WHERE IN THE WORLD IS 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 nation is actually 15 separate islands and two - Takutea and Manuae - are uninhabited. 1,433 kms (891 miles) separate the most northerly island (Penrhyn/Tongareva) from the most southerly (Mangaia). The Islands are defined geographically as between 156-167° West and 8-23° South. They're home to just 14,987 people according to the most recent census. 72% of them live on the capital island of RAROTONGA
They're spread across nearly two million square kilometres (750,000 square miles) of ocean, which is an area slightly bigger than Indonesia or Mexico and nearly three times the size of Texas! And the whole of those territorial waters are also the world's largest designated whale and shark sanctuary inside the world's largest multi-use marine park. Within that, the government is creating an ocean protection zone to safeguard the migratory corridors of the endangered Oceania humpback whale.
Auckland, New Zealand is most used gateway to the Islands with daily flights, some with low cost carriers. There are also direct flights from Sydney, Australia, from Honolulu and four times a week from Tahiti (Papeete). All of them land at the only international airport which is on Rarotonga. (July 2025: The airport terminal is being upgraded and some disruption can be expected during the major work). If you want to visit any of the other islands, Air Rarotonga is the sole internal airline and flies to eight of them. Rarotonga is also a popular destination for cruise ships
As long as you're staying no more than 31 days (90 days if you're a New Zealand citizen), your valid passport is the only entry permit you need, along with proof of onward journey, the means to support yourself while on the islands and somewhere to stay. A VISA IS GRANTED ON ARRIVAL AND THERE IS NO FEE (do not be conned by websites offering to arrange a visa for a fee as they are a scam). And you can sort out the accommodation on arrival. You can stay for up to six months in total if you're a New Zealand citizen and up to two months if you're not. Any extensions are subject to a fee
MORE DETAILSTaxis, hire cars, shuttle buses operated by some accommodation providers and public transport (Cooks Island Bus) are among the ways of getting from the airport to wherever you're staying. Click here for a bus timetable. If you're opting for a taxi, look out for the green ones run by members of the Cook Islands Taxi Association. All Association members conform to a code of conduct and fares are fixed. You can find details of Association members and fares by clicking here. Beware of unlicenced operators at the airport! Car hire is best booked in advance and prices vary a lot
On Rarotonga, the best travel tip is to take COOK'S ISLAND BUS whose route is the one main road round the coastal perimeter. All you need to do is decide whether to go in a clockwise and anti-clockwise direction and they'll pick you up and drop you off almost anywhere. MOTORBIKES which are really mostly scooters, can be rented on some of the islands. Crash helmets are compulsory on Rarotonga and you face an on the spot fine for not wearing one. CAR HIRE firms abound on Rarotonga but prices vary a lot. TAXIS are an alternative to the bus or self-drive. Look out for the green ones run by members of the Cook Islands Taxi Association. All Association members conform to a code of conduct and fares are fixed. If you want to venture beyond Rarotonga, internal flights are the only realistic option. Air Rarotonga is the sole operator
How one writer described the Cook Islands (and the title of my book about them). Not a conventional guide book, but a unique insight into this Polynesian paradise with fascinating stories and traveller tips
2025 edition just published
ALL PROFITS TO DEMENTIA CHARITIES
Each island is unique...many have stunning lagoons and Aitutaki is listed in several books as one of the places everyone should see before they die! Its lagoon is so vividly blue you'd think it had been painted that colour. By law, no building on any island is taller than the tallest palm tree - and there are plenty of those. The sand is white; if you venture to the outer islands, the only footprints in it could be yours. And life moves at the sort of pace the rest of the world has forgotten.
If you're after an action packed time where everything is packaged and priced, forget it and embrace that! I can't do better than to quote the words of the man whose book* inspired my passion for this paradise. And despite inexorable changes on Rarotonga, they are still as true today as when they were written over 40 years ago...
