Lonely Planet™ · Thorn Tree Forum · 2020 |

# Rarotonga during the cyclone season? Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea / Cook Islands
eliket 20:59 UTC 11 Oct 2013 | Hi everyone! This is my first post on this forum so it'll be really nice to hear from everyone :) I'm thinking about going to Rarotonga over the summer time - maybe early January or something like that. I was just wondering how bad the cyclones/ weather is around that time as it is classified as the "rainy season". Would it be a better idea to wait until the non-rainy season? I know that weather is a big gamble when it comes to holidays but it would be great to hear from anyone that went there around January time and if they could give me any advice. Cheers! |
lagoon 21:52 UTC 11 Oct 2013 | If you can possibly avoid the summer/rainy season you are better off doing so. It becomes very humid over summer months, with more rainfall compared to the winter/drier season. But even this pattern is unpredictable given that we had a very dry summer and slightly wetter winter this past year. If it's an El Nino year, there is more chance of a cyclone forming around the South Pacific region. Haven't seen any indication as yet that this weather pattern is forming that may affect the central - eastern Pacific where the Cook Islands is located. Another factor, if you stay in accommodation around the south side of Rarotonga, you will become less affected by really bad storms (usually) than if you stayed along the northern coastline which receives the worst of easterly, NE and NW storms. Besides the prevailing SE breeze has a cooling effect around the southern shores. Edited by: lagoon Edited by: lagoon | 1
h2ooh 01:15 UTC 12 Oct 2013 | If it's going to be your once-in-a-lifetime trip and less than a couple of weeks you may want to opt for the dry season. It just gives you better odds of having pleasant weather for your visit. On the other hand, if you're spending two weeks or more then a spate of crummy weather won't likely ruin your holiday. Bad weather usually doesn't last more than two or three days. | 2
araura 16:56 UTC 13 Oct 2013 | June through September are usually the nicest times to visit the Cooks. However, because of that it is also considered high season so accommodations will be fuller and there may not be as many deals as there might be in the winter months. If you have the time and opportunity, you might consider adding some time on Aitutaki, especially if this is going to be your only visit to the Cook Islands. Given the worldwide weather patterns, all bets are off as to when it might rain. I have seen it rain during the so called dry season for a week or more. Rain in paradise is still paradise. I'm sure you will enjoy your trip regardless of when you come. | 3
h2ooh 21:17 UTC 13 Oct 2013 | Hmm... come to thing about it. I've never been to the Cooks in June through September. In seven trips I haven't had more than three days in a row of bad weather. | 4