Seasonal· Luzon (Subic Bay Freeport)· Philippines
Southwest Monsoon and Typhoon Season on Luzon West Coast
14° 47.4′ N · 120° 14.0′ E · approximate
From roughly May-June to October the habagat (southwest monsoon) brings heavy rain and onshore wind to the west coast of Luzon, and typhoons cross the region, most dangerously July through October. This is when cruisers tuck into Subic Bay.
Practical
Plotted at the Subic Bay reference point (Wikipedia). Climate of the Philippines (Wikipedia): the habagat brings heavy rain from about May to October, setting in May-June and ending late September to mid-October. The typhoon belt is most dangerous July-October. About 20-28 tropical cyclones a year enter PAGASA's area of responsibility, roughly nine making landfall. PAGASA declared the 2025 rainy-season onset on 3 June. Manila averages 273 mm of rain in June, 407 mm in July, 441 mm in August and 346 mm in September. Subic Bay's mountain-ringed deep harbour is a natural typhoon shelter, and cruisers call it the best in the country (Noonsite). The west-facing Zambales coves (Anawangin, Nagsasa, Silanguin) and Fortune Island are untenable in SW wind and swell. Ashore, the mountains bring landslides and flash floods in the rains. Manila Bay itself is no refuge: the tanker MT Terra Nova capsized there during Typhoon Gaemi in July 2024. Monitor PAGASA bulletins, and secure in Subic early when a storm signal is raised.
Best for
Planning a safe summer season
Season
Jun-Oct (habagat rains); typhoon risk highest Jul-Oct
Nearby
- Northeast Monsoon (Amihan) Dry SeasonRight here
- China Sea Race (Hong Kong to Subic Bay)0.6 NM away
- Grande Island (Fort Wint)1.1 NM away
- Grande Island Anchorage1.1 NM away
- LST-559 Wreck (Subic)1.4 NM away
- Grande Island Reef and Canyons1.5 NM away
- Camayan Beach1.8 NM away
- Camayan House Reef and Formula 40 Pocket Reef1.8 NM away
Place data includes © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).