Things to Do in Philippines in March
March weather, activities, events & insider tips
March Weather in Philippines
Is March Right for You?
Advantages
- March sits at the tail end of the dry season, meaning you get reliable beach weather with only occasional afternoon showers - the 51 mm (2.0 inches) of rainfall typically comes in quick bursts that clear within 30 minutes, not all-day washouts that ruin your plans
- Sea visibility peaks in March for diving and snorkeling, particularly around Palawan and the Visayas, where underwater visibility reaches 25-30 m (82-98 ft) compared to the murky 10-15 m (33-49 ft) you'd get during monsoon months
- You're visiting between Chinese New Year crowds (usually February) and Holy Week madness (typically April), so domestic tourist numbers are actually manageable - flights and accommodations run about 20-30% cheaper than peak season without sacrificing weather quality
- The shoulder-season timing means island-hopping boats aren't packed, dive sites feel less like underwater traffic jams, and you can actually get that Instagram shot at Nacpan Beach without 47 people in the background
Considerations
- March temperatures hover around 30°C (86°F) with 70% humidity, which feels more like 35°C (95°F) in direct sun - this is the kind of heat where you'll want to plan beach time for early morning and late afternoon, not midday when the UV index hits 8
- The tail end of dry season means some waterfalls run thin or dry up completely, particularly in Cebu and Bohol - if chasing waterfalls is your main goal, you're visiting at the wrong time
- March marks the beginning of jellyfish season in some areas, particularly around Boracay and northern Palawan, where box jellyfish and other stingers become more common as waters warm up
Best Activities in March
El Nido Island-Hopping Tours
March offers the sweet spot for El Nido's famous lagoons and limestone karsts - calm seas make boat transfers comfortable, and the 10 rainy days scattered through the month rarely interfere with full-day tours. Water clarity peaks now before April's heat stirs up sediment. You'll hit spots like Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, and Secret Beach when they're accessible but not overcrowded. The 30°C (86°F) temperatures make the water feel refreshing rather than cold, and afternoon clouds often roll in just when you need shade.
Banaue Rice Terraces Trekking
March catches the terraces in their green phase after February planting, before the intense April heat makes hiking miserable. Temperatures in the Cordillera mountains run cooler than the coast - around 18-24°C (64-75°F) - making full-day treks actually enjoyable. The 51 mm (2.0 inches) of March rainfall keeps trails from being dusty without turning them into mudslides. You'll see farmers working the terraces, and the morning mist that rolls through the valleys creates that dramatic landscape photographers chase.
Cebu Whale Shark Encounters
Oslob's whale shark interactions run year-round, but March offers calmer waters and better visibility than monsoon months. The ethical debate around feeding continues, but if you're going to do it, March's conditions mean shorter boat rides and clearer underwater views. Water temps sit comfortably at 27-28°C (81-82°F). Alternatively, Donsol offers more natural encounters where whale sharks migrate through - March catches the tail end of their season before they move on in April.
Siargao Surfing and Island Life
March brings consistent swells to Cloud 9 and surrounding breaks without the September-November typhoon chaos. The famous right-hander works best at mid to high tide, and March typically delivers 3-5 ft waves suitable for intermediate surfers. Water stays warm at 28°C (82°F), so you're surfing in boardshorts, not wetsuits. Beyond surfing, the island-hopping to Naked Island, Daku Island, and Guyam Island works perfectly in March's calm conditions - these trips get cancelled frequently during monsoon months.
Manila Food and History Walking Tours
March heat makes daytime Manila exploration sweaty work, but evening food tours through Binondo (the world's oldest Chinatown) or Poblacion's bar district become perfect. Temperatures drop to 24-26°C (75-79°F) after sunset, and Manila's food scene peaks during these cooler hours. Intramuros walking tours work better in early morning before 9am when temperatures are manageable and the Spanish colonial walls aren't radiating heat. The mix of Spanish, Chinese, and Filipino influences creates food combinations you won't find anywhere else.
Coron Wreck Diving
March delivers the best conditions for exploring Coron's famous Japanese WWII wrecks - visibility reaches 20-25 m (66-82 ft), seas stay calm, and water temperatures sit at a comfortable 27-28°C (81-82°F). The wrecks range from beginner-friendly shallow dives to advanced penetration dives, and March's stable weather means dive operators rarely cancel trips. Beyond wreck diving, Coron's lakes and lagoons (Kayangan Lake, Barracuda Lake) are accessible and stunning in March light.
March Events & Festivals
Araw ng Dabaw (Davao City)
Davao's founding anniversary celebration typically runs during the third week of March with street dancing, cultural performances, and food festivals showcasing Mindanao's diverse indigenous cultures. The Indak-Indak sa Kadalanan street dancing competition draws groups from across the region. It's a genuine local festival rather than a tourist-focused event, which makes it more interesting if you're in Mindanao anyway.
Pasigarbo sa Sugbo (Cebu Province)
This province-wide festival showcase happens in late March, with municipalities across Cebu presenting their local festivals through dance competitions and cultural displays at the Cebu City Sports Center. It's basically a greatest-hits compilation of Cebu's various town fiestas condensed into one event - useful if you want to see multiple festival styles without traveling to different towns.