Weather & seasons

Hot and humid but cheap — worth it if you can roll with the weather.

Weather

One of the hottest, most humid months, with regular afternoon showers.

Sea

The lagoon stays fairly calm, but offshore swell and short tropical disturbances peak around now.

Crowds & price

Prices ease off the Christmas/New Year peak, though early January is still pricier.

Good for

Spa, dining, and in-lagoon snorkeling; keep outdoor plans flexible.

One of the best-value windows all year — keep weather expectations low.

Weather

Still the core of the wet season — muggy, with rain concentrated but mostly in showers.

Sea

Occasional tropical cyclone activity (low probability but real); offshore conditions are less predictable.

Crowds & price

One of the cheapest windows of the year; islands are quiet.

Good for

Mostly in-lagoon activities; dives and boat trips adjust to weather day-of.

Tail end of the wet season — feels more like the dry season by month's end.

Weather

Still warm and humid, but rainfall starts easing off from January/February.

Sea

Conditions gradually improve, visibility on the rise.

Crowds & price

Prices stay low; Easter, if it falls in the month, nudges things up slightly.

Good for

Snorkeling and water activities become more reliably doable.

Good weather, prices still low — many people's pick for the sweet spot.

Weather

Wet season turns to dry — humidity and rain drop noticeably, one of the most comfortable shoulder months.

Sea

Both lagoon and open-water conditions improve, visibility gets better.

Crowds & price

A value window before high season — prices haven't climbed yet.

Good for

Snorkeling, diving and lagoon excursions are all in good shape.

Good weather, fewer crowds, prices not yet up — excellent value.

Weather

The dry season begins — temperature and humidity drop, weather turns more stable.

Sea

Good conditions, high visibility — the start of the year's best diving stretch.

Crowds & price

Before the northern-hemisphere summer rush, prices are still reasonable.

Good for

Snorkeling, diving, island-hopping; occasional early whale shark or humpback sightings.

A bit windier, but one of the most comfortable months overall.

Weather

Dry and comparatively cool, and the Maraamu trade wind starts picking up.

Sea

Whitecaps appear offshore and in some lagoons on windier days.

Crowds & price

The last calm stretch before the summer holidays — prices haven't peaked.

Good for

Humpback whale season begins around Moorea; good snorkeling and diving conditions.

Some of the best weather of the year, but also a crowd and price peak.

Weather

One of the driest months, though the Maraamu trade wind is often at its strongest.

Sea

Noticeable offshore swell; inner-lagoon areas stay calmer.

Crowds & price

Northern-hemisphere summer holidays kick in — European and American visitors peak, prices and airfares rise together.

Good for

Peak humpback whale season begins; outdoor activities are plentiful but can be cancelled on windy days.

The best window for whale watching, but expect high prices and crowds.

Weather

Still dry and windy, similar to July.

Sea

Offshore swell can be significant — pick a resort on the sheltered, inner side of the lagoon.

Crowds & price

Summer peak continues; hotels and flights get tight — book well ahead.

Good for

One of the best months for humpback whale watching (Moorea, Rurutu).

Still great weather with fewer crowds — many consider this one of the best months of the year.

Weather

Still dry, with winds easing slightly from July/August.

Sea

Conditions improve, good visibility for water activities.

Crowds & price

Summer holidays end, prices start easing — a good value window.

Good for

Tail end of whale season; snorkeling and diving conditions stay strong.

The dry season's last echo — weather and price are both reasonably balanced.

Weather

Dry season turns to wet — usually still dry in the first half, humidity rises in the second.

Sea

Conditions remain fairly stable, good visibility.

Crowds & price

Moderate prices, before the Christmas rush.

Good for

Snorkeling and diving; occasional whale sightings linger into early month.

The wet season just starting — more weather uncertainty, but prices stay friendly.

Weather

The wet season begins — temperature and humidity rise, showers become more frequent.

Sea

Conditions start to get less predictable — in-lagoon activities are the safer bet.

Crowds & price

A small Thanksgiving-adjacent bump aside, prices are generally moderate.

Good for

Mix indoor and outdoor plans; keep the itinerary flexible.

Middling weather but the year's highest prices and crowds — unless New Year's is the point.

Weather

Hot and humid, with frequent showers — one of the core wet-season months.

Sea

Offshore conditions are middling; the inner lagoon is calmer.

Crowds & price

Christmas / New Year is the year's absolute peak — book months ahead, highest prices.

Good for

Plenty of New Year's events on the islands; outdoor water activities adjust to weather.