NORTHERN PALAWAN (BACUIT BAY, EL NIDO, TAYTAY, LINAPACAN TO CORON)

El Nido / Palawan: boating safety

Last verified: 14 October 2026

El Nido, at the northern tip of mainland Palawan, is the base for island-hopping, sailing and charter trips around Bacuit Bay's limestone islands. Longer trips head north through the Linapacan and Calamian islands to Coron.

LIFE IN DANGER AT SEA

Call 911

Call 911 and ask for the Coastguard. On the radio: MAYDAY on VHF 16, or DSC on channel 70.

Philippines: all rescue numbers → On the rescue map → Print an emergency card →

Weather

PAGASA, the Philippine weather service, includes El Nido in its daily weather outlook for selected tourist areas and posts gale warnings for Philippine seaboards on its gale warning page (it shows when none is in force). Offshore waters are covered by its high seas forecast for METAREA XI.

PAGASA (Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration) · PAGASA · PAGASA ▾

bagong.pagasa.dost.gov.ph (2026-10-14): “El Nido ( The Islands of God - Heaven on Earth)”

bagong.pagasa.dost.gov.ph (2026-10-14): “As of today, there is no Gale Warning Issued.”

bagong.pagasa.dost.gov.ph (2026-10-14): “High Seas and Offshore Waters Forecast For METAREA XI Southwestern Sub Area”

Hazards

Around 20 typhoons hit the Philippines each year, mostly from June to November. PAGASA raises Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals 1–5 by province; Signal 1 means winds of 39 km/h (22 kt) or more within 36 hours, and winds are generally stronger over open water than the signal implies.

UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office · PAGASA · PAGASA ▾

gov.uk (2026-10-14): “Around 20 typhoons hit the Philippines each year. Most typhoons happen between June and November.”

bagong.pagasa.dost.gov.ph (2026-10-14): “A Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) is a plain text warning to particular land area that may experience winds of at least strong breeze in strength on the Beaufort Scale (i.e., 39 km/h, 22 kt or higher) within at most 36 hours”

bagong.pagasa.dost.gov.ph (2026-10-14): “local winds are generally stronger over offshore water and on high ground”

Passenger boats sometimes lack lifesaving equipment and maritime rescue may be limited. Avoid overcrowded boats; accidents are more frequent in the rainy season (June–December), when storms can develop quickly.

UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office · UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ▾

gov.uk (2026-10-14): “Boats sometimes lack lifesaving equipment, and maritime rescue services may be limited.”

gov.uk (2026-10-14): “Accidents are more frequent during the rainy season between June and December when storms can develop quickly.”

Hospital and medical

El Nido Community Hospital is a public hospital run by the Province of Palawan; Northern Palawan Provincial Hospital is also on the province's list. The province's page does not state emergency-department hours.

Provincial Government of Palawan · Provincial Government of Palawan ▾

palawan.gov.ph (2026-10-14): “EL NIDO COMMUNITY HOSPITAL”

palawan.gov.ph (2026-10-14): “NORTHERN PALAWAN PROVINCIAL HOSPITAL”

Frequently asked

Who do I call in an emergency at sea near El Nido / Palawan?

Call 911 and ask for the Coastguard. On the radio: MAYDAY on VHF channel 16, or a DSC distress alert on channel 70.

Where do I get the marine forecast for El Nido / Palawan?

Read before you sail

Thunderstorms, lightning and squalls on the water: what to do Cold water shock and hypothermia: what to do Person overboard: what to do Engine failure: what to do when you lose power

Nearby destinations

Hong Kong (Victoria Harbour & Sai Kung) 732 nm Okinawa Japan Singapore (Keppel Bay & Sentosa) Singapore Koh Samui Thailand Labuan Bajo / Komodo Indonesia Penang Malaysia Langkawi Malaysia Bali — Benoa Indonesia

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