During the Wet Season from November to April
Fiji has a tropical climate with a distinct wet and dry season. The wet season lasts from November to April, which is considered the worst time for most tourists to visit Fiji.
During this wet season, Fiji experiences very hot, humid, and rainy conditions. Temperatures remain high averaging around 86°F (30°C) but the humidity can be very taxing, making it feel much hotter. Each month during this period sees between 6-12 rainy days on average.
The rain falls heavily during this season, even during sunshine hours. Torrential downpours are common, which can last for hours and cause flooding in low-lying and coastal areas. This makes exploring the islands more challenging and less enjoyable.
Cyclones also pose a threat during Fiji’s wet season, with January to March being the highest risk period. Severe tropical storms can bring damaging winds, intense rainfall, and storm surges leading to downed trees, power outages, and ruined travel plans.
Around Christmas and New Year’s Holidays
The Christmas and New Year’s holidays from mid-December to early January overlap with Fiji’s wet season. This is considered the peak tourism season with many Australians and New Zealanders flocking to Fiji for a tropical holiday getaway.
The weather remains hot and humid but the heavy rainfall has not yet set in. However, the main downside is the incredible crowds, inflated prices, and difficulty finding availability for flights and hotels.
Areas like Nadi, Denarau Island, and resort areas are jam-packed with tourists during this time. Attractions have long wait times and reservations need to be made long in advance for activities, restaurants, etc.
Flights tend to be more expensive around the holidays and many hotels impose minimum night stays. With school being out, there are also a lot more children and families visiting Fiji, which some travelers prefer to avoid.
March and April
As Fiji’s wet season begins tapering off in March and April, the weather starts transitioning towards the dry season. However, it still remains a rather wet time of year.
Rain showers continue intermittently making outdoor activities a nuisance. Humidity continues rising to very high levels as well topping nearly 90% on average. This combination makes for an unpleasant heat that lingers throughout the days.
Transition months also tend to be some of the hottest of the year for Fiji’s islands. High temperatures creep over 90°F (32°C) on most days with cooler nights offering little reprieve from the muggy conditions.
Dengue fever outbreaks also pose a risk during this transitional period, spread rapidly by mosquitos which reproduce heavily from the rainfall.
Mid-June through July
While Fiji’s peak tourism season runs during the dry winter months from May to October, there is a short low season in the middle. June and July have the coolest and lowest number of average monthly sunshine hours per year.
The cooler temperatures sound favorable but ocean water and resort pools become less appealing for swimming during these months since they are not sufficiently warmed by the sun. With midday temperatures hovering in the low 80s F (high 20s C), it’s often still too hot for most visitors to enjoy sightseeing comfortably.
Trade winds peak during June and July, which keep things cooler but bring more cloud coverage, rain showers, and blustering winds. The gusty winds deter snorkeling enthusiasts and make kayaking or sailing more challenging.
Low season also means smaller crowds and cheaper rates on hotels and flights. However, resorts, restaurants, and tour operators also run at lower capacity or shut down completely during these mid-year months.
Into the Heart of the Cyclone Season from December to May
Fiji’s cyclone season officially lasts from November to April but severe storms occasionally form outside that window or in the shoulder months. The period from December to May sees the highest chance of tropical cyclone activity.
On average, between 9 to 10 tropical storms form over the South Pacific region each cyclone season. Typically, between 1 to 3 will impact Fiji every season, some directly crossing over islands and larger towns.
Cyclones are most common in January to March when sea surface temperatures are highest. Storms develop quickly bringing destructive winds up to 155 mph, intense rainfall that causes flooding, and storm surge waves of 10 to 15 feet high. They leave behind considerable damage that can ruin vacations.
Infrastructure gets destroyed like powerlines causing island-wide blackouts. Flooding cuts off roads trapping visitors. Destruction of resorts and airports delay flights getting in our out for days. Even if cyclones don’t directly impact your area, outer rain bands still spread heavy rains.
With Fiji in the path of South Pacific cyclones, visitors must closely monitor weather forecasts and have backup plans during cyclone season. Having travel insurance is also a must in case a storm forces trip cancellations or delays.