In 1953, National Geographic described Lord Howe Island as the most beautiful place in the Pacific, and eight decades later, it still holds true to that description. With an ambiance that could calm a troubled mind, landscapes that can take your breath away, and views that keep you spellbound, this is the perfect vacation spot.
Like every other vacation spot in the world, it is important to know the best time to visit. The reason you need to look for the best times is that if you visit at the wrong time, you may not fully enjoy the beauty of the place. It is just like visiting Switzerland at the peak of the hot summer; it is still beautiful, but Switzerland in the winter is an even more beautiful sight.
So, when is the best time to visit Lord Howe Island?
Lord Howe Island has a calm climate all year round nothing too extreme making it okay to visit just about any time. However, there are best times in these seasons that you can capitalize on when the weather is milder than usual.
Best time to visit Lord Howe Island in the summer:
The summer at Lord Howe Island is warm all season long, even though there would be rainfalls as is usual for islands. In December, the island water temperature reads at 24°, with the maximum being 24.1°.
When the temperature falls, it gets down to 19.3° and stays that way. The average rainfall mm for December is measured at 102.9mm. So, if you visit Lord Howe Island in December, unlike some other places of the world, you would experience the warm summer, which is a relief, considering the biting cold that is associated with Christmas.
Summertime at Lord Howe Island extends to January when the temperature rises just a little bit above where it was in December. The water temperature is recorded at 25°, with a maximum of 25.4°, and when it drops, you should get a 20.7°. The average rainfall also goes up a bit to 107.6mm.
The summertime ends in February, and as is expected, the water temperature does rise to 25.8° with a maximum of 26° and a minimum of 21.0°. The average rainfall does reduce at this point, going back to the initial 102mm of December.
So looking at these three months and their water temperatures, you can decide what time of summer is the best time to visit Lord Howe Island.
What to do during the summertime at Lord Howe Island:
With weather this pleasant, and a water temperature that seems inviting, here are a few ways you can take advantage of the water temperature in Lord Howe Island.
- Snorkeling
- Swimming
- Diving
- Kayaking
- Surfing
- Boat trips
If you are tired of the water adventures, here are other things you can do on Lord Howe Island
- Hiking
- Bird watching
You could simply just sit at the beach and soak in the warm beauty of the place.
Best time to visit Lord Howe Island in the Fall:
The autumn temperature of the island is almost like the summer temperature seeing as the February temperature of the summer somehow eases into the March autumn temperature only with a difference in rainfall. In March, the water temperature stays at 26° as it was in the last month of summer. The maximum goes up to 26.1° while the minimum is at 20.1°. Average rainfall goes up to 127mm.
As the autumn proceeds into April, the temperature begins to drop, so we get an average of 23°, with a maximum of 23.4° and a minimum of 18.2°. The average rainfall climbs in April to 141mm.
The temperature drops even further in May as the average stands at 22°, with a maximum at 22.6° and a minimum at 16.4°. Rainfall average rises to 147.6mm.
The most important thing to note is that rainfall increases in the autumn, so if you like random rain baths, then this would be fun. However, you should be careful lest you catch a cold.
What to do in Lord Howe Island during autumn:
As the water temperature begins to drop, you may not be very eager to enter the water for activities. However, if you are lucky, the temperature of the water would always be at the maximum, so here is what you can do with the water
- Snorkeling
- Swimming
- Diving
- Kayaking
- Surfing
- Boat trips
If you would rather not go into the water at all, here are other fun things you can try out
- Hiking
- Touring the place
- Visiting restaurants and tasting food
- Relaxing by the water
- Bus tours
Best time to visit Lord Howe Island in the winter
Thankfully, the winter in Lord Howe Island is not as terrible as it is in other places, so you can enjoy your vacation despite the cool weather. As is expected, the temperature begins to drop at this point.
June water temperature retains an average of 20.5°, with a maximum stopping at 19.9°, and a minimum getting down to 14.8°. The average rainfall takes an instant shoot up to 168.3mm. Moving on to July, the water temperature drops to 18.5°, with a maximum of 19.0°, and a minimum at 13.9°, and then the rainfall average drops to 135.2mm.
August retains the same water temperature as July, with only the minimum temperature dropping just a bit to stop at 13.5°. The average rainfall of August drops further below that of July to 110.6mm.
If you are going to Lord Howe Island at this time, the first thing you should do is pack extra clothing. It may not be as cold as America, but it would not exactly be warm, especially if you are going in the last months of the winter.
What to do in Lord Howe Island during winter
Of course, it is abnormal to want to get into the water in this cold weather; it is not even advisable, no matter how adventurous you may be.
However, here are a few water-fun ideas you can get involved in.
- Kayaking
- Glass bottom boat trips
- Standup paddleboarding
None of the activities mentioned above require you to enter inside the water.
Now, since you cannot be in the water, here are things you can do out of the water
- Bird watching
- Hiking
- Bus tours
- Meeting the locals
Best time to visit Lord Howe Island in the Spring
As we enter the spring from the winter, the temperature begins to rise. September comes with an average water temperature of 18.5° with a maximum of 20° and a minimum of 14.6°. The average rainfall is measured at 127.5mm.
October comes with an average water temperature of 20°, having a maximum of 21.0°, and a minimum of 15.7°. The average rainfall drops at this point to 100.2mm.
Finally, in November, just before it is summer again, the water temperature rises to 22°, with a maximum of 22.4° and a minimum of 17.4°. The rainfall average goes back up to 112.3mm.
What to do in Lord Howe Island during spring
Given that the water is still cold, you would have to settle for water activities that do not involve going into the water. However, if you are lucky, you could meet the water on one of its maximum temperature days if you go in November and try out in-water activities. But for now, here are the water-related activities you could involve in:
- Kayaking
- Glass bottom boat trips
- Standup paddleboarding
If you would rather avoid the water altogether, touring around the island and meeting beautiful people sounds like a fun activity you could be involved in.
Lord Howe Island is the escape from the harsh realities of life and the terrible weather conditions in the rest of the world. It would seem like the island was created to show you what balance really feels like. When the summer is too hot elsewhere, it is just right at Lord Howe’s Island, and when the winter feels like Antarctica in other places, it is calm at Lord Howe Island.
So, even if you would not be following the weather directives written above, you can visit this beautiful island anytime, any day. Just remember to pack right and follow whatever safety precautions have been put down by the authorities—cheers to a great vacationing experience.