INSTRUMENT / SEA TEMPERATURE
Rarotonga Water Temperature
Updated Sat 14:55 (Pacific/Rarotonga)
Cook Islands · Forecast updated Nov 7, 2026, 14:55 UTC
Current Sea Temperature
23.7°C
74.7°F
Mild water
Valid Nov 7, 2026, 14:55 (Pacific/Rarotonga). Source: stored Open-Meteo marine forecast. Temperature is not a safety rating or snorkel score.
Versus this month's average
1.1°C below
The typical November average is 24.8°C (76.6°F) from the historical baseline.
Recent trend
Holding fairly steady
Seven-day average: 24.0°C, versus 23.8°C in the prior seven days.
What to wear
Mild water
A rash guard is useful; cold-sensitive snorkelers may prefer a shorty wetsuit.
Cold tolerance varies. Wind, session length, sunshine, and exertion also affect comfort; temperature alone does not describe sea conditions or replace the snorkel forecast.
Typical Sea Temperature Over the Year
In the historical baseline for Rarotonga, typical monthly averages range from about 24.3°C (75.7°F) in September to 28.3°C (82.9°F) in March.
Over the past 30 days, the average sea temperature in Rarotonga has been 24.1°C.
Historical baseline (full year)
Southern Hemisphere. Summer is generally December–February; winter is June–August.
Typical monthly sea-surface temperature near Rarotonga, calculated from hourly observations for 2022–2025. This is not this site's forecast archive.
| Month | Typical range | Average |
|---|---|---|
| January | 26.6–27.8°C | 27.2°C / 81.0°F |
| February | 27.8–28.1°C | 28.0°C / 82.4°F |
| March | 28.1–28.5°C | 28.3°C / 82.9°F |
| April | 27.5–28.3°C | 27.8°C / 82.0°F |
| May | 26.2–27.0°C | 26.6°C / 79.9°F |
| June | 25.1–25.7°C | 25.4°C / 77.7°F |
| July | 24.5–25.4°C | 24.9°C / 76.8°F |
| August | 24.2–25.1°C | 24.6°C / 76.3°F |
| September | 23.9–24.5°C | 24.3°C / 75.7°F |
| October | 24.1–24.7°C | 24.4°C / 75.9°F |
| November | 24.0–26.0°C | 24.8°C / 76.6°F |
| December | 25.3–26.3°C | 25.9°C / 78.6°F |
Source: Open-Meteo Marine API, MeteoFrance sea-surface temperature dataset. Nearest sea grid cell (-21.21, -159.79). Each month is the mean of yearly monthly means; the range is the lowest and highest of those yearly monthly means. Open-Meteo methodology.
Water temperature by month
Each month uses the 2022–2025 baseline. The range is the lowest and highest yearly monthly mean, not an hourly extreme.
Rarotonga in January
Typical January water temperature near Rarotonga is 27.2°C (81.0°F), with yearly monthly means from 26.6–27.8°C.
Swimming and snorkeling: warm water. Most people are comfortable in swimwear or a light rash guard.
Adjacent months: December 25.9°C · February 28.0°C.
Explore Rarotonga sea temperature in January, including swim comfort and month comparisons →
Rarotonga in February
Typical February water temperature near Rarotonga is 28.0°C (82.4°F), with yearly monthly means from 27.8–28.1°C.
Swimming and snorkeling: very warm water. Swimwear is usually enough; a rash guard adds sun protection.
Adjacent months: January 27.2°C · March 28.3°C.
Explore Rarotonga sea temperature in February, including swim comfort and month comparisons →
Rarotonga in March
Typical March water temperature near Rarotonga is 28.3°C (82.9°F), with yearly monthly means from 28.1–28.5°C.
Swimming and snorkeling: very warm water. Swimwear is usually enough; a rash guard adds sun protection.
Adjacent months: February 28.0°C · April 27.8°C.
Explore Rarotonga sea temperature in March, including swim comfort and month comparisons →
Rarotonga in April
Typical April water temperature near Rarotonga is 27.8°C (82.0°F), with yearly monthly means from 27.5–28.3°C.
Swimming and snorkeling: warm water. Most people are comfortable in swimwear or a light rash guard.
Adjacent months: March 28.3°C · May 26.6°C.
Explore Rarotonga sea temperature in April, including swim comfort and month comparisons →
Rarotonga in May
Typical May water temperature near Rarotonga is 26.6°C (79.9°F), with yearly monthly means from 26.2–27.0°C.
Swimming and snorkeling: warm water. Most people are comfortable in swimwear or a light rash guard.
Adjacent months: April 27.8°C · June 25.4°C.
Explore Rarotonga sea temperature in May, including swim comfort and month comparisons →
Rarotonga in June
Typical June water temperature near Rarotonga is 25.4°C (77.7°F), with yearly monthly means from 25.1–25.7°C.
