gowhereandwhen.comGo from June to September, the drier trade-wind months, for calmer seas and the clearest water in Funafuti's lagoon. The wet season, November to April, brings heavy downpours, king tides and the South Pacific cyclone season.
A 0 to 100 comfort rating from daytime heat, overnight chill, rainfall and storm risk, for Funafuti. Higher is better. Some booking links earn us a commission, at no extra cost to you.
The steadiest weather, peaking around Sep.
Other months to compare; prices and crowds depend on your destination and dates.
Cyclone season.
The year at a glance
Tuvalu is one of the smallest and least-visited countries on Earth, nine low coral atolls midway between Hawaii and Australia. It is hot and humid every month and rain falls year round, which is why the rating above never quite goes green. Do not let that put you off: the year still has a clear better half.
That better half is the dry season, May to October. June to September is the sweet spot, when southeast trade winds take the edge off the heat, seas settle for boat trips, and the lagoon is at its clearest. September is often the driest month. November to April is wetter and stickier, carries the cyclone risk, and king tides flood low ground around February.
Tuvalu month by month
Highs, lows, rainfall and the rating, for Funafuti.
JanuaryHot and very wet, storm season.Avoid 0
- Daytime high
- 31°C / 88°F
- Overnight low
- 26°C / 79°F
- Rainfall
- 400 mm
Hot and very wet, storm season.
FebruaryHot and very wet, storm season.Avoid 4
- Daytime high
- 31°C / 88°F
- Overnight low
- 26°C / 79°F
- Rainfall
- 360 mm
Hot and very wet, storm season.
MarchHot and very wet, storm season.Avoid 10
- Daytime high
- 31°C / 88°F
- Overnight low
- 26°C / 79°F
- Rainfall
- 320 mm
Hot and very wet, storm season.
AprilHot and very wet, storm season.Avoid 15
- Daytime high
- 31°C / 88°F
- Overnight low
- 26°C / 79°F
- Rainfall
- 280 mm
Hot and very wet, storm season.
MayHot and very wet, monsoon rains.Fair 42
- Daytime high
- 31°C / 88°F
- Overnight low
- 26°C / 79°F
- Rainfall
- 250 mm
Hot and very wet, monsoon rains.
JuneHot and very wet, monsoon rains.Good 45
- Daytime high
- 31°C / 88°F
- Overnight low
- 26°C / 79°F
- Rainfall
- 230 mm
Hot and very wet, monsoon rains.
JulyHot and very wet, monsoon rains.Fair 41
- Daytime high
- 30°C / 86°F
- Overnight low
- 26°C / 79°F
- Rainfall
- 260 mm
Hot and very wet, monsoon rains.
AugustHot and very wet, monsoon rains.Fair 43
- Daytime high
- 30°C / 86°F
- Overnight low
- 26°C / 79°F
- Rainfall
- 250 mm
Hot and very wet, monsoon rains.
SeptemberHot and wet.Good 47
- Daytime high
- 31°C / 88°F
- Overnight low
- 26°C / 79°F
- Rainfall
- 210 mm
Hot and wet.
OctoberHot and very wet, monsoon rains.Fair 42
- Daytime high
- 31°C / 88°F
- Overnight low
- 26°C / 79°F
- Rainfall
- 250 mm
Hot and very wet, monsoon rains.
NovemberHot and very wet, storm season.Avoid 18
- Daytime high
- 31°C / 88°F
- Overnight low
- 26°C / 79°F
- Rainfall
- 260 mm
Hot and very wet, storm season.
DecemberHot and very wet, storm season.Avoid 4
- Daytime high
- 31°C / 88°F
- Overnight low
- 26°C / 79°F
- Rainfall
- 360 mm
Hot and very wet, storm season.
Where you go changes when you go
Funafuti and the lagoon
Almost everyone stays on Funafuti, and the huge lagoon is the show. Clearest and calmest June to September.
Funafuti Conservation Area
Uninhabited islets, reef, turtles and seabirds on the lagoon's western rim, a boat ride from town. Only worth it in calm dry-season seas.
The outer atolls
Reached by infrequent passenger boat, a genuine expedition. Sensible only in the dry season.
Best time to visit Tuvalu for
Snorkelling and the lagoon
June to September, when the trade winds settle the water and visibility peaks.
Village life
The airstrip doubles as Funafuti's evening common: football, volleyball and picnics on the runway at dusk. Best in the dry months.
Having a country to yourself
Any month. Tuvalu sees only a few thousand visitors a year, fewer than almost anywhere on Earth.
Sundays and church
Everything stops on Sunday, year round. Slow down with it, and cover shoulders and knees in the villages.
What is on, and when
Dry season, May to Oct
Trade winds, calmer seas and the clearest lagoon water of the year.
Independence Day, 1 Oct
Parades, feasting and dancing for Tuvalu Day close out the dry season.
Watch out
Cyclone season
Nov to Apr.
Rainy season
all year.
Where to stay in Tuvalu
Compare places to stay around Funafuti. Choose your dates on the booking site.
We may earn a commission when you book through these links, at no extra cost to you. Recommendations and weather ratings are independent of commission.
Before you choose a stay
- Check the exact location and transport connections.
- Compare the full price, including taxes and fees.
- Read cancellation terms before you book.
Your travel month helps with planning. Enter your own dates on the booking site.
Ready to book?
Compare actual rates for your travel dates. The weather scores above do not predict accommodation prices or availability.
Prefer to sort flights first? Compare flights
Good to know
Is there a good time to visit Tuvalu, or is it wet all year?
When is cyclone season in Tuvalu?
How do you get to Tuvalu?
Where else, and when
Every country on one map, or jump straight to another guide.
Plan another month or destination
Browse all 75 country guides · Sources, editorial approach and weather methodology