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The Cook Islands

Awarded Best in Travel 2022

Fifteen droplets of land cast across 2 million sq km of wild Pacific blue, the Cook Islands are simultaneously remote and accessible, modern and traditional.

With a strong cafe culture, a burgeoning organic and artisan food scene, and a handful of bar and clubs, Rarotonga lives confidently in the 21st century. But beyond the island’s tourist buzz and contemporary appearance is a robust culture, firmly anchored by traditional Polynesian values and steeped in oral history.

North of ‘Raro’, the sublime lagoon of Aitutaki is ringed with tiny deserted islands and is one of the Pacific’s most improbably scenic jewels. Venture further and robust Polynesian traditions emerge nearer the surface. Drink home brew at a traditional ‘Atiuan tumunu (bush-beer drinking club), explore the ancient makatea (raised coral cliffs) and taro fields of Mangaia, or swim in the underground cave pools of Mitiaro and Ma’uke. The remote Northern Group is a South Seas idyll experienced by a lucky few.

Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout The Cook Islands.

  • See

    Aitutaki Lagoon

    Aitutaki’s stunning lagoon, brimming with marine life and ringed by 15 palm-covered motu (islets), is a South Pacific tearsure. Maina (Little Girl) offers superb snorkelling and is home to the red-tailed tropicbird, once prized for its crimson feathers. Nearby is the wreck of cargo freighter Alexander, which ran aground in the 1930s. Tapuaeta’i (One Foot Island) is the best-known motu, fringed by white beaches and divided from its neighbour, Tekopua, by a deepwater channel that’s teeming with tropical fish. Akaiami motu is where the old TEAL flying boats landed to refuel on the trans-Pacific ‘Coral Route’ between Fiji, Samoa and Tahiti – the remnants of the old jetty can still be seen.

  • See

    Muri

    With its four motu (islets), Muri is the most beautiful section of Rarotonga’s encircling lagoon. The blue water is packed with tropical fish, especially around the motu (Taakoka, Koromiri, Oneroa and Motutapu), and out towards the reef. Taakoka is volcanic while the others are sand cays. The swimming is wonderful over sparkling white sand. Water-sports equipment and lagoon cruises are available from Muri through Captain Tama’s and Koka’s Lagoon Cruises. Other attractions include kitesurfing, paddle-boarding and good restaurants.

  • See

    Cook Islands Christian Church

    Avarua’s white-washed church was built in 1853. The graveyard contains the graves of author Robert Dean Frisbie, and Albert Henry, the first prime minister of the Cook Islands. The main church service is at 10am on Sunday, and visitors are invited to stay for morning tea.

  • See

    BCA Art Gallery

    This historical building was once an LMS missionary school. These days it houses an excellent art gallery, gift shop and courtyard cafe.

  • See

    Arutanga

    After you’ve been to Rarotonga, Arutanga, Aitutaki’s only town, seems astonishingly quiet, with few signs of life even on weekdays when the shops are open. The island’s main harbour is by the Orongo Centre. The lovely weather-beaten CICC church near the Administration Centre was built in 1828, making it the oldest in the Cooks. Beautifully restored in 2010, the church has lovely stained-glass windows, fine carved-wood panelling and an old anchor precariously suspended from the ceiling. Try to attend a service on the first Sunday of every month, when Aitutaki’s female parishioners wear pristine white dresses.

  • See

    Highland Paradise Cultural Centre

    High above ‘Arorangi, Highland Paradise stands on the site of the old Tinomana village with panoramic views over the west and south coasts. Members of the Pirangi family, descendants of Tinomana Ariki, take visitors on guided tours including weaving, dancing and drumming exhibits. It's also possible to explore the sacred site on a self-guided basis from Monday to Friday. On Monday, Wednesday and Friday, fabulous sunset Island Nights are held. Bookings are essential and transport is included.

  • See

    Cook Islands Library & Museum Society

    Inland behind the Para O Tane Palace, this collection of Pacific literature incorporates a small museum. Intriguing exhibits include an old whaling pot, spears and the island’s first printing press. There's also a small bookshop selling Pacific-themed books. Nearby at the junction of Ara Metua and Takuva’ine Rd is the Papeiha Stone. This marks the spot where Tahitian preacher Papeiha preached the gospel in Rarotonga for the first time.

  • See

    Te Vara Nui Cultural Village

    Te Vara Nui combines a purpose-built village showcasing local culture including traditional medicine, carving, tapa making and legends, with one of Rarotonga’s most spectacular Island Nights. After-dark shows take place on pavilions and stages set above a manmade lagoon, and dinner is a sprawling umu (earth oven) buffet. A combination deal (adult/child NZ$109/59) for both the two-hour village tour and the dinner and show is also available.

  • See

    Wigmore’s Waterfall

    On the eastern edge of the abandoned Sheraton resort site, a road leads inland to Wigmore’s Waterfall, a lovely cascade dropping into a fresh, cool swimming pool. Note that in the dry season, the cascade can be more of a trickle. The south coast also has the island’s best beaches, with the best snorkelling to be found at Aro’a, Titikaveka and Tikioki.

Featured videos

Introducing Rarotonga, Samoa & Tonga

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