It’s always a good time to visit. The Cook Islands enjoy a pleasant warm and sunny climate all year round. The drier months are from April to November with an average temperature of 26°C. November to March marks the warmer season, with slightly higher humidity and occasional rainfall between December and March when the temperature ranges between 22°C (min) and 30°C (max). However, don't be put off by rainfall in our summer months as it's typically brief morning or afternoon tropical showers. Overall, our shoulder months of April, May, September, and October are a great time to visit as the weather in these months is usually the perfect balance of warm temperatures and dry skies.
Whale Watching Season
During July to October humpback whales can often be seen from the Rarotonga foreshore. The whales come from Antarctica to the warmer waters of the Cook Islands to mate, give birth and rest. The Cook Islands Exclusive Zone (EEZ) has been formally declared a whale sanctuary. Explore whale watching in Rarotonga.
Kitesurfing Season
Steady all year round with passing low pressure systems on the tropical belt, kitesurfing in the Cook Islands is best during the trade wind season of May to October. Learn more about kitesurfing in the Cook Islands.