Cook Islands

• Summer

  Nov—Mar

  30°C Avg. High

  23°C Avg. Low

• Winter

  Apr—Oct

  28°C Avg. High

  20°C Avg. Low

Rarotonga

The vibrant soul of this paradise will capture yours. Rarotonga, the heart of the Cook Islands, offers a wealth of experiences while remaining wonderfully unspoiled. With no traffic lights, no McDonald’s, and no buildings taller than the highest coconut tree, it maintains its charming simplicity.

Experience the thrill of adventure with Maunga Tours, where you can tackle majestic mountains on a guided trek. Try your hand at kite surfing or dive into the warm waters to learn scuba diving. Bring the family to explore one of Rarotonga’s renowned cultural villages, or simply relax as the kids dive into exciting crab races and make new friends at the kids’ club. Whether you’re seeking adrenaline-pumping activities or more relaxed options like kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding in the serene lagoon, or indulging in a soothing island massage, it’s not hard to make the most of your stay in this slice of paradise.

Aitutaki

Following Rarotonga, Aitutaki is the second most popular island in the Cook Islands. Its seclusion and romantic atmosphere make it an irresistible choice for honeymooners, with many opting to spend their entire stay here. Expect blissful days spent savouring each other’s company amid breathtaking scenery. Soak up the sun lounging beneath a coconut palm, unwind with a soothing massage, or explore the island on a bicycle or motor scooter.

Dream of kayaking to a pristine white sandy beach all to yourself? Or perhaps you’d like to hire your own boat and set sail for Maina, Honeymoon Island, or One Foot Island, where you can have your passport stamped at the world’s smallest post office. Daily tours take visitors to these motu (small islands) and other sand islets, as well as popular snorkelling spots teeming with vibrant fish, turtles, and coral.

Watch kiteboarders glide across vast sandy shallows on the Southeast trade winds, and then take a lesson to try it yourself. Enjoy fly-fishing for the impressive bonefish, easily accessible scuba diving, and exceptional deep-sea fishing. Discover the rich history and culture of the warm and welcoming Aitutaki people through day tours or rent a scooter or bicycle to explore the island at your own pace.

Atiu

As one of the three Southern Group islands known as Nga-Pu-Toru, Atiu is a haven for explorers seeking a genuine escape. With no nightclubs, minimal traffic, and only a few cafes, this island offers a true retreat from modern life. Stepping back in time, Atiu provides an authentic glimpse into island living with its five small villages—Tengatangi, Areora, Ngatiarua, Mapumai, and Teenui—nestled in the heart of the island. The rich soil supports thriving gardens, and on certain days, the delightful aroma of organically grown coffee beans roasting from local plantations fills the air, offering some of the best Arabica coffee in the Pacific.

The island is dotted with numerous limestone caves, continually shaped and eroded by fresh and saltwater. Some of these caves contain artesian water pools, creating stunning and intriguing swimming holes. A trek through the lush tropical jungle along the Makatea coastline leads to Anatakitaki Cave, a must-visit attraction on Atiu. These caves are also home to the rare Kopeka, a tiny bird that navigates the darkness using sonar, much like a bat. Atiu is a paradise for bird watchers, with sightings of exotic species such as the Tavake, White-Capped Noddy, Great Frigatebird, and Brown Booby. The endangered Kakerori and vibrant Kura can be spotted near historical sites, and the island is home to eleven native bird species, including the Blue Kingfisher, whose calls echo through the tranquil jungle.

Mangaia

Mangaia is steeped in legend and mystery, being one of the oldest islands in the Pacific at an estimated 18 million years old. As the most southerly and second largest of the Cook Islands, Mangaia is as remote as one can get. Its volcanic plateau is surrounded by towering fossilized coral cliffs, which contribute to its striking natural beauty and tranquil atmosphere.

This island’s ancient age and unique geological features have long attracted archaeologists and anthropologists, making it a prominent destination for their research. Mangaia’s rich history and the presence of ancient artifacts continue to captivate those interested in its profound and enigmatic heritage.

Mauke

According to legend, Mauke was originally called Akatokamanava—‘the place where my heart rested’—a name given by Chief Uke after his long voyage from Avaiki. This poetic name suits the island’s beauty perfectly. The name ‘Mauke’ was adopted by later generations and translates to ‘Land of Uke.’

