Summer
Dec → Feb28 to 29°
nights 24 to 25°
- 21 rainy days · 332 mm
- 11.3 h of sun
- sea 28°
When is the best time to visit Réunion?
In short: May to November, during the southern winter and its dry season: 24 to 27 °C in the afternoon in Saint-Denis and less than 100 mm of rain a month, against 517 mm in January. September and October are the best compromise: the humpback whales are still there, rainfall stays low (34 mm in September in Saint-Denis) and the heat builds again on the coast.
- Humpback whales: From June to October, they travel up from Antarctica to mate and calve in the warm waters off the island.
- Hiking in the cirques and on the summits: From May to November, the dry season makes Mafate, Cilaos and Salazie easier going; nights at altitude can freeze in the southern winter.
- Dry west coast, wet east coast: All year round the west gets little rain, while the east and the slopes of the volcano stay wet even in the dry season.
- A mild coast in the southern winter: From June to August, 24 °C in the afternoon in Saint-Denis and nights around 19 °C, far from the humid heat of summer.
Best avoided: January to March, the heart of the rainy and cyclone season: 517 mm of rain over 25 days in January in Saint-Denis, waterlogged trails and cyclone alerts that can force you to stay under shelter.
Sources: meteofrance.re, meteofrance.re, reunion.fr
- Jan28°not recommended
- Feb29°not recommended
- Mar29°not recommended
- Apr28°fair
- May26°recommended
- Jun24°recommended
- Jul24°recommended
- Aug24°recommended
- Sep25°recommended
- Oct26°recommended
- Nov27°recommended
- Dec29°fair
RecommendedFairNot recommended· afternoon temperature
The weather in Réunion, month by month
The table of records, month by month
| Month | High | Low | Sunshine | Rainfall | Rainy days | Sea | Best |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 28° | 25° | 10.9 h | 517 mm | 25 d | 28° | |
| February | 29° | 25° | 11 h | 332 mm | 20 d | 28° | |
| March | 29° | 25° | 10.5 h | 254 mm | 22 d | 28° | |
| April | 28° | 24° | 10.2 h | 151 mm | 20 d | 27° | |
| May | 26° | 22° | 10.3 h | 37 mm | 10 d | 26° | ✓ |
| June | 24° | 20° | 10 h | 71 mm | 10 d | 25° | ✓ |
| July | 24° | 19° | 10.4 h | 33 mm | 6 d | 24° | ✓ |
| August | 24° | 19° | 10.7 h | 41 mm | 10 d | 24° | ✓ |
| September | 25° | 20° | 11.2 h | 34 mm | 8 d | 24° | ✓ |
| October | 26° | 21° | 11.4 h | 83 mm | 14 d | 25° | ✓ |
| November | 27° | 22° | 11.4 h | 92 mm | 14 d | 26° | ✓ |
| December | 29° | 24° | 12 h | 147 mm | 19 d | 28° |
The four seasons in Réunion, in figures
What the 2015-2024 records (Saint-Denis) show, season by season, to compare at a glance instead of reading twelve rows of a table.
Autumn
Mar → May26 to 29°
nights 22 to 25°
- 17 rainy days · 147 mm
- 10.3 h of sun
- sea 27°
Winter
Jun → Aug24°
nights 19 to 20°
- 9 rainy days · 48 mm
- 10.4 h of sun
- sea 24°
Spring
Sep → Nov25 to 27°
nights 20 to 22°
- 12 rainy days · 70 mm
- 11.3 h of sun
- sea 25°
Book early for May to November
The timing is right, so it is right for everyone: in these months the best places to stay and the small-group tours go first. Here is where to start.
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What to do in Réunion, month by month
EventsGrand RaidOctoberHumpback whalesJuly to OctoberDipavali in Saint-AndréOctober to NovemberFèt KafDecemberDetails ↓
favourablewith compromisesunfavourable
Beach & swimming: good conditions all twelve months.
- Hiking: July, September
- Towns & culture: May, June, July, August, September
- Diving & snorkelling: January, February, March, April, May, June, October, November, December
Grid derived from the records (temperature, rainfall, sea), not from an opinion.
What's on in Réunion, month by month?
What comes back every year, and when. Exact dates change from year to year, so check them before you book.
- OctoberGrand Raid
The Diagonale des Fous crosses the island from south to north through the cirques and ramparts, and the villages keep watch at the aid stations.
- July to OctoberHumpback whales
Mothers and their calves travel along the west coast between Saint-Gilles and Saint-Leu, sometimes visible from the shore.
- October to NovemberDipavali in Saint-André
The island's Tamil town lights up with oil lamps, with a parade of floats, dancing and vegetarian meals for a week.
- DecemberFèt Kaf
On 20 December, the island commemorates the abolition of slavery with maloya concerts and open-air dances in the neighbourhoods.
