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Best time to visit the South Pacific Islands

When is the best time to swim with humpback whales? In which months are Fiji’s waters best for diving? And are all regions affected by cyclones? Research should be part and parcel of a traveling experience and we’ve done some of the hard work for you, so read on to find out the best time to visit the South Pacific.

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Best time to visit the South Pacific Islands

September is lovely in the South Pacific. Peak vacation season is over, humidity is lower and cyclone season has yet to darken the skies.

It’s always hot in the South Pacific with more tropical climes the closer you get to the equator. The wet season falls between November and April, when it’s humid and sticky, while the dry season from May through to October brings milder temperatures and clearer skies. When choosing the best time to visit the South Pacific you’ll also need to bear in mind what you want to do there, whether that’s swimming with humpback whales in Tonga and Tahiti, snorkelling in the waters off Fiji, or avoiding the chock-a-block Antipodean school vacation season.

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When to go to the South Pacific islands, month by month guide

As the drier, cooler season lasts from May, to September or October in the South Pacific this is a great opportunity to explore more of the islands without the heat and humidity; though June and July are busy times with Kiwis and Aussies fleeing the Antipodean winter. From July to October you can swim with humpback whales in the waters off Tonga and August is an ideal month for dolphin spotting in Fiji. From October the Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Samoa and Tahiti will just be beginning their rainiest months, with the rains moving into Fiji Vanuatu and Tonga in November. December, January, February, March and April bring not only rain but cyclone season to the islands of the South Pacific. Tropical cyclones can occur at any time of year though, so do keep abreast of regionalised warnings. December and January coincide with the Australian and New Zealand summer vacations when accommodation is fully booked and planes are at capacity.

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Fiji Weather Chart

MIN °C

MAX °C

RAIN (mm)

JAN

308

FEB

293

MAR

356

APR

288

MAY

142

JUN

113

JUL

AUG

103

SEP

123

OCT

152

NOV

181

DEC

226

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South Pacific Islands festivals & events

Pacific Games

Every four years, the multi-sport Pacific Games takes place in a different city in the region. The South Pacific’s answer to the Olympics, it features around 4,000 participants from 22 Pacific nations taking part in around 30 sporting events. In 2019 they will be held in Samoa, and in 2023 in the Solomon Islands.