On this tranquil island, peace is the prevailing theme as you cycle leisurely along coral roads winding through coconut palms and hardwood trees. Occasionally, you’ll find a small sandy beach fringed with coral rocks, ideal for unwinding with fresh fruit and coconuts. The island’s serene way of life will leave you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. With a tight-knit community of just 290 people, Mauke’s residents are among the warmest and friendliest in the South Pacific. From the moment you arrive, you’ll be embraced as part of their extended family.

Mitiaro

Home to some of the most breathtaking subterranean limestone caves and pools in the Pacific, Mitiaro is a natural playground with pristine white sandy beaches, fossilized coral formations, and coconut palms reaching towards a vivid blue sky.

The island’s crystal-clear pools teem with marine life, including Itiki (local eel, a delicacy for the islanders), bream, and prawns. As part of the Southern Group Nga-Pu-Toru (“The Three Roots”), Mitiaro was once a volcano that submerged into the ocean, forming a coral atoll. Around 10,000 years ago, this atoll emerged 20 feet above sea level to become the flat island we see today. This unique geological history has given rise to limestone caves and sunken pools that are fascinating remnants of its fossilized coral formation.

Manuae

Manuae is one of the most isolated islands in the Cook Islands, an uninhabited coral atoll perched atop a submerged volcano. The island’s horseshoe-shaped islets, Manuae to the west and Te Au O Tu to the east, surround a 13-square-kilometer lagoon, which is the focal point for marine life and sea turtles today. Initially settled by around 600 Polynesians in 1773, the population dwindled over time due to various factors, and by the early 19th century, most inhabitants had relocated to Aitutaki. Despite a brief period of settlement in the 1950s, the island was ultimately abandoned.

Once known as Sandwich Island and later Hervey Island by Captain Cook, Manuae’s name evolved over time and the islands were eventually renamed the Cook Islands by Russian cartographer von Krusenstern. The island’s varied history includes a period as a penal colony, a source of copra, and numerous attempts at settlement, all of which were ultimately unsuccessful. Today, Manuae is a pristine refuge for marine life, with its rich history serving as a backdrop to its current serene and untouched state.

Takutea

A hidden gem in the crystal-clear sea, Takutea epitomizes the tropical paradise with its lush emerald interior and coral sand shores. Despite being sighted by Captain Cook in 1777, who found some old huts on the island, Takutea has never been permanently settled. Located just 20 kilometers northwest of Atiu, its closest neighbor, the island remains largely untouched and is rarely visited, despite its rich natural beauty, vibrant marine life, and exciting surfing and diving opportunities.

Access to Takutea is limited to calm weather and the leeward side due to its encircling reef and challenging conditions. Historically, the island was frequented by Atiuans for its bounty of coconut crabs, fish, and other treasures. However, a tragic sea accident in 1963 led to a ban on traditional voyaging, isolating Takutea and preserving its wilderness. For those who overcome the logistical challenges, the island offers an array of enchanting experiences and natural wonders.

Manihiki

Manihiki, a remote atoll in the vast Pacific, lies about 1,299 kilometers from Rarotonga and is renowned as the heart of the Cook Islands’ pearl industry. This isolated gem consists of around 60 motu encircling a deep, 9-kilometer-wide lagoon, where fewer than 500 residents are deeply involved in pearl farming.

The island, discovered by Polynesians in the 13th century who used their advanced navigation skills to find such distant lands, is divided between two main islands, Tauhunu and Tukao, separated by a deep lagoon. Each island features a small school, churches, and stores, with boats serving as the primary mode of transport. The local families expertly cultivate the famed black pearls on coral outcrops, reflecting a way of life intertwined with their unique maritime environment.

Penrhyn

Penrhyn, also known as Tongareva or Mangarongaro, is the northernmost and likely the most remote of the Cook Islands, making it a challenging destination to reach. Its vast lagoon, stretching over 233 square kilometers and encircled by a stunning coral reef, is a major draw for those who venture to this secluded atoll.

The island’s population is concentrated in two settlements: Omoka on Moananui Islet, which serves as the council seat, and Tetautua on Pokere Islet in the east. Omoka’s history includes an airstrip built by Americans during WWII, with remnants of a bomber still visible. Meanwhile, the residents of Tetautua live in harmony with their pristine environment, relying on the land and sea for their livelihood. The name Penrhyn, given by Captain Sever of the Lady Penrhyn in 1788, has endured over the island’s various ancient names and is reflective of its rich history.

Rakahanga

Rakahanga, one of the most remote islands in the Pacific, lies 42 kilometers south of its sister island, Manihiki. Described by Australian author Julian Hillas as a place where time seems to stand still, Rakahanga is surrounded by a rectangular reef enclosing a vast shallow lagoon. The island features two main landmasses and seven motu (islets), with Te Kainga in the southwest being particularly significant as the traditional dwelling place of the first islanders.

