Cook Islands Travel Guide

Half way between New Zealand and Hawaii lies 15 of the Pacific’s best kept secrets - 15 islands of pure white sand surrounded by calm blue lagoons. This blissful paradise is also known as the Cook Islands, a peaceful place where relaxation is unavoidable. Escape the rat race and treat yourself to a Cook Islands holiday with Flight Centre.

Currency: New Zealand Dollar (NZD)
Languages: English and Cook Islands Maori
Airport: Rarotonga International Airport (RAR)
Population: 24,600
Time Zone: UTC-10

Where to Stay

Rarotonga and Aitutaki are the most popular of the Cook Islands, where you will find a great variety of accommodation options. Despite its growing popularity, the Cook Islands still remain free of high-rise hotels and by law, no buildings reach taller than the island’s palm trees. While Cook Islands accommodation may lack height, there are plenty of spectacular views to enjoy, whether it’s from the door step of your bungalow or your hotel’s luxurious pool bar. Luxury hotels and resorts take on a number of forms in the Cook Islands including over water bungalows, beach side villas and resorts with their very own lagoons. For something more intimate and homely, Rarotonga and Aitutaki also have a number of holiday homes and self catered accommodation, allowing you to settle in and experience life as a local. More intimate service can be found on Atiu Island where guest houses and B&Bs are common. Budget accommodation and hostels are also available on Rarotonga, proving a holiday in the Cook Islands is possible on any budget. Browse our latest Cook Islands accommodation deals.

Transport

The best way to see and explore the Cook Islands is by scooter. Most locals get around the islands via motorised scooters and while it might not be the most glamorous mode of transport, it's an easy and enjoyable way to take in the sites and get from A to B. It is possible to hire a scooter on Rarotonga, Aitutaki and Atiu, or if you prefer, on Rarotonga you can hire a car. Travel between the islands is possible by both air and sea.

Flights

Air New Zealand and Virgin Australia fly to the Cook Islands numerous times per week. The flight from Sydney to Rarotonga International Airport includes a stopover in Auckland and takes approximately 10 hours.

Climate

Expect sun soaked days and balmy nights on your Cook Islands holiday. Apart from only a few degrees difference between summer and winter, temperatures in the Cook Islands usually lie around the mid 20s. Some of the islands including Rarotonga, are susceptible to occasion downpours. Visit the Cook Islands at their best in September and October when the chance for rainfall is low and humidity is bearable.

Food

Due to its isolated location, food on the Cook Islands relies heavily on local produce. Fresh seafood, tropical fruits and vegetables are at the core of Cook Islands cuisine thanks to the island’s surrounding marine life and rich volcanic soil. Local meals usually involve coconut, fish, taro, yams or breadfruit. Like most Polynesian communities, traditional meals and feasts that take place on the islands are commonly cooked in earth ovens.

Insider Tips

While on your Cook Islands holiday, remember to skip the tacky key chain souvenir and opt for the island’s most prized natural possession – the black pearl. The rare black-lipped mother of pearl shell is native to the Cook Islands and as a result, the island’s black pearl industry has grown into a thriving business. For some of the islands’ more remote communities, cultivating black pearls is their number one income earner. Browse the stores on Rarotonga where you can find a range of genuine Cook Islands black pearls and support local business.