Cook Islands

Territory · Oceania, Polynesia

Cook Islands
Photo: Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit, Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The Cook Islands are a self-governing territory in Polynesia, associated with New Zealand. Comprising 240 square kilometers and a population of about 14,000, the territory is centered around its capital, Avarua. It offers visitors a tropical environment and access to local culture.

Highlights

The territory features one notable site, the Cook Islands National Museum, located in the capital. This museum serves as the primary point of interest for visitors seeking to understand the local history and culture of the islands.

When to go

The climate in Avarua is tropical, with consistent average temperatures ranging from 22 °C to 26 °C throughout the year. The cooler months are June through October, with average temperatures around 22 °C to 23 °C and fewer rainy days, typically between 12 and 14 days per month. The warmer months, from December through April, experience higher rainfall, with monthly precipitation often exceeding 300 mm and rainy days occurring as frequently as 22 days in March.

Practical notes

The Cook Islands use the New Zealand dollar and the Cook Islands dollar. English and Cook Islands Maori are the official languages. Electrical outlets use type I plugs with a voltage of 240 V. Traffic operates on the left side of the road. The territory is located in the UTC−10:00 time zone. The calling code for the islands is +682, and the country code top-level domain is .ck.

Top sights in Cook Islands

  1. Cook Islands National MuseumCook Islands National MuseumRarotonga

Weather by month

The warmest month is March, averaging 26 °C. Rain is spread fairly evenly through the year.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Average temperature, °C252626252423222222232424
Rainfall, mm343358268383265179218184202193238325
Rainy days192022171812121414131421

Temperatures and rainfall: 1981–2010 averages for Avarua (4 km grid), from CHELSA. Rainy days: 2015–2024, NASA POWER.