The Cook Islands

Aitutaki Lagoon

Aitutaki

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…

Muri

Rarotonga

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…

Anatakitaki

The Cook Islands

Eerie Anatakitaki is ‘Atiu’s most spectacular cave, a multichambered cavern surrounded by banyan roots and thick jungle. It’s also home to the rare kopeka…

Vai Nauri

The Cook Islands

A real highlight in this region is the deep sparkling-blue Vai Nauri, Mitiaro’s natural swimming pool. Local women used to hold gatherings known as…

Motuanga

The Cook Islands

Motuanga (the Cave of 100 Rooms) is a complex of tunnels and caverns in the island’s southeast that’s said to extend all the way under the reef and out to…

Vai Tango

The Cook Islands

Vai Tango is the best cave for swimming, a short walk from Ngatiarua village. Schoolkids often head there at weekends and after school, and they can show…

Te Ana O Rakanui

The Cook Islands

Te Ana O Rakanui is a burial cave packed with musty old skulls and skeletal remains. It’s a tight squeeze inside – claustrophobics be warned.

Rangimotia

The Cook Islands

At 169m, Rangimotia is the highest point on the island, with stunning coastal views. From the Oneroa side, a dirt road leads to the top.