The month in detail
What to expect in March
Autumn in Cook Islands is often underrated: 25°C, golden light and declining crowds. An interesting window. Expect rain on 40% of days — a light raincoat in the bag is recommended. A good balance between weather and crowds, even if October (8.1/10) remains theoretically better.
March ranks 11 out of 12 months in Cook Islands.
This month's conditions
What it's like in March
UV index
8 · high
sunscreen and hat advised
Feels like
muggy at times
21°
Sea
29°C
warm, ideal
Daylight
12.1h of daylight
Air quality
excellent
AQI 14
Compare
Is March the right month?
The best month in Cook Islands is October (8.1/10), 0.4 pt higher than March.
Book
Plan your trip
Hotels at their lowest outside peak season, highest on comfortable months. Shoulder seasons offer a good price/climate compromise.
Stay
Hotels & rentals · Cook Islands
Expedia →
Activities
Tours, tickets, experiences
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Flights
Multi-airline comparator
Kiwi →
🎟️ Activities & tours · Cook Islands
GetYourGuide selection · free cancellation
Practical info
What you need to know before you go
Three angles: the country (language, currency, safety, budget), the year-round climate, and the specifics of a tropical stay.
Country · Cook Islands
🗣️LanguageEnglish
💶CurrencyNew Zealand Dollar ($)
🚗DrivingLeft-hand
🛡️Safety ⓘVery safe · 1/5
💰Cost of living ⓘModerate · 3/5
🌡️ Climate
🌍Climate typeTropical
📈Climate trend ⓘStable
🔥Hottest monthJanuary · 25°C
❄️Coolest monthJune · 22°C
🌧️Rainiest month ⓘFebruary · 41%
🏝️ Tropical stay
🌞Dry season ⓘMay → Sep
🌧️Wet season ⓘDec → Mar
🌀Cyclones ⓘSeason Nov-Apr
Explore
Other destinations in March
If March doesn't convince you for this destination, compare with others.
Similar climate
RarotongaCook Islands
HoniaraSolomon Islands
MoroniComoros
TongaTonga
MooreaFrench Polynesia
Location
Where is Cook Islands ?
Global position + regional geographic context.
🌍 World
🔍 Geographic context
Cook IslandsTropical climate with a 8.1 → 7.7 gap between best and worst month. 10 years of ERA5 data to choose by project.
21.24°S · 159.78°W
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Cook Islands?
November is the best month with 22.0°C highs, 21.0°C lows, 8.2h of sunshine and 22.0% rainy days. The months of November & June offer comparable conditions.
How many hours of sunshine does Cook Islands get in November?
Cook Islands averages 8.2 sunshine hours per day in November. It is the sunniest month with a climate score of 7.6/10.
What is the rainiest month in Cook Islands?
February is the most unfavourable month with February has the lowest climate score of the year and the lowest climate score of the year.
What are the temperatures at night in Cook Islands in November?
In November, overnight lows reach 21.0°C, while afternoon highs average 22.0°C.
Is Cook Islands good in winter?
In winter (December-February), Cook Islands scores 7.3/10 on average — Decent period conditions for cultural visits.. The best month overall remains November with a score of 7.6/10.
When should you avoid Cook Islands?
February is the most difficult month to visit Cook Islands, with February has the lowest climate score of the year. Climate conditions are at their lowest of the year during this period.
Can you swim in Cook Islands in March?
In March, the sea averages 29°C in Cook Islands: warm, ideal. Ideal conditions for swimming and snorkeling.
Do you need sun protection in Cook Islands in March?
The average UV index reaches 8 in March in Cook Islands (high), with about 12.1h of daylight. Sunscreen and hat advised.