Samoa has two seasons. The dry season runs from May to October — this is the best time to visit. Temperatures sit in the mid-20s Celsius (mid-70s Fahrenheit), humidity drops, and the skies are mostly clear. June to September coincides with Samoa's main festival period and is the most popular time for tourists, but the islands never feel overcrowded.
The wet season runs from November to April, with the heaviest rain in January and February. Humidity climbs to 80% or more, and March is the hottest month. Cyclones are possible between January and March — Samoa has been hit hard by severe storms in recent decades, including Cyclone Evan in 2012. If you travel in the wet season, watch forecasts and check airline refund policies before booking.
The sea is warm year-round (around 27–29°C), so there is no bad time for snorkelling and diving from that perspective. Surfers favour the southern coast of Upolu between May and October when the southern swells are most consistent.
Festivals
The biggest events fall in the dry season. Independence Day celebrations run from 1 to 3 June. The Teuila Festival follows in early September, with fautasi (long-boat) races, traditional dance competitions, and the national cricket finals. The palolo worm rising — a much-anticipated annual event when these reef worms swarm in huge numbers in the pre-dawn hours — happens in late October and is celebrated with communal feasting.