Things to Do in Cook Islands in May
May weather, activities, events & insider tips
May Weather in Cook Islands
Is May Right for You?
Advantages
- Shoulder season pricing means accommodation costs drop 20-30% compared to the June-August peak, and you'll actually get your pick of beachfront properties without booking six months ahead
- Water visibility peaks at 25-30 m (82-98 ft) for diving and snorkeling as the trade winds settle down - this is genuinely some of the clearest water you'll see all year around Rarotonga and Aitutaki
- Fewer tourists mean you can have entire sections of Muri Beach or Titikaveka to yourself on weekdays, and lagoon kayaking doesn't involve navigating around dozens of other paddlers
- Local produce hits its stride with breadfruit, pawpaw, and passionfruit in season - the Punanga Nui Market on Saturday mornings actually has the best selection of the year right now
Considerations
- May sits right at the tail end of cyclone season (officially ends November-April), and while actual cyclones are rare this late, you might catch 2-3 days of heavier rain and wind that'll keep you off the water
- Some tour operators run reduced schedules or close for maintenance between peak seasons - lagoon cruises and outer island day trips may only operate 3-4 days per week instead of daily
- Evenings get surprisingly cool by tropical standards, dropping to 21°C (70°F), which means those romantic beachside dinners require a light layer - not what most people pack for a Pacific island trip
Best Activities in May
Rarotonga Lagoon Snorkeling and Swimming
May offers exceptional water clarity before winter churn arrives, with visibility reaching 25-30 m (82-98 ft) at spots like Fruits of Rarotonga and Tikioki Beach. The water temperature hovers around 26°C (79°F) - warm enough for extended snorkeling without a wetsuit. Aroa Beach and Titikaveka see minimal crowds on weekdays, and you'll likely spot parrotfish, butterflyfish, and the occasional sea turtle without competing for space. The 70% humidity is actually less oppressive when you're in and out of the water all day.
Cross-Island Trek and Mountain Hiking
May delivers the sweet spot for hiking - the trails have dried out from the wetter months but haven't turned dusty yet, and morning temperatures around 23°C (73°F) make the steep climbs manageable. The Cross-Island Track (1,200 m / 3,937 ft elevation gain) takes 3-4 hours and cuts through rainforest that's still lush from recent rains. Cloud cover tends to break by mid-morning, giving you actual views from Te Rua Manga (The Needle) instead of hiking through fog. Start by 7am to avoid the UV index of 8 at midday.
Aitutaki Lagoon Day Trips
If you're going to splurge on one activity, make it Aitutaki in May. The lagoon reaches peak turquoise intensity when water clarity is highest, and you'll have the sandbars at One Foot Island significantly less crowded than winter months. The 45-minute flight from Rarotonga costs NZ$350-450 return, but the lagoon tours (typically NZ$120-180) include snorkeling stops where you can actually see the bottom at 8-10 m (26-33 ft) depth. Tours run 3-4 days per week in May, so coordinate your Rarotonga accommodation dates accordingly.
Cultural Village Tours and Traditional Cooking
May coincides with umu preparation season when locals harvest root vegetables for traditional earth oven cooking. Cultural tours that include umu demonstrations and tasting give you context for Cook Islands Maori food culture that you won't get from resort buffets. The Highland Paradise Cultural Centre runs afternoon sessions showing tapa cloth making, coconut husking, and traditional dance - indoor components work perfectly for those rainy afternoons that pop up 10 days this month. Tours typically run 2-3 hours.
Coastal Cycling and Beach-Hopping
The 32 km (20 mile) coastal road around Rarotonga is perfectly flat and offers a brilliant way to explore beaches at your own pace. May's morning temperatures make cycling comfortable before 11am, and the reduced tourist traffic means sharing the road with locals heading to work rather than tour buses. Stop at Aroa Beach for morning snorkeling, Black Rock for cliff jumping, and Titikaveka for lunch at beachside cafes. The entire loop takes 3-4 hours with stops, or break it into half-day north shore and south shore rides.
Whale Watching Excursions
Late May marks the very beginning of humpback whale migration through Cook Islands waters as they travel from Antarctica to breeding grounds. While peak season runs July-October, you might catch early arrivals in the last two weeks of May - sightings are less guaranteed but when they happen, you'll have boats to yourself. Tours head out to deeper water off the western coast where whales pass through. Water conditions in May tend to be calmer than winter months, reducing seasickness risk.
May Events & Festivals
Gospel Day Celebrations
Late May brings Gospel Day commemorations across the islands, marking the arrival of Christianity to the Cook Islands in the 1820s. Churches hold special services with traditional hymn singing (himene) that's worth experiencing even if you're not religious - the four-part harmonies are genuinely stunning. Communities organize feasts and cultural performances, though these are local gatherings rather than tourist events. Ask your accommodation host about attending Sunday services during the last week of May.