In the Cook Islands it's
The most visited and most developed of the islands. The only international airport and gateway to the rest of the Cooks
AITUTAKI
Where heaven meets earth
The second most visited island with a stunningly beautiful blue lagoon. A 45 minute flight from Rarotonga. Stay or take a day trip
MORE ISLANDS
Where else can you visit?
Each of the 13 other islands is distinctly different, none is very busy and some very rarely see visitors. But not all are easy to get to and two are deserted
Want to know more but pushed for time? Click on this icon to start a whirlwind tour of discovery with lots of useful information
At 652 metres Te Rua Manga on Rarotonga is the highest point in all the islands and was blessed in 2000 by the Dalai Lama as one of the world's energy centres. Guided climbs are popular and provide great views of the island
FASCINATING FACTS
Stories of buried treasure, ghostly fire, real-life Robinson Crusoes and the mafia are among the 'secrets' shared as you explore all 15 of the Cook Islands through the pages of this book by the website author. Sales profits to dementia charities
NEW EDITION
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Many say MANIHIKI is the most beautiful of the Cook Islands. Its huge lagoon is dotted with 43 tiny islets. And the warm blue waters not only teem with marine life, but also provide perfect conditions for black pearl farming. As recently as 1997 though, it was almost wiped off the map by a cyclone. And at just 4 metres above sea level, climate change is an ever present threat to its future
NEW IN PARADISE
From next May it will be even easier to get to the Cook Islands. Air New Zealand has just announced direct flights from Christchurch. Budget carrier, Jetstar will also launch a three times a week service between Brisbane and Rarotonga. And the number of flights from Tahiti has already been doubled to four a week until the end of the year
Meet the "Boss" man of Rarotonga who, in the 1910s, founded the biggest and most important store in the Islands. His granddaughter brings to life vividly his story of ups and downs intertwined with the early modern history of the nation. And the store is still there today on the same prominent site in town
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Many say MANIHIKI is the most beautiful of the Cook Islands. Its huge lagoon is dotted with 43 tiny islets. And the warm blue waters not only teem with marine life, but also provide perfect conditions for black pearl farming. As recently as 1997 though, it was almost wiped off the map by a cyclone. And at just 4 metres above sea level, climate change is an ever present threat to its future
EXPLORE MANIHIKI
From next May it will be even easier to get to the Cook Islands. Air New Zealand has just announced direct flights from Christchurch. Budget carrier, Jetstar will also launch a three times a week service between Brisbane and Rarotonga. And the number of flights from Tahiti has already been doubled to four a week until the end of the year
UPDATED GETTING THERE GUIDE
Meet the "Boss" man of Rarotonga who, in the 1910s, founded the biggest and most important store in the Islands. HIs granddaughter brings to life vividly his story of ups and downs intertwined with the early modern history of the nation. And the store is still there today on the same prominent site in town
DOWNLOAD ALL PODCASTSMY COOK ISLANDS
"What could be more tempting than watching the pure beauty of the starry sky and shooting stars on the edge of a sandy beach with coconut palms behind you?"
Astrophysicist Petr Horálek whose unique photos of Cook Islands' night skies are a window on the universe
TAKE A LOOK
