September vs May

Best match

Post-peak clarity: whale sharks still offshore, snorkelling visibility improving as school-holiday crowds begin to ease.

• ↑Whale sharks still active at Darwin and Wolf Islands through September: post-August-peak crowds easing while the wildlife behavior remains at the same intensity
• ↑Snorkelling conditions improving as the Humboldt Current begins its seasonal retreat: visibility at Gordon Rocks and Kicker Rock at its clearest of the year in September–October

Best match

Shoulder season at its best: low prices, few visitors, and the last warmth before the Humboldt Current brings the cool season.

• ↑The lowest visitor numbers of the year (outside June–July which ironically sees more): last-minute liveaboard availability and day-cruise prices at their annual minimum
• ↑Rain essentially over (30mm — lightest of any month) with increasingly clear skies as the Humboldt Current begins its approach: good conditions for both snorkelling and island hikes