The dry season, May to October, is the best time to visit. Temperatures sit between 20–28°C, humidity is lower, skies are generally clear, and the sea is calm enough for good diving and snorkelling. June to August is the coolest period — still warm by most standards but comfortable for hiking and outdoor activities. This is also peak tourist season, so book accommodation and flights ahead.
The wet season runs from November to April. It is hot, humid, and punctuated by heavy afternoon downpours. Cyclone season officially spans November to April, with the highest risk from January to March. Vanuatu sits in an active cyclone track and has been hit by serious storms in recent years — Cyclone Pam in 2015 caused widespread devastation. Travel in the wet season is possible and cheaper, but outer island transport becomes unreliable and some activities are disrupted.
Special timing considerations
If you want to see the Naghol (land dive) on Pentecost Island, plan your trip for April to June. This is the only time of year the ceremony takes place, on Saturdays. Missing the dates means missing the event entirely.
The Toka Festival on Tanna — a multi-day dance and feast gathering across the island — happens irregularly, when the paramount chief decides conditions are right (typically every few years). If it falls during your trip it is extraordinary; don't plan an itinerary around it.
The northern islands (Santo, Malakula, Ambrym) are hotter and wetter than the south. July to September is the sweet spot for those islands, while the central and southern islands (Efate, Tanna, Aneityum) can be visited comfortably from May.