We’re reader-supported and may be paid when you visit links to partner sites. We don’t compare all products in the market, but we’re working on it!
Whether your idea of the "perfect" time being the cheapest time or having the best weather, we've done the research for you so you can have your ideal trip to this island paradise.
Best times to visit the Cook Islands
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.
When is the cheapest time to visit the Cook Islands?
January to March tends to be the cheapest time to go to the Cook Islands from Australia.
When to go to the Cook Islands
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. 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.
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.
Available on select flight dates in 2021. Destinations include Amsterdam, London, Paris, Rome, Turkey, Athens and more. Sample fare is Melbourne-Moscow. T&Cs apply.
Available on select voyages from 2021 - 2023 when you book a balcony, deluxe balcony, mini-suite or suite rooms. Destinations include Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii, Alaska, USA, Japan, Europe and more. T&Cs apply.
Up to 44% off worldwide attractions + Extra 5% off with code
Available on select dates in 2021. Attractions include Legoland® Japan, Madam Tussauds Las Vegas, New York Empire State Building, Hong Kong Disneyland, Singapore Zoo and more. T&Cs apply.
Valid on select dates and destinations worldwide. Destinations include USA, Canada, Europe, Mexico, the Caribbean, Sydney, and the Czech Republic. T&C's apply.
Rentalcars.com can help you compare major car hire company rates for the best price. Companies it compares include Hertz, Avis, Europcar, Thrifty, Alamo, Dollar and Budget. Destinations include Australia, New Zealand, Canada and more.
Available on your first Trip.com pre-paid hotel booking. Discount available worldwide including in Australia, New Zealand, Bali, Thailand, Fiji, US, UK and more.
Available on select dates. Programs include sea turtle and marine conservation, wild life research, volunteer with children, elephants and more. Sample price is for a volunteer on construction project in Nepal.
Stephanie Yip is the travel editor at Finder and has been writing about travel and lifestyle for over a decade. She has written for Travel Weekly, Escape, Showpo, The Nibbler and Hostelworld. She was also the editor of kids magazine DMAG. Stephanie has a Bachelor of Communications from the University of Technology Sydney and has visited 55 countries (and counting).
Not keen to cook? Check out these apps and websites for food delivery in Canberra. They'll get dinner straight to your doorstep, contact free and for less thanks to our coupons.
How likely would you be to recommend finder to a friend or colleague?
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Very UnlikelyExtremely Likely
Required
Thank you for your feedback.
Our goal is to create the best possible product, and your thoughts, ideas and suggestions play a major role in helping us identify opportunities to improve.
Important information about this website
finder.com.au is one of Australia's leading comparison websites. We compare from a wide set of banks, insurers and product issuers. We value our editorial independence and follow editorial guidelines.
finder.com.au has access to track details from the product issuers listed on our sites. Although we provide information on the products offered by a wide range of issuers, we don't cover every available product or service.
Please note that the information published on our site should not be construed as personal advice and does not consider your personal needs and circumstances. While our site will provide you with factual information and general advice to help you make better decisions, it isn't a substitute for professional advice. You should consider whether the products or services featured on our site are appropriate for your needs. If you're unsure about anything, seek professional advice before you apply for any product or commit to any plan.
Products marked as 'Promoted' or 'Advertisement' are prominently displayed either as a result of a commercial advertising arrangement or to highlight a particular product, provider or feature. Finder may receive remuneration from the Provider if you click on the related link, purchase or enquire about the product. Finder's decision to show a 'promoted' product is neither a recommendation that the product is appropriate for you nor an indication that the product is the best in its category. We encourage you to use the tools and information we provide to compare your options.
Where our site links to particular products or displays 'Go to site' buttons, we may receive a commission, referral fee or payment when you click on those buttons or apply for a product. You can learn more about how we make money here.
When products are grouped in a table or list, the order in which they are initially sorted may be influenced by a range of factors including price, fees and discounts; commercial partnerships; product features; and brand popularity. We provide tools so you can sort and filter these lists to highlight features that matter to you.
We try to take an open and transparent approach and provide a broad-based comparison service. However, you should be aware that while we are an independently owned service, our comparison service does not include all providers or all products available in the market.
Some product issuers may provide products or offer services through multiple brands, associated companies or different labelling arrangements. This can make it difficult for consumers to compare alternatives or identify the companies behind the products. However, we aim to provide information to enable consumers to understand these issues.
Providing or obtaining an estimated insurance quote through us does not guarantee you can get the insurance. Acceptance by insurance companies is based on things like occupation, health and lifestyle. By providing you with the ability to apply for a credit card or loan, we are not guaranteeing that your application will be approved. Your application for credit products is subject to the Provider's terms and conditions as well as their application and lending criteria.
Please read our website terms of use and privacy policy for more information about our services and our approach to privacy.