What's the weather like in Rarotonga in September
Temperature
One of the coolest times to visit Rarotonga is in September. Daily average temperatures in this month range from a high of 25C (77F) to a low of 20C (68F), with an overall average of 23C (73F). These temperatures are like those in French Polynesia and Tokelau. The average sea temperature in Rarotonga is 25C (75F) in August. This is the coolest time of the year for the water, contrasted by the high in January of 28C (82F).
Sunshine Hours
You'll see the year's highest levels of sunshine in September with an average of 12 hours a day and equal to that of October. There is still some cloud cover over the centre of the island but at its most minimal of the year.
Rainfall
September falls during Rarotonga's dry season (from June to October) so you won't see much rain. The month has an average of 15 rainy days with an overall average rainfall of 80mm. Rain falls on half of the days of September, but the precipitation is brief and in the form of afternoon showers.
Humidity
The year's lowest humidity is experienced in August. The average relative humidity is 80%, with humidity of around 81% in the mornings and 72% in the evenings.
Sunrise and Sunset
The duration of daylight is constantly increasing in September. On September 1, the sun rises at 7:10 am and sets at 6:20 pm, creating 11:10 hours of daylight. On September 30, with the shortest daylight of the month, daybreak happens at 6:49 am and sundown takes place at 6:29 pm, with 11:40 hours of total daylight.
Wind Speed
With trade winds that blow in from the east from May to October, you can expect moderate winds of 5.2 m/s in September.
Extreme Weather
September falls well outside the South Pacific's cyclone season that runs from November to April. While the Cook Islands are less likely to get hit by tropical cyclones compared to other South Seas locales, storms that do strike can bring gales of up to 55 m/s (124 mph) and cause severe flooding along the coast.
Rarotonga Hotels in September
From bases for fishing charters and nature excursions to spots for relaxing by the pool or on white sands, Rarotonga has the accommodations to fit the holiday you desire.
GT's Rarotonga Fishing Lodge
A boutique getaway for fishermen and non-anglers alike, GT's Rarotonga Fishing Lodge is tucked into tropical gardens with sweeping mountain views. The cosy lodge has garden-view guest rooms with minibars and patios. There's also an outdoor pool, guest lounge, a library and an area for barbecuing. A base for fishing trips, the tranquil haven is three kilometres from the Avatiu Fishing Harbour and has a tour desk that can arrange deep-sea charters. GT's is also two kilometres from Avarua Town, where you can find a good selection of shops, restaurants and lively outdoor markets.
Rarotonga Beach Bungalows
Enjoy a four-star escape right on Titikaveka Beach at Rarotonga Beach Bungalows. Geared towards couples, the intimate resort offers deluxe bungalows that are arranged as a traditional Polynesian village and evoke the romance of the South Seas in the 1940s. Spacious air-conditioned accommodations have lounges, kitchenettes, dining areas and wide shaded verandas that look onto the glistening aquamarine lagoon. Grab free snorkelling gear or a complimentary kayak to explore its waters. The seaside sanctuary is a five-minute drive from the iconic sands of Muri Beach.
The Edgewater Resort & Spa
For both value and luxury, the Edgewater Resort & Spa awaits. The sprawling getaway occupies six acres of unspoiled nature on the west coast of Rarotonga, offering sublime sunsets, inspiring mountain views and white-sand beaches that meet turquoise waters. Guest rooms, suites and three-bedroom villas welcome with tropical décor and have balconies with ocean or garden views. Ease into the laid-back island lifestyle by an outdoor pool and complete your relaxation with a soothing massage at the spa. You can catch live entertainment at The Brasserie eatery, and savour classic Italian dishes at The Spaghetti House.
Palm Grove
Set on a five-acre expanse of tropical gardens and private beach, Palm Grove has 22 mid-range bungalows with private balconies and patios that offer either garden or sea views. Air-conditioned accommodations with décors in vibrant colours have full-service kitchens though you may wish to grill at the barbecue facilities. If you don't feel like cooking, feast on traditional island cuisine before garden views at the on-site Yellow Hibiscus Restaurant. After you've refreshed at the outdoor pool, grab free kayaking and snorkelling equipment to explore the lagoon.
