Things to Do in Philippines in February
February weather, activities, events & insider tips
February Weather in Philippines
Is February Right for You?
Advantages
- Whale shark season peaks in Donsol from February through March - visibility reaches 15-20 m (49-66 ft) in calm seas, and you'll often spot 3-5 whale sharks per outing compared to just 1-2 in other months
- Chinese New Year falls in late January or early February 2026, bringing massive street celebrations in Manila's Binondo district and special temple ceremonies in Cebu - hotel prices actually drop right after the holiday ends around February 10-12
- Rice terraces in Banaue turn brilliant green in February as new plantings take hold - this is the most photogenic month before the harvest browning starts in March, and morning mist at 6-7am creates that postcard effect
- February sits right in the sweet spot between peak Christmas crowds and the scorching heat of March-May - you'll find beaches like Nacpan and Marimegmeg in El Nido at maybe 60% capacity compared to December's wall-to-wall tourists
Considerations
- That 597 mm (23.5 inches) of rainfall is actually higher than typical dry season months - February 2026 appears to be experiencing La Niña hangover effects, meaning you'll get sudden afternoon downpours that can last 45-90 minutes and occasionally wash out island hopping trips
- Amihan winds from the northeast blow strongest in February, which makes the eastern coastlines of Siargao and northern Palawan choppy - boat transfers to remote islands get cancelled maybe 15-20% of the time, and you'll feel seasick on bangka boats if you're prone to motion sickness
- UV index of 8 combined with 70% humidity creates deceptive conditions - you'll burn in 15-20 minutes without SPF 50 even on overcast days, and the humidity makes sunscreen sweat off faster than you'd expect
Best Activities in February
Whale Shark Encounters in Donsol
February is legitimately the best month for ethical whale shark watching in Donsol, Sorsogon. The plankton blooms attract 20-30 whale sharks to the area, and the calmer seas mean snorkeling conditions are actually pleasant rather than the choppy mess you get in monsoon months. Water temperature sits around 27°C (81°F), visibility reaches 15-20 m (49-66 ft), and you're looking at 80-90% success rates for sightings. The interaction officers enforce strict no-touch rules, so this is worlds apart from the feeding circus at Oslob. Morning departures around 7am work best before winds pick up.
Rice Terrace Photography Tours in Banaue and Batad
The Ifugao rice terraces hit peak green in February after new plantings in January. You'll get that luminous emerald color before harvest season browns everything out in March. Morning shoots from 5:30-7:30am give you mist rolling through the valleys, and the light at that hour is soft enough that you won't blow out highlights. Temperature at 1,500 m (4,921 ft) elevation hovers around 18-22°C (64-72°F), which is genuinely comfortable for the 3-4 hour treks between viewpoints. February also means fewer tour groups compared to the December-January peak.
Island Hopping in Coron and El Nido
February sits in that Goldilocks zone where seas are calm enough for comfortable boat rides but crowds have thinned from the December-January crush. Kayangan Lake and Twin Lagoon in Coron show off that famous emerald water clarity - visibility underwater reaches 20-25 m (66-82 ft) for snorkeling. In El Nido, the lagoons at Miniloc Island stay glassy in morning hours before afternoon winds kick up around 2-3pm. Water temperature is a bathlike 28°C (82°F). That said, expect 1-2 rainy days per week that might postpone trips - operators will usually reschedule you next day.
Chocolate Hills Sunrise Viewings in Bohol
February brings that striking contrast between green valleys and brown hills - the grass-covered karst formations turn golden-brown in the dry season while surrounding rice paddies stay emerald. Sunrise around 5:45am offers the best light and coolest temperatures before it climbs to 32°C (90°F) by midday. The 214-step climb to the viewing deck at the Complex is actually manageable at dawn when it's only 24°C (75°F). Combine this with the tarsier sanctuary visits in Corella - the primates are more active in February's moderate temperatures than in the scorching April-May heat.
Cebu Canyoneering and Waterfall Adventures
Kawasan Falls runs full and powerful in February thanks to those 597 mm (23.5 inches) of rainfall, making the turquoise pools at the base especially dramatic for swimming and bamboo raft rides. The canyoneering route from Alegria involves cliff jumping from 3-10 m (10-33 ft) heights, swimming through gorges, and rappelling down rock faces - water levels are ideal in February, not too low like April-May. The 3-4 hour adventure works best starting around 7am before heat peaks. Temperature stays around 26-28°C (79-82°F) in the shaded canyon, which is refreshing compared to the 32°C (90°F) you'll feel on the coast.
Manila Food Walking Tours in Binondo and Quiapo
February means Chinese New Year celebrations in Binondo, the world's oldest Chinatown, bringing special tikoy rice cakes, prosperity dumplings, and temple street food that only appears this time of year. Evening walks from 5-8pm let you hit the eateries when they're busiest with locals - temperatures cool to a manageable 26°C (79°F) after the daytime 32°C (90°F) heat. Quiapo Market on Friday mornings shows you the chaotic, authentic Manila - dried fish vendors, herbal medicine stalls, and the Black Nazarene devotees. The humidity makes walking sweaty work, but the food makes it worthwhile.
February Events & Festivals
Chinese New Year Celebrations in Manila and Cebu
The Lunar New Year falls around late January to early February in 2026, bringing dragon dances, firecracker displays, and street food festivals to Binondo in Manila and Colon Street in Cebu. The Binondo parade typically happens on the Sunday closest to New Year's Day with elaborate floats, lion dancers, and temple ceremonies at Seng Guan Temple. Street vendors sell tikoy, hopia, and prosperity foods that disappear after the festival week ends. Hotels in Binondo and Ermita actually drop prices by 20-30% right after February 10-12 when the crowds disperse.
Panagbenga Flower Festival in Baguio
Baguio's month-long flower festival runs throughout February, culminating in the Grand Float Parade and Street Dancing competition during the last weekend. The cool 15-20°C (59-68°F) mountain temperatures make this genuinely pleasant compared to lowland heat, and you'll see elaborate flower floats, performers in floral costumes, and Session Road packed with vendors selling strawberries, ube jam, and mountain coffee. Book Baguio accommodations 4-6 weeks ahead for festival weekends - prices triple and rooms sell out completely.
Dinagyang Festival in Iloilo City
This massive street dancing competition happens on the fourth Sunday of January, but festivities spill into early February with cultural shows, food fairs, and the Miss Iloilo pageant. Tribes compete in elaborate indigenous warrior costumes with synchronized choreography honoring Santo Niño. The energy rivals Sinulog in Cebu but with fewer foreign tourists - you'll get a more authentic local festival experience. Streets around Iloilo Freedom Grandstand close to traffic, and the drumming competitions run from 8am until past midnight.