When Is the Best Time to Travel to Fiji?

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT FIJI?

Do you ever daydream about lying on a tropical beach, without a care in the world? To escape reality and soak up some sun, even if just for a few days? If you could go anywhere, where would it be? 

Consider Fiji… With its beautiful white sand beaches, turquoise waters and friendly locals, it’s one of the world’s most coveted destinations. The Pacific Islands’ tropical climate has some of the world's best dive sites, island resorts, and is one of the most popular wedding and honeymoon destinations amongst newlyweds. 

BEAUTIFUL PACIFIC ISLANDS

Fiji is an island country in the South Pacific Ocean, made up of 332 islands. The largest of these islands are Viti Levu and Vanua Levu. The islands of Vanua Levu and island of Viti Levu are some of the most renowned Fiji must-sees by many travel expert guides. Captain Cook Cruises Fiji have full Day/Dinner cruises to Tivua Island and 7 Night Yasawa and Mamanuca discovery cruises, just to name a few. Some of the other most popular destinations also include the Somosomo Strait, Bora Bora and Moorea, Beqa Lagoon, Yasawa Island and Cook Islands. Tourism is a major driver of the economy of Fiji. It boasts some of the best beaches and scuba diving the world has to offer, with lots of soft coral and Manta Ray to discover. The Fijian locals are open and used to tourists, and as a traditional Fijian greeting, you’ll often hear the term ‘bula’ (pronounced BooLah). This word has many meanings but is generally a greeting or a welcome.

Don’t pack your bags for a Fiji island just yet. Before you visit and say “Bula” to this tropical paradise, it’s important to familiarise yourself with the climate throughout the year. If you’re going to spend the money and splurge on a once in a lifetime trip, you’ll want to make sure you’re going at the optimal time in the name of responsible travel. When that time might be will depend on your personal preferences.

WHAT’S THE WEATHER LIKE IN FIJI?

While the temperature in Southeast Asia and Fiji remains pretty consistent throughout the year, other meteorological factors can come into play. You can’t go wrong with visiting Fiji at any time of year, but it’s always good to consider what might be best for your Fiji holiday.

OFF-PEAK “WET SEASON”

The wet season is the lowest season in Fiji in regards to the number of tourists. This is the period between November and late March, with the exception of December and January. The humidity is higher, and the rain is more frequent (although rain can happen all day at any time of the year, especially in the east of the group of islands). This rainy season shouldn’t deter you from exploring this beautiful island destination. 

As “Fiji’s winter”, this is also known as hurricane season in Fiji! This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t travel during this season; it just means you need to be mindful, by planning properly and gathering the right information. The temperatures get up to a toasty 31°C, with the overnight lows only getting down to 21-23°C. Perfect for a tropical cocktail on the beach or by the pool.

This is the hottest time of year, although the temperature in Fiji does not fluctuate much. There is a reliable shower of rain each afternoon, and that, along with air conditioning and sea breezes, help make the temperatures of the rainy season comfortable.

The good thing about the low season is that you can find many discounts for travel during these periods. There will be great accommodation available, and you won’t have to wait as long in line at restaurants. This is a good time for honeymoons in Fiji, if you’ve got limited funds for an all inclusive resort, or are travelling as a couple and wanting to have a little quiet time with your loved one. Some great dive discounts for exploring the soft coral along the barrier reefs, with perfect water temperatures.

PEAK “DRY SEASON”

The period of December to January is one of the most popular times to travel to Fiji, along with June to September. These times coincide with Australian and New Zealand’s school holidays, and the resorts are chock-full of families enjoying the break. The weather during the June to September period is a little cooler than the Christmas and New Year timeframe but still averages close to 30°C.

There is less rain, and the rain that does fall will often fall at night. Fiji travel weather between June and August, temperatures can get down to 16 – 20°C at night time, and the southeast trade winds are pretty constant.

The prices for travel during these periods are usually much higher. This school holidays time is a great time to travel if you love to travel with family and meeting new people. If you’re travelling as a family, there are bound to be other children for your kids to play with. A definite bonus if you want to keep them entertained as you catch some rays and read a good book.

MID-PEAK TROPICAL CLIMATE 

Mid-peak times for visiting Fiji occur during May and October. These months come at the end of the rainy period, and before it starts again. Sometimes known as the dry season, this time of year is probably the best overall time to visit Fiji. The temperatures, as always, average between 26 and 31°, and the rain isn’t as frequent. You can also benefit from crowds that aren’t as big as the ones during the peak times. Prices are also lower at these times, although not as low as during the off-peak times. Like Goldilocks said, these times of year are just right. It’s a great time of year to travel if you’re looking for the best of both worlds. The weather is great, and there are just enough people to liven things up without it feeling like a constant party.

SELECTING THE CORRECT TIME TO TRAVEL

Now that you have a better idea of what Fiji is like at different times of the year, you’ll be able to make an informed decision about your preferred travel time periods and the best time to visit Fiji for you. Your preference will depend on what you’re looking for out of a trip. Once you’ve narrowed the season in which you’d like to travel, pick a couple different dates within that season and compare prices. Once you’ve confirmed your dates, you can officially start counting down the days until your time in paradise. One thing is for sure, regardless of the date you choose or wherever you stay amongst the tropical islands of Fiji, your Fiji adventure is bound to be amazing.

Thinking about taking a cruise in Fiji? Consider us your Fiji travel guide when it comes to your Fiji holiday. Our Fiji specialist cruises offer a great range of small ship cruises which operate throughout the year. Check out the times for each and select the cruise that is right for you.