Best time to visit Samoa
The best time to visit Samoa is during the winter dry season from June to September, as it is the coolest and least rainy time of year.
However, even during this period, you should expect some downpours and occasional thunderstorms.
Samoa weather
Samoa experiences a hot tropical climate that is wet and humid year-round.
Temperatures throughout Samoa are fairly stable, with little variation between the hottest and coolest time of year, with an average high of 30-31°C (86-88°F).
The south-east trade winds blow steadily throughout the year, making the heat more bearable.
Here are the recorded weather averages for Apia, located on the northeast coast of Upolu Island.
What is the best month to visit Samoa?
July and August are the best months to visit Samoa, since this is the cooler time of year and rainfall is at its lowest.
Which is the hottest month in Samoa?
The hottest month in Samoa is usually March, with an average high temperature of 31°C (87°F), with high heat and humidity, and a low of 24°C (75°F).
The hot season in Samoa typically lasts from early-March to mid-May, with an average daily high temperature above 30°C (86°F).
However on the warmest days, the temperature may climb above 32°C (89°F)
Which is the coolest month in Samoa?
The coolest month in Samoa is August, with an average high of 29°C (84°F) and a low of 23°C (73°F).
The cooler season lasts from early-July to mid-September, with an average daily high temperature below 30°C (86°F).
When is it sunniest in Samoa?
The sunniest time of year in Samoa is normally August with 7.5 hours of sunshine per day – that's around 69% of daylight hours.
July through to mid-October is the sunniest time of year with mostly clear skies and few clouds.
When is the sea warmest in Samoa?
The sea is usually at its warmest in Samoa in March when the water temperature reaches 30°C (86°F), which is very pleasant for swimming.
The sea waters around Samoa are warm enough for swimming year-round.
Which month has the most rain in Samoa?
January is usually the wettest month in Samoa, with an average 450mm (17in) of rainfall. There are usually 19 days with some rainfall in January.
The wetter season in Samoa lasts from mid-October through May, with a greater than 39% chance of a given day being a wet day.
The relatively drier season lasts from April through to mid-October. The months with the least rainfall in Apia are July and August, with an average rainfall of 80mm in each month.
Rain falls throughout the year in Samoa, generally in the form of short, intense downpours or thunderstorms, except from December to March, when rainfall may last for several hours.
The mountainous interior of the island receives considerably more rainfall than the coastal area.
What are the windiest months in Samoa?
The windiest month of the year in Samoa is July, with an average hourly wind speed of 22 kilometres per hour (11 knots; 13mph).
May through October are the windiest months of the year in Samoa, with average wind speeds of more than 19 kilometres per hour (10 knots; 12mph).
It's less windy from November to April. The calmest month of the year in Apia is March, with an average hourly wind speed of 15 kilometres per hour (8 knots; 10mph).
The predominant wind direction in Samoa is from the east throughout the year.
Is there a risk of a tropical storm in Samoa?
The risk of a tropical storm in Samoa is greatest between January and March during the hot wet season. The likelihood of a tropical storm occurring is highest in January at 2.6%.
Samoa Weather Averages
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| Average daily max (°C) | |||||||||||
| 30 | 30 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 |
| Average daily min (°C) | |||||||||||
| 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 24 |
| Average daily sunshine (hrs) | |||||||||||
| 5 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 5 |
| Average daily daylight (hrs) | |||||||||||
| 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 |
| Comfort level | |||||||||||
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| Average relative humidity (%) | |||||||||||
| 81 | 80 | 85 | 78 | 77 | 75 | 76 | 75 | 75 | 77 | 77 | 78 |
| UV Index (max) | |||||||||||
| 11+ | 11+ | 11+ | 11+ | 9 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 11+ | 11+ | 11+ | 11+ |
| Average days of rainfall (≥1mm) | |||||||||||
| 19 | 18 | 17 | 15 | 13 | 11 | 8 | 9 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 17 |
| Average monthly rainfall (mm) | |||||||||||
| 450 | 380 | 350 | 250 | 160 | 120 | 80 | 80 | 130 | 170 | 260 | 370 |
| Average wind speed (km/h) | |||||||||||
| 16 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 18 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 17 | 16 |
| Average sea temperature (°C) | |||||||||||
| 29 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 29 |
| Apia, Upolu Island, Western Samoa | |||||||||||
Holiday seasons
High season: Mid-December to early-January when overseas Samoans return for the holidays, and from May to October – the latter months coincide with most of the major Samoan festivals.
Prices remain fairly constant year round but hotel and airline reservations need to be booked in advance.
Note: Meteorological data for Apia, Upolu Island, Western Samoa is based on weather statistics gathered for the 30-year period 1991 to 2020, and is sourced from Samoa Meteorological Services at the closest weather station, Apia / Upolu Island Meteriological Station, located 4km (3mi) northwest of Apia. Additional climate data is sourced from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
Advice on the best time to visit a particular destination is based on average local weather statistics, when the weather conditions are generally better than at other times of the year. We consider high and low temperatures, risk of rain (and thunderstorms, etc.), amount of sunshine and sea temperature. For general outdoor activities we favour clear, rainless days with a temperature range between 18°C (64°F) and 27°C (80°F); and for hot-weather activities we favour clear, rainless days with a temperature range between 24°C (75°F) and 32°C (89°F). Often, the best times to visit correspond to high season and therefore involve higher prices.
Latest update: Best time to visit Samoa: 17 July, 2023
Disclaimer: The information on this site is provided as is, without any assurances as to its accuracy or suitability for any purpose. Weather data and conditions at any given location and time are unpredictable and variable. We assume no responsibility and can not be held legally responsible for any decisions made on the basis of the information presented on this site.
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