Cook Islands: When to Go

The Cook Islands has a pleasantly even climate year round, with no excesses of temperature or humidity, although it can rain quite often. The best times of year to visit are around September and October, when there's a nice trade-off between warm temperatures and reduced humidity; March and April are also good months to come, as the cyclone season has passed and the skies are likely to be clear and sunny.

Festivals may sway your plans: the big dance competition is in late April, the independence bash in early August. The only really tricky time to visit is Christmas/New Year, when many Cook Islanders return home to celebrate the holiday season with their families. Flights (especially from Australia and New Zealand) and accommodation will be much harder to come by.

Weather

Seasonal variations are slight in the Cook Islands, with temperatures ranging between 18°C and 28°C (64-82°F) in the winter months (May to October) and 21°C and 29°C (70-84°F) in the summer (November to April). The wet season is from December to March, when around 25cm (10in) of rain can fall each month; this is also the most likely time for cyclones, which are becoming more frequent due to warming seas across the South Pacific. The wet season is also the hottest and most humid time of the year - it can get quite sticky and uncomfortable, so bring along some cool, light clothes. The winter nights can sometimes be quite cool, even chilly, so if you're visiting at this time of year, a warm sweater or jacket will probably come in handy.