Best Time to Visit Suva

Two seasons, and one is very wet

Suva is on the wet side of Viti Levu, so it rains here more than almost anywhere else in Fiji. The wet season runs December to March. Expect rain on most days, thick air and short bursts of sun between downpours. March is the wettest month, with rain on 27 days.

From June to September it eases off. Nights turn cooler, and July and August are the best months, with the least rain and the lowest humidity. Even then it's rarely fully dry, so treat a shower as part of the day.

Which month for which trip

If you want to walk around town, July and August are the easiest. The Suva Municipal Market, the Fiji Museum in Thurston Gardens and a stroll along Albert Park all feel better when it isn't sticky. June and September are fair choices too, and a bit cheaper and quieter.

Hiking in Colo-i-Suva Forest Park suits the drier months. The trails get muddy and slippery in the wet season, though the swimming holes are full and the forest is at its greenest.

If you're mainly after beaches and diving, Suva isn't the place to base yourself. Most people head to the Coral Coast or the islands, where it's sunnier. Use Suva for a night or two, or for a rainy-day city break.

Not sure about October and November? Rain picks up again, and it's warm and damp but not yet at its worst. Fine if you don't mind carrying an umbrella.

Crowds and events

High season for Fiji is roughly June to September, when visitors flock to the sunnier resort areas. Suva stays calm even then, since it's a working capital more than a resort town. School holidays and the Christmas period bring more local travel, so ferries and buses to the islands fill up.

The big event is the Hibiscus Festival, held in Suva in August. It brings street stalls, music, a carnival feel and a queen competition at Albert Park. It's a good reason to come in the best weather. If you like a lively town, plan around it. If you prefer quiet streets, pick another week in July or early September.

Fiji Day, in October, is a national holiday with events around the country. Expect some shops to close and the city to feel quieter than usual.