The Cook Islands are as famous for their colorful island culture as they are for their beautiful beaches © Anders Ryman / Getty Images
Scattered and remote in the South Pacific, the Cook Islands are a taste of tropical perfection. But being 3234km (2009 miles) from the nearest major landmass, this is a far-flung destination for most travelers.
However, you'll discover on arrival that this is an easy and straightforward place to visit. The Cook Islanders are famously welcoming and friendly, English is widely spoken, and you'll find an easygoing mix of 21st-century sophistication and traditional Polynesian values.
Framed by the wild blue expanse of the planet’s biggest ocean, these isolated isles are one of the world's great getaways. Here's what you need to know when planning a trip to this fascinating island nation.
Planning your trip to the Cook Islands
The secret to a successful trip to the Cook Islands is to do some prep ahead of time – here are some pre-departure tips.
Keep an eye on the weather in the South Pacific
The Cook Islands are warm year-round, but some seasons are better for travel than others. With drier weather and lower humidity, May to October is a great time to visit. From November to April, the weather is warmer but also wetter – however, rain showers are often short and sharp, clearing after a sudden downpour to a blue sky. December to January is the cyclone season – storms can bring heavy rain and strong winds, but the islands are not severely impacted every year.
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Be ready for South Pacific time travel
Traveling to Rarotonga from New Zealand, flights cross the International Dateline, arriving in the Cook Islands on the previous day. Double-check accommodation to ensure you've booked the correct dates. Similarly, traveling back from Rarotonga to New Zealand, travelers lose a day, and arrive in Auckland the day after they departed.
Time your trip right to enjoy the Cook Islands when the sun is shining from clear blue skies © Blue Orange Studio/Shutterstock
Expect limited flight options (for now)
In the past, Rarotonga was linked by direct flights to Sydney, Los Angeles and Tahiti, but as of early 2022, the only flight option was Air New Zealand's service from Auckland to Rarotonga. Once you reach Rarotonga, things get easier – Air Rarotonga, the Cooks' national airline, has regular flights from Rarotonga to the country's Pa Enua (Outer Islands), including the popular islands of Aitutaki and 'Atiu. Note that there were occasional domestic flight suspensions during the Covid-19 pandemic; check inter-island flights are running before making a booking.
Avoid the Down Under school holidays
The Cook Islands, especially Rarotonga, get very busy with vacationing families during New Zealand's and Australia's school holidays, putting pressure on prices and availability for accommodation and flights. These breaks usually fall in the two weeks following Easter, the first two weeks in July, and the first few weeks in October. The dates move slightly each year, so check the timings on New Zealand's Ministry of Education website and the education websites for Australia's different states.
Cook Islanders living in New Zealand often visit family in the islands for Christmas and New Year, and also for the annual celebrations leading up to the islands' Constitution Day on August 4. Prices for accommodation and airfares usually increase around this time
Self-catering or resort accommodation?
Rarotonga and Aitutaki both offer all-inclusive resort accommodation, but consider renting a self-contained holiday house or beachside bungalow. Having your own fully-equipped kitchen and barbecue facilities increases the options for self-catering, and it's easy to buy local fish and pick up fresh vegetables and fruit from Rarotonga's Saturday morning Punanga Nui market. There are also well-stocked supermarkets on Rarotonga, but goods imported from New Zealand and other far-flung places can be expensive.
For budget travelers, Rarotonga offers a couple of hostels, but camping is not possible on any of the Cook Islands. Aim for a budget of NZ$90 (US$63) per day upwards for a backpacker stay on the islands, staying in dorms, taking local buses and cooking meals at your hostel.
Get a phone SIM on arrival for cheaper net access
Free internet access is hard to find on the Cook Islands, but Vodaphone Cook Islands offers wi-fi hotspots around Rarotonga and Aitutaki which can be accessed for a reasonable cost via prepaid vouchers. Vodafone also sells a Travel SIM package incorporating 5GB of data, 30 minutes of international calling and 300 TXTs. Vouchers and Travel SIMs are both available from Vodafone's booth at Rarotonga airport.
Credit cards or cash?
New Zealand dollars are the primary currency in the Cook Islands and bills can be withdrawn from ATMs on Rarotonga and Aitutaki. Most accommodation, rental car companies and tour operators accept credit cards, but cash is essential for smaller shops and at the Punanga Nui market and Muri night markets, so carry some dollars for day-to-day use.
