Best Time to travel to the Pacific

The busiest tourist seasons of the South Pacific fall into the months of July and August, when the Australians and New Zealanders go to escape their cold season back home. During this time the Tahitians move to their own outer islands for their own holiday break. Anytime through May until October are the optimum times to visit the Pacific, and within those months, September and October are suggested to be the very best. Local pass times like Crabbing and Clamming are at their maximum activity at this time of year, and many towns have their local seafood festivals taking place.
Also keep in mind when planning your trip that Australia and New Zealand also bring traffic to this area with their mini-seasons. These take place during the end of March, beginning of April, the last two weeks in May, July, the middle of September and from December until January. Accommodations can usually be found at a better rate during January although plane tickets may be hard to come by due to the number of natives who return home from abroad during this time.

Climate of Pacific

The Pacific Islands are located in an area that is tropical in climate and experience only small fluctuations in temperature, as well as daylight throughout the year, with the exception of New Zealand in the far south, Typical daytime temperatures are between 24 and 31*C with only a few degrees drop at night time. At higher elevations, surveys say that temperatures typically drop at the rate of 1.7° C for every rise in elevation of 300 m.
The humidity level is a major climate factor, which when high can be uncomfortable and brings severe downpours. Humidity increases during the tropical summer during the months of November through April. During this time the risk of tropical cyclones is present in the southern parts of the south Pacific, notably Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Cook Island and French Polynesia. There are on the average some two dozen cyclones a year in the Pacific area. Only a few of these reach the intense levels causing major damage and casualties. The area of the western Pacific also has many tropical cyclones. North of the equator most storms occur between July and November. South of the equator the stormy season begins about November and ends about March. The heavy wind and rains brought by these storms often cause devastating loss of life and property, devastating to the area and its population.
The Pacific season is divided into the humid and slightly hotter “wet” season, and the less humid, slightly cooler “dry” season. North of the equator the preferred dry season is between November and May. Hawaii is far enough North that winter and summer seasons are different, as opposed to dry and wet, although in this area cyclones can still be a threat from August to November. South of the Equator, which includes Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, Cook Island and Tahiti the dry season is between May and November.
In parts of the central and western Pacific, monsoon climates prevail. In monsoon climates, moisture-bearing winds reverse direction once a year, creating a distinct wet season and a dry season. Because of monsoon conditions and differences in elevation, amount of rainfall, seasonal and annual, varies greatly from island to island and even on different parts of larger islands. The western slopes of these islands are relatively dry.
Depending on the worst case scenario of global warming, the studies suggest that there will be a one metre sea level rise with negative impacts on tourism, freshwater availability and quality, as well as aquaculture, agriculture, human settlements, financial services and human health. Storm surges are likely to have a harmful impact on low-lying islands. Shifts in rainfall regimes and any increase in tropical cyclone intensity and frequency greatly amplify the impact of sea level rise.

Best time to travel Australia

There is no bad season to travel to Australia. With the summers lasting from December through February, this is a prime time when many other parts of the world are in the dead middle of their winter. The southern states in the summer months are beautiful and perfect for a visit to the beach. Farther north you will find that it is the wet season, and can be extremely humid. Also, this northern territory is extremely beautiful with its green landscape and mostly free of tourists during these months. Starting in June through August, the temperatures in the north cool down a bit, as well as drying up a lot. If you’re looking to visit Queensland or the outback, this is the perfect time to go. If skiing is your activity of choice, this time of year is perfect in the snowfields of NSW and Victoria. Generally speaking, the spring and autumn host the most moderate weather, with the temperatures being milder no matter where you are.

Best time to travel to New Zealand

Because of its location on the “roaring forties” latitude, New Zealand is home to dominant and recurrent wind blows over the country from the west to the east. These winds can vary from a calm breeze during the summer, to a pounding, roof-striping rate in the winter. Both the North and the South Island have two distinct patterns of rainfall. The South Island for example has the Southern Alps acting as a barrier for the moisture-laden winds coming from the Tasman Sea. As a result, it makes for a wet climate to the west of the mountains, and more of a dry climate to the east. The North Island’s precipitation is spread more evenly, without any geological feature like the Alps causing any interference. The temperatures in the South Island are normally a few degrees chillier, although both Islands do see snow during the winter. Winter takes place during the months of June through August, with summer ranging from December through February. The bustiest travel season is during the warmer months, although many skiers to visit for the winter as well. Remember when looking into your trip that New Zealand’s climate is that of maritime, instead of continental, which means that the weather can change extremely quickly and harshly.

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