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
CONSTITUTION 60TH CELEBRATIONS
OFFICIAL OPENING AND PARADE
25 July
CELEBRATION EVENTS
26 July-5 August Details
WHALE WATCHING SEASON
June to October More info
There are five living languages in the Cooks but nearly everyone speaks English. And wherever you go, Kia Orana is still the usual greeting - meaning "may you live long" or "may you live well". Get more useful phrases
local lingoA VERY BIG FACT!
The stunningly beautiful lagoon of Penrhyn/Tongareva is bigger than the total land area of all 15 Cook Islands put together
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
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MAUKE is the garden of the Islands... just 45 minutes by plane from Rarotonga, but a world away in lifestyle. It also boasts the world's largest banyan tree and a church which was literally divided down the centre because of an argument over interior decoration. Visitors are few, but can expect great warmth and hospitality - 'ui tupuna' as islanders call it
NEW IN PARADISE
Aitutaki is a great place to just relax on the beach or swim in the pristine lagoon. But if you're after ideas on what else to do from bonefishing, island dancing and kite surfing to running a marathon (!), check out this new list of things to make your visit even more special
Meet the man who knows more about the Cook Islands than nearly anyone else…because it’s his job to know. Rashneel Kumar is the editor of ‘Cook Islands News’, the six days a week national newspaper. He talks about what’s involved in his day job and the challenges of reporting a nation spread across 2 million sq. kms of ocean
DOWNLOADMAUKE is the garden of the Islands... just 45 minutes by plane from Rarotonga, but a world away in lifestyle. It also boasts the world's largest banyan tree and a church which was literally divided down the centre because of an argument over interior decoration. Visitors are few, but can expect great warmth and hospitality - 'ui tupuna' as islanders call it
EXPLORE MAUKEAitutaki is a great place to just relax on the beach or swim in the pristine lagoon. But if you're after ideas on what else to do from bonefishing, island dancing and kite surfing to running a marathon (!), check out this new list of things to make your visit even more special
TOP 10 TO DO IN AITUTAKIMeet the man who knows more about the Cook Islands than nearly anyone else…because it’s his job to know. Rashneel Kumar is the editor of ‘Cook Islands News’, the six days a week national newspaper. He talks about what’s involved in his day job and the challenges of reporting a nation spread across 2 million sq. kms of ocean
DOWNLOAD ALL PODCASTSMY COOK ISLANDS
"Each morning I rise, open the front door, the trade winds bowl in and the curtains start to dance. I look out over the blue lagoon and appreciate just how lucky I am to have ended up here...A more perfect slice of paradise may not exist"
Australian, Tom Robinson who spent 3 months on Penrhyn/Tongareva while rowing single handed across the Pacific READ HIS STORY