Niue Weather in May

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Typical Temperatures in May

Niue presents itself at its best in May with temperatures hot enough to feel like a tropical holiday during the day but cool enough to offer conformable dining experiences in the evening. Expect the daily temperatures to be 27°C / 81°F on average and the nightly temperatures to be 22°C / 72°F on average. That’s not bad for a month that is attracting only a very moderate number of travellers!

Temperatures in Alofi

• Average maximum temperature: 27°C / 81°F
• Average temperature: 25°C / 77°F
• Average minimum temperature: 22°C / 72°F

Sea Temperature in May

With water temperatures close to 27°C / 81°F on average during the month of May, Niue is just begging for you to jump in. The fish life at this time of the year is vibrant and any dive or snorkel trip around the raised coral atoll is an absolute treat.

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Hours of Sun in May

Being right in the junction between the wet and the dry season, May gets the best of both worlds with long days, a high amount of sunshine hours, and lower rainfall. You’ll get plenty of sun and plenty of daylight to spend the whole day chasing that big game fish or exploring remote chasms. In May, the average day is comprised of 12 hours of daylight and 6 hours of bright sunshine.

UV Levels During May

With the dry season comes more reasonable UV levels. As such, May is a much tamer month for the pale skins. But with an average UV index of 8+, you will still need to equip yourself with a sunhat and sunscreen, especially when heading on the water. Reapplying sunscreen every couple of hours is a good idea too!

We’ve got a list of reef-safe sunscreens so you can protect both your skin and the beautiful corals around Niue. If you are travelling with the little ones, then also check our list of sunscreens especially designed to protect young skin.

Sunrise and Sunset During May

The average amount of daylight in May in Niue is 12 hours.

• Sunrise: 6:35 am at the beginning of January and 6:45 am at the end of May
• Sunset: 6:00 pm at the beginning of January and 5:50 pm at the end of May.

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Rainfall in May

As a small tropical island nation right in the middle of the South Pacific, even in the driest of its dry season, Niue will still experience some amount of rain. Since May is right at the transition between the wet and dry seasons, you can expect a few rainy spells to spice up your trip. But what is a tropical holiday without that one, two, three… or more tropical downpours like no other?!

May’s average rainfall in Niue is 195 mm / 7.7 in spread over an average of 9 days. This means that, on average, only 9 days of the month will experience some showers.

Rainfall in Alofi

• Average rainfall in May: 195 mm / 7.7 in
• Average rain days: 9.

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Tropical Storms in May

The South Pacific cyclone season starts in November and ends in April, so it’s highly unlikely that a tropical cyclone will occur in Niue in May. Nevertheless, it’s always best to be prepared, as small-scale cyclones have historically developed across the South Pacific in May. Check out our tips in our guide, Cyclone Safety in Niue.

For travellers who find cyclones a major concern, perhaps choose a month with the least risk, such as July or August.

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The Best Things to Do in May

With the wet season over, Niue is blossoming with heaps of adventures and activities to be enjoyed. The whole island is yours for the taking with cultural tours, opportunities to get on or in the water, and remote caves and inlets to explore. In short, there is pretty much nothing that we would not recommend doing in May in Niue. You’ve just chosen one of the best months to make the most of this tiny island nation!

Museums and Art – Hide from the occasional rainfall at the national museum, Fale Tau Taoga Niue or the local Tahiono Art Gallery in Alofi. Outdoors, you’ll be able to check out trash transformed into sculptures at the Hikulagi Sculpture Park. If you are lucky, you’ll also be able to experience a Village Show Day, which is simply unmissable if you are interested in learning more about the Niuean culture.

Snorkelling or Scuba Diving – Niue is poised with some of the clearest waters you will ever experience since it has no freshwater estuaries. By jumping in the water through snorkelling or scuba diving, you will be able to uncover the vibrant world that created this raised coral atoll in the first place.

Road Trip – If you are unsure about what you feel like doing, get yourself behind the wheel of a rental car, grab a map from the Niue Information Centre, and head on the road to enjoy a slice of everything. The drives between the points of interest are short (heck, it only takes about 30 minutes to cross the whole island!) where you will be able to treat yourself to some great sights and experience local food at the eateries scattered along the west coast of the island.

If that’s enough, take a look at the 101 Things to Do in Niue: The Ultimate List.

(c) niuepocketguide.com

May Packing List for Niue

We’ve got a comprehensive Packing List for a Trip to Niue ready for you, but since you’re here we thought you’d like to know what is essential to pack if you are planning a trip there in Niue:

• Light clothing layer (linen, bamboo or merino preferably so it is super light – we like the sustainable bamboo clothing of Moso Morrow)
• Light long-sleeved tops (to cover from the sun and take the edge off those slightly cooler nights)
• Light pants/trousers (to cover the knees when appropriate – at church services or to protect from mosquitoes on plantation/forest tours, for example)
• Sunhat
• Sunglasses
• Swimwear
• Rash vest (we like the UV-protecting Sharkskin rashies)
• Closed walking shoes
• Reef shoes
• Sarong (paleu – to wear over your swimwear when passing through villages – see What are the Local Customs in Niue? for more information)
• Insect repellent
• High-factor sunscreen (that’s reef-safe and water-resistant).