Best Time to Visit Avarua

June to September: the dry, cool season

This is the sweet spot. Days sit around 24°C, nights are mild, and the air feels lighter than the rest of the year. Rain still falls on about 12 to 14 days a month, but it's usually short showers rather than all-day soaking. Our comfort score rates June through September Excellent.

It suits almost every kind of trip. You can walk the Cross-Island Track from the north coast near Avarua to the south side, and the path is less slippery than in the wet months. Snorkelling at Muri Lagoon and Aitutaki-style beach days are easier too. The sea is cooler than in summer, but you'll still swim comfortably.

It's also high season. Flights from New Zealand fill up, especially in the New Zealand school holidays in July. Rarotonga is small, so popular places book out. If you hate crowds, aim for early June or September.

October and November: the quiet shoulder

Things warm up and the showers pick up a little. October gets about 97 mm of rain and November about 123 mm. Both rate Fair. You'll get a mix of sunny mornings and the odd grey afternoon.

This is a good pick if you want lagoon days without peak crowds. Travelling with kids? The warmer water is a plus. The Saturday morning Punanga Nui Market in Avarua is a good rainy-day fallback, with fresh fruit, island crafts and breakfast stalls.

Late July to early August is also when the island's biggest cultural event happens, but it's best known as Te Maeva Nui, held around the start of August to mark independence. Expect dance, drumming and singing in and around Avarua. Hotels fill up for it, so you'll want a room sorted early.

December to May: warm, wet and sticky

This is the rainy season, and it feels it. January to March are the wettest stretch, with rain on 20 to 22 days a month. March is the wettest at 200 mm. Humidity stays above 80%, so afternoons feel heavy and clothes don't dry quickly.

It's also cyclone season, so storms can disrupt flights and boat trips. The upside is low prices and quiet beaches. Days are warm, around 27°C, and sun still breaks through between downpours. April is the best of this bunch, with fewer rain days than the months around it. If you're flexible and happy with a slower pace, it can work well.