What's the Weather Like in Rarotonga in April
Temperature
April is one of the warmer times of the year on Rarotonga. You can expect temperatures that are just slightly lower than those in February and March. Daily average temperatures in April range from a high of 28C (82F) to a low of 23C (73F). April's overall average is 26C (79F). These weather conditions are similar to those of Samoa and Papua New Guinea. The average sea temperature in Rarotonga in April is 28C (82F), a comfortable zone for cooling off in the island's famed lagoon.
Sunshine Hours
While higher than the seven-hour yearly low in January, you'll still see some of the year's lowest levels of sunshine in April with an average of 9 hours a day. This is contrasted by the highs in September and October with 12 daily hours. The interior of Rarotonga often has cloud cover and you can expect it to be prevalent in April.
Rainfall
April falls near the end of Rarotonga's wet season (from November to May), so prepare for moderate precipitation if you visit during this month. While it sees less preciptiation than 19-day highs in January and March, April has an average of 18 rainy days with an overall average rainfall of 170mm. The rain consisntely arrives in strong bursts in the afternoons, leaving mornings and early evenings with sunny skies.
Humidity
The average relative humidity in April is 85%, with humidity of around 87% in the mornings and 77% in the evenings. This can make days feel somewhat muggy, though the humidity is curtailed by cooling showers.
Sunrise and Sunset
On April 1, the sun rises at 6:46 am and sets at 6:38 pm, giving the island 11:52 hours of daylight. On April 30, the sun comes up at 6:56 am and the sun goes down at 6:15 pm, with 11:19 hours of total daylight.
Wind Speed
You can expect moderate winds that are a constant on the shores of Rarotonga to blow at a steady of 5.2 m/s in April.
Extreme Weather
April comes at the end of the cyclone season in the South Pacific's that spans from November to April. It's unlikely that extreme weather will occur. During the storm season, the strongest cyclones are more likely to strike locations such as Hawaii and Australia. When foul weather does hit Rarotonga it brings massive flooding and winds of up to 55 m/s (124 mph).
Rarotonga Hotels in April
From budget backpacking to luxurious villa life, Rarotonga has accommodations to suit the needs of almost any traveller. Anywhere you stay, you're guaranteed to be near the tranquil lagoon waters that have made the island famous.
Te Manava Luxury Villas & Spa
Check into a lavish holiday home for a five-star experience at Te Manava Luxury Villas & Spa. With either sea or garden views, one, two and tree-bedroom villas offer high-end escapes in an exclusive tropical setting. Enjoy a personal pool, gourmet kitchen and a private patio with barbecue facilities. When you're ready for pampering, head over to the spa for a soothing massage or revitalizing beauty treatment. The haven overlooks Muri Lagoon and lies a one-minute walk from Muri Beach, where you can make use of Te Manava's free sun loungers, kayaks and snorkeling equipment.
Cooks Bay Villas
Stay at a four-star resort with luxury amenities. Cooks Bay Villas enjoys an uncrowded location on Rarotonga's southwest side that offers an added sense of privacy before the warm waters of Cooks Bay. Spacious beachfront villas mix modern architecture and traditional Polynesian design with vaulted ceilings and wide balconies that beckon open-air relaxation. Wander the palm-dotted grounds to discover a large outdoor pool, barbecue facilities and a wide sun deck with umbrella-shaded loungers. Continue to the soft white sands and use a free kayak or snorkelling gear in the lagoon's vibrant waters.
Rarotonga Daydreamer Resort
To enjoy a three-star stay amid green gardens, consider Rarotonga Daydreamer Resort. A handful of open-plan apartments have full kitchens, indoor living areas and outdoor seating on private patios with garden and pool views. Grounds are rich with native plants, shaded by palm trees and have barbecue facilities. The laid-back hideaway is mere steps from a beach where you'll discover some of the best snorkelling spots on the island. It's also a ten-minute drive from both the Rarotonga Airport and Rarotonga Golf Club, and a 15-minute drive from the town of Avarua.
Tiare Village Airport Motel
An affordable option for budget-conscious travellers, the Tiare Village Airport Motel offers a range of accommodations that include single rooms, twin rooms with communal facilities and self-contained poolside lodging. Though near the airport as its name suggests, the longtime backpacker's refuge is tucked into a scenic patch of tropical forest. You'll be about a ten-minute walk to the island's northern coast, and a bit father to scenic Nikao Beach. Tiare is also within walking distance of the famed Cross Island Walk hiking trek.
