds steady at 28°C (82°F), warm enough for 4-hour sessions without a spring suit.
August humidity makes Manila's street food culture shine. The evening markets along Quezon Avenue fire up their grills at 6 PM when the temperature drops to 26°C (79°F). You'll find sisig sizzling on cast-iron plates, the pork skin crackling like bacon while the onions caramelize in pork fat. The Salcedo Saturday Market runs rain or shine, locals show up with umbrellas and still queue 15 minutes for Manang's kare-kare.
August turns the Ifugao rice terraces into a wall of green that ripples in the wind like waves. The paddies are at their most photogenic before harvest, electric green against terraced stone walls that climb 1,500 m (4,921 ft) up the mountainside. Morning fog rolls through the valleys at 6 AM, creating that mystical layered effect every photographer wants. The 4-hour trek from Batad village to Tappiya Falls passes through rice paddies that are flooded ankle-deep, so the reflection doubles the visual impact.
August's new moon nights create the darkest skies for firefly watching on the Loboc River. The mangrove trees light up like Christmas trees, thousands of synchronous fireflies blinking in waves that wash across the branches. The river stays well still after sunset, reflecting the light show like a mirror. Kayaks launch at 7 PM when the fireflies start their mating display, and guides know exactly which trees host the densest colonies.
August Events & Festivals
What's happening during your visit
Davao's week-long harvest celebration features street dancing where performers wear costumes made entirely of fresh flowers, the scent of marigolds and orchids hangs in the air for blocks. The fruit market along Roxas Avenue turns into a durian great destination, with vendors who'll teach you to pick the perfect fruit by smell alone.
Packing Checklist
Bookmark this page — your progress is saved between visits
Essential Tips
Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
Book Experiences in Philippines
Top-rated things to do in Philippines this August
Didn't see anything interesting yet?
Browse Viator's full catalog of tours, day trips, food experiences, and private guides in Philippines.
See All Philippines Tours on Viator