Change is usually given in the Cook Islands' own coins, including the quirky triangular $2 coin. These coins can't be used as legal tender back in New Zealand, but they do make excellent souvenirs of a visit to the islands. Neither tipping nor bargaining are part of Cook Islands' culture, and prices are fixed everywhere.
Mingling with the locals is a part of the fun of a trip to the Cook Islands © Chester Voyage / Alamy
Etiquette in the Cook Islands
The Cook Islanders are a famous friendly bunch, but there are a few things to know to help you adjust to the local way of doing things.
Sunday is a day of rest in the Cooks
In the Cook Islands, Sunday is a quiet day, most often spent with family and attending church. Many shops and businesses close for some or all of the day. If you fancy attending a Cook Islands church service, visitors are warmly welcomed. Expect to be invited to join the local congregation for refreshments at the conclusion of the service.
Keep it casual
There's no need to pack your finest threads – the dress code in the Cook Islands is casual, and shorts, a T-shirt, and sandals or flip flops will be fine for most occasions. If you're attending church on Sunday, a collared shirt, and long trousers or a skirt are the right attire for this more formal occasion.
Lightweight hiking shoes are recommended for tackling Rarotonga's Cross-Island Track, while essentials for exploring the lagoons and beaches include reef shoes – to protect from coral cuts and the occasional stonefish – and a rash vest to keep off the tropical sun. Hats and sunglasses are also strongly recommended. Bring a long-sleeved linen shirt and trousers to guard against insect bites in the evenings.
Dress modestly away from the water
Despite the easy-going mood, the Cook Islands are quite socially conservative and it's not appropriate to wear beachwear away from the resort pool or lagoon. A sarong is a handy addition to a packing list to wear after swimming to avoid causing raised eyebrows.
Use the local lingo
All Cook Islanders speak excellent English, but when meeting a local, the most common greeting is kia orana – 'may you live a long and fulfilling life' in Cook Islands Māori. Saying meitaki ('thank you') is also always appreciated.
Slip into island time
The Cook Islands definitely operate on island time. If you're catching up with someone for coffee or a meal, it's not unknown for people to drift in well after the time you arranged to meet. If your guests have still to arrive after 15 minutes, that's no cause for concern; just relax and enjoy Rarotonga's easygoing vibe. An exception is if you're being picked up by a tour operator, or have booked an island activity at a specific time and place; you'll be expected to be on time for these appointments.
The lagoon is the focus for activities in the Cook Islands, but watch for currents © Dallas Stribley / Getty Images
Health & safety in the Cook Islands
The Cooks are overwhelmingly a safe destination, but there are a few minor risks to be aware of.
Lock your car doors
In general, the Cook Islands are very safe, but opportunistic theft from rental cars parked up at beaches or other tourist spots is not unknown. Don't leave valuable items such as cameras, tablets and smartphones in the car when swimming or hiking.
Practice scooter safety
Renting a scooter is a popular way to get around, but it's worth checking your travel insurance to confirm you're covered for any accidents. Wearing a helmet is compulsory, vehicles drive on the left, and you'll need to complete a practical riding test – basically a series of tightish turns in a police station car park – to secure a Cook Islands' scooter license allowing you to hire a vehicle.
Driving licenses from most countries can be used to rent a car without this extra requirement. Note that island roads are not well-lit, and riding a scooter after dark is not recommended due to the antics of wandering chickens and the occasional over-excited dog.
Follow the lead of locals on water safety
Always ask a local if the water is safe before you go swimming, as some parts of Rarotonga's lagoon have strong currents, particularly near the Rutaki, Papua and Avaavaroa passages. Rarotonga is also susceptible to tsunamis following volcanic and seismic activity elsewhere in the South Pacific – if warning sirens sound, join with everyone else in evacuating to higher ground. Evacuation routes are indicated by signs all around the island.
Bring along bug spray and use the insect screens on your doors and windows
While there is no malaria on the islands, dengue fever is also transferred by mosquitoes and it's present on Rarotonga – the last big outbreak was in 2021. There's no vaccine or prophylaxis for the virus so be sure to apply insect repellent and keep your accommodation insect-proof using door and window screens or mosquito nets. If you are unlucky enough to catch dengue, seek medical attention, as the hemorrhagic form of the illness can be serious.
Look after your ears
The combination of frequent swimming and a humid tropical climate can give rise to 'swimmer's ear' and other infections of the outer ear canal. Always dry your ears carefully after swimming, and pack ear drops in a compact first-aid kit.
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