Rarotonga Beach for April
Tikioki Beach
A fishing ban in the waters off of Tikioki Beach has created a wonderful place to explore undersea life. The lagoon teems with a colourful variety of fish including puffers, angelfish and parrotfish. Strap on snorkelling gear to get up close to sea turtles, moray eels and possibly a small whitetip reef shark. The ample white sands are perfect for lazing away the day. Just inland you'll find the Takitumu Conservation Area, an unspoiled area of nature where you can view an array of exotic bird species.
Bars and Restaurants
While seafood is the main culinary attraction on the island, Rarotonga also has a surprising number of restaurants that specialise in steaks, salads and baked goods. Most eateries are a mere stroll to the inviting aquamarine waters of Rarotonga's lagoon.
Sandals Restaurant & Barefoot Bar
As its name suggests, you can dine with your toes in the sand at Sandals Restaurant & Barefoot Bar. The upscale restaurant at Pacific Resort on Muri Lagoon also serves international cuisine in a garden setting. For casual fare or an exotic cocktail with garden and sea views, check out the laid-back Barefoot bar. The restaurant is open daily from 7:30 am to 9:30 pm and the bar is open daily from 9 am to 9:30 pm.
Alberto's Restaurant
Alberto's Restaurant is famous for its steaks. Tucked between the Sunset and Edgewater resorts on the northwest side of the island, the cosy dinner-only eatery also offers seafood selections including coconut prawns, char-grilled swordfish and fettuccine smoked salmon. There's an ample salad bar for the more health-conscious diners. Alberto's is open from Monday to Saturday from 5:30 pm to 9 pm.
The Islander Restaurant & Hula Bar
Overlooking the pool at the Islander Hotel, the Islander Restaurant & Hula Bar has a wide range of specialities that includes seafood, steaks and thin-crust pizzas with a variety of eclectic toppings. On Tuesdays, a popular Island Night buffet features spit-roasted pork, Polynesian delicacies and a cultural dance performance. The Hula Bar hosts high-energy dance parties most evenings. The restaurant is open daily from 8 am to 11 pm while the bar is open daily from 11 am to 11 pm.
Charlie's Cafe and Bar
From its humble beginnings in a shipping container on the beach, Charlie's Cafe and Bar has expanded to offer ocean-view dining on a large covered deck with lounge space. Many say that the cafe serves the biggest fish sandwiches on the island. They're also well known for their tropical fruit smoothies and fresh-baked muffins. Charlie's is open weekdays from 11 am to 8 pm, Saturdays from 11 am to 3 pm and closed on Sundays.
Things to do in Rarotonga in April
Sub Ride to a Shipwreck
One of the more unique tours in Rarotonga, the Reef Sub Experience lets you get up close to the undersea world without ever getting wet. Board the big yellow boat and set off. The wonder lies below the deck with wide windows that allow you to observe the lagoon's diverse sea creatures. Gaze at turtles, sharks and even migratory whale from the boat's hull. Explore the intricate coral that protects Rarotonga's shores. The tour also takes you to a century old shipwreck that's now home to a host of marine life.
Trek to Te Rua Manga
While it requires some physical fitness, you don't have to be an expert mountain climber to hike to the iconic Te Rua Manga. Known locally as "The Needle" in reference to its pointy spire, the rock formation sits atop a pristine area of inland nature. Drive or take a scooter to a parking lot at the base of the trail. The trek up to the summit should take you about 45 minutes. While it is strenuous, children and elderly people make the climb aided by tree roots on the ascension. The view across the island from the top is well worth the sweat.
Best of Beach Life
There are so many ways to enjoy the 32 kilometres of Rarotonga's coast. Many hotels have free-to-use bicycles you can use to cruise across the firm sand as the tide recedes. Join one of the beach barbecues held by seaside restaurants with local string bands playing traditional Polynesian music. Dine with your toes in the sand at an upscale resort, or sip a tropical cocktail like a true buccaneer at a laid-back beach bar. On the east side of the island, you'd be remiss not to catch a glorious sunrise. On the west, enjoy a sublime sunset that reminds you why you journeyed to the idyllic isle.
Explore Nature on Sea and Land
All trips to Rarotonga have one thing in common -- they're all surrounded by nature. Island natives have navigated the lagoon of Rarotonga in outrigger canoes for centuries. Continue the tradition by hopping in a kayak and exploring the waters. Be sure to take snorkelling equipment because you'll surely want to dive in and get a look at the creatures of the sea. One of the best ways to discover inland nature is on an open-air truck tour. These take you up into the Avaitu Valley where you'll be surrounded by exotic flora including the dramatic Flame Tree, a fern-like plant with brilliant flowers.
