When to Go

Go whenever you can seize the chance but for the best weather, festivals and sporting contests, make it between May and mid-December. For walking or trekking, narrow it down to the cold season, June to August, when water temperatures drop to 21°C (70°F) and the air is cooler. The Avocado Festival is held in mid to late-May, the three-day Foire de Bourail from late-August to early September, and the Équinoxe in October. If you’re a diver, don’t miss the riot of colour that accompanies the coral spawning in early summer. If you’re nervous about cyclones or mosquitoes you might consider staying home between November and April.