Climate and underwater conditions are good all year round – there isn’t really an “off-season”. So when is the best time of year to visit Raja Ampat?Īs far as weather is concerned, any time of year is a good one to visit Raja Ampat. Locations on the northern shores of islands are the best protected at this time of year. Again – that’s not every day! Underwater visibility isn’t affected, but choppy seas at this time of year can occasionally limit small boat travel between the islands. The middle of the wet season (Mid-June to mid-September) sees days with strong winds which make sea conditions less pleasant. Don’t let the fact that it’s rainy season discourage you if you can’t organise your journey any other time – the wet season in Raja Ampat isn’t as dramatic or consistent as that affecting destinations like Bali, Thailand and Malaysia. As in the above image, it’s not unusual to find yourself afloat on a calm, sunny ocean while rainstorms pass by on the horizon. Even in the wet season though, it doesn’t rain all day, every day – rainfall is often shortlived and localised. June and July are historically the wettest months. The southeast monsoon months between May and September deliver the bulk of Raja Ampat’s annual rainfall. Although this season sees the least rainfall, Raja Ampat’s heaviest rain usually falls in December and January, leading to those months often being referred to as a second wet season. Rainfallīeing a tropical environment, there are no days of the year where you can be sure it won’t rain, but there’s far less chance of rainy days during the northwest monsoon between October and April. Raja Ampat lies on the equator and so enjoys a year-round day length of about twelve hours (~6.30am to 6.30pm) Air temperatures are also reliably constant with a daytime average maximum of 31 oC (89 oF) and a nightly minimum of 25 oC (78 oF) – although it can often feel hotter than that due to the region’s average relative humidity of 83%! The ocean is warm year-round too, having an average surface temperature of 29 oC (84 oF). It’s not unusual for example, to spend a beautiful sunny day on Gam, all the while watching stormclouds pour rain onto the Waigeo highlands a few kilometres away on the other side of the bay. There’s also a surprising variation in local weather conditions. The Sorong averages don’t necessarily apply throughout the islands, as many (especially the big 4 of Waigeo, Misool, Salawati and Batanta) have microclimates that vary substantially from that of Sorong. Raja Ampat climate statistics are based on long term observations taken at Sorong on the West Papua mainland. October to April, with best chance of perfect conditions from mid-October to mid-December.You can enjoy warm weather in southern Vietnam with little or no rain.What’s the best time of year to visit Raja Ampat? The average temperature is about 27☌ (80☏), which makes February an ideal month for travel. In southern Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City, the Mekong Delta), there always is good weather throughout February. The central highlands area (Da Lat) is a few degrees cooler. The coastal area is dry and mild and you can enjoy comfortable weather with only light sprinklings of rain. In central Vietnam (Hoi An, Da Nang), the average temperature in February remains at 22☌ (72☏). There is low rainfall, but sometimes there is a persistent drizzle. You can expect plenty of sunshine and clear blue skies throughout the day, while the moist winds are the only thing to make you feel cold. The average temperature in northern Vietnam (Hanoi, Halong Bay, Sapa) is around 16☌ (60☏), and even cooler in mountain areas (e.g. Vietnam is a long country and the weather in the north, south, and central regions are different. With a typical subtropical spring (north) or tropical dry (south) climate, most days of February are sunny days and very suitable for enjoying blossoms or water sports. It makes February one of the best times to visit all areas of Vietnam. It is the dry season, and there is practically no rain throughout the country during February. The weather is cool and comfortable in February in Vietnam.
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