Despite its size, the ‘Lion City’ of Singapore, or the ‘Garden City’ as it is more commonly known, is an ever-evolving powerhouse of art, culture, architecture, adrenalin activities, luxury retail and more. The best time to visit Singapore depends largely on what you plan to do while there, be it a shopping spree, whirlwind sightseeing trip or family getaway, and of course the Singapore weather!
Singapore’s weather and seasons
Thanks to its prime location near the equator, Singapore is perpetually endowed with warm, tropical weather, making it the perfect place to escape to at any time. Characterized by the northeast and southwest monsoons, rather than distinct seasons, Singapore temperatures remain steady and can be enjoyed year-round.
On average Singapore sees around 167 days of rainfall annually. Although most days will enjoy a sprinkling of rain, it usually occurs on different parts of the city-island and sometimes passes quickly, leaving you with plenty of time to savour the outdoors.
The monsoon seasons
Although there also aren’t clearly defined wet or dry seasons, the monsoons have a great deal of influence on weather conditions throughout the year. Exciting activities abound year-round in Singapore, so find the best things to do during the monsoons.
Northeast Monsoon
December to March sees the northeast monsoon season, with both a wet and dry phase. Average temperatures during this monsoon swept period reach between 26-27°C and have anywhere from 18 to 25 rainfall days in the wet phase, and 13 to 17 rainfall days in the dry phase.
Wet phase
Daily downpours are common during the wet phase of December and January, where cozy afternoons can be spent tucked away in the ArtScience Museum, admiring world-renowned exhibitions housed in the iconic, finger-like hand of its construction.
Dry phase
Ushering in warmer temperatures and longer hours of sunshine, the dry phase of February and March experiences little to no rain, and is perfect for leisurely beach days on Sentosa Island, or escaping the crowds to enjoy a walking trail at Bukit Timah Nature Reserve.
Southwest Monsoon
The southwest monsoon season, spanning June to September, brings with it scattered showers, wind gusts and thunderstorms that pass relatively quickly. The average temperature is around 27 °C, and there are between 18 to 20 rainfall days per month.
The perfect excuse for a spot of shopping on Orchard Road, why not sneak into Singapore’s oldest department store, TANGS, to escape the sprinkling of afternoon rain. Follow that with lovely warm ocean swims to relax retail-weary feet.
Inter-Monsoon months
The inter-monsoon periods of April to May and October to November are characterized by thunderstorms in the afternoons and early evening with light, variable winds. Around 19 to 20 days in April and May experience rainfall, while 21 to 25 days see rain in October and November, as the wet phase of the northeast monsoon approaches.
Average temperatures & rainfall per month:
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| Low °C | 22 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 |
| High °C | 30 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 30 | 30 |
| Rainfall (mm) | 250 | 166 | 181 | 187 | 166 | 164 | 166 | 180 | 163 | 195 | 262 | 298 |
Daylight hours
Singapore sees around 6 hours of sunshine a day from November to January and up to 9 hours of sunshine for the remainder of the year. But don’t be fooled by cloudy Singapore weather, as it’s close proximity to the equator means the rays of the sun are still strong.
This close proximity to the equator also translates to mostly consistent daylight hours throughout the year. Pack in plenty of activities on your Singapore itinerary over 12 hours, with a wake-up call around 7am, and a chance to catch a glimpse of the sunset around 7pm.
Average sea temperatures in Singapore
With perpetually pleasant weather (bar a refreshing spot of rain) Singapore’s warm sea temperatures will draw you in at up to 30℃ from April to July, and 28-29℃ for the rest of the year.
How much are flights to Singapore?
If you are planning a flight to the world’s best airport (as awarded by Skytrax for 7 consecutive years) then take into consideration the busiest seasons of the year.
High season (November – July)
In keeping with popular observed holidays worldwide, and with the Chinese New Year, Singapore’s broader tourist peak season falls over November to July.
December through February sees inflated hotel prices in response to the popular festivals and holidays, but you can expect to pay around 22% less for flights during this time. May to July are the cheapest months to fly, at around 37% less for flights, so be sure to book your accommodation early and get your flights in the bag!
Shoulder season (February – April)
Due to the pleasant, tropical weather throughout the year and annual attractions, there isn’t a shoulder season per se. Arguably the months falling ‘in-between’ the peak and low seasons, February to May can be considered the shoulder, with April being the standout month of this period.
Travelling from Nigeria to Singapore during March and April is the most expensive, with flights jumping by 28% from previous months. The months of April and May experience less rain and wind, making this shoulder period arguably the best time to visit Singapore.
Low season (August – October)
The inter-monsoon period of October to November sees pleasant weather with less rain and wind. The low season is a great time to travel, while booking flights for this time could see you spend up to 32% more.
Start browsing now and book early to get cheap flights to Singapore on Travelstart!
Annual events and festivals
Soak up the vibrant, multicultural atmosphere of Singapore at one of the countries most celebrated annual events.
Chinese New year – January/February
An explosion of crimson settles across the country to welcome in the Chinese Lunar New Year, at a date determined annually by the first full moon in either January or February. The energy is palpable for weeks leading up to the New Year, followed by an illumination of the city by the release of lanterns, to signal the end of the celebrations.
Singapore Food Festival – June-July
Delighting the country every year from June to July, the Food Festival is comprised of weekly events over the span of a month, including workshops, competitions and chef-prepared local cuisine.
National Day – August
In celebration of Singapore’s achieved independence, the National Day Parade sweeps the country with singing, dancing and military parades. Fireworks snap against the cityscape, which is adorned below by washes of red and white from flags on August 9th.
Image courtesy of @teekaythomas via Instagram
Singapore Night Festival – August
Bring on the night! The arts and heritage district of Bras Basah Bugis is illuminated at nightfall, during the month of August, for the Singapore Night Festival. The nocturnal affair has an annual theme and sees the facades of Singapore lit up with colourful installations.
Singapore Grand Prix – September
The Marina Bay Street Circuit is home to the nighttime racing spectacle in September, held annually. Off-track, Singapore is abuzz with spectator activities, music festivals and race-related entertainment.
Dreaming of visiting the Garden City? Read our step-by-step guide on getting your Singapore visa and you could be one step closer to the trip of your dreams! Sign up to our newsletter to stay in the loop, or sling of all things Singapore and more! While you are at it, check out the great flight deals on Travelstart.
Have you spent time in the contemporary, cultural melting pot of Singapore? Let us know what made your list of the top things to do, and when you think is the best time to visit Singapore?
All information on this blog page was correct at the time of publishing and may change at any time without prior notice. Travelstart will not be held liable for loss or inconvenience resulting from the use of out-dated or incorrectly noted information.
