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If you’re looking for an exotic adventure, you might be thinking about visiting the South Pacific, which includes New Zealand and Australia. This area is also home to the Cook Islands, which is among the most beautiful areas in French Polynesia. Polynesian Cuisine is delicious, there are plenty of unforgettable snorkeling and diving sites, and it’s easily accessible from a handful of cities, such as Auckland, Christchurch, Los Angeles, and numerous other locations.
If you want to get the most out of your next getaway, take a look at our travel guide below. Then, get ready to take advantage of everything the South Pacific Ocean has to offer.
What Are the Different Islands?
There are a handful of islands that make up the Cook Islands. Usually, when people speak about the islands, they’re broken up into the 2 groups: the northern group and the southern group.
In general, the islands in the southern group are more accessible than the islands in the northern group. The biggest islands in the southern group include:
- Rarotonga
- Atiu
- Aitutaki
- Mangaia
The biggest islands in the northern group include:
- Manihiki
- Nassau
- Rakahanga
By far, the largest island of all of them is called Rarotonga. It has a population of approximately 13,000 people. Then, there are a handful of other islands that have a few hundred inhabitants each, while Aitutaki has about 2,000 people.
Where Should I Spend My Time?
If you are looking for a vacation that has a bit more civilization, then you will probably want to spend your time on Rarotonga, the main island. It is significantly more developed than the other islands because of its population.
What to Do in Rarotonga
You can take a look at some local restaurants, access scooter rental facilities, and visit some bars at night. It is relatively inexpensive, and there are lots of businesses that offer you tours, excursions, and numerous other adventures.
You can sign up for a scuba diving trip, take a snorkeling tour, or visit the nearby Muri Lagoon. Boredom surely won’t be an issue when on top of all of those activities you can also rent a kayak, sign up for an SUP adventure, and enjoy some delicious food.
This is also the home of the only international airport in the Cook Islands, so it is the most convenient island to get to.
What to Do in Aitutaki and Atiu
If you are looking for something that is a bit slower, you may want to check out Aitutaki or Atiu. Aitutaki has a bit more going on because a few thousand people live here. It’s home to an incredible lagoon, the Aitutaki Lagoon. It also has some of the best water sports in the area, and a few spas.
To learn more about the Cook Island and its inhabitants, there are some cultural shows that take place here.
In contrast, Atiu is probably the place to go if you are looking to kick back and relax. The waves are a bit larger here because it doesn’t have a lagoon, but it is home to some of the most beautiful wildlife on the island. There are a lot of conservation efforts in the area, so this could be an opportunity for you to learn more about local plants and animals.
The Best Way To Get To The Cook Islands
As the Cook Islands are a pretty exotic destination for many, how to get there might have you scratching your head. Really, the ease or difficulty of it greatly depends on where you’re traveling from.
It’s one of the favorite vacation destinations of people who live in New Zealand, so there are several flights every week to the airport on Rarotonga from some of the biggest airports in the region. You can get to this island if you fly there from Christchurch or Auckland. There are also some direct flights to the Cook Islands from Tahiti and Los Angeles. It’s also possible to get to the Cook Islands from Sydney, but there is usually a connecting flight required from Auckland.
Once you’re at the Rarotonga airport, you should be able to get to the other islands in the area; however, you can only get there using the smaller, domestic airports. For the most part, you can only get to the smaller airports from Rarotonga airport. That means if you want to visit the smaller islands, you need to get to Rarotonga first.
One of the major differences between the Cook Islands and the other areas in the South Pacific, such as Hawaii or French Polynesia, is that you cannot get between the islands by boat. There are no ferries, so you would need to rent a private yacht or private charter boat if you want to go from island to island by boat.
Pro Tip: If you planned to rent a car in Rarotonga to bring with you the rest of the trip, I’d highly suggest you think again. To do that, you would need to use a larger cargo ship, which can be incredibly slow and expensive and not at all worth it for a holiday.
Flights Depend on the Weather
If you are interested in visiting the Cook Islands, you must plan your travel schedule accordingly. Flights change seasonally because the cyclone season can cause them to be rescheduled.
You can expect to see more flights during some times of the year than others because of the rapid changes in the weather, so this is something that you need to take into account. It is also something you need to consider if you decide to travel by boat. It is entirely possible for your boat trip to be canceled if there is a cyclone coming. It is simply not safe to be on the water if there is a tropical cyclone in the area, so you should take a look at the tropical weather report every day.
When Is The Best Time To Visit?
The Cook Islands definitely have a tropical climate but there are more than a dozen islands that are spread over three-quarters of a million square miles. This means that the weather can vary significantly depending on where you are located.
For example, Rarotonga is further to the south than Aitutaki. People coming from the United States may assume that it would mean that the island is warmer; however, remember that these islands are located in the southern hemisphere. This means that because Rarotonga is located further to the south, it is actually cooler.
Many people tend to visit the southern islands between June and August. This might be summer in the United States but it is winter in the southern hemisphere. It is very sunny during this time of year, and the temperatures are warm, but not boiling hot. You may even notice that you need a jacket at night. In addition, there are winter holidays for school children in New Zealand and Australia during this time. That makes it a great time to visit for the weather but you’ll also face some bigger crowds than usual.
On the other hand, between November and March there are tropical cyclones that build in the southern hemisphere. Overall, the Cook Islands do not get hit by a cyclone very often, but it can create gray skies, choppy water, high humidity, and occasional rain showers. Many people do not want to run the risk of having their travel plans derailed during the cyclone season, so they simply do not visit during this time of year.
