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Cook Islands Travel Guide
Family friendly travel guide to the Cook Islands.
The Cook Islands are a group of fifteen islands and are located just east of Tonga and Samoa. The two main islands are Rarotonga and Aitutaki, with the capital, Avarua located on Rarotonga.
Rarotonga is a volcanic island, surrounded by beautiful blue waters and spectacular coral reefs and with rugged mountain peaks in the middle. The island of Aitutaki is regarded as the most picturesque in the Pacific.
Accommodation ranges from luxury resorts to motel units as well as plenty of self contained houses and cabins.
This page contains information on the Cook Islands that may be of value to families and contains a link to the Cook Islands accommodation page with listings of the family friendly accommodation available in the Cook Islands. Each resort is listed with the facilities available especially for children from children's meals to kids clubs, children's activities, playgrounds etc.
Cook Islands Facts
Climate: The Cook Islands offers a perfect
tropical climate with maximum summer temperatures of 29 degrees and a minimum of
22 degrees while the winter maximum is up to 25 degrees with a minimum of 19
degrees. December to March is the warmer, humid season. Tropical showers are
likely to occur without warning but usually pass quickly. The small differences
in the temperature make any time of the year a good time to visit.
Currency: New Zealand dollar. 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, $1 and $2 coins and $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100 notes.
Banking: Westpac and ANZ are the only two banks in the Cook Islands. There's an ATM machine in Avarua and one
at the airport. Money can also be exchanged at all the major resorts, with a
much better rate for travellers cheques rather than cash.
Flights: Air New Zealand flies regularly to the Cook Islands from the east coast of Australia, via New
Zealand.
Population: approximately 19,000 scattered around the fifteen islands. There are about 11,500 on the main island, Rarotonga, and
about 2,500 on Aitutaki.
Water: The tap water comes from mountain
streams, but is treated and is reportedly safe to drink, however sometimes
looked cloudy. Stick to bottled water which is available everywhere.
Shops: On Rarotonga you will find shops every 2 kilometers or so, with bread, milk,
drinks (incl beer) and other basics. Some shops offer hot takeaway food. In
Avarua there are supermarkets and chemists. Prices are a little dear
(probably comparable to Vanuatu - definitely more expensive than Fiji). New
Zealanders will notice the higher prices but Australians will benefit from
the weaker NZ dollar.
Restaurants: These are scattered around the island. You can also eat in any resort as long as you
make a booking.
Driving: You will need to get a Cook Islands
drivers license by producing your current license. Just go to the police station in Avarua, fill in a form, have your picture
taken, and return 30 minutes later for your license. If you want to ride
motor bikes you will either need to produce a current bike license or sit for a
quick test at the police station. You can hire motor bikes, bicycles, cars
and four wheel drives at one of the many car hire places or through most
resorts. Driving is on the left hand side of the road.
The roads are generally safe to drive on. The speed limit is 40kph for cars
in the built up areas and up to 60kph outside these areas. Motor bikes have
a speed limit of 40kph. The biggest danger you are likely to face on the roads doesn't come from
other cars or bikes but from dogs, goats and chickens which are numerous
throughout Rarotonga and are likely to wander across the roads without
warning.
Bus: There is a local bus available which runs a regular service in both
directions around Rarotonga for only $2.50 one way and $4 return.
Economy: The main income produced by the Cook Islands includes tourism, pearls, clothing, fruit & vegetables and
fish.
Departure tax: Adults NZ$55, children under 12 years
NZ$15, children under 2 years free. You can prepay this tax at the Westpac bank,
but there were no delays paying at the airport prior to departure.
Dress: Casual light clothing. Maybe a jumper for the winter evenings.
Health: There is a hospital near the Airport on Rarotonga, which is open 24 hours and an outpatient in Avarua.
There are also a number of private doctors and dentists available on Rarotonga.
Electricity: 240 volt 50 Hz AC. The same 3 pin plugs that are used in Australia and New
Zealand.
Mosquitoes: Not as prevalent as in some other Pacific countries. Near the
coast they are not common but as you travel inland you will notice them more.
There is no malaria in the Cook Islands however there have been some isolated
cases of Dengue fever in the past, so it is wise to use repellant.
General Information And Tips For Families Planning Holidays in the Cook Islands
The first thing that you'll notice are
the large mountains that dominate the centre of the island. Then there's
the aqua waters inside the reef that circles the island. It takes a bit
longer to recognise the other major differences between the Cook Islands
and other Pacific islands - there is nothing out of place. It's a bit
like the movie 'The Truman Show' - no one litters, the streets are
spotless, everyone keeps their lawns and gardens trimmed and manicured.
You drive around looking for the poorer sections on the island, where
people are living in below standard accommodation, but they don't exist.
