Cook Islands
Snorkeling, hiking, great food, museums, friendly people, a laid-back vibe, outdoor markets, and long, lonely, beautiful stretches of pristine beaches make The Cook Islands a wonderful place to visit at least once. You might even want to visit up to three times, like us. Yes, it is that good, in my humble opinion, to visit multiple times.
Contents
The History of the Cook Islands from Cook Islands Travel:
Great Polynesian Migration
Cook Islanders
are true Polynesians connecting directly back to the finest seafarers of the Pacific. Sophisticated
navigation took them fearlessly in search of new lands. Their bravery, skill and sheer strength far
outpace legendary adventurers from Portugal or Spain, the Dutch or the English. From 1500 BC
Polynesian islands were gradually populated by Maori ancestors who landed in their Vakas
(magnificent giant double-hulled canoes) guided by the stars and their famous power of navigation.
The very centre of Polynesia, the Cook Islands stretch out in a scattering of 2 million square
kilometers. Polynesians arrived in Rarotonga around 800 AD, sailing from Tupua’i, now French
Polynesia.
The Maori migrations to New Zealand began from Rarotonga as early as the 5th century AD. Closely linked in culture and language to the Maori in New Zealand, the Maohi of French Polynesia, the Rapanui of Easter Island and the Kanaka Maoli of Hawaii – about 87% of Cook Islanders are Polynesian Cook Island Maori.
Captain James Cook
After stopovers from
Spanish explorers Alvaro de Mendana sighting Pukapuka in 1595, and Pedro Fernandez de Quiros
sighting Rakahanga in 1606, Captain James Cook sighted Manuae in 1773, then subsequently Palmerston,
Takutea, Mangaia and Atiu, where Lieutenant Gore landed in 1777. The redoubtable Captain William
Bligh first sighted Aitutaki in 1789 and soon after, following the very bloody Mutiny on the Bounty,
the buccaneer Fletcher Christian, having seconded Captain Bligh’s very own boat, sailed into
Rarotonga.
Per US News & World Report: #6 in Best Pacific Islands to Visit – “Despite its small size, this group of 15 islands midway between New Zealand and Hawaii offers something for everyone. Popular activities range from snorkeling excursions and hikes to waterfalls to village tours. The striking white sand beaches on Rarotonga and Aitutaki also can't be missed. After exploring, savor local staples like ika mata (marinated raw fish) and poke (a pudding-like dish made with tropical fruit) at a market. Meanwhile, make sure to attend an island night celebration, which combines traditional dancing with an umukai (a feast prepared in an underground oven). Because the Cook Islands are associated with New Zealand, visitors can easily fly here from Auckland.”
Best time to go to the Cook Islands
Per Where and When: “When is the best time to go to Cook islands? Here's some information to help you in your decision:
Marguerite Finishes a Snorkeling Adventure
Per cookislands.travel: The top 4 snorkeling spots on Rarotonga
Aroa Lagoon Marine Reserve (beside The Rarotongan Beach Resort & Lagoonarium) is a beautiful location to explore coral reefs in electric turquoise blue water. This snorkel spot is characteristic of its multitude of coral bommies which is a sight in itself! Look closely when you find them – you’ll find hundreds of baby fish (mainly butterfly and zebrafish) in these areas. Like Tikioki, Aro’a is also a marine reserve so you don’t have to go out very far to see many species of marine life. Go further out to see giant clams and starfish!
Muri Lagoon - Just to the left of Muri Beach Club Hotel you'll find a great spot for exploring corals in the Muri Lagoon. You can also swim or kayak out to the motu (small island) just in front of Nautilus Resort Rarotonga. There is always the option of snorkelling with Captain Tama's Lagoon Cruizes & Aquasportz or Koka Lagoon Cruises where guests will see giant clams and huge schools of tropical fish.
Fruits of Rarotonga in Tikioki is one of the Marine Parks of Rarotonga. There are some great coral bommies in this area of the lagoon, which attracts a spectacular array of fish, such as: Butterflyfish, Parrotfish, Angelfish, Puffers, Boxfish, Bluefin Trevally, schools of Convict Surgeon, Moray Eels, and the occasional turtle. There can sometimes be a mild current here inside the lagoon, especially when there's a south-easterly wind blowing, so fins are recommended.
Black Rock is often the calmest place to snorkel on the island due to the prevailing south-easterly winds. This location offers spectacular black volcanic rocks surrounded by beautiful white sand. Black Rock Beach is located at the northern end of Ka’anapali Beach, relatively close to the airport and city centre. Filled with black volcanic rock formations, this provides great contrast against the blue sky and turquoise waters. You’ll be able to see locals fishing and jumping off the rocks here. This place is of great cultural significance in Rarotonga. Locals believe Black Rock Beach is where spirits depart the island.
More Snorkeling Resources
Snorkeling – The snorkeling is incredible right off the beach. Saw moray eels, eagle rays, tons of colorful fish, clams, large crabs, and much more.