"You create your own mixture of tropical life. White beaches. Lagoon swimming. Unsmogged skies. Moonlight on palm trees. Make up your own magic"
* How To Get Lost and Found in the Cook Islands, by John W. McDermott. Waikiki Publishing Company
How one writer described the Cook Islands (and the title of my book about them). Not a conventional guide book, but a unique insight into this Polynesian paradise with fascinating stories and traveller tips
2025 edition just published
ALL PROFITS TO DEMENTIA CHARITIES
Each island is unique...many have stunning lagoons and Aitutaki is listed in several books as one of the places everyone should see before they die! Its lagoon is so vividly blue you'd think it had been painted that colour. By law, no building on any island is taller than the tallest palm tree - and there are plenty of those. The sand is white; if you venture to the outer islands, the only footprints in it could be yours. And life moves at the sort of pace the rest of the world has forgotten.
If you're after an action packed time where everything is packaged and priced, forget it and embrace that! I can't do better than to quote the words of the man whose book* inspired my passion for this paradise. And despite inexorable changes on Rarotonga, they are still as true today as when they were written over 40 years ago...
"You create your own mixture of tropical life. White beaches. Lagoon swimming. Unsmogged skies. Moonlight on palm trees. Make up your own magic"
* How To Get Lost and Found in the Cook Islands, by John W. McDermott. Waikiki Publishing Company
The most visited and most developed island with accommodation ranging from five star to backpacker places. Commercial and administrative centre and gateway to other islands via the only international airport
about rarotonga
Second most visited island and particularly popular with honeymooners. Tourism facilities are well developed, but the total number of visitors a year remains a small fraction of those staying on Rarotonga. Day trips are possible
about aitutakiELEVEN OTHER ISLANDS are inhabited but getting to some is neither easy nor cheap. Air Rarotonga - the sole internal airline - flies to eight of them (including Aitutaki). Commercial boat services are few and very far between
GETTING TO THE OTHER ISLANDSI'm tempted to say anytime...but here's a bit of guidance to help you decide for yourself. The weather is great all year round but you can expect the longest sunny days from October to March, although it can get a bit humid. It's the cyclone season from November to April, so there's a small risk of more dramatic weather during those months. June, July and August are cooler months but temperatures are typically still in the mid 20s celcius (upper 70s F) and it can feel chilly at night after warm days (but never cold). The low season for tourism is November to April so if you want the best prices on accommodation (and fewer other visitors) that might be a good choice for you. And there are plenty of special events throughout the year to help make your visit even more memorable. Check out our exclusive calendar of events to find out what's on when
Weather in detail EVENTS CALENDAR
While I hope you can get lots of information from this website, this free guide is also essential reading. It's packed with advice and interesting articles. And you can pick up a copy almost anywhere. The 2025 edition is on line now
Cook Islands Visitor Guide
The publishers of the guide have free maps of Rarotonga, Aitutaki, Atiu and Mangaia. You can also pick those up on the Islands or view them here
Rarotonga map
Aitutaki, Atiu and Mangaia map
This is THE ONLY TOTALLY INDEPENDENT GUIDE ON THE INTERNET with details about each and every one of the 15 islands. My own travels and those of other visitors and islanders themselves combine to provide what I hope you'll enjoy as a unique insight.
There's at least one page about every island to help you discover what to see and do and what makes it special. USE THE MENU AT THE TOP OF THE PAGES TO START EXPLORING
There are also a few ideas about WHAT TO TAKE HOME to remind you of paradise.
Some of the Islands' YOUNG RESIDENTS SHARE THEIR THOUGHTS on their beautiful homeland.
I've chosen some of the best VIDEOS ABOUT THE ISLANDS.
There are also answers to FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS.
My PODCASTS are fascinating chats with those know the Islands
And check out the TOP 10 THINGS TO DO that could make your visit even more special
QUESTIONS? I'd love to hear from you. EMAIL ME and I'll try to help you (note that I do not arrange travel or accommodation)
TRAVEL TIPS
OK, so you'd rather be in the Cook Islands than on the internet looking at stuff about them. If you're pushed for time and want to get an idea of why I've been having a love affair with this remote South Pacific paradise and hope you'll want to share that love, how about taking a 10 minute tour? Look out for the tour icon. By clicking on it each time you see it on a page, you'll be directed to another page and together those pages will give you an introduction to the Cook Islands. If you're on this page because you've already started the tour, click the icon to continue it
