The Best & Worst Times to Visit Fiji in 2023

Ni sa bula vinaka – that’s Fijian for hello! Do you dream of Fiji’s famous beaches and sunshine? You’re not alone. Almost 1 million tourists visited Fiji in 2019 alone. With white sandy beaches, warm waters, and friendly locals, Fiji is the ultimate tropical destination. 

While Fiji has warm temps and plenty of sunshine year-round, there are ideal months to visit depending on what you want out of your vacation. 

We’ll also fill you in on the worst time to visit Fiji, where the chance of cyclones is high, and there are fewer deals. Read on to find out the best, cheapest, least busy, and worst times to visit Fiji! 

Why You Should Visit Fiji

Fiji is a tropical wonderland with crystal clear waters, coral reefs teeming with marine life, and swaying palm trees. It’s an incredible place where the locals are friendly, the beer is cold, and your worries will slip away! 

There’s something for everyone in Fiji:

• If you’re a proud beach bum, Fiji ranks #2 in the entire world for the best beaches on Earth. 
• If you’re a scuba diver, you can find amazing dive spots across all 300 islands of Fiji. 
• If you’re an avid hiker, you can’t miss epic waterfall hikes in places like Bouma National Heritage Park. 
• If you’re a real surfer, the revered Cloudbreak is probably already on your list. If you’re just starting, you can find some milder waves along the Coral Coast. 
• There’s something for everyone!

When the sun goes down, the fun doesn’t stop. There are fine dining restaurants to celebrate big moments. Or visit a casual beach bar, perfect for sipping a Fiji Gold and feeling the famous Bula Spirit. 

A personal favorite spot to visit is Wailoaloa Beach for some fun beach bars with delicious drinks and food. You can’t miss watching the sunset sipping on a Fiji rum cocktail!

If you want to sip on something traditionally Fijian, you have to try Kava, also known as grog. It’s the local drink of choice made from pounded dried roots of the Yaqona plant. It’s known for giving drinkers a nice buzz and its calming effect. 

There’s so much to do in Fiji that it’s impossible to get bored. It’s on a lot of people’s bucket lists for good reason! Cross it off yours the right way by visiting at the best time. Keep reading to figure out when you should book your trip!

Overall Best Time to Visit Fiji

For the most idyllic weather and sea conditions, the best time to visit Fiji is from May to October, specifically May to June and October. It’s technically Fiji’s winter, but it’s not like you’ll be contending with snow or cold weather.

For Fiji, winter means the dry season, so you won’t have to deal with cyclones or daily rainstorms in most parts of the country. Cyclones are serious business in the South Pacific, causing pretty major destruction.

So, if you want a stress-free vacation, it’s better to book when there’s no chance of a big storm. It’s also a lot more comfortable in Fiji during this time because you avoid the intense heat and humidity of their summer.

It’ll still be plenty warm enough for swimming and sunbathing, though! Because May through October brings the best weather, it’s also the most crowded during that time. The peak tourism season for Fiji is July to September because of school holidays in the U.S., Australia, and New Zealand. 

If you want to make the most of the good weather and avoid the tourist swells, going from May to June or October is the best time to visit Fiji. May through June is also the best time to spot whales and manta rays!

Cheapest Time to Visit Fiji

February and March are the cheapest times to visit Fiji. It’s right smack dab in the middle of the wet season and after the holidays, so not as many tourists visit that time of year.

A lot of the resorts, activity services, and airlines offer better deals to attract more visitors during this time. Overall, the wet season in Fiji – from November to April – is cheaper than the peak dry season.

The prices shoot right back up to peak season highs during the Christmas and New Year holidays. Many Australian and New Zealander families take advantage of school breaks to visit Fiji during that time, so don’t expect any deals in December. 

Although it’s the wet season, Fiji still shows off. While the season is more hot and wet than the dry season, you’ll still get to enjoy enough beautiful and sunny days to make the trip worth it. Plus, swimming feels even more refreshing in the Fijian summer heat. 

While there are times when it’ll rain all day, most storms in the wet season are quick but intense afternoon downpours. Be storm safe, but don’t let the rain stop you from enjoying the paradise of Fiji. 

The two most expensive parts of a Fijian vacation are accommodation and flight costs. Because Fiji has such a distinct peak tourism season, you can get great deals on both if you book outside of the peak, from July to September!

Flights to Fiji from places in the U.S. or U.K. can easily cost over $1,000 USD during the peak season. If you decide to visit during February and March, you’ll most likely see a 20% discount or more on your flight. That’s serious savings!

It’s a great time to book that luxe private island resort you’ve had your eye on for years because most resorts have great deals during this time.

Prices drop about 25% on average from peak season highs. If you want a more budget-friendly Fijian escape, don’t miss out on the fantastic deals in February and March.

Least Busy Time to Visit Fiji

Not only are February and March the cheapest times to visit Fiji, but they’re also among the least busy times. Along with April, it’s the best time to visit Fiji and feel like you have the whole place to yourselves. 

Because it’s not peak season, you’ll have the opportunity to go on excursions like snorkel trips, sunset cruises, and fishing tours that people usually book up in July and August. Plus, you’ll have smaller groups going with you, so it will feel more serene and personal!

