Safety and weather
Calm water starts with good questions.
The sea decides a lot in El Nido. Here is how weather affects trips, and what to check before you step on any boat.
Our commitments
- Accredited operators
- Life jackets & safety briefing
- Free reschedule if weather cancels
- Quick replies on WhatsApp
How weather works here.
Bacuit Bay faces west. From about December to May it is usually sheltered and calm. From about June to October the southwest monsoon brings rain and swell into the bay, and trips are cancelled more often.
When conditions are unsafe, the Philippine Coast Guard and local authorities can suspend sea travel. No operator should take you out when trips are suspended. Leaving a spare day in your plans makes a cancelled trip a change of date, not a missed day.
Worth asking any operator.
Whoever you book with, these answers should come easily and in writing.
- 01Is the operator accredited, and is the boat registered for tourist trips?
- 02Is there a life jacket for every guest, including children’s sizes?
- 03How many crew are on board, and is there a safety briefing?
- 04Is there a first-aid kit and a way to call for help?
- 05What happens if the trip is suspended for weather: a new date, a refund, or both?
- 06Is there a written list of what is included, and which fees are extra?
In the water.
- Wear a life jacket for swims through narrow openings, such as Secret Beach.
- Bring water shoes. Some beaches and lagoon entrances are rocky.
- Use reef-safe sunscreen and do not stand on or touch coral.
- Tell the crew about weak swimmers, young children and anyone prone to seasickness.
Common questions.
Yes, children can join most routes. Tell us how many children come and their ages, and we suggest a suitable route and pace, such as the gentle Tour D. A boat should carry a life jacket for every guest, including child sizes, and the crew should give a safety briefing. Ask for these in writing before you book. Our safety page lists the questions to ask any operator.
The Philippine Coast Guard and local authorities can suspend sea travel when conditions are unsafe, and no operator should sail then. If your trip is cancelled because of the weather, you can move it to another available date at no extra charge. Refund terms, if you cannot reschedule, are set out in your written quote before you confirm. Leaving a spare day in your plans turns a cancelled trip into a change of date.
Make room for a little wonder
Some days deserve
their own boat.
Tell us your dates and your people. We will come back with a plan and a quote on WhatsApp.