There are no taxis dominating the traffic, no mosquitoes pestering you,
no traders dragging you into their shops, no restaurants that you
wouldn't eat at, no tall buildings spoiling the landscape (nothing
higher than a coconut tree apparently), no speeding cars or bikes, and
little or no crime.
The Rarotongans are very friendly people,
maybe not as outgoing and affectionate as the Fijian natives, but
friendly all the same. They appear to have a relaxed and casual
lifestyle and will always greet you with a friendly hello or Kia Orana
when you see them. There is very little crime on the island and you will
feel safer here than probably any other pacific island, whether you are
walking through the back roads of the island with your family,
treking through the mountains, swimming at a deserted beach or walking
the streets of Avarua at night.
The standard of living is
reasonably high, especially compared to places like Fiji or even
Vanuatu. Most houses have electricity and sewerage, with some of the
newer places featuring solar power and underground electricity.
Travel Around Rarotonga
There are many ways to get
yourself around the island. The circumference of the island is only 35km
and the main road is fully sealed. There is also an inland road which is
also sealed, but much narrower than the main road, so caution is
advised, as well as many other tracks and roads, some suitable for 4
wheel drives only.
The Cook
Islands Bus company has a bus service that circles the island in both
directions. The cost is $2.50 one way or $4 return and runs from 7am
till 4:30pm and 6pm till 10pm Monday to Friday, Saturdays 8am till 1 pm
and 6pm till 11:45pm and Sundays 8am till 12 noon and 2pm till 4pm
(clockwise only). You can get a day pass or a 10 trip pass.
Taxis are available but it's
not like Fiji or Vanuatu with taxis dominating the traffic. Taxis here
are expensive and you will need to ring and book.
Cars are available for hire
at each resort or at car hire places in Avarua and near the airport. You
will need to get a Cook Islands drivers license by visiting the
police station. The cost is $10 and they will take your photo and ask
you to return in 30 minutes to pick up you license. The police station
is closed on Sundays so try to avoid Monday mornings as the queue will
be out the door. Car hire starts from around $45/day. The island speed
limit is 60kph (40kph in built up areas).
The most popular form of
transport on Rarotonga is the motor bike or scooter. You will see them
everywhere. You can hire a bike at numerous places around the island and
at the main resorts. Expect to pay around $20 - $25 dollars a day. You
will need a current motor bike license or you can take a quick driving
test at the police station (for $5). The speed limit for bikes is 40kph
all around the island.
You'll be unlikely to see
anyone wear a helmet when riding bikes around the island, however you
can request one when you make your booking. Because the speed limit is
adhered too, and because the amount of slow traffic naturally limits the
speed you can travel, driving is relatively safe. However there are some
other hazards to negotiate. Dogs are likely to wander across the road in
front of you without warning, and other animals like goats and chickens
are a problem on the back roads around the island. Bikes are required to
travel on the far left of the road to make overtaking easy, and its
illegal to ride two abreast.
Bicycles are another
popular form of transport with most resorts providing hire facilities. Four wheel drive vehicles
are also available for hire at resorts and car hire companies for around
$75/day. Some off road driving is available but most tracks tend to only
go in a couple of kilometres from the main road before they are stopped
by the mountains. These tracks are not marked on the maps and can prove
difficult to find. The highest road point on the island is at the
hospital where you can get some great views, however if you turn left
when you reach the hospital, you will find a track that takes you much
higher up the mountain and offers some great views of both sides of the
island. This track is only accessible by 4WD. Other tracks include the
road to Wigmores Waterfall, and the tracks leading to the Turangi walk
and the Avana walk.
Shopping
Not really a place to find great bargains or spend a great deal of time shopping. There are a couple of duty free shops in Avarua, some clothes, souvenir and t-shirt shops and jewellers specializing in black pearls.
Food And Drinks
There are a number of restaurants, cafes and takeaways scattered around the
island. The most popular type of food is seafood, mainly fish, which is
fresh and well priced. Most meat is imported and this is reflected in the
price. Shellfish, like prawns and crabs, were hard to find and expensive.
The quality of food available is above average, but seems to reach a certain
level and that's where it stops. No high class restaurants serving lobsters
or crabs or extensive menus that give you a wide choice.
Trader Jacks seafood restaurant was very good (leave the kids behind) and the Sandals
restaurant at the Pacific Resort was also very good (but expensive)
The resorts will feature special nights including food baked in an underground oven, the umu, as
well as seafood nights, barbeque nights etc. Some include some form of
entertainment included in the price. You are more than welcome to drop
in the different resorts for lunch or dinner but you will need to ring
and book to make sure of getting a table. Expect to pay around $15 for
entrees and $25 for main meals.
There are a couple of supermarkets on the island where you can purchase most things you're
likely to need and you'll pay much less than resort prices. Soft drinks
are around $1.50/can, the same for bottled water, beer is around $2 a
can, bread is a bit more expensive at around $3.50/loaf. There are small
shops every kilometer or two around the island where you can pick up
most basic items.
