What is the Weather Like in Rarotonga and the Cook Islands in June?
June is the time when many travellers from Australia or New Zealand look to escape the winter – often looking to Rarotonga and the Cook Islands! The Cook Islands are essentially a winterless group of islands where temperatures are unlikely to drop below 19°C / 66°F! Days tend to be dry and balmy, where it’s extremely comfortable to swim in the warm tropical waters, explore the islands’ hikes and delve into the caves of the outer islands. All of these reasons are typically why June is part of the busy tourist season in the Cook Islands. Learn about the temperatures, rainfall and more in this guide to the Rarotonga and Cook Islands weather in June.
Before we jump into this weather guide for June, be sure to bookmark Rarotonga & the Cook Islands Weather, Seasons & Climate and The Best Time to Visit the Cook Islands for more advice.
8 Tips for Visiting the Cook Islands in June
- While June is considered the dry season, be prepared for rain at any time
- The water visibility is at its best in June, so pack your mask or book that dive trip
- Apply high-factor reef-safe sunscreen in regular intervals
- The nights feel considerably cooler than the day, so make sure to pack some slightly warmer layers for the evenings
- June is considered a safe time to visit the Cook Islands with little risk of cyclones
- June is the beginning of the busy tourist season so you’ll need to plan your trip early to secure accommodation and activities. We recommend booking your trip at least four weeks (or more) in advance
- Note that the first Monday of June is The Sovereign’s Birthday, a public holiday in the Cook Islands, so expect some businesses to be closed on this day
- If you can’t handle the heat too well, June is a great month to travel as the temperatures cool off a bit at this time of the year. Most accommodations are also equipped with ceiling fans or air-conditioning for your nightly comfort.
© Alisha Street @myrarotonga - Cook Islands TourismTypical Temperatures in June
Comfortably mild days and cooler nights are typical of a June day in Rarotonga and the Cook Islands. Whether you’re in the sea, hiking inland across Rarotonga or exploring caves in the outer coral atolls, visitors get that tropical heat experience without the extreme humidity in June. The average maximum temperature in June is 26°C / 79°F and the average low is 20°C / 68°F.
Temperatures Across the Cook Islands
- Rarotonga – The average maximum temperature is 26°C / 79°F and the minimum average temperature is 20°C / 68°F
- Aitutaki – The average maximum temperature is 28°C / 82°F and the minimum average temperature is 22°C / 72°F
- Mangaia – The average maximum temperature is 26°C / 79°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 21°C / 70°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 June
The Cook Islands has warm sea temperatures all year round, dropping down to 24°C / 75°F in mid-winter. However, June’s waters are the warmest in winter with an average sea temperature of 25°C / 77°F.
© Sean Scott - Cook Islands TourismHours of Sun in June
While the days in June are at their shortest out of the whole year, that’s still an average at 11 hours of daylight. Sunshine hours are typically 3.5 hours a day, so expect a few cloudy days.
UV Levels During June
The UV levels in June in the Cook Islands are far less harsh than the islands’ summer months. However, with a level of 6 UV index around midday, it’s still essential 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 June
June has daylight hours lasting about 11 hours a day in the Cook Islands.
- Sunrise: 7.09 am at the beginning of June and 7.17 am at the end of June
- Sunset: 6.05 pm at the beginning of June and 6.09 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 TourismRainfall in June
June is one of the driest months to visit the Cook Islands with very little chance of rainfall in the Cook Islands’ drier climates, such as the Southern Group, especially Aitutaki, Atiu and Mitiaro. Nevertheless, there will be odd rainy spells, with the Cook Islands receiving an average of 120 mm / 4.7″ of rainfall in June and usually only 6 days of rain throughout the month.
Average Rainfall Across the Cook Islands
- Rarotonga – The average rainfall in June is 120 mm / 4.7″
- Aitutaki – The average rainfall in June is 99 mm / 3.9″
- Mangaia – The average rainfall in June is 108 mm / 4.3″
- Mitiaro – The average rainfall in June is 93 mm / 3.7″
- Manihiki (North) – The average rainfall in June is 144 mm / 5.7″
- Penrhyn (North) – The average rainfall in June is 165 mm / 6.5″.
© PixabayTropical Storms in June
The South Pacific cyclone season starts in November and ends in April. As such, June 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 July, August and September. Find out more about tropical storms in our guide, Cyclone Safety in the Cook Islands.
© Craig Owen - Cook Islands TourismBest Places to Visit in the Cook Islands in June
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 June include:
Rarotonga – Rarotonga is a hotspot for island holidays in the Cook Islands and for good reason. The largest island in the Cooks has high-quality tourism infrastructure, including resorts and a variety of 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 June 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.
Atiu – A short flight from Aitutaki, Atiu is an eco-lovers paradise with tropical birds, vast limestone caves to explore, and the fascinating history of warriors. It’s much less visited than Rarotonga and Aitutaki, making it feel like you often have the place to yourself even in the high season. Discover more experiences on this coral atoll in the 20 Best Things to Do on Atiu.
Again, any of the islands are decent to visit during June, so we recommend researching more on the subject using A Guide to the Best Islands of the Cook Islands.
© CookIslandsPocketGuide.comJune Packing List for Rarotonga and the Cook Islands
Be prepared for the Cook Islands in June 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)
- Light rain jacket (just in case).
Get more ideas on what to pack with our guide, What to Pack for Rarotonga & the Cook Islands: Cook Islands Packing List.
More About the Weather in Rarotonga and Cook Islands in June
That’s it for our complete guide to the weather and climate in Rarotonga and the Cook Islands in June. Check out the following articles for more weather advice:
- Rarotonga & the Cook Islands Weather, Seasons & Climate + Cook Islands Weather by Month
- The Best Time to Visit Rarotonga & the Cook Islands: A Month by Month Guide
- Rarotonga & the Cook Islands Weather in April
- Rarotonga & the Cook Islands Weather in May
- Rarotonga & the Cook Islands Weather in July
Finally, enjoy a comprehensive guide to planning a trip to the Cook Islands in The Best Cook Islands Travel Guide.
