Two seasons: a wet season and a dry season
Fiji has only two seasons: summer and winter. Remember that this is a tropical climate, so tropical winter has nothing to do with our winter! You may hear Fijians complain that it's cold in the evenings during their winter months, but it's still over 20°C, even in the evenings. Indeed, at night it can be a little cooler than the rest of the day. Blankets are not systematically provided in the rooms, but don't hesitate to ask for them if you think you might need them.
Summer is the wet season, from November to April. The days are longer, it's hot and humid, and showers (often in the afternoon) can come on unexpectedly and intensely, then stop just as suddenly. Temperatures can rise to 31°C, but average between 25 and 26°C. Remember to stay well hydrated, especially during this season. January and February are the hottest months.
Winter is the dry season, with shorter but sunnier days. Temperatures are lower than in the wet season, averaging 23-24°C and varying between 19 and 28°C. Evenings in particular are a little cooler. July and August are the months with the mildest temperatures, and average rainfall is significantly lower than in the wetter months. The dry season is also the ideal time to see manta rays, and underwater visibility is better for diving, so it's well worth considering for experienced divers (or beginners!).
Even during the dry season, you may be surprised by the large number of showers. They often occur in the morning or at the end of the day, and they explain the beauty of the Fijian landscape: everything is green and lush! If you're desperate for sunshine and almost no rain, you'll have to opt for Nadi and the Mamanucas and Yasawas archipelagos, which is not at all a constraint in itself! There are two drawbacks to rain in Fiji: it's often inadvisable to drink tap water after heavy rain, and mosquitoes are much more likely to be on the prowl after periods of heavy rain, so be sure to cover up with repellent!
As in many countries where temperatures are very high, air conditioning is often over-used in common areas of hotels, shopping malls and restaurants. In your room, you can adjust it as you wish. Some hotels, either for economic reasons or out of ecological conviction, have no air-conditioning at all, but use fans instead. Architects also manage to prevent the heat from penetrating too quickly into the accommodation by creating particularly airy, high-ceilinged spaces. This is particularly true of resorts and environmentally-friendly addresses.
Climate variations within the islands
Within the two main islands of Viti Levu and Vanua Levu, there are differences in climate due to the altitude of the mountainous areas and the southeast trade winds. The eastern regions are generally wetter, while the western regions receive less precipitation. This explains why Suva receives more precipitation than Nadi, even though the distance between the two cities is relatively short (115 km as the crow flies). For example, during the wet season, Suva receives an average of 20 days of rain per month, while Nadi receives only 9 days. During the dry season, Suva continues to record a high number of rainy days (17 days), while Nadi records just 4 days. Logically, Suva also has less sunshine, as clouds form all year round.
The Mamanucas and Yasawas archipelagos will generally enjoy a mild climate in terms of rainfall and sunshine.
The other, smaller islands will generally have a homogeneous climate over their entire surface area, as they have no mountains and the trade winds therefore have much less effect.
The island of Rotuma, much further north, has a particular climate, as it is very rainy: here we have an equatorial climate. Temperatures on Rotuma are also much more stable throughout the year, and warmer (corresponding essentially to summer temperatures).
A risk of hurricane between November and April
The cyclone season runs from early November to late April. Lows can form over the Pacific oceans and occasionally develop into cyclones.
They are frequent in Fiji, but relatively few make direct landfall (none in 2022 and 2023), with an average of 2 or 3 per decade having a major impact. However, it should be noted that Fiji has been particularly affected by major cyclones over the decade 2010-2020. The last cyclone with a major impact was Winston in February 2016, causing the death of over forty people and significant material destruction. Global warming has been singled out in particular, and Fiji is a particularly involved state on this subject, bearing the brunt of the impacts.
If you're visiting Fiji between November and April, it's advisable to keep up to date with the weather forecasts, and in the event of an alert, to follow the safety instructions issued by the local authorities. A curfew may be imposed during warning periods, and as a general rule, as soon as a cyclone risk warning is issued, tourists should return to their accommodation and not travel any further until the warning has expired. Airports, especially international ones, may also be closed during warning periods, as may sea links between the various islands affected.
