Pacific Islands in August

The Pacific Islands' seasons flip everything you know about tropical travel. Dry season runs May through October — that's your sweet spot for sunny skies and calm seas. But here's what the guidebooks won't tell you: shoulder seasons offer the best deals and fewer crowds. April and November give you decent weather at half the price. Cyclone season officially runs November through April, but serious storms usually hit January through March. Most resorts close or offer deep discounts during these months. Fiji's weather stays fairly consistent year-round, but the trade winds from May to October keep things comfortable. French Polynesia gets more rainfall from November to April, though it usually comes in short, intense bursts. The Cook Islands experience their wettest months from December to March, but even then, you'll get plenty of sunshine between showers.