Cook Islands

Quick Facts

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Capital

Avarua

Population

21,000

Government

Self-governing Parliamentary Democracy in free association with New Zealand

Religions

Christianity (Protestant, Catholic)

Languages

Rarotongan, English

Calling Code

+682

Nationality

Cook Islander

Local name

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Introduction

CICC Church in Avarua

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One look at a map of the Cook Islands and you should have a pretty good idea of what a holiday to the Cook Islands involves: water, beaches and sun. The fifteen Cook Islands are stock-standard tropical paradise material, complete with palm trees lining beaches and sparkling blue lagoons. It's a well-worn formula, but it works.

For travellers in search of at least some variety, the Cook Islands musters up a couple of additional attractions. Rarotonga, the volcanic island which draws the biggest crowds, is blessed with fantastic inland scenery. It also offers fascinating insights into Polynesian culture, be it through the Cultural Village, or through active participation in one of the 'island nights', where beautiful local women dance what may be Polynesia's sexiest dance. Aitutaki, the second most visitied island of 'the Cooks' is located 45 mins by plane from Rarotonga and contains a beautiful lagoon and beaches.

Brief History

Geography

Regions

The 15 islands making up the Cook Islands are split into two regions.

• Northern Cook Islands, including Manihiki, Nassau, Palmerston, Penrhyn, Pukapuka, Rakahanga, Suwarrow
• Southern Cook Islands, including Aitutaki, Atiu, Mangaia, Manuae, Mauke, Mitiaro, Takutea and Rarotonga (with capital Avarua)

Cities/Town

• Avarua (capital located on Rarotonga)
• Arutanga (on Aitutaki)

Sights and Activities

Anatakitaki

Anatakitaki is one of the most famous caves on 'Atiu. Here you can find many caves and 'Atiu is dotted with limestone caverns complete with stalactites and stalagmites. Anatakitaki, also known as the Kopeka Cave is a marvellous place, a large and beautiful cave and is the home of the kopeka. The kopeka is a rare bird which only lives on 'Atiu. Visiting Anatakitaki requires you to take a local guide.

Aitutaki Lagoon

Aitutaki is one of the main island and has a lot to offer, including a beautiful lagoon, where you will find numerous sand bars, coral ridges and 21 uninhabited motu (lagoon islets). To add, it is also a good place to enjoy the life of the Cook Islanders. One of the best is Maina Motu which offers great snorkelling on its coral formations. Here you will also find powder-white sand bars. Tapuaeta'i (One Foot Island) also has a huge white stretch of beach, fringed with palms and with turquoise waters in front.

Beach at Titikaaveka

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Muri Beach

On the southeastern shore of the island of Rarotonga you'll be stunned by Muri Beach which is on Muri's lagoon. The shallow waters have a sandy bottom where countless sea cucumbers and some coral formations live their quiet life. Further towards the reef are four small islets, called motu in local language. Their names are Taakoka, Koromiri, Oneroa and Motutapu. Taakoka is volcanic while the others are sand cays. It is easy to reach this great place by bus from Avarua.

Other sights and activities

• Watersports - The Cook Islands are a good place to go swimming, snorkelling, diving and fishing
• Hiking and biking - surprisingly, there are some good hiking trails and riding a bike is also a great way to get around: distances are small and most of the surface is (almost) flat
• Wigmore's Waterfalls
• National Museum of the Cook Islands
• Get maried - avoid those expensive parties at home with people you don't like anyway, and enjoy your marriage together in a quiet place

Events and Festivals

Weather

The Cook Islands have a tropical climate, meaning warm and humid weather year round but with constant sea breezes bringing some relief on the hotter summer days. November to April are summermonths when it is around 28 °C during the day on Rarotonga and a bit warmer on Aitutaki which is more to the north. Temperatures at night are usually just 5 degrees cooler or so. These months also have the most rain, with some tropical downpours during the afternoon, followed by sunshine again. Sometimes, several rainy days are possible. This is also the time that hurricanes are a possibility, although these don't strike every year of course. Wintermonths are cooler, especially on Rarotonga (around 25 °C during the day) but also drier and sunnier. Aitutaki has smaller differences between summer and winter regarding temperatures.

Getting there

By Plane

The only international carriers flying to the Cook Islands are Air New Zealand from Auckland, Nadi in Fiji, Los Angeles and Papeete in French Polynesia, and Pacific Blue from Australia and New Zealand once or twice a week.

Flights arrive near Avarua, the capital, on the island of Rarotonga.

By Train

There are no train services to and from the Cook Islands

By Car

There is no possible way to get by car to the islands.

By Bus

There is not possible way to get to the islands by bus either.

By Boat

There are no regular ferries to and from the Cook Islands. The only option to get here is by taking a cruise (cruise season is May to October) or by your own yacht.

Getting Around

By Plane

Air Rarotonga provides services between the main island of Rarotonga and Aitutaki and other outer islands as well.

By Train

There are no train services on the islands.

By Car

There really is no need to rent a car, but several companies offer the opportunity to rent one if you prefer a car instead of renting a scooter or bike. Fourwheel drive cars are the best and can get you to some more remote parts of the islands. There are also organised 4wd tours you can take on both the islands of Rarotonga and Aitutaki. Be sure to go to the police station in Avarua to get a licence which you need when renting a car or even a scooter. These cost $10. Driving is on the left side and maximum speed is 40km/hour.

By Bus

On Rarotonga, there are two public bus routes that travel around the island. One goes clockwise, the other travels anti-clockwise. Tickets are $2.50 wherever you want to go and $4.00 for a round trip. They originate and terminate in Avarua and you can flag one down everywhere along the road or get our everywhere as well. Buses don't run on Sunday and only half a day on Saturdays.

By Boat

The only way to get to almost all islands by boat, is by taking the local freight carriers. If you have time, this is a very adventurous way of getting around. Timetables can be found in local newspapers most times.

Red Tape

Money

See also Money matters

The currency of the Cook Islands is the New Zealand dollar (NZD). 1 dollar is divided into 100 cents. There are 10c, 20c, 50c, $1 and $2 coins. Bills are issued in $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100. To add, the Cook Islands also have some own banknotes and coins, including the unusual $3 notes and the triangular $2 coins. These are not valid in New Zealand by the way, only in the Cook Islands. There are even two versions of the $3 note. One is the Aitutaki pink one and ther other is a Rarotonga green one
There are Westpac and ANZ Banks on the island of Rarotonga. Banks usually are open between 9am and 3pm, until 12 pm on Saturdays.

Work

Study

Language

English and Cook Islands Maori, sometimes called Rarotongan, are the official languages of the islands.

Eat

Sleep

Drink

Health

Safety

Keep Connected

Internet

Phone

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