Weather and water in late January

My husband and I would like to go to the cook islands in late January with our 15 month old. We read it is the hot and wet season there. We plan to watch the forecast and book last minute. We are most concerned about the condition of the water close to shore. Is it typically murkier during this season or is it more clear than during other seasons?

Hi. I was just in Rarotonga for one week January 2016. weather was excellent unfortunately they are in a bit of a dry spell, there was no rain except a little drizzle for 20 minutes while I was there. Water warm and clear. Dove in 5mm shorty though. New cyclone in the area now, might bring them rain. Breezy every day felt perfect! Don't worry about the weather, just go! Safest and friendliest place I have ever been!

I would highly suggest with a little one that you book a place with A/C - it can be quite oppressive if it is hot and muggy during the rainy season.

I was in the Cooks December and Jan this year. Typhoon Victor passed by Palmerston and Aitutaki about 150 miles out and then veered west headed toward Tonga and Fiji. Victor was a pretty slow-moving storm at only 5-7 knots. Most move a little faster.

I was on Mauke through 18 Jan and we had high seas from the NW from 14 Jan through 18 Jan but weather was tolerable with only two rainy days. Aitutaki had cleared by 20 Jan and Raro about the same. Ses were back to normal by 23 Jan in Raro.

If you're going for more than a week you'll probably be OK. But for a short visit a storm or tropical depression can wipe out 3-4 days of your trip. Water activities are more affected than land-bound ones. Beach accessed snorkeling was pretty bad for all of the Southern Group Islands for 5-7 days because of limited visibility and the big swells.

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