South Pacific?
Are the Cook Islands the friendliest place in the
Aqua lagoons, palm fringed beaches and the nicest locals you’ll ever meet – here are six reasons to get the Cook Islands on your winter sun list, stat!
1 They’re the islands of smiles
Whilehil the hc Cookk Islandsld receive if far less tourists than other South Pacific islands, the locals are famous for their laidback, friendly nature and love visitors! So much so, it’s not uncommon to see the mayor stand up at the local markets and ask people to “Like” them on Facebook! Sharing the same Polynesian ancestry as the Maoris, the locals have a strong sense of community, and children are a major focus of island life, so families will feel right at home.
2 You’ll love lagoon life
MostM people visit the main island of Rarotonga, where the centre of tourism is the beautiful lagoon at Muri Beach. The lagoon itself is a huge, shallow, turquoise body of water surrounded by a tropical reef. It’s perfect for snorkelling, stand-up paddleboarding and swimming. There are no waves and no sharks, and there’s easy access to the water’s edge, so it’s ideal for families. The water is so clear you can see your feet!
3 The hotels are small & welcoming
Yo You won’t’ find expensive locked-in package deals here – the beauty of the Cook Isl Islands is there are so many options, you can tailor your accommodation to suit your needs. If you have a large family, you can book out a beach house. If you want a couple’s weekend, check in to one of the four-star resort-and-spas. There are no big chain hotels, so lodgings are small and welcoming. Try Muri Beachcomber (beachcomber.co.ck) located right on Muri Lagoon with extensive gardens for kids to play in. Large families and groups will also love B’s Beach House (rarobeachhouse.com) which sleeps up to 16.
4 It’s great value
The Cook Islands use the New Zealand dollar as their currency so a holiday there ends up being pretty affordable for Aussies. Plus, most businesses are run by local families, not big companies, so prices tend to be reasonable. Actually, you won’t see any chain restaurants on the islands at all, so instead of takeaway you’ll be eating fresh fish as you watch the sun set over the ocean. Bliss! Check out local favourite The Mooring Fish Cafe (themooringfishcafe.com) just north of Muri Lagoon for delicious and afforable fish burgers, wraps, juices and coconut drinks. The views over the water are well worth the walk from Muri. For a bit of fun, try Coco Putt (www.cocoputt.co.ck), the island’s only restaurant and putt-putt golf course. You can eat your meal then head out for 18 mini holes on the course afterwards!
5 THERE ARE MARKETS GALORE
Cook Islanders love nothing more than a good market. There’s the weekly local produce markets, the craft markets in town and the twice-weekly food markets near Muri Lagoon. Locals and visitors alike flock there to shop and share a meal at one of the communal dining tables. Make sure you order the fish curry – it’s amazing!
6 There’s culture in spades
Intensely proudd of their Polynesian heritage, Cook Islanders are more than happy to share their culture with visitors, and one of the best ways to do that is at the Te Vara Nui Village (tevaranui.co.ck). It’s a purpose-built village hosting cultural shows, dinner shows and educational exhibitions (from $46 adults and $27 children). Another familyfriendly tour with a cultural angle is Captain Tama’s Lagoon Cruizes (captaintamas.com). Run by locals, this tour takes you out to the edge of the lagoon on a glass-bottomed boat and includes local history, snorkelling, an island visit and a coconut husking demonstration ($75 adults and $38 children).