One of the best things to do in Fiji is to sit back and relax on the pristine white-sand beaches. It’s a lot easier to do that when there aren’t hundreds of people on the same stretch of beach.

Most resorts have private beaches, to begin with, so you’ll have the place to yourself from February to April. April is typically drier than February or March, plus it has less chance of cyclones passing through.

So, if you want a low-key vacation to Fiji with a better chance of good weather, April is your best bet. You won’t see as many deals as in February or March, but it’s still off-season enough to enjoy “Fiji time” on your own. 

Worst Time to Visit Fiji

January is the least ideal time to visit Fiji because of the likelihood of cyclones, the busyness of the holiday seasons, and marked-up prices near New Year. 

The summer, or wet season, in Fiji lasts from November to April and, with it, brings powerful cyclones. Some years are better than others for avoiding destructive storms, but they should be a serious consideration of yours when booking a trip to the Fijian Islands. 

January through March sees the most cyclone action on average in Fiji and usually produces the most intense cyclones of the season.

While February and March at least offer good deals, January in Fiji is still quite expensive because of the lasting increased prices from the Christmas and New Year holidays. Luckily, most resorts in Fiji have strict cyclone contingency and safety plans.

As a tourist staying in a hotel or resort, you’re not likely to face any serious threats from a cyclone if you follow your resort’s directions. Cyclones can damage roads, hospitals, water infrastructure, and airports, which could all seriously affect your trip. 

Avoid the stress of missed flights or having your tropical vacation washed out by choosing a better time to visit Fiji. If you still want a less busy time, choose February to April to make the most of deals and fewer crowds. 

Things to Consider

Now that you’ve decided the best time for your ultimate Fijian vacation, it’s time to plan it! Planning any vacation can be stressful, so here are some things to keep in mind so your vacation can be stress-free and fun from the minute you start planning. 

Fiji Time

One of the great joys of a Fijian vacation is the way time slows down here. This means you get to enjoy your time at a slower pace, but it also means that things might take longer here than they would at home. 

If you reach out to a resort to book and don’t hear back in a few days, kua ni leqa (don’t worry)! Just make yourself a piña colada, you’ll hear back soon enough. 

Once you get here, Fiji Time might mean tours scheduled to start at 10:00 don’t leave until 10:30. Again, kua ni leqa! That just means more time to chat with the tour guide and know more about this magical place and its people!

Local Fijian Holidays

Fiji has a rich culture with plenty of celebrations throughout the year. It’s also made up of mainly two demographic groups: iTaukei (or indigenous) Fijians and Indo-Fijians, whose ancestors were brought to Fiji to work the sugarcane harvest by the British. 

Engage with both cultures during your stay through their local holidays such as:

• You can celebrate Holi – the festival of colors – in February or March, depending on the year. 
• Fiji Day is celebrated on the 10th of October and is all about Fijian pride and culture, so it’s a great opportunity to try real local foods.
• New Year in Fiji is a special time with lots of fun beach parties, local traditions, and music and dance – the perfect way to ring in the new year!

Outside of the major global holidays like New Year and Christmas, you won’t experience any rising prices around the holidays. 

COVID Entry Requirements

Fiji has very simple entry requirements for the COVID-19 world. At your flight’s check-in, you’ll have to show the following for entry into Fiji:

• Proof of full vaccination (for all visitors 16 years old and older)
• Booked travel insurance with COVID-19 coverage
• A pre-booked Rapid Antigen Test between 48 and 72 hours after arrival

For more information and FAQs, check out Tourism Fiji’s COVID-19 page. 

Rules for Visiting Villages

One of the most beautiful parts of Fiji is the friendly and welcoming local culture. People care for each other here, family and strangers alike.

Visiting a real Fijian village is the best way to interact with the culture. Before you go, there are a few important rules to keep in mind, so you can be a respectful visitor in their home.

Dress Modestly and Respectfully 

For women, cover shoulders, cleavage, and knees. For all, hats, sunglasses, and backpacks are not allowed. Remove these before entering the village. 

Bring a Sevusevu

A sevusevu is a gift given to the leaders of the village when you first enter. You’ll give it to the turaga ni koro – or headman. In Fiji, kava – or yaqona – is the most common sevusevu. Tourists also bring school supplies, food like bread or milk powder, and books. 

Remove Shoes Before Entering a Building

In Fiji, shoes are not allowed indoors in the village. While in town, people commonly wear shoes in stores or other establishments. In the village, remove your shoes at the doors of houses and any common buildings.

Do Not Run or Yell While in the Village

A Fijian village is a very tranquil place. People don’t just consider their home their physical house, but the entire village. Respect that by speaking at a normal volume and walking calmly. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are our answers to the most frequently asked questions about traveling to Fiji:

So, What’s the Best Time To Visit Fiji?

The best time to visit Fiji is May to June or October to make the most of the dry season weather without the massive crowds of peak season, from July to September.

For budget-conscious travelers or people looking to avoid crowds, February to April is the cheapest and least busy time to visit Fiji.

Avoid January, the worst time to visit Fiji, if you want a stress-free vacation without the threat of cyclones. No matter when you visit Fiji, take in the Bula Spirit and make the most of it!