Country Guide

This South Pacific territory - self-governing in association with New Zealand - comprises 15 islands scattered through an expanse of ocean between Samoa in the west and French Polynesia in the east.

The weather and climate are typical of a tropical oceanic environment. Very similar conditions prevail throughout the year, with high temperatures and humidity. The daily range of temperature is quite small - about 4°-5° C/10° F. There is abundant rainfall.

Being south of the equator, the Cook Islands have their season of maximum rainfall between November and March or April. Rainfall is moderate to heavy and occurs in all months. Tropical storms of the cyclone or typhoon type are less frequent here than in the western Pacific, but do occur occasionally.

Weather can be quite variable from day to day. Periods of continuous rain lasting a day or more are not unusual, but much rain comes in heavy afternoon or evening downpours after an otherwise fine, sunny day.

The climate is generally healthy and pleasant; the moderately high temperature and humidity are tempered by brisk daytime winds, either as afternoon sea breezes or as predominant southeast trade winds.

The tables for Papeete on Tahiti and Apia in Samoa are representative of weather in the Cook Islands.