Fiji is an island destination with year-round appeal: hot sunny weather and inviting white-sand beaches. To make the most of island life, visit during the dry season when the conditions are ideal for snorkeling, swimming, and sunbathing. Come during the shoulder months, and you may have a beach to yourself and find a good flight and hotel deal. Meanwhile, the wet season offers rich cultural experiences, fewer crowds, and lower prices, but the weather is more prone to cyclones and daily rain showers.

Seasonal Planning for Fiji Travel

Fiji is an idyllic vacation destination that is part of an archipelago of more than 330 islands in the South Pacific Ocean. Since the country is tropical, it has two distinct seasons (wet and dry), though the warm temperatures do not fluctuate much throughout the year. When traveling to Fiji, you may want to consider pricing, crowds due to school vacations, and the optimal conditions for specific activities like surfing or snorkeling.

The dry season, also referred to as the "Fijian winter" (May to October), is busier, with families and students on school vacation. Still, the weather is at its best with minimal rainfall, and the visibility for scuba diving and snorkeling is ideal. In the wet season, you'll experience short bursts of rain, but the prices will be moderate, and the beaches will have fewer people. Most holidaymakers plan Fiji as a beach destination with water activities, but plenty of cultural experiences are available, too. 

During the dry season, sunbathe at one of the many luxury resorts on Viti Levu, Fiji's main island, or increase your chances of seeing a manta ray or whale shark near the remote south shore of Kadavu Island. This location gives access to snorkeling and diving at the Great Astrolabe Reef, one of the largest barrier reefs in the world.

You can expect rain when traveling during the wet season (November to April), so consider booking accommodation in the country's dry zone in the west, where rainfall is minimal, or in its capital city, Suva, where opportunities for festivals and cultural experiences abound. Though there is a chance of tropical storms and cyclones during the wet season (January to March), you will likely still be able to enjoy the sunshine in either region as annual temperatures stay between 64°F (18°C) and 86°F (30°C). 

Seasons Pros Cons Best for Where to Visit
Dry (May-Oct) Warm weather and sunny skies with prime conditions for water activities More tourists and families due to school holidays; higher prices for flights and accommodation Sunbathing, surfing, snorkeling, scuba diving, swimming

Sunbathe at Liku Beach, Turtle Island, or Yasawa Island; surf at Cloudbreak in the Mamanuca Islands or Natadola Bay; scuba at the Black Forest Dive Site or the Great Astrolabe Reef 
Wet (Nov-Apr) Fewer crowds; lower prices Higher chance of a cyclone or tropical storm (Jan-Mar); short bursts of rainfall during the day Cultural experiences, visiting temples, hiking, seeing waterfalls and tropical plants The "dry zone" in the west near Nadi
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Dry Season in Fiji (May to October)

Fiji has warm air and water temperatures year-round, perfect for water activities

Because Fiji is in the Southern Hemisphere, its dry season happens in the cooler months; however, temperatures remain hot enough, with highs ranging from 78°F to 82°F (26°C-28°C), to enjoy sunbathing and water activities like swimming, diving, snorkeling, and surfing. Liku Beach in the Mamanuca Islands, whose Fijian name means "sunset," is one of the prettiest beaches in Fiji. With palm trees and turquoise blue waters, you won't find a better spot to lie out and relax. Surf waves of up to 20 feet (6 m) at Cloudbreak in Tavarua if you're an expert or at Natadola Bay if you're a beginner.

Surrounded by the largest coral reef system in the Southwestern Pacific, Fiji is a diver's paradise. The Black Forest Dive Site offers ancient black coral trees and a diverse assortment of fish and marine life for enjoyment. At the same time, the Great Astrolabe Reef near Kadavu Island is considered the largest living organism in Fiji. There is no shortage of corals, marine life, and shipwrecks to explore below the surface. 

If you're a more active traveler, take a day to explore the rainforests and hidden waterfalls in this remote part of the world. The Lavena Coastal Walk takes you on a volcanic bump and through Taveuni's fruit trees, creek crossings, past lush tropical plants and rare wildflowers, and ends at a hidden waterfall. Consider making Fiji travel plans during the quieter months of May and October—thought of as the shoulder season months—where there are fewer tourists to contend with, and you're likely to snag a bargain on flights and accommodation.

Events in the Dry Season

Bula Festival, Nadi. To honor the country's history and heritage, local Fijians celebrate with food, music, dance, and competitions in July.

Fiji Jazz and Blues Festival, Suva. In May, jazz and blues lovers celebrate with musical performances from artists around the world.

Fire Walking Festival, Suva. Around July or August, locals in traditional dress walk barefoot across hot embers to symbolize self-sacrifice and devotion and to cleanse themselves of impurities. 

Ocean Swim Fiji, Nadi. Swimmers sign up to loop around designated routes for a luxury dip with breathtaking ocean views. 

Hibiscus Festival, Suva. This festival celebrates culture and diversity in August with entertainment, a float procession, talent contests, and an art village. 

Fiji Day, nationwide. The National Day of Fiji takes place in October and includes ceremonies and performances to celebrate the country's religion, history, and culture.

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Fiji in May
Fiji in June
Fiji in July
Fiji in August
Fiji in September
Fiji in October

Wet Season in Fiji (November to April)

Fijian prepares heated rocks for the lovo inland of Vit Levu
Experience a "lovo," a traditional Fijian feast on Viti Levu

The wet season (November to April) is the best time for budget travelers to enjoy the islands as prices for accommodation and flights drop drastically. If you can travel during the brief shoulder season (April to May), temperatures will remain high, but the crowds are few, and you may end up with a whole beach to yourself. Bonus, April is at the end of the rainy season, so there's less rain to contend with as well.

The weather should not deter you from traveling during the wet season. It does not rain all day as some may think, but rather in short and heavy showers in an isolated area. The beaches near Nadi in the western region of Fiji receive the least precipitation, so they are a great option during this time. While there is a higher chance of a tropical storm or cyclone, this opens up many opportunities to get out of your beach chair to explore Hindu temples, hike among the tropical plants, and have cultural experiences.

You may have flown into Nadi, home to the country's largest airport and Sri Siva Subramaniya, the largest Hindu temple in the Pacific. Admire the bold colors and towers carved with deities of this Dravidian architecture and explore this religious and cultural hub. If it's raining and you want a more local experience, enjoy kava (a traditional drink) from the kava plant root. The locals may invite you into a bure (a wood and straw hut) and teach you a ceremony that coincides with drinking kava and how to experience its calming effects.

Another food experience is a lovo or traditional Fijian feast that feels like the Hawaiian luau. You might see a pig roasted in an underground oven and wrapped in banana leaves and the meke (a traditional dance performance that tells a story). There are many traditional villages, and these are the best places for these cultural experiences. 

Events in the Wet Season

Diwali, nationwide. Fijians celebrate the Hindu Festival of Lights in late October or early November with fireworks, feasts, and ritual prayers to the goddess of prosperity. 

The Rising of the Balolo, Viti Levu and Vanua Levu. Twice a year, in October or November, the balolo, an edible sea worm, rises from the coral reefs and is hunted by local Fijians.

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Fiji in November
Fiji in December
Fiji in January
Fiji in February
Fiji in March
Fiji in April