Seasonal· Bohol Sea· Philippines
Monsoon Winds (Amihan and Habagat)
9° 24.0′ N · 123° 40.8′ E · approximate
Two monsoons drive sailing here. The north-east amihan (roughly Nov-Apr) brings the clearest water and calmest diving on the south and west coasts. The south-west habagat (roughly Jun-Oct) brings rain and swell that rolls along exposed coasts such as Siquijor's north shore.
Practical
Position approx: mid-Bohol Sea. Woods (2014): in both monsoons the wind is consistent and strong, so plan legs to use it rather than beat into it; transition months bring light, variable winds (you will motor); the strongest wind comes early and mid-season; in strong trades the wind builds from 8-9am, may ease around midday, rises again until evening and can blow through the night; early in the NE monsoon it is more N-NE, later NE-E. Dive guides put peak diving Oct/Dec-May and the green season Jun-Sep (philippinedives.com, 2026). Some areas are in a rain shadow in the dry months, so be ready to buy or make water.
Best for
Choosing passage direction and timing
Season
Amihan ~Nov-Apr; habagat ~Jun-Oct
Nearby
- Whale and Dolphin Season in the Bohol Sea5.1 NM away
- Black Forest (Balicasag)6.9 NM away
- Balicasag Island Marine Sanctuary7 NM away
- Balicasag Fish Sanctuary (Diver's Heaven)7.1 NM away
- Tulapos Marine Sanctuary7.3 NM away
- Gak-ang Islet8.8 NM away
- Habagat Wreck9.5 NM away
- Virgin Island Sandbar (Panglao)9.6 NM away