The Guide to Windsurfing in Rarotonga, Aitutaki & the Cook Islands

Last Updated: 9 June, 2025

What You Need to Know About Windsurfing in Rarotonga, Aitutaki and the Cook Islands

The Cook Islands is an up-and-coming kite sports destination in the South Pacific, admittedly more popular for its kitesurfing than it is for its windsurfing. But any keen windsurfer with their own gear visiting Rarotonga or perhaps someone who wants to learn to windsurf in one of the most beautiful lagoons in the world, Aitutaki, should definitely have the Cook Islands on their radar.

We’ll help you work it all out with this ultimate guide to windsurfing in Rarotonga, Aitutaki and the Cook Islands. We go over where to windsurf, where to rent gear and windsurfing lessons.

The Windsurfing Season in the Cook Islands

When is the windsurfing season in the Cook Islands? The best time for windsurfing in the Cook Islands is during the trade wind season between May and October, with the best month being August.

With steady low-pressure systems on the tropical belt, however, windsurfing can be enjoyed all year round in the Cook Islands with predominantly easterly trade winds ranging from 15 to 30 knots. What’s more, lessons and gear hire are available all year on Aitutaki.

For more variables that might affect when you visit the Cook Islands, check out The Best Time to Visit Rarotonga & the Cook Islands: A Month by Month Guide.

The Guide to Windsurfing in Rarotonga, Aitutaki & the Cook Islands [2025]

The Best Places to Windsurf in the Cook Islands

Where are the best places to windsurf in the Cook Islands? Rarotonga offers incredible conditions for windsurfing for half the year on the Muri Lagoon but Aitutaki is commonly agreed as the best of the Cook Islands for all kite sports.

Windsurfing in Aitutaki

Aitutaki is arguably the best place for windsurfing in the Cook Islands, not only because the expansive lagoon offers much windsurfing terrain, but it’s currently the only island with windsurf gear available to hire.

Most windsurfing in Aitutaki takes place off Ootu Beach, located at the end of the Ootu Peninsula on the east side of Aitutaki. Windsurfing gear is available to hire here (see the section below), and the water is flat and benefits from the trade winds.

If you’ve got your own gear, take one of the water taxis run by the kitesurfing schools to Honeymoon Island with expanses of shallow lagoon unsheltered to the trade winds. Learn more about Honeymoon Islands transfers in The Guide to Kitesurfing in Rarotonga, Aitutaki & the Cook Islands.

Ready to go? Plan your trip to Aitutaki using The Complete Travel Guide to Aitutaki.

Windsurfing in Rarotonga

When it comes to sailing and kite sports in Rarotonga, set your sights on the Muri Lagoon. Located on the southeast corner of the island, Muri benefits from the prevailing southeast trade winds that dominate between May and October.

While kitesurfing and winging are mostly enjoyed on the Muri Lagoon due to the rentals available, the windsurfing here is excellent for those who have their own gear. Plan your trip to Rarotonga using The Complete Travel Guide to Rarotonga.

Windsurf Gear Hire and Lessons in the Cook Islands

Although windsurfing gear hire has been available on Rarotonga in the past, rentals are currently only available in Aitutaki.

Aitutaki Windsurfing Rental

Experience the thrill of windsurfing on Aitutaki’s stunning lagoon with Tavai Inventure Tours, based at Ootu Beach. After a brief assessment of your skills, you’re free to ride the waves to your heart’s content.

Choose from a range of board sizes to match your ability, from beginner-friendly options to advanced boards for experienced windsurfers.

Sail sizes vary to suit different wind conditions and skill levels. Beginners can start with small, easy-to-handle sails, while intermediate riders can opt for balanced sails offering both performance and control.

For the pros, large sails are available for high-speed, advanced manoeuvres. Safety is paramount, with life jackets and thorough safety briefings provided with every rental.

Other Kite Sports in the Cook Islands

Windsurfing is not the only way to harness the elements in Rarotonga and Aitutaki. Because of the favourable kiting conditions of the lagoons, the Cook Islands is a hotspot for kiteboarding (kitesurfing), which we also have a full guide on in The Guide to Kitesurfing in Rarotonga, Aitutaki & the Cook Islands.

It is also possible to take wing (winging) lessons with South Pacific Kiteboarding in Aitutaki or with KiteSUP on Rarotonga. Alternatively, South Pacific Kiteboarding also offers three-hour kite foiling lessons, while Tavai Inventure Tours offers wind foiling hire.

For more watersports, check out the 10 Best Water Activities in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands.

More About Windsurfing in Rarotonga, Aitutaki and the Cook Islands

That’s it for our ultimate guide to windsurfing in Rarotonga, Aitutaki and the Cook Islands. Discover more amazing watersports and activities on the islands listed in the guides below:

Finally, complete your bucket list with the 101 Best Things to Do in the Cook Islands: The Ultimate List and plan the rest of your holiday logistics using The Best Cook Islands Travel Guide.

Sources:

The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across the Cook Islands and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:

Cook Islands Tourism Corporation (General travel advice - Updated [2025])
Cook Islands Tourism Industry Council (Tourism trade association - Updated [2025])
SPTO (Pacific tourism advice - Updated [2025])
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration (Visa and immigration advice - Updated [2025])
Cook Islands Meteorological Service (Weather forecast and warnings - Updated [2025])
Ministry of Finance & Economic Management (Border restrictions advice - Updated [2025])
Ministry of Agriculture (Biosecurity advice - Updated [2025])
Cook Islands Statistics Office (Statistics and travel data - Updated [2025])
Ministry of Transport (Transport operators and licenses - Updated [2025])
Safe Travel (New Zealand travel advisory for the Cook Islands - Updated [2025])
Smart Traveller (Australia travel advisory for the Cook Islands - Updated [2025])

At Cook Islands Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.

About the Author

Robin C.

This article was reviewed and published by Robin, the co-founder of Cook Islands Pocket Guide. He has lived, worked and travelled across 16 different countries before settling in the South Pacific, so he knows a thing or two about planning the perfect trip in this corner of the world. Robin works and consults regularly with Cook Islands Tourism Corporation, a local government body representing the tourism industry. Robin is also the co-founder of several other South Pacific travel guides and is a regular host of webinars with the South Pacific Tourism Organisation.

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