The month in detail
What to expect in May
Autumn marks the end of peak season in Réunion. Temperatures drop (16°C) and rain returns (31% of days). Expect rain on 31% of days — a light raincoat in the bag is recommended.
May ranks 8 out of 12 months in Réunion. Compared to April: −2°C daytime, 5 pts fewer rainy days, +0.6h of sun per day.
This month's conditions
What it's like in May
UV index
5 · moderate
protect during midday hours
Feels like
comfortable
12°
Sea
27°C
warm, ideal
Daylight
11.0h of daylight
Air quality
good
AQI 22
Compare
Is May the right month?
The best month in Réunion is September (7.2/10), 2.8 pts higher than May.
Book
Plan your trip
Hotels at their lowest outside peak season, highest on comfortable months. Shoulder seasons offer a good price/climate compromise.
Stay
Hotels & rentals · Réunion
Expedia →
Activities
Tours, tickets, experiences
See ↓
Flights
Multi-airline comparator
Kiwi →
🎟️ Activities & tours · Réunion
GetYourGuide selection · free cancellation
Practical info
What you need to know before you go
Three angles: the country (language, currency, safety, budget), the year-round climate, and the specifics of a tropical stay.
Country · France
🗣️LanguageFrench
💶CurrencyEuro (€)
🚗DrivingRight-hand
🛡️Safety ⓘVery safe · 1/5
💰Cost of living ⓘExpensive · 4/5
🌡️ Climate
🌍Climate typeTropical
📈Climate trend ⓘStable
🔥Hottest monthJanuary · 20°C
❄️Coolest monthJuly · 14°C
🌧️Rainiest month ⓘFebruary · 48%
🏝️ Tropical stay
🌞Dry season ⓘMay → Sep
🌧️Wet season ⓘDec → Mar
🌀Cyclones ⓘSeason Nov-Apr
🛂VisaSchengen · 90 days
Explore
Other destinations in May
If May doesn't convince you for this destination, compare with others.
Location
Where is Réunion ?
Global position + regional geographic context.
🌍 World
🔍 Geographic context
FranceTropical climate with a 7.2 → 4.3 gap between best and worst month. 10 years of ERA5 data to choose by project.
21.11°S · 55.54°E
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Réunion?
November is the best month with 18.0°C highs, 12.0°C lows, 6.3h of sunshine and 20.0% rainy days. The months of November & September offer comparable conditions.
How many hours of sunshine does Réunion get in November?
Réunion averages 6.3 sunshine hours per day in November. It is the sunniest month with a climate score of 7.1/10.
What is the rainiest month in Réunion?
February is the most unfavourable month with February has the lowest climate score of the year and the lowest climate score of the year.
What are the temperatures at night in Réunion in November?
In November, overnight lows reach 12.0°C, while afternoon highs average 18.0°C.
Is Réunion good in winter?
In winter (December-February), Réunion scores 5.2/10 on average — Difficult period — prefer the peak season.. The best month overall remains November with a score of 7.1/10.
When should you avoid Réunion?
February is the most difficult month to visit Réunion, with February has the lowest climate score of the year. Climate conditions are at their lowest of the year during this period.
Can you swim in Réunion in May?
In May, the sea averages 27°C in Réunion: warm, ideal. Ideal conditions for swimming and snorkeling.
Do you need sun protection in Réunion in May?
The average UV index reaches 5 in May in Réunion (moderate), with about 11.0h of daylight. Protect during midday hours.