The weather in Fiji varies considerably from region to region. Rainfall is highly variable and mainly orographic (influenced by the island topography). The south-east trade winds, saturated with moisture, cause clouds to build up over any high land mass. On Fiji's largest islands, Viti Levu and Vanua Levu therefore, there are pronounced dry and wet zones due to these south-east trade winds. The smaller islands and coral atolls on the other hand, receive little rain and lots of sunshine.

December - April
The wet season begins early in December and lasts until April. During this time it is hot and humid with almost daily late afternoon downpours on the larger islands. The small offshore islands generally miss these downpours altogether. As the heat accumulates over the Pacific Ocean during this season, depressions can form bringing with them torrential rain, strong winds and the occasional tropical cyclone. This 'wet season' is a good time to come to experience the lush vibrancy of the rainforest - rivers are full, waterfalls gushing and the hills of the larger islands become refreshingly green. The downside is the high humidity and mosquitoes, although on most of the small island resorts this is rarely a problem due to the refreshing sea breeze.

May - November
Once the rains ease off around the end of April, most regions experience a more moderate climate. Temperatures become pleasantly cool at night, and in the mountains a jumper becomes necessary in the evenings and early morning. By midwinter (July), most parts of the country welcome rain - the hills have turned brown, the towns are dusty and the rivers have all but dried up. However, on the wet leeward (eastern sides) of the large islands, particularly Suva, around Savusavu and on Taveuni, the rainclouds seem to stick over the mountains for weeks on end. In these regions, rainfall is never far away, keeping the air clear and scenery green.