The Cook Islands appeal to honeymooners and explorers searching for an extravagant escape, yet that doesn't mean you need to spend a fortune to go here. Situated in the South Pacific Ocean - arranged between French Polynesia and American Samoa - these 15 little islands are frequently called the Pacific Ocean's trick of the trade.
This objective has been on our tropical island list of must-dos for a really long time and we were shocked to observe that numerous voyagers had no clue about where these islands are found. Simply a short departure from Los Angeles, it has rapidly become one of our new most loved travel objections. Utilize these Cook Islands venture out tips to design your next trip!
Which Islands to Visit in the Cook Islands
The Southern Group of Islands incorporates Palmerston, Aitutaki, Manuae (uninhabited), Takutea, Mitiaro, Atiu, Mauke, Rarotonga, and Mangaia. Rarotonga and Aitutaki are two of the least demanding islands to visit and where you will track down the most framework.
You will observe standard flight administration to every one of the islands in the Southern gathering, with the exception of Palmerston and Manuae. Mangaia is the second biggest island in the Cooks, however it has a tiny populace of only 500 individuals. Atiu is known for its limestone buckles and astounding jumping areas and, as Mangaia, is still especially unseen.
Are the Cook Islands Expensive to Visit?
The Northern gathering of islands comprise of Pukapuka, Penrhyn, Rakahanga, Manihiki, Nassau, and Suwarrow. These islands are not effectively open and, thusly, over the top expensive to visit. This guide will zero in on Rarotonga and Aitutaki on the grounds that they are the least demanding to get to, yet still off in an unexpected direction for most explorers.
While these two islands are not a spending plan objective, there are cash saving tips while visiting, which we will cover underneath.
Cook Islands Sample Itinerary
Short-term trip into Rarotonga with Air New Zealand: This gives you an entire day to investigate the island on appearance, yet try to affirm registration time at your lodging. Muri Beachcomber offers relax access with a shower, in addition to full admittance to the property's offices until 12pm registration time. We went through the early daytime kayaking around the tidal pond and our room was prepared by 11am!
3-4 night stay in Rarotonga: Don't ignore Rarotonga. We cherished it comparably much (in the event that not more) than Aitutaki.
Trip to Aitutaki with Air Rarotonga: Make sure you get a seat by the window for this 30-minute flight!
Remain 3-6 evenings on Aitutaki: For a more extended stay on Aitutaki, I propose changing lodgings from one side of the island to the next, so you can bamboozle the two universes. See inn proposals underneath.
Tidal pond Tour on Aitutaki: Make sure to take somewhere around one tidal pond visit while you are on Aitutaki. In light of our inn's suggestion, we booked with Aitutaki Adventures which is one of only a handful of exceptional boats that travels along the west (less breezy) side of the island, in addition to a stop at One Foot Island. Diocesan's Cruises is one more famous one with somewhat less individuals than Vaka Cruises. They generally run about $99 NZD per individual.
The most effective method to Get to the Cook Islands
In the event that you are flying from the United States, Air New Zealand offers standard non-stop trips between Los Angeles (LAX) and Rarotonga (RAR). New Zealanders can without much of a stretch jump on a non-stop trip to the islands through Auckland and Australians can fly direct from Sydney. When you are on Rarotonga, you can travel to different islands with Air Rarotonga.
As a West Coaster who ventures frequently, an immediate 10-hour flight (8 1/2 hours returning) with Air New Zealand was a much needed refresher contrasted with numerous flights and delays while going to the Caribbean. This was our first involvement in Air New Zealand and we were both dazzled with the help and well disposed staff. They have rapidly leaped to the highest point of rundown of most loved carriers.
On the off chance that you in all actuality do visit in the shoulder season, you can frequently track down bargains on trips to this objective. Assuming you pursue their bulletin, you will get toll refreshes through email.
Which Islands to Visit in the Cook Islands
The Southern Group of Islands incorporates Palmerston, Aitutaki, Manuae (uninhabited), Takutea, Mitiaro, Atiu, Mauke, Rarotonga, and Mangaia. Rarotonga and Aitutaki are two of the simplest islands to visit and where you will track down the most framework.
You will observe normal flight administration to every one of the islands in the Southern gathering, with the exception of Palmerston and Manuae. Mangaia is the second biggest island in the Cooks, however it has a tiny populace of only 500 individuals. Atiu is known for its limestone gives in and astounding jumping areas and, as Mangaia, is still particularly unseen.
