East Timor in October

May through October is your sweet spot. The dry season means roads are actually passable and diving conditions are perfect. July and August see the clearest water visibility - sometimes 40+ meters at sites like The Drop Off near Atauro. But here's what the guidebooks don't tell you: September and October are actually ideal. The crowds (all 20 of them) have gone home, prices drop slightly, and the weather is still bone dry. The mango trees are fruiting, so you'll get fresh fruit everywhere. Avoid November through March unless you enjoy mud and cancelled flights. The wet season turns dirt roads into rivers and makes getting around genuinely difficult. Some dive sites become inaccessible when the swells pick up. April can go either way - some years the rains stop early, others they drag on. If you're flexible with dates, it's worth the gamble for lower accommodation prices. Just have backup plans for everything.