Snorkeling Rarotonga: A Complete Guide
Where to Snorkel in Rarotonga + Snorkel Hire on Rarotonga – Includes Fruits of Rarotonga
Reef Walk with Kura
Reef Walk with Kura Happ & Ariimoana Walkabouts
We did both of these with Kura and it is definitely worth it. Kura is incredibly knowledgeable and is a true advocate for her beloved Cook Islands.
Swimming with the turtles is an incredible experience that we love to share! Our Turtle Safari begins on the sandy shores of Rarotonga as we fit each guest with mask, snorkel, and fins before beginning our briefings for snorkeling, scootering and entering the environment safely. From here we do a short test in shallow water to ensure everyone is feeling confident with their Scooter before following our guides into the deeper waters which our turtles call home. We often see Eagle Rays, Moray Eels, tropical fish and the occasion beautiful (and not dangerous!) Reef Shark as well as the amazing turtles in this area.
Morning & Sunset Walks on the Beach
Walk on the Beach
Walking on the beach was probably our favorite thing to do (a combined vote – Rod’s very favorite was snorkeling and Marguerite’s was, well, I think walking on the beach. Rod’s second favorite was probably eating and drinking, followed closely by taking walks on the beach).
A short stroll from Titikaveka Beach, the delightful organic Maire Nui Gardens offer a change of pace from the usual sun, sand, and sea activities. Flecked with tropical flowers, this seven-acre property is a lovely place for a stroll, with lily-topped ponds, wild ginger, hibiscus, and plenty of palms among the many plants flourishing here. Dragonflies flit through the lush foliage, and the sweet fragrance of tropical flowers imbues the air. After wandering through the garden, you can relax with a snack at the cute little open-sided cafe. Entry is by donation in an honesty box by the entrance.
Cross-Island Hike to Te Rua Manga (The Needle), Rarotonga
Hiking the cross-island track is a great way to explore Rarotonga's lush scenery. The trail leads from the north coast up to the distinctive pinnacle rock Te Rua Manga (The Needle) and then via Wigmore's Waterfall to the south coast. The falls are beautiful after heavy rain, with a pool at their base, but the cascades slow to a trickle during the dry season.
This challenging hike takes about four hours and leads through dense forest, climbing to the base of The Needle, a steep, bald rock that juts straight up into the air. From the base of the Needle, you can enjoy beautiful views over the coast and surrounding forest. (Climbing The Needle is only for serious rock climbers.) The trail then continues past Wigmore's Waterfall to the opposite side of the island. You can also start at the north end of the trail, hike to The Needle, and return back to the same starting point. Guides are highly recommended, though not mandatory.
Needle Hike with a Guide Rooster
You can get a guide to tell us what you are seeing. But I guarantee you will see guide roosters. 😊
Welcome to the biggest game in Muri for four nights a week. There's occasional live music to partner seafood curries, garlic prawns, and tuna with papaya salad, and dessert of a slab of coconut and chocolate pie is mandatory. It's OK to bring your own wine or beer, and the meals are so big you'll probably need a lie-down afterwards.
Located near the waterfront next to Avarua, Rarotonga's main township, the Punanga Nui Market on a Saturday morning is a 'must do' for visitors to the island for its cultural representation and unique Cook Islands' atmosphere.
Fresh fruit, veggies and fish, island food, coffee, pastries, smoothies, live and recorded island music, hand-made ukuleles, clothing, handicrafts, black pearls, jewellery, massage, art works, second-hand books, souvenirs and tivaevae: just about everything is available at the market!
'Explore' Rarotonga Cycle Tour with Lunch or Cocktail
Explore the natural landscapes of Rarotonga Island on this half-day bike tour. Cycle the Ancient Coral Road; pass beautiful beaches, rugged mountains, and lush farmlands; and stop to visit rural villages, take a swim in the ocean, and tuck into a delicious lunch at a seafront restaurant.
Discover Marine and Wildlife Eco Centre
One of Rarotonga's newest must see attractions, featuring amazing live exhibits and interactive displays. Discover jaw-dropping coconut crabs, astonishing stonefish, stunning aquarium fish, inspiring natural history, cinema and so much more in this unique Cook Island Marine and Wildlife Centre. Interactive and informative displays make learning about our natural world and ecology fun.
This reserve is a tropical forest that has been set aside primarily to conserve the Kakerori bird, Rarotonga's endangered flycatcher. Additionally, the area contains several rare plants and is home to a number of other bird species.
Contact
On the Bike Trail
Drive/Bike the Inside Road
At the least, you should drive the inner road to give you a good feel of life on the island. Much of the outer road (the main road) is dedicated to tourism, with places to stay, eat, beach access and other touristy things.
For the more adventurous, taking a bike ride around the inner road is a must-do. It is quite easy in terms of biking, with few hills and little traffic. Just make sure to bike with the flow of traffic (which is very light).
We rented our bikes from Adventure Cook Islands.
Cultural Tours and Experiences in the Cook Islands
Museums to Visit in the Cook Islands
Alltrails.com: Hikes on Rarotonga
Avarua Town – There are enough things to do in Avarua Town to make a day of it. Check out the link.