Step by step instructions to Get to the Cook Islands
In the event that you are flying from the United States, Air New Zealand offers customary non-stop trips between Los Angeles (LAX) and Rarotonga (RAR). New Zealanders can undoubtedly jump on a non-stop trip to the islands by means of Auckland and Australians can fly direct from Sydney. When you are on Rarotonga, you can travel to different islands with Air Rarotonga.
As a West Coaster who voyages regularly, an immediate 10-hour flight (8 1/2 hours returning) with Air New Zealand was a much needed refresher contrasted with various flights and delays while heading out to the Caribbean. This was our first involvement in Air New Zealand and we were both intrigued with the help and agreeable staff. They have in practically no time leaped to the highest point of rundown of most loved aircrafts.
Assuming that you truly do visit in the shoulder season, you can frequently track down bargains on trips to this objective. Assuming you pursue their bulletin, you will get admission refreshes by means of email.
The Best Time to Visit the Cook Islands
What is the greatest month to visit the Cook Islands? All things considered, the heat and humidity in the Cook Islands makes it an incredible objective for all year travel! The blustery season (their late spring) starts in November and goes on until mid March or early April. This is the point at which the water will be the hottest, however you may track down the temperature outside of the water somewhat overpowering on occasion.
After my examination, I chose to visit in the shoulder period of October (their spring) which is ordinarily less breezy than the wintertime and when you will track down the best arrangements. December through April is their typhoon season so remember this while arranging your excursion.
Pressing Essentials for the Cook Islands
Photograph Equipment - I strongly suggest bringing a GoPro for submerged photographs (and a selfie stick!) and a pleasant camera for land exercises. (See our total travel camera purchasing guide here.)
Clothing - Sandals or flip failures (I love Rainbow shoes), two or three bathing suits, and a sun cap are unquestionable requirements any season. I likewise enthusiastically suggest bringing water shoes.
Bug Spray - Do not neglect to bring heaps of purchase shower. This movement size shower siphon is extraordinary for roadtrips, however you'll need a bigger size to keep in your lodging.
Sunblock - Bring a lot of sunblock. It's costly on the islands.
Wifi and Cell Service in the Cook Islands
The Cook Islands is one of a handful of the spots in the reality where PDA organizations can't give any kind of reasonable worldwide bundle. It's in a real sense in the sea, so be ready to switch off your information wandering and change your telephone to quite mode similarly as an additional an action.
Our mobile phone organization charges $15 per megabyte in the Cook Islands!! To provide you with a thought of the fact that it is so natural to consume a megabyte, we purchased a wifi bundle of 100 MB and it was spent in under 3 minutes.
On the off chance that you in all actuality do purchase a wifi bundle, make a point to switch off all programmed application refreshes in your settings any other way those will start to download once you associate with wifi and it will gobble up your $10 bundle before you even get an opportunity to browse your email. Numerous lodgings sell a bundle of 100MB for $10.
Where to Stay on Rarotonga
Muri Beach is the put to remain on Rarotonga. This lovely extended length of ocean side sits inside a safeguarded tidal pond and explorers can without much of a stretch kayak, swim, or SUP to two little, uninhabited islands. I went through hours investigating to track down the ideal lodging around here. I at last chose Muri Beachcomber and I could never have been more joyful with my choice.
My 1-room estate had sea sees, its own kitchen, and an open normal region. There were a couple of somewhat more affordable choices, yet it turned out to be the most reasonable choice when I thought about each of the conveniences remembered for the cost. They incorporate free utilization of their bicycles, paddleboards, kayaks, and snorkel gear - in addition to air terminal transport and a fundamental breakfast every morning.
Everybody cautioned me not to invest an excess of energy on Rarotonga in light of the fact that they felt Aitutaki was quite a lot more pristine, yet I was really dismal to leave this spot after our short stay.
Where to Stay on Aitutaki
Arriving on Aitutaki felt like a touch of culture shock. Rarotonga never felt swarmed, however Aitutaki is calmer than any island we had at any point experienced.
Relaxed Luxury Hotels on Aitutaki
On the off chance that you are searching for easygoing extravagance, I enthusiastically suggest Tamanu Beach. It sits on one of the most mind-blowing swim sea shores on the island and during the blustery season this side of the island gives a touch of insurance. In October, Tamanu Beach was running at about $250US each night with breakfast included.
I ate a large portion of my suppers at Tamanu's eatery in light of the fact that the food was delectable and it was almost difficult to track down new food at the supermarkets. Organic product, vegetables and eggs are very rare on the island and most stores run out of new things first thing. Tamanu Beach additionally offers free utilization of their kayaks and a free air terminal exchange.
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