Lonely Planet™ · Thorn Tree Forum · 2020

South Pacific December January

Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea / Fiji

Hi,
I am planning for a trip to the the Pacific islands between December 2011 and February 2012 (Fiji, Samoa, Cook island etc.). I am aware that this is the wet and cyclone season in this area. My question is, how bad is the weather, could you get around easily. Would you recommend to travel in this area at this time. Your advise is very appreciated.
Thanks

I really like that time of the year in the Pacific - especially the Cook Islands because the temperatures are perfect. Samoa and Fiji will probably be hot and humid, but shouldn't be too bad. The rain is not constant, and the seas tend to be calmer, unless there is a tropical storm or cyclone in the area (and they aren't that common).

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Just go.
It is very unlikely that you will get caught up in prolonged bad weather everywhere if you are visiting several countries.

I've visited many countries in the region during the "rainy season", and only in Samoa was it really bad. And that was said to be unusual even for that season in that country. And even there and then, getting around was still easy.

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If you have a reasonably loose schedule, you will be fine. Rain is intermittent, not constant, and cyclones, which are rare, last only a day or two. if you encounter one, stay where you are and wait it out.

3

Ditto with all of the above... been to the Cooks multiple times November thru February and Fiji once in December. Warm water, nice weather 90% of the time with a shower or two in the afternoon.

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