Jewel Of The Pacific… The Cook Islands
There are plenty of ways to enjoy the Cooks and your holiday here. Wander beaches with virtually nobody else around; relax in a hammock with a cold cocktail or rest beside the lagoon and experience some of the top quality activities available to you. The vibe is permanently ‘chilled’.
Underwater, on the water or deep in the lush tropical landscape, the ease of which it is to explore this paradise is what helps set it apart from other Pacific Island nations.
The only limit is what to choose to do… here are some suggestions.
1 - World-Class Diving: Bubbles Below (Aitutaki) is locally owned and operated by Onu, a PADI qualified instructor who will ensure an unforgettable diving experience. Onu and his crew know all the best diving spots Aitutaki has to offer.
Once in the water you can expect to see huge schools of spotted eagle rays, massive green turtles, giant napoleon wrasse, moray eels, as well as an abundance of tropical reef and deep-sea fish. There are some beautiful drop-offs, coral walls, swim throughs and coral gardens to explore.
A typical 2-tank diving day takes around 4 hours and during the surface interval you will have some light refreshments, like local fruit, coconut and water. Diving is usually done at a depth between 10 and 30 metres, where visibility is clear.
Bubbles Below can take you out for an intro dive and if your companion isn't up for diving, he or she is welcome to follow on the boat to do some snorkelling whilst you are blowing bubbles.
If you are travelling from July through to October with a bit of luck you may get to see the humpback whales, as Bubbles Below also offer a Whale Watching Tour on their new 13m custom designed Dive Boat ‘Big Bubbles’.
You can stay on board and take pictures of these incredibly majestic animals or venture into the water and experience the thrill of a lifetime, swimming with the whales. Whether above or below the ocean’s surface, Bubbles Below is the way to go.
2 - Vibrant Markets: Exploring the local markets in Rarotonga is a great way to experience some Cook Islands culture, like venturing out on Saturday mornings at the Punanga Nui Markets for local food, beverages and handicrafts, or heading out for an evening of cheap eats and good vibes at the Muri Night Markets.
Punanga Nui Market:
The Punanga Nui Market in Avarua offers free entertainment, fresh food stalls, organic coffee and authentic souvenirs like pearls, artwork and crafts. While the market is open until midday, early Saturday morning is the best time to go for locally grown fruits and vegetables as well as homemade treats. You’ll also want to stop by the main stage at about 10am for a live music and dance performance. The Punanga Nui Market also features a night market once a week, offering a wide range of cuisine, similar to the Muri Night Market.
Muri Night Market:
The Muri Night Market, in the Muri Beach Village, is a great way to curate your own dinner from the various food trucks, stalls and stands all while mixing and mingling with tourists and locals alike. Open five evenings a week, this night market offers a variety of food from local BBQ and seafood to chicken curries, wok-fried noodles, pizza, desserts and more. Make sure to go early to have the widest selection of food on offer as these market stalls do sell out. There’s so much choice and the portions are so generous, that you’ll need to come back another night to sample more of the local offerings.
3 - Majestic Aitutaki: After Rarotonga, Aitutaki is the second most visited island in the Cook Islands, and for good reason! Said to have the most beautiful lagoon in the world, Aitutaki is known for its expansive turquoise waters that provide world-class snorkelling, watersports and sailing adventures. It is a must-do when in the Cook Islands and you can explore this stunning tropical paradise by taking a day tour with Air Rarotonga or staying overnight in one of the numerous accommodation options available.
'The Aitutaki Day Tour operates from Monday to Saturday. On arrival in Aitutaki, visitors explore the island on a one hour guided (and very entertaining) driving tour before meeting up with The Vaka Cruise.
On the cruise, you’ll have plenty of time for snorkelling and swimming amongst giant clams, trevally and other tropical fish. The Vaka also stops at several motu (small islets) including the famous One Foot Island where you can have your passport stamped. Whilst on board, you will also enjoy a tasty fresh fish barbecue lunch with island sides, cooked right on deck. The crew also keeps everyone entertained with live music and cultural demonstrations.
This memorable cruise experience lasts approximately six hours before heading back to Aitutaki Airport to board the flight back to Rarotonga.
4 - Lagoon Cruises: A visit to the Cook Islands is simply not complete without a lagoon cruise. This must-do experience in Rarotonga and Aitutaki is a crowd favourite for the cruises’ ability to take you out to remote waters teeming with stunning marine life and show you some of the Cook Islands hospitality the destination is known for.
