finder.com.au
Home
Travel
Guides
Best time

Discover the best time to visit the Cook Islands

Make sure you pick the right diary date for your trip to the Cook Islands with this handy guide.

Stephanie Yip
Stephanie Yip

Read everything you need to know about timing your Cook Island holiday just right, from getting the best weather to dodging the crowds.

Best time to visit the Cook Islands

May to September.

Why?

There’s not technically a bad time to visit the Cook Islands. However, the months of May to September pip the others to the post in terms of the best weather. At this time of year, the average temperature is about 26°C and the rains of the rainy season, which runs from November to March, have dried up.

The islands are busiest in July and August, although you’ll never experience anything close to grid lock. However, if you intend to visit during these months, it’s best to book ahead to bag the accommodation that you most want.

Overview

The Cook Islands are warm and sunny all year round. The warmest months are between November and March, with temperatures hitting the top 20s.

These months are also the wettest in the Cook Islands. Although you won’t usually lose entire days to rain, you can expect regular, short, sharp showers, often in the afternoon.

Occasionally, hurricanes hit during this time of year, although extreme ones are rare. If one is going to reach the islands, it will probably be in February, which is the highest risk month.

Things cool down between June and August, but only by a fraction. Average daily highs reach 26°C. These months are drier, too.

Weather and prices

Best time to visit the Cook Islands, weather wise: May to September

Cheapest time to visit the Cook Islands: January to March

Best time to visit the Cook Islands for...

  • Beaches. It’s possible to hit the beach all year round in the Cook Islands, although you’ll have more chance of having your day broken up by short heavy showers if you visit between November and March. The sea is balmy no matter when you visit. The coolest water temperatures hover around 24°C between June and October.
  • Cruises. Cruise lines like Paul Gauguin and Windstar offer cruises in the Cook Islands all year round. To catch the best weather, book onto an itinerary between May and September. Time your trip for August, meanwhile, and you have a chance of spotting whales as you sail around the area.
  • Surf. November to March is the best time to surf in the Cook Islands. The conditions have improved at this time of year because trade winds from the southeast meet storms from the North Pacific and the collision feeds the swell, especially around the southern islands, like Rarotonga. This time of year is also storm season, but downpours tend to happen in the afternoons, so it’s usually still possible to get in some good surfing in the morning.

Hot Cook Islands travel deals

Skyscanner Skyscanner

Cook Islands flights from $591 return

Valid for travel from 1-30 June 2020. Sample fare is Sydney-Rarotonga.

Last verified

Get deal

Deal ends

Popular Travel coupon codes

Last checked Code description Code
16 Sep 2019 10% off local experiences 10F****
10 Sep 2019 Get $20 credit FIN****
31 Jul 2019 Extra 8% off flights worldwide AUM****
20 May 2019 Up to 15% off airport parking across Australia AWA****
9 Apr 2019 Up to 50% off experiences + extra 10% off with code FIN****

Find the best time to go to…

#
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
L
M
N
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
Y
Was this content helpful to you? No  Yes

Related Posts

How to stay sane when working from home

Struggling to get work done from your dining table? Freelance journalist and work-at-home veteran Adam Turner shares his top tips for finding a balance.

How to watch 2019 Laver Cup tennis live in Australia

Watch the Laver Cup live with Federer, Nadal, Kyrgios, Thiem and more as Team Europe and Team World face off in the 2019 tennis tournament.

How to watch the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Australia

The 2019 Rugby World Cup goes from September to November. Here's how you live stream every match online in Australia and on your TV.

Apple Arcade review: Australian launch 

A new era of gaming lands on Apple's iPhone, iPad, Mac or AppleTV devices. Here is everything you need to know in our Apple Arcade review.

See Ireland in all its glory from $999 return with this Qatar sale

Raise a glass and do a jig because these fares to Ireland are as low as they go.

Ask an Expert

You are about to post a question on finder.com.au:

  • Do not enter personal information (eg. surname, phone number, bank details) as your question will be made public
  • finder.com.au is a financial comparison and information service, not a bank or product provider
  • We cannot provide you with personal advice or recommendations
  • Your answer might already be waiting – check previous questions below to see if yours has already been asked

Finder only provides general advice and factual information, so consider your own circumstances, or seek advice before you decide to act on our content. By submitting a question, you're accepting our Terms of Use, Disclaimer & Privacy Policy and Privacy & Cookies Policy.
Ask a question
Go to site