Best Time to Visit Florianopolis

Summer: hot, wet and packed

December to February is high season, and you'll feel it. Days are warm and sticky, and rain falls on 18 to 21 days a month in January and February. January is the wettest month at 187 mm. The showers often come as quick storms, and the sun usually returns afterward. Brazilian school holidays run through these months, so beaches like Jurerê Internacional, Canasvieras and Praia Mole fill up fast. The drive across the island slows to a crawl, especially on the roads toward the north.

If you want nightlife, beach clubs and a party mood, this is your season. Réveillon, the New Year's Eve celebration, draws big crowds to the beaches. Carnival, usually in February or early March, brings street parties and block parties across the city. Travelling on a budget? Expect to pay more for places to stay.

Autumn and winter: the sweet spot

May to August scores Excellent. Days are mild, at 21 to 23°C, and nights turn cool, around 13 to 16°C. Rain is lighter, with about 10 days a month in June, July and August. July is the coolest month and also the driest of the four, at 90 mm. It's too chilly for most people to swim, but the beaches are quiet and the sand is yours.

This is the time for the island's walking trails. Try the Lagoinha do Leste trail or the path to Naufragados, at the southern tip. Visit Ribeirão da Ilha, the old Azorean fishing village, and order oysters, which the island is known for. In the evenings, a plate of fried shrimp and a warm jacket suit the mood. Try the oyster festivals, which are popular in winter. Check dates before you go.

April is a good shoulder month. It's still warm enough for the beach, the rain eases to 13 days, and the holiday crowds have gone.

Spring: unsettled

September is Good, but October is Poor. It's the gloomiest month, with only 2.9 hours of sun a day and rain on 17 days. November and December improve, though both are only Fair. If you're set on spring, aim for early September, when it's cooler but brighter. Travelling with kids who want to swim? Wait until late December or choose March, which is still warm but quieter.