Rarotonga & the Cook Islands Weather in July

© Zhang Da Qiang - Cook Islands Tourism

Typical Temperatures in July

Warm, balmy and with mild sea temperatures, the Cook Islands sure has a good winter season. The average maximum temperature in July is 25°C / 77°F, which is often extremely comfortable and soothing throughout the day. Evenings are a little cooler, however, where it’s best to have an extra layer, especially when combined with the sea breeze! The average low is 19°C / 66°F at night.

Temperatures Across the Cook Islands

• Rarotonga – The average maximum temperature is 25°C / 77°F and the minimum average temperature is 19°C / 66°F
• Aitutaki – The average maximum temperature is 27°C / 81°F and the minimum average temperature is 21°C / 70°F
• Mangaia – The average maximum temperature is 25°C / 77°F and the minimum average temperature is 19°C / 66°F
• Mitiaro – The average maximum temperature is 27°C / 81°F and the minimum average temperature is 20°C / 68°F
• Manihiki (North) – The average maximum temperature is 30°C / 86°F and the minimum average temperature is 24°C / 75°F
• Penrhyn (North) – The average maximum temperature is 31°C / 88°F and the minimum average temperature is 24°C / 75°F.

Sea Temperature in July

The Cook Islands has warm sea temperatures all year round. Even in winter, the sea temperature rarely drops below 25°C / 77°F.

© Daniel Fisher - Cook Islands Tourism

Hours of Sun in July

During July, the Cook Islands’ daylight hours are 11 hours long – pretty long considering we are in the winter months. Visitors will experience an average of 2.5 hours of bright sunshine per day, making July one of the least sunny months in the Cook Islands.

UV Levels During July

The UV levels in July in the Cook Islands are pretty mild with a level of 6 UV index around midday. Nevertheless, it’s still a good idea to apply high-factor sunscreen. For advice on sunscreen, check out The Best Sunscreens for the Cook Islands + Sun Protection Tips.

Sunrise and Sunset During July

July has daylight hours lasting about 11 hours a day in the Cook Islands.

• Sunrise: 7.17 am at the beginning of July and 7.11 am at the end of June
• Sunset: 6.09 pm at the beginning of July and 6.20 pm at the end of June.

Learn about the local time zone in What is the Rarotonga & the Cook Islands Time Zone?

© Sean Scott - Cook Islands Tourism

Rainfall in July

Rainfall is quite minimal in the Cook Islands in the month of July. Although there is an average of 102 mm / 4″ of rain, there is typically only 5 days of rainfall throughout the month. Showers are heavy but don’t last for too long.

Average Rainfall Across the Cook Islands

• Rarotonga – The average rainfall in July is 102 mm / 4″
• Aitutaki – The average rainfall in July is 81 mm / 3.2″
• Mangaia – The average rainfall in July is 102 mm / 4″
• Mitiaro – The average rainfall in July is 68 mm / 2.7″
• Manihiki (North) – The average rainfall in July is 115 mm / 4.5″
• Penrhyn (North) – The average rainfall in July is 124 mm / 4.9″.

© CookIslandsPocketGuide.com

Tropical Storms in July

The South Pacific cyclone season starts in November and ends in April. As such, July is one of the best months to avoid tropical cyclones in the Cook Islands with a very low risk of tropical storms developing.

Other months that have a low risk of tropical storms in the Cook Islands include June, August and September. Find out more about tropical storms in our guide, Cyclone Safety in the Cook Islands.

© Claire Wilson - Cook Islands Tourism

Best Places to Visit in the Cook Islands in July

Any part of the Cook Islands is stunning to visit during this warm, dry and pretty quiet time of the year. While we list all of the Cook Islands in What are the 15 Islands in the Cook Islands? for inspiration, a few places worth checking out in the Cook Islands during July include:

Rarotonga – Rarotonga is a hotspot for island holidays in the Cook Islands and for good reason. The largest island in the cooks has a high-quality tourism infrastructure, including resorts and tours. It’s also the arrival island for international flights, making for an easy fly-and-flop getaway. Find out more about what Rarotonga is all about in the 50 Best Things to Do on Rarotonga.

Aitutaki – For similar reasons as visiting Rarotonga, Aitutaki is worth visiting in July for its developed tourist scene. However, Aitutaki is still much less visited than Rarotonga, effortlessly offering a tranquil South Seas getaway. Learn more about what to do in Aitutaki in the 20 Best Things to Do on Aitutaki.

Mauke – Escape the hustle and bustle of the Cook Islands’ busier islands and visit one of the lesser-visited paradises, Mauke. A tiki tour around the island will bring you to small beaches and photogenic coastal archways (formed by limestone, of course). But no visitor can miss out on a swim in the impressive Vai Tano Cave. Learn more about an island escape to Mauke in the 15 Best Things to Do in Mauke.

Again, any of the islands are decent to visit during July, so we recommend researching more on the subject using A Guide to the Best Islands of the Cook Islands.

© CookIslandsPocketGuide.com

July Packing List for Rarotonga and the Cook Islands

Be prepared for the Cook Islands in July by packing these few seasonal essentials:

• Light clothing layers for the day (cotton or linen preferably so it is super light)
• Light long-sleeved tops/jacket (to take the edge off those slightly cooler nights or to keep warm after boat trips)
• Light pants/trousers/skirt (to cover the knees when appropriate – church service or to protect from mosquitoes when hiking, for example)
• Sunhat
• Sunglasses
• Swimwear
• Closed walking shoes
• Flip-flops/jandals/sandals
• Sarong (pāreu – available in the Cook Islands; it’s a good way to cover up when exploring the towns after swimming)
• Insect repellent
• High-factor sunscreen (that’s reef-safe and water-resistant).

Get more ideas on what to pack with our guide, What to Pack for Rarotonga & the Cook Islands: Cook Islands Packing List.