7 Reasons Why You Should Visit Bohol in August
Conventional travel blogs might tell you to look at a calendar, see the word “August,” and immediately write off a trip to the Philippines. They’ll whisper about a “rainy season” and steer you away. But here’s a secret that savvy travelers know: the Philippines is an archipelago of over 7,000 islands, and the weather is wonderfully regional.
While other parts of the country experience their monsoon season, the island of Bohol, nestled in the heart of the Visayas region, tells a different story. August isn’t the “rainy season” here; we call it the “green season.” It’s a time of incredible beauty, unique advantages, and, yes, fantastic diving.
Before you dismiss the idea of a late-summer getaway, let us at Sierra Madre Divers share why August might just be the hidden-gem month you’ve been looking for to explore our island paradise.
1. The “Green Season” Weather Secret
Let’s address the elephant in the room right away: the weather. Bohol’s location protects it from the harshest effects of the seasonal monsoon that affects other regions. Does it rain in August? Sometimes. But a typical “rainy season” day here is not a non-stop, grey washout.
More often than not, a day in August consists of beautiful, bright, sunny mornings perfect for diving, followed by the possibility of a brief, heavy afternoon shower that passes as quickly as it arrives. These showers cool the air, nourish the landscape, and are often followed by a stunning, sun-drenched late afternoon. Full days of rain are uncommon, and your vacation is very unlikely to be a washout. You get all the beauty of a tropical island, often with fewer crowds to share it with.
2. The Landscape is at its Most Lush and Vibrant
The “green season” gets its name for a reason. Those brief afternoon showers transform Bohol into a jaw-droppingly vibrant, emerald-green paradise. This is when the island is at its most photogenic.
The world-famous Chocolate Hills, which are brown and parched during the dry season, become lush, mint-chocolate-coloured mounds rising from the landscape. The jungle feels more alive, and, best of all, the waterfalls are at their absolute peak. A visit to stunning cascades like Can-umantad Falls or Pangas Falls in August means you will see them in their full, thundering glory—a powerful spectacle that visitors in the dry season often miss.
3. Fewer Crowds Mean More Paradise for You
One of the biggest advantages of visiting Bohol in August is the lack of crowds. The peak tourist season has passed, and you get to experience a more relaxed, authentic, and personal version of our island.
Imagine having a wider stretch of the stunning Alona Beach to yourself. Picture joining a dive boat that isn’t filled to capacity, giving you more space to gear up and chat with our guides. Envision visiting the Tarsier Sanctuary or the Chocolate Hills complex without waiting in long lines. August offers a serene and intimate experience, allowing you to connect more deeply with the beauty and tranquility of Bohol.
4. Unbelievable Value and Great Travel Deals
Traveling during the shoulder season is the smartest way to make your budget go further. With fewer people traveling, you’ll often find that flight prices to the Philippines and accommodation rates in Bohol are significantly lower than during the peak winter months. This means you can save money, extend your stay, or upgrade your experience—perhaps by adding an extra day of diving or trying a new PADI specialty course!
5. The Diving is Still Fantastic
This is the most important question for our fellow divers, and the answer is a resounding yes! The diving in Bohol remains excellent in August. Many of our premier dive sites around Panglao Island are located on the southern side, which is often sheltered from the prevailing winds of the season.
The water is wonderfully warm, visibility is often still very good (20+ meters is common), and the incredible marine life is here year-round. The turtles are still grazing at Balicasag, the clownfish are still tending to their anemones, and the frogfish are still masters of camouflage on our house reef. Don’t let a myth about the weather keep you from experiencing our world-class underwater ecosystem.
6. More Personal and Serene Underwater Encounters
This is a direct and wonderful consequence of Reason #3. Fewer divers in the water means a more peaceful environment for marine life. The fish are often less spooked, allowing you to get closer for that perfect photograph. You might find yourself being the only group on a particular dive site, making it feel like a private tour of the reef. This intimate, undisturbed experience is a luxury that peak-season visitors can only dream of. For underwater photographers and true nature lovers, this reason alone makes an August trip worthwhile.
7. You’ll Be Diving in the Warmest Water of the Year
If you love warm, balmy water, August is your month. Water temperatures in Bohol typically peak during the summer months, often reaching a blissful 29-30°C (84-86°F).
This is true “rash guard and board shorts” diving weather. You can leave the thick wetsuits at home and enjoy the incredible comfort of diving in water that feels like a perfect bath. This warmth allows for longer, more relaxed dives where your only concern is which amazing creature to look at next, not whether you’re starting to feel a chill.
So, the secret’s out. August in Bohol is a savvy traveler’s choice. It’s a time for lush landscapes, incredible value, and serene dives in beautifully warm water. Don’t let a calendar misconception hold you back from an unforgettable adventure.
Contact us at Sierra Madre Divers today to book your August dive package and discover the magic of the green season for yourself.
