When to go · Cook Islands
Cook Islands in August
Great month. Constitution Day celebrations; whales; book ahead.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Great
- Crowds
- High
- Cook Islands
- Prices
- High
- Cook Islands
Verdict
Constitution Day celebrations; whales; book ahead.
Is another month better than August?
No other month rates higher than August for Cook Islands in this guide.
Weather in August
- Southern Cooks · Rarotonga, Aitutaki, Atiu, Mangaiabest weather
May–October is drier and cooler (lows around 18 °C (64 °F)); December–March is humid, with heavy rain and cyclone risk, worst in February–March.May–October is drier and cooler (lows around 64 °F (18 °C)); December–March is humid, with heavy rain and cyclone risk, worst in February–March.
- Northern atolls · Penrhyn, Manihiki, Pukapukafine
Hot all year near the equator; access by rare flights or cargo ship only.
- Avarua25 °C (77 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F), 8 rain days77 °F (25 °C) / 64 °F (18 °C), 8 rain days
- Aitutaki25 °C (77 °F) / 20 °C (68 °F), 8 rain days77 °F (25 °C) / 68 °F (20 °C), 8 rain days
- Mitiaro27 °C (81 °F) / 21 °C (70 °F), 6 rain days81 °F (27 °C) / 70 °F (21 °C), 6 rain days
- Palmerston Island24 °C (75 °F) / 19 °C (66 °F), 7 rain days75 °F (24 °C) / 66 °F (19 °C), 7 rain days
Festivals and holidays
Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.
Te Maeva Nui and Constitution Day big impact
Late Jul – 4 Aug
Ten days of dance, drumming and song contests at the National Auditorium; outer islanders fill Rarotonga's beds.
Te Maeva Nui check
Late July into early August · Avarua
Constitution celebrations with dance, music and sport; hotels and flights fill, book ahead.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · Cook Islands
- High
- Prices · Cook Islands
- High
High-price month: see what to book ahead.
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Cook Islands, side by side.
Verdict
Aug: Great
May: Great
Crowds
Aug: High
May: Low
Prices
Aug: High
May: Low
Festivals listed
Aug: 2
May: 0
August: Constitution Day celebrations; whales; book ahead.
May: Dry season begins; good value.
Cook Islands: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
Nothing unusual for the weather this month.
Where to go in August
Rated best or good this month
Southern Cooks
Best weather of the year (Rarotonga, Aitutaki, Atiu, Mangaia)
Dry; Te Maeva Nui late July to early August books hotels.
Best months: May–Oct
Best months: May–Oct
Best months: May–Oct (dry season, calmer seas)