Rarotonga Beach for September
Vaimaanga Beach
On the island's calm southern shores, Vaimaanga Beach is a great place to snorkel and get up close to multicoloured coral. If you're looking the get active, you can hire a kayak or stand-up paddleboard to head out and explore the reef. While waters beyond the reef are too rough for most, courageous surfers who venture beyond the sheltering lagoon can find good waves. For something more sedate, the far-reaching white sands are perfect for long strolls to take in the tranquil scene.
Bars and Restaurants
Feast on fresh seafood at a laid-back beach shack, go gourmet with international cuisine at a beachfront resort or dine with locals at hidden-gem cafés. The restaurants and bars of Rarotonga offer dining experiences that cater to your culinary desires.
Blue Water Grill
At the luxury Sanctuary Rarotonga resort, Blue Water Grill offers a casual gourmet experience on the white sands of Aroa Beach. Savour a wide range of Pacific Rim cuisine and international dishes, paired with some of the finest wines from Australia and New Zealand. As the eatery's name suggests, you'll have magnificent views of the lagoon's azure waters. Blue Water is open daily from 7 am to 9 pm.
Café Salsa
A short stroll from Punanga Nui Market in downtown Avarua, Café Salsa has relaxed picnic-style seating by the lagoon and in a plant-filled courtyard where they often have live music. They're known for their all-day breakfast menu, homemade bread and wood-fired pizzas. The café is open from 7:30 am to 3 pm from Monday to Friday and from 7:30 am to 2 pm on Saturday.
Hula Bar
While the name has evolved from the Hideaway Bar to Hidies Bar to Hidies/Luna Bar to simply Hula Bar, the revelry has remained the same. The longtime nightclub favourite for locals and visitors alike features live bands and DJs in a courtyard setting. Drinks are affordable and the dance floor gets packed on weekend nights. The Avarua hot spot is open from 3:30 pm to 12 am from Wednesday to Saturday.
Bite Time Café
Bite Time Café is a tiny colourful shack that serves big seafood flavours on the beach in Avarua. Enjoy gourmet wraps, zesty ika mata, sashimi and crispy fish and chips made from daily fresh catches. A Sunday night beach barbecue features live music from a local string band. Bite Time is open from 8 am to 9 pm from Tuesday to Friday, and from 8 am to 4 pm on Mondays and Saturdays.
Things to do in Rarotonga in September
Cruise from the Harbour
While many a holidaymaker arrives in Rarotonga on a cruise ship at the Port of Avatiu, the harbour is also a top spot for outgoing excursions. Fishing charters can reach fertile grounds just five minutes from shore, teeming with tuna, mahimahi and prized marlin. Farther out you can visit remote isles such as the Palmerston Island. Boat tours are also a great way to get within mere metres of migrating whales, which frequent the waters off of Rarotonga from July to October.
Go Local at Outdoor Markets
Rarotonga has markets for outdoor shopping, strolling and dining on exotic dishes. During the week and on Saturday you can find handmade jewellery, hand-carved artisan works and fabrics woven with time-honoured techniques at the Punanga Nui Market. Browse an abundance of tropical fruit and enjoy a cold smoothie. You'll find the greatest number of offerings on Saturday when there are performances of traditional dance and the sounds of ukuleles from live performers in the air. Four evenings a week, the Muri Night Markets offers a smorgasbord of island fare such as ika mata (fish marinated in coconut and lime) and rukau (steamed taro leaves).usually to a soundtrack of loping ukulele beats from local musicians.
Set Off from Muri Lagoon
The beaches of Muri beckon you to stay on its picturesque shores. Hammocks slung between palm trees implore you to sway the day away. Expanses of white-sand beaches invite leisurely strolls. Still lagoon waters ask you to wade in and contemplate your serene surrounds. But Muri Beach is also a place to embark on ocean adventures. Hop into a kayak and paddle off. Discover new shores, small secluded islands and secret spots for snorkelling amid a dazzling array of undersea life.
Explore White Sand Beaches
With 32 kilometres of coast, Rarotonga has no shortage of diverse beaches to discover. Visit snorkel-friendly spots like Aora Beach, where a marine reserve offers the opportunity to snorkel among a wide variety of colourful fish. Amble over dramatic lava formations at the aptly named Black Rock Beach where massive rocks form natural diving platforms for swim-friendly waters. Enjoy breathtaking sunrises and calm lagoon waters on the island's east coast, and head over to the west coast to watch the sun set behind a coral reef and create a memory to last a lifetime.