Travelling off-peak
Month by month, in detail
January
Not recommended28°25° at night
- 517 mm · 25 d
- 10.9 h
- sea 28°
Low season, lower prices
February
Not recommended29°25° at night
- 332 mm · 20 d
- 11 h
- sea 28°
Low season, lower prices
March
Not recommended29°25° at night
- 254 mm · 22 d
- 10.5 h
- sea 28°
Low season, lower prices
April
Fair28°24° at night
- 151 mm · 20 d
- 10.2 h
- sea 27°
Low season, lower prices
May
Recommended26°22° at night
- 37 mm · 10 d
- 10.3 h
- sea 26°
Busy, without the crush
June
Recommended24°20° at night
- 71 mm · 10 d
- 10 h
- sea 25°
Busy, without the crush
July
Recommended24°19° at night
- 33 mm · 6 d
- 10.4 h
- sea 24°
High season, book early
August
Recommended24°19° at night
- 41 mm · 10 d
- 10.7 h
- sea 24°
High season, book early
September
Recommended25°20° at night
- 34 mm · 8 d
- 11.2 h
- sea 24°
Busy, without the crush
October
Recommended26°21° at night
- 83 mm · 14 d
- 11.4 h
- sea 25°
Busy, without the crush
November
Recommended27°22° at night
- 92 mm · 14 d
- 11.4 h
- sea 26°
Busy, without the crush
December
Fair29°24° at night
- 147 mm · 19 d
- 12 h
- sea 28°
Quiet, then the holidays
Read the twelve months in detail
January. 28 °C in the afternoon and 25 °C at night. A very wet month, 517 mm of rain over 25 days. Plenty of sunshine: 10.9 h a day on average. The sea is at 28 °C, a proper swim. Low season: fewer people, lower prices.
February. 29 °C in the afternoon and 25 °C at night. A very wet month, 332 mm of rain over 20 days. Plenty of sunshine: 11 h a day on average. The sea is at 28 °C, a proper swim. Low season: fewer people, lower prices.
March. 29 °C in the afternoon and 25 °C at night. A very wet month, 254 mm of rain over 22 days. Plenty of sunshine: 10.5 h a day on average. The sea is at 28 °C, a proper swim. Low season: fewer people, lower prices.
April. 28 °C in the afternoon and 24 °C at night. Frequent rain: 151 mm over 20 days. Plenty of sunshine: 10.2 h a day on average. The sea is at 27 °C, a proper swim. Low season: fewer people, lower prices.
May. 26 °C in the afternoon and 22 °C at night. Expect 10 days of rain in the month (37 mm). Plenty of sunshine: 10.3 h a day on average. The sea is at 26 °C, a proper swim. Busy season, without the crush.
June. Mild, 24 °C in the afternoon and 20 °C early in the morning. Expect 10 days of rain in the month (71 mm). Plenty of sunshine: 10 h a day on average. The sea is at 25 °C: pleasant swimming. Busy season, without the crush.
July. Mild, 24 °C in the afternoon and 19 °C early in the morning. Rain stays light: 33 mm over 6 days. Plenty of sunshine: 10.4 h a day on average. The sea is at 24 °C: pleasant swimming. High season: book early.
August. Mild, 24 °C in the afternoon and 19 °C early in the morning. Expect 10 days of rain in the month (41 mm). Plenty of sunshine: 10.7 h a day on average. The sea is at 24 °C: pleasant swimming. High season: book early.
September. 25 °C in the afternoon and 20 °C at night. Expect 8 days of rain in the month (34 mm). Plenty of sunshine: 11.2 h a day on average. The sea is at 24 °C: pleasant swimming. Busy season, without the crush.
October. 26 °C in the afternoon and 21 °C at night. Frequent rain: 83 mm over 14 days. Plenty of sunshine: 11.4 h a day on average. The sea is at 25 °C: pleasant swimming. Busy season, without the crush.
November. 27 °C in the afternoon and 22 °C at night. Frequent rain: 92 mm over 14 days. Plenty of sunshine: 11.4 h a day on average. The sea is at 26 °C, a proper swim. Busy season, without the crush.
December. 29 °C in the afternoon and 24 °C at night. Frequent rain: 147 mm over 19 days. Plenty of sunshine: 12 h a day on average. The sea is at 28 °C, a proper swim. Quiet at the start of the month, then busier as the holidays approach.
Same season, other ideas
Their best time overlaps with this one: worth comparing before you book.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Réunion?
May to November, during the southern winter and its dry season: 24 to 27 °C in the afternoon in Saint-Denis and less than 100 mm of rain a month, against 517 mm in January. September and October are the best compromise: the humpback whales are still there, rainfall stays low (34 mm in September in Saint-Denis) and the heat builds again on the coast.
Which month should you avoid in Réunion?
January to March, the heart of the rainy and cyclone season: 517 mm of rain over 25 days in January in Saint-Denis, waterlogged trails and cyclone alerts that can force you to stay under shelter.
What is the hottest month in Réunion?
February, with 29 °C on average in the afternoon and 25 °C at night. 2015-2024 records (Saint-Denis).
What is the coldest month in Réunion?
June, with 24 °C at best during the day and 20 °C at night. 2015-2024 records (Saint-Denis).
What is the driest month in Réunion?
July: 33 mm over 6 days of rain, against 517 mm in January, the wettest month.
Which month has the most sunshine in Réunion?
December, with 12 h of sunshine a day on average. Note that this counts clear skies, not the length of the day.
When can you swim in Réunion?
The water never drops below 22 °C: from 24 to 28 °C depending on the month (warmest in January), measured in 2023-2024 on the nearest coast (Piton de la Fournaise).
When is the best time to hike in Réunion?
July, September: highs between 12 and 29 °C and no more than 9 days of rain a month according to 2015-2024 records (Saint-Denis), the safest windows for walking.
When to go diving or snorkelling in Réunion?
January, February, March, April, May, June, October, November, December: the sea is above 25 °C, warm enough to stay in a long time without a thick wetsuit. 2023-2024 records on the nearest coast (Piton de la Fournaise).
Plan this trip
📒 The free printable Réunion guide: itinerary, map, where to sleep→
🗓️ Best time to visit: all our destinations→
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Photos: Arne Müseler / CC BY-SA 3.0 de (Wikimedia Commons) · louloua asgaraly / Pexels · Martine Mars / Pexels · Mégane SSu / Pexels · Florent Ferrere / Pexels