Things To Do
About 1km in from the main
road, about 3 km past the Rarotongan beach resort is Wigmores waterfall,
the only waterfall on Rarotonga. You can walk or drive (4WD, motor bike
or bicycle). We decided to walk. The turnoff the main road is not
marked, but it is right next to the Sheraton Hotel. The hotel was
started about 10 years ago and building was abandoned about 6 years ago
with the resort nearly complete. The area is now overgrown with weeds
and vines and the near completed buildings look like they will never
house a tourist. The road to the waterfall then passes farmland but soon
turns tropical with huge vines wrapped around the tall trees and a
cascading stream bordering the path. The waterfall itself is somewhat of
a disappointment. There is a metal pipe across the waterfall which
spoils the natural beauty and a sign advises that water from the
waterfall supplies the towns drinking water and you aren't allowed to
swim (contrary to what we were led to believe). The beauty of the
rainforest and the stream still makes the walk worthwhile (take your
mozzie repellant).
The Aroa Pony Trek is
situated just behind the Rarotongan resort and offers a 2 and a half
hour horseback ride to Wigmores waterfall and back along the beach. The
cost is $40/adult and $25/child. We thought this would be a bit much for
the kids so we arranged to have a half hour ride along the inland road
and back along the beach for $20 per horse. The younger kids shared a
horse with their mums and everyone had a great time. Definitely
recommended.
Captain Tama's Lagoon Cruise is a four and a half hour glass bottom boat tour of Muri Lagoon. The
cruise takes you to one of the best snorkeling spots on the island. The
coral and fish are brilliant. If you don't want to snorkel you can swim
next to the boat or sit and watch the fish as they are fed. The cruise
then takes you to an island off Muri beach where a barbeque lunch of
grilled fish, cooked bananas and salads is served. The captain then puts
on a show of sarong tying and coconut husking and you have plenty of
time to explore the island or swim in the sparkling waters of the
lagoon. The kids went hermit crab hunting and found some huge crabs. The
cost was $150/family and it's well worth doing. Snorkeling gear is
provided, but flipper sizes were limited for kids, so it would be
advisable to take you own or get some from your resort to take with you.
Hire a car or bike and spend
a day driving around the island. You can drive around in under an hour
and you can pick the best spots for a swim and snorkel. Then you then
can check out the inland road, which takes you past plenty of places of
interest, past farms and up to the hospital for some great views of the
island.
4WD Raro mountain Safari
Tours features a tour into the valleys and up to the mountain tops
around the island for some stunning views of the island. The cost is
$60/adult and $30/child and includes light refreshments.
A good souvenir to take home
is a Cook Islands ukulele, and the best place to buy one is at the jail.
The ukuleles are made by the inmates and sell for $40 each - you'll pay
up to $60 in the shops.
There are plenty of walks
and hiking trails around the island. They range from easy to very hard.
The Wigmores waterfall walk was our only attempt but there are plenty of
walks to choose from. Pa's Mountain Walk offers a choice if a 4 hour
Nature walk or a 4 hour Cross island trek. The cost is $50/adult and
$20/child.
Snorkeling is probably the
most popular activity on the island, with the natural lagoon that
surrounds the island making it perfectly safe. You can stop at most
places around the island and snorkel straight off the beach. There are
some areas that are marked as dangerous so take a local map with you.
Bring your own snorkel and flippers to save hassles trying to find ones
that fit you and your kids and invest in a disposable underwater camera
for some great shots of the fish and coral.
A guided tour of the
Cultural Village includes information and demonstrations of the Cook
Islands culture, weaving, coconut husking, wood carving, cooking, Maori
medicine, fishing and costume making. The tour includes lunch and a show
and costs $50/person. There is also a circle island tour available for
$45/person.
Other activities available
include a plane trip to the beautiful island of Aitutaki ($389/adult and
$195/child), diving, kayaking, reef walking, Island NiteLife tour,
garden tours and fishing.
Flights
There are now direct flights from Australia to the Cook Islands. You will need to take plenty of things for the kids to do to keep them occupied. If the kids are happy and occupied the trip seems to go quickly and you're there before you know it.
Time
If you are arriving from Australia or New Zealand you will cross the date line on your journey so you will probably arrive in the Cook Islands the day before you leave. Take this into account when working out your holiday. e.g. 7 nights accommodation from the 10th of the month means your first night is the 9th , your last night is the 15th, you leave on the 16th and you arrive home on the 17th.
Money
The Cook Island currency is the New Zealand
dollar. You can pay for most things by credit card, however you will need
cash in the smaller shops, for bus trips etc.
For Australians the best
option is travellers cheques which were worth about 4 cents more than
cash per dollar on average. The exchange rates were reasonable at most
places.
Links
Cook Islands Accommodation
Rarotongan Beach Resort Review
Booking Enquiry
Cook Islands Tourism Corporation