Tourist Information for Cook Islands
At the very centre of the Polynesian triangle, the Cook Islands consist of 15 islands scattered over some 2 million square kms of the Pacific Ocean. With a land area of just 240 square kilometres, the islands range from low coral atolls to the mountainous majesty of Rarotonga, the largest island of the group and home to the capital, Avarua.
Rarotonga
Rarotonga is the vibrant centre of the Cook Islands and is where government resides. It is dominated by high mountain peaks from which lush rain forests cascade and provide a dramatic backdrop to a palm-fringed shore. The island is almost completely encircled by a reef, which harbours a lagoon of clear turquoise water and many inviting white sand beaches.
There are two main roads on Rarotonga - you can circle the island on the Ara Tapu sealed road, through the villages and past the beaches; or you can take the older inland road, Te Ara o Toi, which winds through fields of taro, pawpaw, bananas and local farmlands.
The motor scooter is a popular, fun way to see the sights; however bikes, cars and jeeps are also available from local rental agencies. The "Island Bus" offers a convenient low cost method of transport, operating regular schedules around the island (in both directions). It will pick you up and set you down anywhere on request.
Aitutaki
A visit to the Cook Islands is not complete without seeing the beautiful island of Aitutaki, which is less than an hours flight from Rarotonga. and lies 220kms north of Rarotonga. It measures just 20 square km is partly volcanic in origin. With the breathtaking allure of its crystal clear turquoise waters and sparkling white beaches, this is a place of unsurpassed natural beauty and tranquillity, providing a simple tonic to sooth away the pressures of the outside world.
Clothing
Warmth and sunshine can be enjoyed year-round in the Cook Islands. Severe weather is rare and infrequent, so lightweight clothing is the norm. The dress code is definitely ‘island style’ however a lightweight raincoat is a good idea as they do have showers, how else do they keep their plants and jungle looking so lush!
Shopping
The best buys are woodcarvings, pearls, shell crafts, woven product, pottery, and pandanus hats and baskets that have been made out of coconut fibre. Brightly coloured, all purpose wrap-around cloth garments are also a popular purchase.
AVERAGE MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE (°C) – based on Avarua
- JAN
- 29
- FEB
- 29
- MAR
- 29
- APR
- 25
- MAY
- 25
- JUN
- 25
- JUL
- 25
- AUG
- 25
- SEP
- 25
- OCT
- 25
- NOV
- 29
- DEC
- 29
- When to go
- The best times of year to visit are around the months of 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.
- Visas/Passports
- A visa is not required for stays 31 days or less for New Zealand citizens. Visitors must have a current passport valid for at least six months from the date of entry and a return or onward ticket. Please ensure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay in the Cook Islands. We would suggest that you carry a photocopy of the main passport identification page, plus any visas you may have, as this would be useful in case of loss. Remember to keep your photocopies separate from the original documents.
- Currency
- The Cook Islands unit of currency is the New Zealand dollar, supplemented by notes and coinage minted for local use. The unique local coins and notes are not negotiable outside the Cook Islands, but are keenly sought by collectors worldwide. Westpac and ANZ banks in downtown Avarua are open Monday to Friday from 9am to 3pm. Westpac is also open Saturday from 9am–12pm. Westpac Bank has an exchange and departure tax service available at the airport for all international flights; this is located at the International Arrivals Terminal. ATM service available at the main branches in Avarua, with ANZ ATM's located at Cooks Corner and Wigmores Superstore at Vaimanga, Westpac ATM is located at Oasis Energy in Nikao.