Best Time to Visit Réunion Island
Réunion has inverted seasons: average temperatures range from about 20°C in the austral winter to 29°C in the austral summer. What changes is the rain and the price: the dry austral winter from May to October brings sunshine, cooler air and the best hiking conditions, while the wet austral summer from November to April brings heat, heavy rain and the cyclone season (peaking January to March). Here is when to go — and when to think twice.
The dry austral winter: sunny days, cooler air and low cyclone risk, ideal for the cirques and the volcano — though prices and crowds peak in July and August.
The shoulder months at each end of the dry season, with mostly settled weather, fewer crowds and lower hotel rates than the July–August peak.
The peak of the cyclone season, with the highest chance of tropical storms, heavy rain and oppressive humidity — hotel prices are low, but check the forecast and keep bookings flexible.
| Month | Weather | Crowds | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 24 to 30°C | High | High | Hot and humid, near the peak of the cyclone season, New Year holiday crowds |
| February | 24 to 30°C | Medium | Medium | Peak of the cyclone season, heavy rain likely, one of the wettest and quietest months |
| March | 23 to 29°C | Medium | Medium | Cyclone risk starts easing, but rain is still frequent |
| April | 22 to 28°C | Medium | Medium | Rain tapering off, warm sea, a good shoulder-season month as the dry season begins |
| May | 20 to 26°C | Medium | Medium | The dry austral winter begins, sunnier days, cooler evenings in the Hauts |
| June | 18 to 24°C | Medium | Medium | Dry and cooler, whale-watching season begins off the west coast, good hiking conditions |
| July | 16 to 23°C | High | High | Coolest month, peak hiking season, French school holidays push prices and crowds up |
| August | 16 to 23°C | High | High | Dry and sunny, whale-watching in full swing, some of the busiest weeks of the year |
| September | 17 to 24°C | Medium | Medium | Still dry and pleasant, whale-watching continues, fewer crowds than July–August |
| October | 19 to 26°C | Medium | Medium | Warming up, dry season ending, whale-watching season winds down |
| November | 21 to 28°C | Medium | Medium | The wet austral summer begins, building humidity and rising cyclone risk |
| December | 23 to 29°C | High | High | Hot and humid, cyclone season underway, holiday peak prices |