What is the best time to visit Norfolk Island? – Norfolk Island Climate

Are you planning a visit to beautiful Norfolk Island? Are you still on the fence about the dates? This guide will help you pick the best time to visit Norfolk Island. Every traveler is different so we’ll try to paint a complete picture for you, so you can choose the time that suits you the best.

As general advice, the best time to visit Norfolk Island is from November to March. These months are the summer months of the island and they are the sunniest months to visit. The ocean temperature is the best from January to March.

Of course, the best time to visit is not the same for everyone. Travelers have different preferences. The weather between Nov and March is definitely the most favorable but it doesn’t get much worse even during winter.

So, let’s take a look at all the options for the different kinds of vacations you might want to have on Norfolk Island.

Best Times to Visit

Now let’s take a look at some typical visits to Norfolk Island and see what is the best time of year for each of them.

Of course, you might have some different ideas in mind for your visit to the island, but with the tips, we highlight you will be able to choose a month regardless.

Best time to visit for swimming and snorkeling

VISIT DURING: (November, December) January, February, March, (April)

First up are the travelers who would like to enjoy the ocean as much as possible. Norfolk Island has some truly beautiful beaches after all. It would be a shame not to go swimming when you visit.

MORE: Beaches on Norfolk Island – The Norfolk Island Beach Guide

The best time to visit Norfolk Island is between January and March if you want to have swimming days. The weather is usually warm enough in November, however, the ocean is still quite cold during those days.

This puts you all the way up to Jan when the ocean is already pretty warm and the weather is usually pleasant. The only downside is the unexpected rain that can happen anytime when you visit Norfolk Island.

These months are also the busiest when it comes to Norfolk Island. Although it never really gets busy it does see the most tourists during the Australian summer.

Do note that the warm weather on Norfolk Island is around 24-26 celsius degrees. It’s not scorching hot but there is plenty of sunshine, blue skies, and beach days.

If you are planning to visit Norfolk Island with family then these months are also the best. You can also consider November and December as accommodation prices can be cheaper and the weather is just as good. Only the ocean temperature is still low but we’ve found that not to be an issue for kids.

Best time to visit for sightseeing

VISIT DURING: Pre- or After Season (April, September, and October are especially nice!)

If your main goal is exploring the island to the fullest then you can choose either the pre-season or the after-season. Both are good options. The weather is just as good as it is in summer except for a bit rainier.

On the other hand, the busy season is over which means tourists are gone. You’ll feel like you get the island for yourself.

If you are brave you can still go swimming or use a wetsuit for some quality snorkeling. The locals actually do swim all year round.

Not to mention that you’ll get better prices for accommodation. Our favorite months for exploring are April, September, and October. These all have nice weather and beautiful green scenery everywhere.

Best time to visit for relaxing

VISIT DURING: (June, July) August, September

The best time to visit if you want to just kick back, relax, and enjoy the island is the end of winter. August and September are both great months to plan your trip.

You can consider June and July as well but be aware that these two are the rainiest months on the island.

What we love about these months are the excellent deals you can get from hotels and apartments around the island. To fill up the rooms they usually have offers like 5 nights for the price of 3 nights.

These months are truly about relaxing. There will be almost no tourists except you so you can explore the beaches, the scenery, and the slow pace of life on the island.

The temperature won’t be particularly amazing but it won’t really go below 14 celsius either so it’s not the worst. Pack some nice warm clothing and you will do just fine.

The climate of Norfolk Island

Norfolk Island’s climate is a version of the subtropical climate dominated by the surrounding ocean. The nearby wide open ocean means that the temperatures remain mild all year round whether it’s hot or cold we are talking about.

You can of course expect a lot of rainfall even during summer. Rain comes quickly and unpredictably on Norfolk Island but it can pass just as quickly.

The air is pretty humid but as the temperature does not get into the high 20s it doesn’t ever feel too hot on the island.

Also, note that the location makes Norfolk Island a very windy place.

Usual Weather

Your usual weather on the island is mild temperatures and a chance of rain. Okay, it’s an exaggeration. During summer the rain is more predictable and less relevant.

In terms of temperature summers and winters on the island only see a roughly 10 celsius difference. This means you can expect pretty even weather while you travel.

Nights always get a bit chilly even during summer when the daytime temperatures are very nice. Usually, there is also wind.

No matter when you visit the island always pack the following: a light coat, a raincoat, a scarf for the wind, and some sweaters.

Wind and Rainfall

Many people wonder if Norfolk Island is always windy or if it’s their luck during their visit. Well, it’s not bad luck. It is in fact almost always windy on Norfolk Island.

Sometimes the wind is a nice summer breeze while other times it can be quite cooling. If you are someone who is not good with wind make sure you prepare clothing to combat this type of weather. We recommend scarves and some nice hats to keep you warm in the wind.

There are around 120 days of rainfall on Norfolk Island. It is a considerable amount and you will most likely see some rain when you visit, even during summer.

Be prepared with an umbrella and raincoat as rain can come quickly from the ocean without much warning. Also, keep an eye out on unpaved roads as they can become impassable after rainfall. More on that in our guide to driving in Norfolk Island.

Typical Summer Weather

Your typical summer weather in Norfolk Island is plenty of sunshine and nice warm temperatures. During summer there are only 6-8 rainy days a month so you might even see the island without seeing rain.

Temperatures range from 22 to 26 celsius. It might not look too much but the direct sunlight and humid air can make it feel more. It’s also good enough for swimming when visiting the island.

With the low chance of rain and nice warm temperatures, we always try to recommend summer as the best time to visit Norfolk Island. Of course, as we’ve already highlighted there are some more angles to discover.

Typical Winter Weather

On a typical winter day in Norfolk Island can see quite a lot of rain and not an awful lot of sunshine. The Winter months (June, July, Aug) have more than 10 days of rain on average. You will most likely see some rainfall during your visit.

However, when it comes to air temperature it’s not very bad. In fact, it hardly goes below 14 celsius and it usually stays around 18 for nice weather to explore the island.

During these days the wind is usually chilly so pack something that will keep your face warm (or grow a beard, whichever suits you).