Plan · Weather
Palau weather, wind and sea
The live wind forecast for the next four days, and what to expect month by month: air and sea temperature, rain, and the maestrale.
Wind & weather in Palau, next four days
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Forecast: MET Norway (yr.no), updated every 30 minutes. Wind in knots, daytime maximum.
Month by month
| Month | Air (min–max) | Sea | Rain | Rainy days | Boat season |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 9–13 °C | 14 °C | 45 mm | 7 | Quiet |
| Feb | 9–13 °C | 13.5 °C | 50 mm | 7 | Quiet |
| Mar | 10–14 °C | 14 °C | 50 mm | 7 | Quiet |
| Apr | 11–16 °C | 15 °C | 35 mm | 5 | Shoulder |
| May | 14–20 °C | 17.5 °C | 25 mm | 4 | Shoulder |
| Jun | 17–24 °C | 21 °C | 11 mm | 2 | Best |
| Jul | 20–27 °C | 24 °C | 12 mm | 1 | Peak |
| Aug | 22–29 °C | 25 °C | 20 mm | 2 | Peak |
| Sep | 19–24 °C | 23.5 °C | 30 mm | 4 | Best |
| Oct | 16–21 °C | 21 °C | 60 mm | 6 | Shoulder |
| Nov | 13–17 °C | 18 °C | 60 mm | 8 | Quiet |
| Dec | 10–14 °C | 15.5 °C | 75 mm | 8 | Quiet |
Climate averages for La Maddalena station (1991–2002) and mean sea temperature, from Climieviaggi.it. “Boat season” is our summary of timetables, sea temperature and crowds.
The maestrale
The maestrale (mistral) blows from the north-west, accelerating through the Strait of Bonifacio between Sardinia and Corsica. It usually brings blue skies and clear air, but the sea on the exposed north-western side of the archipelago, around Budelli, Razzoli and Spargi, can become too rough for comfortable swimming stops.
On those days operators keep to the sheltered south-east side, change the order of stops, or cancel. Larger boats generally cope with a chop better than small RIBs. If the forecast above shows a strong north-westerly, pick a sheltered day or a bigger boat.
What each season is like
- April–May: green landscape, few visitors, sea 15–17.5 °C: cool for swimming. Some boats and the Maddalena Lines ferry start in April.
- June: long days, sea around 21 °C, full timetables before the August rush.
- July–August: hottest and busiest, sea 24–25 °C, almost no rain. Book boats and parking ahead.
- September: sea still 23.5 °C, crowds thinning; the first autumn storms can arrive late in the month.
- October–March: mild and quiet, with most of the year’s rain. The Delcomar ferry runs all year; most boat trips don’t.
Questions people ask
When is the best time to visit Palau?
June and September. The sea is 21–23.5 °C, it rarely rains, boat trips and ferries run full timetables, and the coves are quieter than in July and August.
How warm is the sea?
On average about 17.5 °C in May, 21 °C in June, 24 °C in July, 25 °C in August, 23.5 °C in September and 21 °C in October.
What is the maestrale?
The mistral: a north-westerly wind that funnels through the Strait of Bonifacio between Sardinia and Corsica. It brings clear skies but rough sea on the exposed side of the islands, and is the main reason boat trips change route or are cancelled.
Does it rain in summer?
Very little: on average 1–2 rainy days in July and August, with about 12–20 mm of rain. Most rain falls from October to March.