The title three-component cocrystal, C₆F₃I₃·2C₅H₅NO·H₂O, has been prepared as a strong candidate for multiple I⋯O inter­actions. Its crystal structure is compared with its 1:1 close relative, C₆F₃I₃·C₅H₅NO [Aakeröy et al. (2014a). Cryst. Eng. Comm., 16, 28-31]. The 1,3,5-tri­fluoro-2,4,6-tri­iodo­benzene and water species both have crystallographic twofold axial symmetry. The main synthon in both structures is the π-π stacking of benzene rings, complemented by a number of O–H⋯O, C–F⋯π and, fundamentally, C–I⋯O inter­actions. As expected, the latter are among the strongest and more directional inter­actions of the sort reported in the literature, confirming that pyridine N-oxide is an eager acceptor. On the other hand, the structure presents only two of these contacts per 1,3,5-tri­fluoro-2,4,6-tri­iodo­benzene mol­ecule instead of the expected three. Possible reasons for this limitation are analyzed.