What's on in Avarua (Rarotonga), Cook Islands through the year

Busy — New Zealand summer holidays, school holidays in 4 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in January.

Still on: Cyclone season (1 Nov – 30 Apr), New Zealand summer holidays (19 Dec – 27 Jan (usually))

Quiet — one of its worst months for weather

Nothing new starts in February.

Still on: Cyclone season (1 Nov – 30 Apr)

Quiet — one of its worst months for weather

Nothing new starts in March.

Still on: Cyclone season (1 Nov – 30 Apr)

Shoulder season — school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it, an ordinary month

Nothing new starts in April.

Still on: Cyclone season (1 Nov – 30 Apr)

Quiet — one of its worst months for weather

Nothing new starts in May.

Shoulder season — school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it, an ordinary month

Nothing new starts in June.

Busy — Te Maeva Nui, school holidays in 4 of the markets that fill it

• Nature

  Humpback whale season

  15 Jul – 15 Oct · usually

  Humpbacks come in close to the reef edge off the north coast between July and October. From the shore road you can often pick out a blow without going anywhere. Source ↗

• Festival

  Te Maeva Nui

  25 Jul – 4 AugMajor festivalCrowdedBook early

  Ten days of constitution celebrations that fill the National Auditorium with island-by-island dance and song. It is the week the diaspora comes home, and the beds go months ahead. Source ↗

Busy — Te Maeva Nui, school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in August.

Still on: Humpback whale season (15 Jul – 15 Oct (usually)), Te Maeva Nui (25 Jul – 4 Aug)

Busy — school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it, one of its best months for weather

Nothing new starts in September.

Still on: Humpback whale season (15 Jul – 15 Oct (usually))

Busy — school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it, one of its best months for weather

• Festival

  Gospel Day (Nuku)

  25–27 OctMajor festivalClosures

  26 October marks the arrival of the missionaries in 1821. Village churches stage it as drama and choir, the town keeps the holiday, and Sunday closing is stricter than usual around it. Source ↗

Still on: Humpback whale season (15 Jul – 15 Oct (usually))

Busy — Vaka Eiva

• Hazard

  Cyclone season

  1 Nov – 30 Apr

  November to April is the South Pacific storm season, with the peak between December and February. Most years pass without a hit; the airport and the ferries move first when one is near. Source ↗

• Festival

  Vaka Eiva

  20–27 NovMajor festivalCrowdedBook early

  A week of outrigger racing that brings crews from across the Pacific and New Zealand. The lagoon fills with vaka, the town is at capacity, and the after-parties run all week. Source ↗

Busy — New Zealand summer holidays, school holidays in 4 of the markets that fill it

• Holiday

  New Zealand summer holidays

  19 Dec – 27 Jan · usuallySchool holidaysCrowded

  Rarotonga is where New Zealand goes for a warm Christmas, so the Auckland flights and the beachfront rentals go early. The fortnight either side of New Year is the dearest of the year. Source ↗

Still on: Cyclone season (1 Nov – 30 Apr)