Cook Islands Travel Guide
Nestled between Fiji and French Polynesia, the Cook Islands are filled with sparkling white sands and beautiful reefs. These remote coral-fringed islands are like jewels set in the sapphire blue waters of the South Pacific – stunningly beautiful and impossibly romantic.
Things to do in the Cook Islands
- Cruise through the turquoise waters of Aitutaki and its atoll islands
- Get your passport stamped on One Foot Island
- Dance the night away at a cultural dinner experience at Te Vara Nui Village
- Marvel at the fringing coral of Rarotonga on a glass-bottom boat cruise
- Enjoy a night time cultural performance at your resort
- Trek the plantations and mountains of inland Rarotonga
- Paddleboard across the lagoon’s calm waters
- Secure your own Cook Islands driving licence at the local police station
- Discover Polynesian treats at the Punanga Nui Market
- Fly to the bird sanctuary island of Atiu
- Relax – you’re on island time!
Rarotonga
The island of Rarotonga is a picture of paradise. Its dazzling white beaches are protected by a reef of coral, forming a huge sheltered lagoon, perfect for swimming and snorkelling. The rugged, forested interior is crossed by a four hour walking track, whilst a circular coastal road joins up the resorts and local villages.
Together with its Maori traditions and heritage, Raratonga has plenty of fine restaurants, shops and nightlife to enjoy, plus some delightful open air art and craft markets.
Aitutaki
A 50 minute flight from Rarotonga, and a popular day trip, is the crescent shaped island of Aitutaki, with amazing snorkelling and tropical fish viewing around the tiny islets that make up its shoreline.
The currency of the Cook Islands is the New Zealand Dollar and the islands are easily accessed on a stopover from New Zealand or as an unforgettable South Pacific getaway from Sydney.
Getting There
A circular coastal road around Raratonga allows for two buses to service the island. One travels clockwise, the other anti-clockwise! Car and scooter rental is also available.
By Air – International flights from the UK, via Los Angeles with Air New Zealand, and direct regional flights from Auckland and Sydney. Air Rarotonga operates inter-island scheduled flights.
Plan your holiday
