Rarotonga Water Temperature
Updated Wed 04:50 (Pacific/Rarotonga)
Cook Islands · Forecast updated Sep 23, 2026, 04:50 UTC
Current Sea Temperature
23.0°C
73.4°F
Mild water
Valid Sep 23, 2026, 04:50 (Pacific/Rarotonga). Source: stored Open-Meteo marine forecast. Temperature is not a safety rating or snorkel score.
Versus this month's average
1.3°C below
The typical September average is 24.3°C (75.7°F) from the historical baseline.
Recent trend
Cooling by 1.0°C
Seven-day average: 22.9°C, versus 23.9°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 22.9°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 2023–2025. 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 | 25.3–26.2°C | 25.8°C / 78.4°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 2023–2025 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Rarotonga in December
Typical December water temperature near Rarotonga is 25.8°C (78.4°F), with yearly monthly means from 25.3–26.2°C.
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 | 23.1°C / 73.6°F | 24.2°C / 75.6°F |
Partial coverage: 4 calendar months with records. Profile calculated from 2749 hourly forecast records across 4 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 23.0°C (73.4°F). Over the last 30 days, the average has been 22.9°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 2023–2025 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 23.0°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 →