"A South Pacific paradise" Top 5 Page for this destination Cook Islands by worldkiwi

Cook Islands Travel Guide: 479 reviews and 847 photos

One Foot Island - Aitutaki, 2005

Between 23 September and 05 October 2005, I was lucky enough to spend two weeks in the Cook Islands, a small semi-independent island country scattered across a vast space of the South Pacific - almost 2 million square kilometres! In April, 2011, taking advantage of some expiring airpoints, I took a short 'blob-out' break on Rarotonga with a close family friend. We stayed, this time, on the eastern side of the island, on the edge of the picturesque, turquoise Muri lagoon.
A four hour flight from Auckland will land you on Rarotonga - the country's main island. The capital, Avarua, is located on the north coast of Rarotonga.
In 2005, a group of 7 of us rented two beachfront houses for a week on Rarotonga's west coast. In the second week, three of the group returned home and the four remaining flew north to the spectacular island of Aitutaki. Aitutaki is famous for its beautiful and stunning lagoon that stretches for kilometres. This picture shows a small slice of the paradise that can be found in Aitutaki, Cook Islands.
The Cook Islands make a great destination to get away from the hustle and bustle of life. It's a place to totally relax. Don't go there planning to do much more than laze on a beach, swim in crystal clear waters, or read a book in the shade of a tree. Thankfully, most of the country seems untouched by mass tourism, so you won't be surrounded by swarms of yapping tourists. You will meet some of the most friendly people in the South Pacific, so learn the local greeting - Kiaorana, and enjoy a little slice of paradise!

Things to do in the Cook Islands - a summary.

On O'otu Beach after a 4 hour kayaking exploration

Spend some time on Rarotonga, the main island. While you're there, make sure you visit the Punanga Nui market on a Saturday morning, browse the shops in Avarua, swim or kayak in/on Muri Lagoon, catch the public bus around the island, maybe walk the cross island track, walk along the beautiful beach that stretches the entire south coast, watch the sunset and maybe some humpback whales from the west coast.
Spend some time on Aitutaki, a stunning jewel in the South Pacific. While you're there spend as much time as possible on or in the beautiful lagoon. Take a lagoon cruise with Bishop's Cruises, hire kayaks from Ranginui's Retreat or the Samade Bar on O'otu beach and paddle out into the lagoon to explore the islands, have lunch on One Foot Island, visit the historic old CICC church in Arutanga, snorkel in the lagoon, enjoy a fish steak at just about any restaurant!
The prices I've given in these pages on the Cook Islands are all in New Zealand dollars, unless otherwise stated.

Sunset on Rarotonga

Catch a Rarotongan sunset on the west coast!

Pros and Cons

Pros:A peaceful, relaxing, tropical get-away in the South Pacific.
Cons:One's brain tends to shut down when holidaying here!
In a nutshell:A pretty South Pacific paradise.

Last visit to Cook Islands: Apr 2011
Intro Updated May 13, 2011
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Reviews (36)

Upper Muri Lagoon - paradise on Earth. - Cook Islands

Muri pics - 2011 Favorites (7)

In 2011, a friend and I had a short stay in Muri. Here's some pics of that beautiful spot. more travel advice

Fire dancer - Te Vara Nui, Rarotonga. - Cook Islands

Experience a cultural show and dinner at... Things to Do (7)

In Muri, a new cultural centre has opened. In April 2011, I experienced the excellent dinner and cultural show at Te... more travel advice

A 'must-dine' spot in Avarua! Restaurants (7)

Trader Jack's is a Cook Islands establishment. It is also a restaurant you must eat at while on Rarotonga, the country's... more travel advice

Kura's Kabanas, Muri, Rarotonga. - Cook Islands

Great accommodation at Muri, Rarotonga! Hotels (4)

For my second trip to Rarotonga, in April 2011, I decided that I would treat myself, so I splashed out beyond my normal... more travel advice

Shopping (2)
See All Aitutaki's main shopping centre.
Transportation (4)
See All Getting to the Cook Islands.
Tourist Traps (1)
Wigmore's Waterfall

Off The Beaten Path (3)
See All Rarotongan ghost resort.
Warnings Or Dangers (1)
Take a break on Sundays!
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Comments (12)

sprdak11 Apr 24, 2007 at 8:25 AM Report Abuse

Great travel page. Good luck.
JessH Mar 23, 2006 at 3:31 AM Report Abuse

Is that water for REAL? Wow! Thanks a lot for sharing your tips. Really enjoyed them! Greetings from (murky watered) Dubai :-) Jess
sourbugger Mar 8, 2006 at 12:29 AM Report Abuse

looks absolutely bloody lovely
bijo69 Feb 27, 2006 at 8:13 AM Report Abuse

I really miss that turquoise blue water of Aitutaki Lagoon...
chinagazer Jan 20, 2006 at 6:27 AM Report Abuse

Preparing our upcoming trip to the Cook Islands I came across your pages. Great job you did! Thanks for all your efforts in sharing your experience with us.
Bwana_Brown Nov 18, 2005 at 4:09 PM Report Abuse

I really enjoyed your account of the Cook Islands! My only experience re C.I. was seeing their dancers 25-yrs ago in Port Moresby, PNG - and I was impressed. BTW, food is called 'kai-kai' there too! Really useful tips here & the Sheraton tip was great!
zlatiq Nov 10, 2005 at 10:34 PM Report Abuse

Cook Islands do look like a paradise! it's so calm and blue and serene ...i think i can spend hours staring at the photos and i won't get tired a bit! thanx:)
FletteMette Nov 2, 2005 at 11:40 AM Report Abuse

Beautiful pics!! The Cooks are fabulous, I want to go back NOW!!!!!:o)
catalysta Nov 2, 2005 at 8:43 AM Report Abuse

Excellent tips on one of my favorite places in the world! IT was a lovely trip down Memory Lane reading your page, thanks...Wendy
sunshinejo Oct 18, 2005 at 4:19 AM Report Abuse

These are some really good tips, and your photos are brilliant! It makes me wish I'd had better weather while I was in the cook islands as I spent the whole time sheltering from the rain!