We did this as part of the Costco package. We are not sure we would do it again; it was rather spendy. Tripadvisor notes
Of course, it depends on where you come from. From Portland, we took Hawaiian Airlines (which was the only carrier at the time). Fly to Honolulu for six hours, layover for six hours, fly to Avarua, Cook Islands for six hours. You will arrive about 10:30 PM, bleary-eyed and just wanting to go to bed. Get good instructions for where you are staying, plug in your Google Maps (with the downloaded map of Rarotonga) and be on your way. Some hotels will pick you up and others provide a service. Check with your hotel if you are not getting a car until the next day. They should help you to figure it all out.
While you can take public transportation and/or taxis, you will be remiss if you don’t rent a car. For our most recent trip in 2024, we rented a car from Raro Cars for under $300 USD for eight days. You will need to put down an additional $500 NZD, but if you don’t hurt the car, you will get that back. Raro Cars will leave the car at the airport for you to pick up and you can return it to the airport.
The one caveat about driving in the Cook Islands is that you will have to drive on the left side of the road. If you have never driven on the left side of the road, then the Cook Islands is probably the best place to learn. There isn’t a bunch of traffic, except perhaps in Avarua, and if you don’t want to do a traffic circle, then you can just drive all the way around the island back to your starting point. It takes about an hour to drive around the island, maybe less.
Before you leave home, be sure to download a google map to your phone so you can get offline directions. You will not be able to get cell service while driving.
When it rains, sit on the covered deck with a favorite beverage and watch the rain spray across the blue reef just feet away.
We have stayed at three locations on Rarotonga: Rarotonga Beach Bungalows, Lagoon Breeze Villas, and Kaia Villas. Our favorite is the Rarotonga Beach Bungalows (RBB), but the other two places are also quite good. But RBB is right on the beach and some of the best snorkeling we have done is right in front of RBB. When it rains, sit on the covered deck with a favorite beverage and watch the rain spray across the blue reef just feet away. That is just hard to beat.
Cookislands.travel has a very good page that can help you find the best place to stay for your vacation.
Rarotonga Beach Bungalows (RBB) – The best place to stay on the entire island! Really, right on the beach.
Here is a good Google link to get you started on your search
There are a lot of places to eat. Here are a few of our favorites:
We Love Charlie's
Note: When we went in 2018 and 2019, Trader Jack’s was a favorite. In 2024, it seemed to be under new management, and I would not recommend it.
Cook Islands Pocket Guide: How Much Does a Trip to Rarotonga & the Cook Islands Cost? 💰 [2024]. This is a must-read to do your planning.
$ are in US dollars. Estimates are for two people, one week, flying from Portland, mid-range budget.
|
Hotel |
$1,500 |
RBB = $3,164 8 days Sunhaven Geach Bungalows = $1,391 |
|
Flight |
2000 |
Hawaiian Airlines (flights arrive on Saturday night, depart Sunday night) |
|
Car |
300 |
From Raro Rentals (also have to pay $500 bond, which is given back if car is returned in good condition) |
|
Gas |
100 |
What we paid in 2024 |
|
Food |
320 |
We don’t eat out every night and try to get a kitchen with our hotel. If you eat out, then prices will certainly be different. For us: $40 per day, if that. |
|
Trips and playing |
320 |
$20 per day/person (This depends on whether you want to do all the available trips or hang out on the beach) |
|
Misc |
350 |
Fudge Factor: $25 per day/person |
|
Entry tax |
0 |
? |
|
Total |
$4,890.00 |
Of course, your mileage will vary. For example, we spend extra for comfort seating on the plane. Also, the time of year can make a difference. Want to take that day trip to Aitutaki? Add $800. |
We have enjoyed the friendly and beautiful Cook Islands three times. The first two times we did it through Costco Travel and Stayed at Rarotonga Beach Bungalows, Lagoon Breeze Villas. The third time in 2024 we stayed at Kaia Villas. All were good places to stay with Rarotonga Beach Bungalows being our favorite, simply because of its proximity to the beach – right on it!
Highlights of our trips
Cook Islands 2018
The 2018 trip was, I believe, the best of the three. There is something about that first time experience
when visiting a new place. On our first morning walk on the beach, we were joined by a friendly group of
dogs. It was almost as though they were giving us a little guided tour. We will likely not go back to
the Cook Islands (three times is enough). But if you haven't been, then you owe yourself this first
time experience.
Cook Islands 2019
In 2019 we went with our friends Jim and Pam. It was great to show our friends the island and experience a
few new things as well.
Cook Islands 2024
Our trip to the Cooks in 2024 was in March. It was hot! There were some storms so the water was a bit
mirky for snorkeling. But we still managed to enjoy ourselves. We stayed at Kaia Villas. The accomdatons
were some of the best we have stayed at. The view was non-existent since it was not on the beach. We
still managed to get plenty of good views and back-porch enjoyment watching the chickens.
Here are pictures and videos of our 2024 trip, to include a new trip to Wigmore Waterfalls.
Created: 2024