Rich in vegetation, Rakahanga is adorned with breadfruit trees, coconut palms, and pandanus, which are essential for traditional weaving of rito hats, mats, and baskets. Despite its lush environment and vibrant marine life, the island’s isolation makes it challenging to access, with infrequent boat trips from Manihiki. The origins of Rakahanga’s discovery remain uncertain, with some attributing it to the Portuguese explorer Magellan in 1521, though this is unconfirmed. Concerns about rising sea levels due to global warming pose a threat to the island’s future.

Pukapuka

Pukapuka, immortalized by American travel writer Robert Dean Frisbie, is a distinctive island among the Cook Islands’ 15 isles. According to legend, it was settled by just 15 Polynesians and their descendants who survived a devastating tsunami about 300 years ago. Today, around 400 people call this remote paradise home. Frisbie, who sought a refuge from the “noisy clamour of the civilized world,” found Pukapuka to be one of the most pristine and untouched islands, reflecting influences from its neighboring regions Samoa and Tokelau in its culture and appearance.

Archaeologists suggest that Pukapuka may have been inhabited as early as 300 AD, with permanent settlement occurring around 1300 AD. The island, first discovered by Europeans, was named San Bernard by Spanish explorer Alvar de Mendana in 1595, followed by several other names including Islands of Danger by Commodore John Byron in 1765 and Isles de la Loutre by the first mate of the Otter in 1795. When missionaries arrived in 1862, they found that most of the islanders had already embraced Christianity.

Nassau

Nassau, a remote island and the smaller sibling of Pukapuka, lies 55 miles northwest and is unique in the Northern Group for not having a lagoon or being an atoll. Perched just 28 feet above sea level on a narrow coral reef, Nassau’s isolation made it difficult to visit until recent times. Home to just 78 residents (as of the 2016 census), the island’s challenging access added to its mystique.

Historically, Nassau was part of Pukapuka and known as Te Nuku-o-Ngalewu. Following a dispute, it was renamed Te Motu Ngaongao, or “Deserted Island,” by Manihikians who found it abandoned. Discovered in 1803, it was initially named Adele Island after the discoverer’s ship and later changed to Lydra Island, Ranger Island, and Mitchell Island before finally being named Nassau by American whaler John Sampson. Despite its various names and historical attempts at renaming, Nassau remained uninhabited until the 1900s when Kiribati laborers and Pukapukans settled there, drawn by work at a copra station and a desire for a simple life.

Suwarrow

Suwarrow, often described as “Treasure Island” or “the most romantic island in the world” by Fanny Stevenson, truly lives up to its enchanting names. This low-lying coral atoll, the southernmost of the northern Cook Islands, is believed to have had Polynesian settlers in prehistoric times. However, when the Russian ship Suvorov arrived in 1814, it found no inhabitants. Named after General Alexander Suvorov, the ship’s visit left the island with its current name. Suwarrow boasts one of the Pacific’s finest harbors, with a large lagoon enclosed by a reef and pristine islets scattered around its rim. Though about one and a half times the size of Rarotonga, its inaccessibility and vulnerability to cyclones make it a destination for only the most adventurous.

Today, Suwarrow is home to only two caretakers who stay intermittently. Its fame includes a 19th-century legend of treasure when a ship salvaging the reef near Anchorage Island discovered an iron chest containing $22,000 worth of coins—equivalent to $5 million today. Despite its romantic allure and storied past, the island remains largely untouched and elusive.

Palmerston

Palmerston, resembling a delicate necklace in the Pacific, is adorned with six sandy motu—Palmerston, North Island, Lee To Us, Leicester, Primrose, Tons, and Cooks—scattered around a vast lagoon. Covering about one square mile of land, the island is encircled by a coral reef that stretches across 3,600 acres and a seven-mile-wide lagoon. This remote paradise is flecked with coral heads and is renowned for its lush vegetation, including palm trees and pandanus.

Palmerston’s allure extends beyond its stunning natural beauty to its unique history. Although Captain Cook bypassed it in 1774 and landed in 1777, it was William Marsters, a ship’s carpenter from Manuae, who made the island famous after arriving in 1863 with two Polynesian wives (and a third shortly after). Marsters annexed the island from the British, established a large family of about 23 children, and divided the land among his wives. His name, initially Masters, was possibly changed to Marsters due to his accent, adding a distinctive touch to Palmerston’s storied past.