Introduction
Years of missionary zeal haven't dimmed the mojo of this place. Wafer-thin cays and farflung atolls, white-sand beaches and lush green volcanic mountains, a slow pace, friendly people, dancing - what's not to like about the Cook Islands? If that's not enough, they also have excellent hiking, snorkelling, caving and lazing.
Destination Facts
Capital: Avarua
Prime Minister: Jim Marurai
Queen: Elizabeth II
Queen's Representative: Frederick Goodwin
Government: Self-governing parliamentary democracy in free association with New Zealand
Time zone: GMT -10
Area: 240
Population: 18700
Languages: Cook Islands Maori
Christian, majority Cook Islands Christian Church (Presbyterian)
Currency: New Zealand Dollar (NZ$)
Country Dialing Code: 682
Getting There
The Cook Islands has a pleasantly even climate year round, with no excesses of temperature or humidity, although it can rain quite often. The best times of year to visit are around September and October, when there's a nice trade-off between warm temperatures and reduced humidity; March and April are also good months to come, as the cyclone season has passed and the skies are likely to be clear and sunny. Festivals may sway your plans: the big dance competition is in late April, the independence bash in early August. The only really tricky time to visit is Christmas/New Year, when many Cook Islanders return home to celebrate the holiday season with their families. Flights (especially from Australia and New Zealand) and accommodation will be much harder to come by.
Getting there and away
New Zealand and Pacific Blue are the only international carriers serving the Cook Islands. Package deals may well cost less than airfare alone. Flights between Rarotonga and Auckland run weekly with Pacific Blue and several times weekly with Air New Zealand. Travellers from North America typically connect in Honolulu or Tahiti; those from Asia connect in Auckland or Fiji. There's an airport departure tax of 30.00/15.00 per adult/child. The airport on Rarotonga is on the northwestern coast, just a few kilometres west of Avarua, where cars, motor scooters and bicycles can be hired and taxis are available. Aitutaki's airstrip is at the northern end of the island; there's a bus connecting the airstrip with town, and cars, motor scooters and bicycles can be hired at several places around the island. There's an airstrip on the northern coast of Άtiu, a short drive from the five villages. Motorcycles and bicycles are available for hire at a few motels. most common way to arrive and depart by sea is by private yacht, or to do a one-day stopover as part of a cruise.
Getting around
The round-the-island bus is a good way of getting around Rarotonga. It plys the coast road in both directions, originating in Avarua (though you can flag it down anywhere). It runs during business hours on weekdays, half the day on Saturday and not at all on Sunday. There are also taxis available on Rarotonga and Atiu. You can rent a car on Rarotonga, Aitutaki and some of the other islands, but nothing would be more than a half hour away. The real advantage is with 4WDs and sturdy motorcycles, which can get you to some of the more out-of-the-way spots and up the steeper roads. You'll need a local driver's permit (available from the police station in Avarua); driving is on the left. Keep your wits about you on Friday and Saturday nights, when there's heavy drinking going on. Bicycles are a good way to get around and readily available for hire. The fastest way to get between the islands is by plane. Via 18-passenger turboprop planes, Air Rarotonga connects the main island with eight other islands, including most of those in the southern group and several in the northern. The longest trip takes about 4 and a half hours; the shortest under an hour. Island passes and island combination packages are a good way to sample a few islands. You can also get between the islands by private yacht or passenger freighter. Rarotonga, however, has a small harbour, and if your ship is too large you'll most likely have to get to land by lighter - which is how you'll get to shore on every other island save Penrhyn, the northernmost island, the only other one with a wharf. Getting to the outer islands can be a challenge, as ships make it out there infrequently and there are no firm schedules. You can snatch a few hours here and there if you want to keep going with your ship, but if you decide to get off for a longer stay be prepared to wait days for the next boat.
Visa:
Visas aren't required for a maximum stay of 31 days - all you need are valid passports, proof of onward travel and booked accommodation (at least for the first night of your stay).
Weather
Seasonal variations are slight in the Cook Islands, with temperatures ranging between 18° C and 28° C (64-82° F) in the winter months (May to October) and 21° C and 29° C (70-84° F) in the summer (November to April). The wet season is from December to March, when around 25cm (10in) of rain can fall each month; this is also the most likely time for cyclones, which are becoming more frequent due to warming seas across the South Pacific. The wet season is also the hottest and most humid time of the year - it can get quite sticky and uncomfortable, so bring along some cool, light clothes. The winter nights can sometimes be quite cool, even chilly, so if you're visiting at this time of year, a warm sweater or jacket will probably come in handy.