Swimming and snorkeling: warm water. Most people are comfortable in swimwear or a light rash guard.
Adjacent months: May 26.6°C · July 24.9°C.
Explore Rarotonga sea temperature in June, including swim comfort and month comparisons →
Rarotonga in July
Typical July water temperature near Rarotonga is 24.9°C (76.8°F), with yearly monthly means from 24.5–25.4°C.
Swimming and snorkeling: mild water. A rash guard is useful; cold-sensitive snorkelers may prefer a shorty wetsuit.
Adjacent months: June 25.4°C · August 24.6°C.
Explore Rarotonga sea temperature in July, including swim comfort and month comparisons →
Rarotonga in August
Typical August water temperature near Rarotonga is 24.6°C (76.3°F), with yearly monthly means from 24.2–25.1°C.
Swimming and snorkeling: mild water. A rash guard is useful; cold-sensitive snorkelers may prefer a shorty wetsuit.
Adjacent months: July 24.9°C · September 24.3°C.
Explore Rarotonga sea temperature in August, including swim comfort and month comparisons →
Rarotonga in September
Typical September water temperature near Rarotonga is 24.3°C (75.7°F), with yearly monthly means from 23.9–24.5°C.
Swimming and snorkeling: mild water. A rash guard is useful; cold-sensitive snorkelers may prefer a shorty wetsuit.
Adjacent months: August 24.6°C · October 24.4°C.
Explore Rarotonga sea temperature in September, including swim comfort and month comparisons →
Rarotonga in October
Typical October water temperature near Rarotonga is 24.4°C (75.9°F), with yearly monthly means from 24.1–24.7°C.
Swimming and snorkeling: mild water. A rash guard is useful; cold-sensitive snorkelers may prefer a shorty wetsuit.
Adjacent months: September 24.3°C · November 24.8°C.
Explore Rarotonga sea temperature in October, including swim comfort and month comparisons →
Rarotonga in November
Typical November water temperature near Rarotonga is 24.8°C (76.6°F), with yearly monthly means from 24.0–26.0°C.
Swimming and snorkeling: mild water. A rash guard is useful; cold-sensitive snorkelers may prefer a shorty wetsuit.
Adjacent months: October 24.4°C · December 25.9°C.
Explore Rarotonga sea temperature in November, including swim comfort and month comparisons →
Rarotonga in December
Typical December water temperature near Rarotonga is 25.9°C (78.6°F), with yearly monthly means from 25.3–26.3°C.
Swimming and snorkeling: warm water. Most people are comfortable in swimwear or a light rash guard.
Adjacent months: November 24.8°C · January 27.2°C.
Explore Rarotonga sea temperature in December, including swim comfort and month comparisons →
Forecast archive (growing)
These values come from hourly forecasts SnorkelForecast has stored. They cover only months with records and do not replace the historical baseline.
| Month | Min | Average | Max |
|---|---|---|---|
| June | 24.3°C / 75.7°F | 24.9°C / 76.8°F | 25.4°C / 77.7°F |
| July | 23.4°C / 74.1°F | 24.0°C / 75.2°F | 24.9°C / 76.8°F |
| August | 22.2°C / 72.0°F | 22.9°C / 73.1°F | 23.9°C / 75.0°F |
| September | 22.3°C / 72.1°F | 23.2°C / 73.7°F | 24.2°C / 75.6°F |
| October | 22.6°C / 72.7°F | 24.0°C / 75.2°F | 24.5°C / 76.1°F |
| November | 23.8°C / 74.8°F | 23.9°C / 75.1°F | 24.4°C / 75.9°F |
Partial coverage: 6 calendar months with records. Profile calculated from 3839 hourly forecast records across 6 monthly periods. This is a growing archive, not a long-term climate normal.
About the water at Rarotonga
Island ringed by a shallow lagoon with marine reserves snorkelable from the beach.
- Area
- Rarotonga
Rarotonga Water Temperature: Common Questions
What is the water temperature in Rarotonga today?
The current sea surface temperature near Rarotonga is 23.7°C (74.7°F). Over the last 30 days, the average has been 24.1°C.
When is the water warmest in Rarotonga?
The water is typically warmest in March, at around 28.3°C (82.9°F) in the 2022–2025 historical baseline.
When is the water coldest in Rarotonga?
The water is typically coldest in September, at around 24.3°C (75.7°F) in the same historical baseline.
Can you swim in Rarotonga today?
At 23.7°C, the water is usually comfortable for swimming and snorkeling.
Full Snorkeling Forecast
See how today's sea temperature, wave height, wind, and tides combine into a detailed snorkeling score for Rarotonga.
View Snorkel Forecast →