10 things to do – Cook Islands
The 15 islands of the South Pacific nation offer a trove of varied activities
I
Eat the best fish taco
Like a fleet of edible Vakas, hulls carved from fried bread, stuffed with greens and piled with plump, bite-sized parcels of crispy fish drizzled in secret sauce. The quest to be best is conquered with saltwater squirting sea grapes at Avatea cafe, in Tatua, Aitutaki.
Avateacafe.com
2
Drink a growler
Beer, glorious beer. Two litres to be exact. A growler is a stainless-steel flagon that can be filled with Cook Island Lager at Rarotonga Brewery for just $13. Locals insist the brew of island water, hops and grains without additives or preservatives comes hangover free – so let’s drink to that. rarotongabrewery.com
3
Play the ukulele
It’s the sound of holiday happiness, and you’ll find plenty of chances to play, but first, score yourself a “uke” from craftsman Turua Joseph who carves custom ukuleles from hibiscus, tou and tamanu (mahogany) in his Aitutaki island workshop. Expect to pay from $140 to $800 for an instrument, and then morph into the life of every party once home.
Tandsofaitutaki
4
Stay in an art hotel
Motu Beachfront Art Villas blends a luxury resort beside Titikaveka Lagoon and a gallery. Profits going back into community, health and art initiatives makes this a feel-good stay. motuvillas.com
5
Take an island tour
With 15 islands and atolls amidst 2 million sq km of Pacific Ocean, few ever reach the archipelago’s outer islands unless via private charter with hops between Aitu, the “island of the birds”, Mauke and Nassau, “garden of Eden”, and Suwarrow, a place author Robert Louis Stevenson considered “the most romantic island in the world”. islandhoppervacations.com
6
Try an e-bike
At 32km in circumference and with one coast-hugging, mostly level main road, explore Rarotonga on the Storytellers Eco Cycling 4-hour Explore Bicycle Tour. storytellers.co.ck
7
Eat a progressive dinner
Dine with families in their homes and taste traditional fare like raw fish in coconut and an umu (earth oven) feast. From $99. cookislands.travel/
A tropical turquoise lagoon at Aitutaki Cook Islands is the perfect place to chill.
8
Swim with turtles
Rated “Best of the Best” Experiences in the World in 2021 by Trip Advisor, spend 1.5 hours snorkelling beside turtles and a multiaward winning photographer who’ll take professional quality souvenir photos of your experience for you to take home. From $150. charlottepiho.com
9
Sponsor a spey
Instead of taking something home, leave something behind by gifting a dog with a desex. Over 7000 dogs live in Rarotonga, with “wandering dogs” fun to pet on holidays but when you go, a problem. Donate $50 to Te Are Manu Vet (who runs solely on donations) so your holiday pet has a happier, healthier life. tearemanu.com
IO
Get a brag stamp
The ultimate brag-worthy souvenir combines visiting one of the world’s best islands surrounded by the world’s best lagoon, to get the world’s cutest stamp from the world’s smallest post office planted on your passport for free. Daily cruises visit One Foot Island from Aitutaki, but for a cruise hosted by the world’s best showman – there’s only one Vaka. thevakacruise.com