Local language: Filipino. English is not confirmed by the source.
National emergency number
Source: calabarzon.dilg.gov.ph · authority: use the emergency number · checked 14 October 2026 Official wording ▾
calabarzon.dilg.gov.ph/dilg-tawag-sa-911-responde-agad-whole-govt-on-alert-for-semana-santa/ (2026-03-31; checked 2026-10-14) — “Sa lahat ng manlalakbay, kung may emergency, tumawag kayo sa 911.” “Siguradong reresponde ang PNP at Coast Guard sa inyo”
pagasa.dost.gov.ph (2026-10-14): “Tropical Cyclone Warning for Shipping”
Rainy season June – November; dry season December – May. Tropical cyclones in the western North Pacific occur mainly May – November but can occur in any month; around 20 typhoons hit the Philippines each year, most between June and November.
PAGASA · PAGASA · UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ▾
pagasa.dost.gov.ph (2026-10-14): “the climate of the country can be divided into two major seasons: (1) the rainy season, from June to November; and (2) the dry season, from December to May.”
pagasa.dost.gov.ph (2026-10-14): “during the months of May to November, but storms sometimes occur in all months.”
gov.uk (2026-10-14, gov-travel): “Around 20 typhoons hit the Philippines each year. Most typhoons happen between June and November.”
Rules: life jackets, licence, charter
On passenger vessels with open-deck accommodation, operators must make every passenger wear a life jacket from boarding or departure and throughout the voyage. No specific rule for private pleasure craft was found.
Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA Memorandum Circular No. 123) ▾
marina.gov.ph (2026-10-14): “shall require every passenger on board such type of vessel to wear lifejacket during boarding and/or prior to departure at the port/s of origin and at all times during the voyage.”
Official warnings
The UK advises against all travel to western and central Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ▾
gov.uk (2026-10-14, gov-travel): “advises against all travel to western and central Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago.”
High level of piracy and armed robbery against ships in and around the Sulu and Celebes Seas; boats to offshore islands and dive sites are also possible targets.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ▾
gov.uk (2026-10-14, gov-travel): “in and around the Sulu and Celebes seas. Boats travelling to and from offshore islands and dive sites are also possible targets.”
Ferries and passenger boats have a poor safety record, sometimes lack lifesaving equipment, and maritime rescue may be limited; accidents are more frequent in the rainy season (June – December).
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office · UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ▾
gov.uk (2026-10-14, gov-travel): “Boats sometimes lack lifesaving equipment, and maritime rescue services may be limited.”
gov.uk (2026-10-14, gov-travel): “Accidents are more frequent during the rainy season between June and December when storms can develop quickly.”
Arriving by boat
Customs boarding formalities apply to arriving leisure craft and yachts; the master or owner must state the purpose of the voyage, e.g. pleasure, and the intended period of stay in the Philippines.
Bureau of Customs (Revised Customs Port Operations Manual, Section 45) · Bureau of Customs (Revised Customs Port Operations Manual, Section 45) ▾
customs.gov.ph (2026-10-14): “The boarding formalities shall as far as practicable apply to leisure crafts, yachts, foreign fishing vessels and local fishing vessels from abroad.”
customs.gov.ph (2026-10-14): “He must indicate if its voyage is for pleasure/indicate intended period of stay in the Philippines”
What number do I call for help at sea in the Philippines?+
In the Philippines, call 911 and ask for the Coastguard. On the radio: MAYDAY on VHF channel 16, or a DSC distress alert on channel 70.
Does 112 work in the Philippines?+
911 is the number the authorities in the Philippines give for emergencies at sea. Many phones also pass 112 on, but we found no official confirmation for the Philippines.
Which rescue centre is responsible for me?+
The one whose search-and-rescue area you are in — not the country of your SIM card. Near borders that can change during a trip; the VesselSOS app picks it from your GPS position.
When is the storm season in the Philippines?+
Rainy season June – November; dry season December – May. Tropical cyclones in the western North Pacific occur mainly May – November but can occur in any month; around 20 typhoons hit the Philippines each year, most between June and November.
Are life jackets compulsory in the Philippines?+
On passenger vessels with open-deck accommodation, operators must make every passenger wear a life jacket from boarding or departure and throughout the voyage. No specific rule for private pleasure craft was found.
Where do I get the marine weather forecast for the Philippines?+
PAGASA issues Gale Warnings and Tropical Cyclone Warnings for Shipping on pagasa.dost.gov.ph.
Necessary cookies are always on. Analytics and marketing — including the Meta pixel used for Facebook and Instagram ads — load only if you allow. App location is never used for ads.