This is a pre-passage source and decision desk, not a current forecast or clearance to depart. The map is centred approximately on the area, not on your route or a forecast-zone boundary.
National forecast responsibility changes quickly across these coasts and straits. Check the exact marine zone, tropical-system alerts where applicable, visibility and the latest local port or traffic notices.
1. Primary sources
Open current bulletins and warnings for every sea area on the route. These links are starting points, not a promise that each covers the whole location; if unsure, identify the issuer through WMO–IMO.
2. Route and local effects
Island-chain routes cross changing forecast areas and tropical-warning responsibilities.
The Philippine archipelago spans many coastal and high-seas forecast areas; an inter-island route may cross several.
Use PAGASA marine and tropical-cyclone bulletins for the relevant waters; assess monsoon or cyclone alerts and local strait exposure separately.
How to use this source set
Start with the warning, then the marine text for the exact named area. If the route crosses a zone boundary, obtain both bulletins. Note issue and valid times, wind units and the meaning of wave height. Where a link opens an agency portal, navigate to its current marine product; a homepage is not itself a forecast.
Compare with an exposed station or buoy if available. Check its position and observation time: a sheltered station does not overturn a warning for an open channel. If a bulletin is missing or stale, identify the issuing service via WMO–IMO and defer the decision until current information is available.
Before-passage check
- Mark departure, exposed legs, arrival and feasible diversions; find the responsible named marine areas for each.
- Check warnings, issue and valid times; assess conditions when you expect to reach each leg, not only at departure.
- Compare wind and gusts, waves and swell, visibility, thunderstorms and local effects; do not infer a strait from a sheltered harbour.
- Compare recent observations where available, noting their time and exposure; a mismatch calls for another check.
- Set the next bulletin check, a reassessment trigger, an alternative and a backup communication channel.
Model map — optional
Windy is a third-party model display, not the issuer of official warnings. Choose a layer and check its valid hour and model run. Nothing loads until you click.
Without JavaScript, open the map separately.
If connectivity fails
Before departure, save the current official text bulletin and warning with issue time. Arrange another way to receive updates, such as an appropriate coastal broadcast, NAVTEX or satellite channel. A saved map cannot replace new warnings.
How to choose weather tools · All sailing areas
Scope: Source list assembled 25 September 2026; check its freshness and coverage before use. This public area guide is not a current personalised forecast, navigational notice service or safety verdict. Personalised forecasts with AI and experts are in closed testing; public booking is not open. The skipper makes the decision.
Use the right warning for the seaboard
PAGASA provides separate high-seas/offshore forecasts, gale warnings and tropical-cyclone information. For a Palawan, Visayas or other island itinerary, select the actual named water or seaboard, not a national tourism forecast. A gale warning's listed coast is not identical to every inland wind-signal area. Keep the original affected places, issue and next update in the brief; absence of a fetched warning is not confirmation that none applies.
- PAGASA high-seas and offshore forecast — METAREA XI southwestern sub-area; check issue date rather than cached page Direct product verification is limited; obtain the current issue from the issuer.
- PAGASA gale warnings — Named Philippine seaboards; a missing bulletin is not proof of calm Direct product verification is limited; obtain the current issue from the issuer.
Island lee and the next open gap
Draw each open gap and destination side into the timetable. A sheltered inter-island start may lead to a coast facing the forecast sea, while a return reverses the useful wind angle. Examine the current monsoon and cyclone-related statements rather than assuming a fixed good season. Do not turn a tropical-track centre line into a complete wind or wave footprint for the yacht's route.
Keep official instructions distinct from analysis
If the current marine warning includes restrictions or small-craft advice, preserve that source wording and do not have AI soften it into a comfort preference. Obtain Coast Guard, harbour and navigational instructions separately. Compare shorter or delayed alternatives only with valid source coverage through arrival and a working update method. The desk supplies no inter-island clearance, guaranteed anchorage or universal wind threshold.
- PAGASA gale warnings
- WMO–IMO marine warnings and issuer directory — METAREA service selection; website can have delayed or interrupted products
Editorial review of this material: 27 September 2026. This date concerns the page content; check current forecast issue times and validity at the original sources.