If you decide to visit during other times of the year, you do not necessarily run the risk of having your travel plans ruined by a tropical cyclone; however, it is still raining here than it is during the peak tourist season. You might be able to save some money on your travel costs between March and May, or during September and October, but you might not get the best weather.
Getting Around the Cook Islands
Once you get to the island, you need to find a way to get around. There is a public bus available, but it is only available on Rarotonga. It takes approximately one hour for the bus to get around, and it is often delayed because of pedestrians and traffic. Therefore, the schedule is not necessarily that reliable.
You may want to rent a car. If you have a license from Japan, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Norway, the United States, or the European Union, you will not need to earn a local driver’s license to drive on Rarotonga. You may also want to rent a scooter. If you want to ride a local scooter, you will need to get a local driver’s license to do so. You will need to go to the police station and take a test, which is located in Avarua town.
You can always hire a private scooter or a taxi to get around. Transportation options are relatively limited on the islands themselves, so be prepared to select one of the choices above to get around.
The Top Things To Do on the Cook Islands
So, once you make it to the Cook Islands, what are the top things to do? Some of the top options to consider include:
1. Kayak in the Aitutaki Lagoon
If you visit the Cook Islands, it’s an absolute must to go kayaking in the Aitutaki Lagoon. It’s an absolutely gorgeous, turquoise gem situated in the middle of the South Pacific. You can rent a kayak from numerous places in the area and you can paddle around and explore the region. You can go snorkeling in the lagoon, as well.
If you want a unique experience, you may want to go bonefishing. You can hire some of the locals on the island to take you out and show you around.
2. Relax on Muri Beach
Muri Beach is one of the most popular places to hang out during a visit to the Cook Islands. The water is absolutely beautiful, you can go snorkeling to take a look at the tropical fish, and there are plenty of trees that will give you some shade. There are a few offshore islands as well, which make the scenery absolutely beautiful.
To make your time on the beach even better, we recommend you pack a picnic. Just make sure that you clean up your trash when you are done. It is important to preserve the water quality of the area.
3. Take a Tour of One Foot Island
Even though the name might throw you for a loop, One Foot Island, which is also known as Tapuaetai is a beautiful island that looks like it is straight out of a movie. There are opportunities for you to relax on the white sand, wade in the lagoon, and even explore some of the wildlife in the area.
This is one of the most popular locations for weddings so you might get to eavesdrop on a photoshoot or two. The island is really small so it shouldn’t take you any more than an hour to explore all of it.
4. Check Out a Cultural Show
When you have had enough of the water for the day, wind down with a cultural show. There is a tremendous amount of culture and history behind the Cook Islands, and one of the best places to catch a show is at the Te Vara Nui Village.
You can learn what life is like for the local population, you might be able to check out some arts and crafts, and they may even teach you how to husk a coconut. There are also plenty of shows that focus on Maori Bush Medicine and its importance to the island.
5. Explore the Maire Nui Gardens
Another place you can go if you have had enough of the water is the Maire Nui Gardens. They’ll treat you to a symphony of color, and you can learn more about some of the tropical flora that lives in the area. There are lots of beautiful tropical flowers throughout the 7 acres of protected land. You’ll get the chance to see some wild ginger, water lilies, hibiscus flowers, and numerous other plants during your visit.
There is also a beautiful cafe where you can get a bite to eat once you are done looking at the flowers. Be sure to check the hours before you head over there. They can be a bit unpredictable.
6. Hike the Trails Around The Needle
If you are looking for a panoramic view of Rarotonga, be sure to pack some hiking shoes, because one of the best ways to get the view is by going up. There are plenty of tours that will show you the way to Te Rua Manga. Also called The Needle, this is arguably the most famous landmark in the region.
For another hiking adventure, pack your swimsuit too and enjoy Wigmore’s Waterfall. If you want the best possible picture of the waterfall, you may want to visit the area just after a heavy rain storm has passed through. It is a bit of a challenging hike, so you should be in decent shape if you really want to explore it.
Key Travel Tips Before You Go
Before you get ready to go, there are several important tips you should keep in mind. They include:
- Review the entry requirements before you board your flight. Even if you are taking Air New Zealand or Air Rarotonga, you might be required to show certain travel documents before you go. This could include a visa or a relevant visa waiver.
- Take a look at the time of year you are going. If you travel during the rainy season, you need to be prepared to get wet. If you go during cyclone season, be prepared to keep a close eye on the weather forecast.
- You might need to add an additional vaccination or two to your records. For example, you might want to take a look at the recommendations from the state department regarding Dengue Fever.
- You never know when your trip might get canceled, derailed, or otherwise postponed, so you may want to purchase travel insurance.
- No matter where you are staying, make sure you have access to Wi-Fi.
- Even though most places take credit cards, not all of them do. You may want to have some cash on hand. The local currency is the New Zealand Dollar, or NZD.
If you keep these points in mind, you should put yourself in a position to get the most out of your trip. Be sure to plan accordingly before you board your flight to the Cook Islands.
Get the Most Out of Your Next Trip to the South Pacific
Not that far from Fiji and Australia, the Cook Islands are absolutely beautiful. They are often overlooked as a travel destination in the South Pacific, but they have become more popular during the past few years. If you really want to explore everything these islands have to offer, make sure you start planning a trip now.
