Many travellers are in reality, simply aiming for the beach.
The bodies of water facing some of the hottest beach destinations go through stormy phases each year, in relatively predictable fashion. Hurricanes are not surefire weather events on islands or low-lying regions, but, enormous water events do tend to occur during specific months in specific hurricane hotspots around the world.
Use our guide in this post to see which months pose the most danger to particular vacation destinations.
January to March
This time of year is when Canadians really want to flee our frosty climate for absolutely anywhere better.
Avoid: The South Pacific
The islands within the South Pacific meet peak cyclone season from January to March, so it’s best to avoid Australia, French Polynesia, Cook Islands and New Zealand. Parts of Southeast Asia (Malaysia and Borneo) also experience a rainy season during this time.
Seek: The Caribbean and Atlantic
The Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean water bodies experience gorgeous weather for most of our Canadian winter. This is why resorts and vacation packages fly off the shelves around this time for beach-seeking northerners.
Weather is also nice in places like Hawaii, the Philippines, India and Sri Lanka, as well as East African destinations like the Seychelles.
April to June
Avoid: The Eastern Pacific
Hurricane season picks up in the Tropical Eastern Pacific which includes parts of western (Pacific) Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, Peru and the Galapagos Islands. This wet season will continue off and on until the fall. Typhoons have also been known to form around these months on the other side of the ocean, in the Western Pacific.
Seek: The Caribbean and Atlantic
What was once sunny, now gets hot and windier, but it will still be pleasant. Hurricanes begin here around June 1st, so you may still check out a Caribbean or Southern US destination until then. Humongous storms rarely form, and if they do, they’ll happen later in the summer.
Seek: The South Pacific
The cyclone season in the South Pacific ends by May 1st, so, the previously no-go destinations around Australia and New Zealand open up for travellers starting in May.
July to October
Some would call this “full-on hurricane season” in a few tropical basins around the world.
Avoid: The Caribbean and Atlantic
The peak for hurricane season here is September 10th, but, devastating hurricanes have also occurred here during late August. Be careful booking your Caribbean vacation any time after July.
Avoid: Eastern Pacific, Hawaii
It’s also peak storm season during the summer for the Eastern Pacific Ocean, and around Hawaii. Rainy season ends in mid-October here.
Seek: Southern Pacific and Southwest India
Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji are good bets if you’d like to avoid what’s going on around the Atlantic. Western India and parts of East Africa also experience a reprieve in these summer months.
November to December
Avoid: Hawaii
It’s generally still rainy season for Hawaii between November and December.
Avoid: East Africa
By December, monsoons have been known to hit eastern Africa, but typhoons can be felt all the way to April.
Seek: Caribbean, North Atlantic, Mexico
By December 1st the official hurricane seasons ends for the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean.
Make sure you do your research for the specific destination you’re interested in visiting. If you do encounter a storm on your stay and need to cancel or interrupt your trip, a good travel insurance plan will cover the cost and pay for your evacuation if need be.
