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THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
TO THE COOK ISLANDS

All 15 islands in detail. Getting there, getting around, where to go, what to see and do...and more

Sharing the love for 21 years. An independent guide

In the Cook Islands it's

What are you looking for?

Start exploring paradise

Explore Rarotonga

RAROTO​NGA
The capital island

The most visited and most developed of the islands. The only international airport and gateway to the rest of the Cooks

Explore Aitutaki

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

Where else to visit in the Cook Islands

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

10 minute tour of the Cook Islands

TAKE A QUICK TOUR

Want to know more but pushed for time? Click on this icon to start a whirlwind tour of discovery with lots of useful information

1965-2025: 60 YEARS OF NATIONHOOD

The Cook Islands is counting down to the biggest celebration in its history. Find out what's happening and why

CELEBRATION OF A NATION

PROGRAMME OF EVENTS

VIDEO: YEARS OF CHANGE AND CHALLENGE

PODCAST: ORGANISING THE CELEBRATIONS

EXPLORE SOME MORE

WHAT'S ON

CONSTITUTION 60TH CELEBRATIONS 
OFFICIAL OPENING AND PARADE
25 July
CELEBRATION EVENTS
26 July-5 August Details
WHALE WATCHING SEASON
June to October More info

EVENTS CALENDAR

INSIGHT

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 lingo

DID YOU KNOW?

A VERY BIG FACT!
The stunningly beautiful lagoon of Penrhyn/Tongareva is bigger than the total land area of all 15 Cook Islands put together

FASCINATING FACTS

ARMCHAIR TRAVEL

Cook Islands guide book

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
2025 EDITION OUT NOW

MORE THAN A GUIDEBOOK

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FEATU​RED ISLAND

Kopeka in cave

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

EXPLORE MAUKE

NEW IN PARADISE

Aitutaki lagoon

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

TOP 10 TO DO IN AITUTAKI

PODCAST

Cook Islands podcast

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

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ALL PODCASTS

FEATURED ISLAND

Mangaia beach

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

EXPLORE MAUKE

NEW IN PARADISE

Celebrating 60 years of self rule video

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

TOP 10 TO DO IN AITUTAKI

PODCAST

Cook Islands podcast

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

DOWNLOAD ALL PODCASTS

MY 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