gowhereandwhen.comGo between June and October for the driest, breeziest weather, with September to November a warm, dry sweet spot before the rains. The damp season, December to March, is hotter and wetter and carries the cyclone risk.
A 0 to 100 comfort rating from daytime heat, overnight chill, rainfall and storm risk, for Rarotonga. Higher is better. Some booking links earn us a commission, at no extra cost to you.
The steadiest weather, peaking around Jun.
Other months to compare; prices and crowds depend on your destination and dates.
Cyclone season.
The year at a glance
The Cook Islands pair Polynesian ease with New Zealand-simple logistics: no big resorts, a circle-island bus on Rarotonga, and Aitutaki's lagoon an hour north. The islands are warm year round and split into a dry season and a damp one. We rate on Rarotonga, where nearly everyone lands.
April to November is the drier half, with June the driest month and pleasantly cool nights mid-year. September to November is a local favourite: the air warms back up while the rain holds off. December to March brings humid heat and hard showers that usually pass within hours, plus the cyclone season.
the Cook Islands month by month
Highs, lows, rainfall and the rating, for Rarotonga.
JanuaryHot and very wet, storm season.Avoid 25
- Daytime high
- 29°C / 84°F
- Overnight low
- 23°C / 73°F
- Rainfall
- 225 mm
Hot and very wet, storm season.
FebruaryHot and wet, storm season.Avoid 27
- Daytime high
- 29°C / 84°F
- Overnight low
- 23°C / 73°F
- Rainfall
- 210 mm
Hot and wet, storm season.
MarchHot and wet, storm season.Fair 29
- Daytime high
- 29°C / 84°F
- Overnight low
- 23°C / 73°F
- Rainfall
- 200 mm
Hot and wet, storm season.
AprilWarm and wet, storm season.Fair 36
- Daytime high
- 28°C / 82°F
- Overnight low
- 22°C / 72°F
- Rainfall
- 150 mm
Warm and wet, storm season.
MayWarm and wet.Great 70
- Daytime high
- 27°C / 81°F
- Overnight low
- 21°C / 70°F
- Rainfall
- 120 mm
Warm and wet.
JuneWarm with a little rainIdeal 88
- Daytime high
- 26°C / 79°F
- Overnight low
- 20°C / 68°F
- Rainfall
- 75 mm
Warm with a little rain.
JulyWarm with a little rainIdeal 84
- Daytime high
- 25°C / 77°F
- Overnight low
- 19°C / 66°F
- Rainfall
- 85 mm
Warm with a little rain.
AugustWarm with a little rainIdeal 80
- Daytime high
- 25°C / 77°F
- Overnight low
- 19°C / 66°F
- Rainfall
- 95 mm
Warm with a little rain.
SeptemberWarm with a little rain.Ideal 78
- Daytime high
- 26°C / 79°F
- Overnight low
- 19°C / 66°F
- Rainfall
- 100 mm
Warm with a little rain.
OctoberWarm with a little rain.Ideal 74
- Daytime high
- 26°C / 79°F
- Overnight low
- 20°C / 68°F
- Rainfall
- 110 mm
Warm with a little rain.
NovemberWarm and wet, storm season.Fair 40
- Daytime high
- 27°C / 81°F
- Overnight low
- 21°C / 70°F
- Rainfall
- 140 mm
Warm and wet, storm season.
DecemberWarm and wet, storm season.Fair 31
- Daytime high
- 28°C / 82°F
- Overnight low
- 22°C / 72°F
- Rainfall
- 190 mm
Warm and wet, storm season.
Where you go changes when you go
Rarotonga
The green, peaked main island, ringed by one road and a lagoon. Best June to November.
Aitutaki
One of the Pacific's great lagoons, a short flight north and slightly warmer and drier than Rarotonga.
Atiu and the outer islands
Raised coral islands with caves, birdlife and almost no tourists. Go in the dry season for the flights' sake.
Best time to visit the Cook Islands for
Lagoon days and snorkelling
June to October for clarity and calm; Aitutaki day trips run year round.
Whale watching
July to October, when humpbacks pass close off Rarotonga's reef.
Hiking the Cross-Island Track
The dry months, when the red-earth trail over Rarotonga's spine is at its least slippery.
Best value
February to March, the quietest, wettest stretch, if you can live with humid heat and showers.
What is on, and when
Te Maeva Nui, late Jul to early Aug
The constitution celebrations: two weeks of drumming and dance that pack Rarotonga.
Whale season, Jul to Oct
Humpbacks cruise the reef edge, often visible from shore.
Watch out
Cyclone season
Nov to Apr.
Rainy season
Nov to Apr.
Where to stay in the Cook Islands
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Good to know
What is the best time to visit Rarotonga?
When is cyclone season in the Cook Islands?
Do the Cook Islands get cold?
Where else, and when
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