Welcome to the Cook Islands
The Cook Islands are "hidden" in a vast expanse of the South Pacific ocean roughly 3,000 kms (1,867 miles) north east of New Zealand and 4,725 kms (2,936 miles) south of Hawaii. The country is actually 15 separate islands...nine in the Southern Group and six in the Northern Group, and they're defined geographically as between 156-167° West and 8-23° South.
Two of the islands - Takutea and Manuae - are uninhabited.
They're spread across 2.2 million square kilometres (nearly 850,000 square miles) of water, which is is an area slightly bigger than Indonesia or Mexico and nearly three times the size of Texas! 1,433 kms (891 miles) separate the most northerly island from the most southerly
The Islands are most easily reached from Auckland, New Zealand. There's also a weekly flight from Tahiti, new direct flights from Honolulu and new non-stop flights from Sydney, Australia Rarotonga is the international entry point by air and the gateway to the rest of the islands.
MORE ABOUT HOW TO GET TO THE ISLANDS
As soon as you step off the plane, you know you've arrived somewhere very special...
Straw hatted Jake Numanga Snr stands in the corner of the arrivals area in Rarotonga airport strumming Polynesian love songs on a banjo, as you wait to get your passport stamped. He's been providing his unique entertainment for every single arriving and departing flight for more than 30 years. And he was awarded an MBE by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II for his services to tourism. Immigration and customs are efficient but very friendly, welcoming you with words that will quickly become familiar because everyone greets you with them... "kia orana" meaning "may you live long"
Photo credits: Aerial of the island, Ewan Smith, Air Raroronga; Banjo playing Jake Nunmanga Snr, Cook Islands Tourism
Cook's Island Bus is an inexpensive way of travelling. The one main road round the coastal perimeter - Ara Tapu (Sacred Road) - is 32 kms (20 miles) long. The buses go all round the island and stop almost anywhere you want to get on or off. Services start and end at Cook's Corner in town. Then...you only need to decide if you want to go in a clockwise or anti- clockwise direction! There's also a back road but you'll need to hire a car or scooter to explore it
Cooks Island Bus services and timetable
Scooters are the main form of transport and there are plenty of places to hire them. Helmets are now compulsory and there's an on the spot fine of NZ$250 for not wearing one. Driving licences from Australia, Canada, the UK, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, the USA and EU member countries are now accepted in the Islands (previously you had to queue up to get a Cook Islands licence which was also a great souvenir!). You are allowed to drive the same class of vehicles as in your home country provided it's a full licence (provisional licences are not acceptable) and you're 16 or over
If you're planning to hire a motorbike or scooter, and you're not already fully licenced to ride one in your own country, you'll also have to pay for a short test...to prove, among other things, you know how to go round the only roundabout on Raro! Drink driving is also illegal and police use breathalysers.
Driving tip: Keep left and give way to traffic from the right
Muri is the main resort beach and normally the jewel in Rarotonga's crown for swimming and snorkelling. Government scientists advised in January, 2021 against taking a dip there because of pollution, but conditions have improved a lot and you'll see plenty of people in the water. Alternatively, head a bit further up the coast to the waters near Fruits of Rarotonga, but don't swim outside the reef as it's not safe to do so
The closest you'll get to a superstore in Rarotonga is the CITC - the Cook Islands Trading Company. It's been a part of Islands' life for over 100 years. They also have a liquor superstore and outlet supermarket just outside town. And for your daily shop, visit their Foodland store on the main street.
Tangaroa is an ancient god whose image you'll see all over the place and an unofficial symbol of the Islands. Small or large, carvings of him are a popular souvenir
The Punanga Nui cultural market near the harbour is a must visit for tourists and islanders alike. The main market day is Saturday (6am- 2pm) and that's the best but you will find some stalls open other weekdays (not Sunday) from 8 till 4 and a night market on Wednesdays. And look out for the fish tree; a sign explains a traditional way of marketing was to tie a catch in a bundle or tui and hang it from a branch. The area around Muri beach also has night markets of its own
Discover how to explore safely a very different landscape away from the beach
Get an insider insight at a cultural
attraction that was voted the world's best
Learn where, when and how to watch whales even from the land
Find iconic places to eat and drink
Be stunned by the newest attraction