Years of missionary zeal haven't dimmed the mojo of this place. Wafer-thin cays and farflung atolls, white-sand beaches and lush green volcanic mountains, a slow pace, friendly people, dancing - what's not to like about the Cook Islands? If that's not enough, they also have excellent hiking, snorkelling, caving and lazing.
Destination Facts
Capital: Avarua
Prime Minister: Jim Marurai
Queen: Elizabeth II
Queen's Representative: Frederick Goodwin
Government: Self-governing parliamentary democracy in free association with New Zealand
Time zone: GMT -10
Area: 240
Population: 18700
Languages: Cook Islands Maori
Christian, majority Cook Islands Christian Church (Presbyterian)
Currency: New Zealand Dollar (NZ$)
Country Dialing Code: 682
Getting There
The Cook Islands has a pleasantly even climate year round, with no excesses of temperature or humidity, although it can rain quite often. The best times of year to visit are around September and October, when there's a nice trade-off between warm temperatures and reduced humidity; March and April are also good months to come, as the cyclone season has passed and the skies are likely to be clear and sunny. Festivals may sway your plans: the big dance competition is in late April, the independence bash in early August. The only really tricky time to visit is Christmas/New Year, when many Cook Islanders return home to celebrate the holiday season with their families. Flights (especially from Australia and New Zealand) and accommodation will be much harder to come by.
Getting there and away
New Zealand and Pacific Blue are the only international carriers serving the Cook Islands. Package deals may well cost less than airfare alone. Flights between Rarotonga and Auckland run weekly with Pacific Blue and several times weekly with Air New Zealand. Travellers from North America typically connect in Honolulu or Tahiti; those from Asia connect in Auckland or Fiji. There's an airport departure tax of 30.00/15.00 per adult/child. The airport on Rarotonga is on the northwestern coast, just a few kilometres west of Avarua, where cars, motor scooters and bicycles can be hired and taxis are available. Aitutaki's airstrip is at the northern end of the island; there's a bus connecting the airstrip with town, and cars, motor scooters and bicycles can be hired at several places around the island. There's an airstrip on the northern coast of Άtiu, a short drive from the five villages. Motorcycles and bicycles are available for hire at a few motels. most common way to arrive and depart by sea is by private yacht, or to do a one-day stopover as part of a cruise.
Getting around
The round-the-island bus is a good way of getting around Rarotonga. It plys the coast road in both directions, originating in Avarua (though you can flag it down anywhere). It runs during business hours on weekdays, half the day on Saturday and not at all on Sunday. There are also taxis available on Rarotonga and Atiu. You can rent a car on Rarotonga, Aitutaki and some of the other islands, but nothing would be more than a half hour away. The real advantage is with 4WDs and sturdy motorcycles, which can get you to some of the more out-of-the-way spots and up the steeper roads. You'll need a local driver's permit (available from the police station in Avarua); driving is on the left. Keep your wits about you on Friday and Saturday nights, when there's heavy drinking going on. Bicycles are a good way to get around and readily available for hire. The fastest way to get between the islands is by plane. Via 18-passenger turboprop planes, Air Rarotonga connects the main island with eight other islands, including most of those in the southern group and several in the northern. The longest trip takes about 4 and a half hours; the shortest under an hour. Island passes and island combination packages are a good way to sample a few islands. You can also get between the islands by private yacht or passenger freighter. Rarotonga, however, has a small harbour, and if your ship is too large you'll most likely have to get to land by lighter - which is how you'll get to shore on every other island save Penrhyn, the northernmost island, the only other one with a wharf. Getting to the outer islands can be a challenge, as ships make it out there infrequently and there are no firm schedules. You can snatch a few hours here and there if you want to keep going with your ship, but if you decide to get off for a longer stay be prepared to wait days for the next boat.
Visa:
Visas aren't required for a maximum stay of 31 days - all you need are valid passports, proof of onward travel and booked accommodation (at least for the first night of your stay).
Weather
Seasonal variations are slight in the Cook Islands, with temperatures ranging between 18° C and 28° C (64-82° F) in the winter months (May to October) and 21° C and 29° C (70-84° F) in the summer (November to April). The wet season is from December to March, when around 25cm (10in) of rain can fall each month; this is also the most likely time for cyclones, which are becoming more frequent due to warming seas across the South Pacific. The wet season is also the hottest and most humid time of the year - it can get quite sticky and uncomfortable, so bring along some cool, light clothes. The winter nights can sometimes be quite cool, even chilly, so if you're visiting at this time of year, a warm sweater or jacket will probably come in handy.
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