Muri Beach, Rarotonga:
On the South-Eastern side of Rarotonga and in the heart of Muri Beach, you will find two memorable lagoon cruise tours available. Both Captain Tama's Lagoon Cruizes and Koka Lagoon Cruises promise a day of fun for couples and families alike. These cruises not only offer up an incredible glass-bottom boat ride with snorkelling amongst a vast array of tropical fish and giant clams, but they also provide cultural entertainment, live music, a delicious local lunch spread and some laughs along the way.
Aitutaki Lagoon, Aitutaki:
With a massive lagoon that stretches for miles, it’s no wonder that Aitutaki has several lagoon cruise operators available to take guests around for a once in a lifetime trip.
If you plan to stay on the island, you can choose from Bishop’s Lagoon Cruises, Teking Lagoon Tours, Wet & Wild Aitutaki and Bubbles Below Aitutaki, which all boast a top-notch lagoon cruise, some even offering something a bit different. How does swimming with whales or a private water ski adventure sound?
5 - Food Glorious Food: When you visit the Cook Islands, you'll never have to eat the same meal twice (or in the same place!) Yes, contrary to what you might expect from a small cluster of islands in the Pacific, the food scene in the Cook Islands is incredibly diverse and caters for just about every budget.
Perfect for families or couples with all kinds of tastes, there are ample cafés, bars and restaurants offering fine wines, world-class cocktails and a range of delicious Polynesian and international cuisines.
If starting the day with a freshly squeezed juice or barista-style coffee is part of your routine, you’ll find great coffee, pastries, light bites and hearty breakfasts readily available at various cafés around Rarotonga and Aitutaki.
And when it comes to lunch and dinner options, almost every corner of the globe is represented across both main islands. While Rarotonga’s Muri Beach is a popular hotspot, in almost any district you’ll find restaurants (casual and upscale) offering European dishes, fresh seafood, grilled meats and a variety of Mexican and Asian plates among many other options.
Whether it’s a night out or a relaxing cocktail, the number of bars and pubs in the Cooks Islands is growing with many staying open until the early hours. Better still, Happy Hours make it easy to grab yourself a sea-view seat complemented by a choice of reasonably priced drinks.
6 - Spa Treatments:
Te Manava Spa: This is the perfect way to rest and re-energise. Offering a wide range of massage and pampering treatments for both individuals and couples – it’s a must do destination for those serious about total relaxation.
This luxurious Polynesian inspired spa is immersed in beautiful tropical surrounds. You will get to experience ultimate relaxation, be pampered and forget about everything for a while. Te Manava Spa uses Te Tika products, a line of products made from botanical and naturally derived ingredients exclusively from the Cook Islands.
Treat yourself to an ultimate indulgence massage with two therapists working together synchronising a blend of Swedish and Balinese massage techniques. This is the ultimate massage experience; or fall in love with your skin again with a soothing and hydrating Te Tika serenity facial. You can also choose to relax with the calming and tranquil aromatherapy as this antioxidant blend of botanicals revives your skins lustrous glow. Te Manava Spa’s signature glowing akari body scrub will leave your entire body feeling nourished and will leave you with an exotic healthy glow.
Waterfall Spa: Rumours Luxury Villas' multi award-winning Waterfall Spa features luxurious body scrubs, detoxifying body masks, beauty facials and a variety of massage treatments to suit your needs.
The absolute highlight on their treatment menu is the unique Vichy
Shower Massage treatment, where seven adjustable shower jets caress your body under an invigorating waterfall. One of the spa’s therapists will adjust the pattern, placement and temperature of these jets to achieve a whole-body water massage treatment that gives you the sensation of floating on water. The effect of this water movement on your skin increases blood circulation, hydrates the skin and soothes the nervous system, allowing your muscles to relax so you can go in to full relaxation.
And if that is not enough to get you in to full holiday mode, you can always opt for one of Waterfall Spa’s half day escape packages, offering a combination of treatments in one visit for singles or couples.
Spa Nautilus: Spa Nautilus at Nautilus Resort is a Polynesian influenced day spa where you’ll have the option to enjoy a lucious experience in either their open air or air-conditioned treatment suite, all set amongst beautiful tropical gardens.
The spa’s extensive treatment menu includes the world-renowned professional Thalgo Beautè Rituals, with Spa Nautilus’ therapists specifically trained in these specialised treatment methods. Thalgo aligns with the resort’s philosophy of embracing the goodness of nature, providing an ultimate sensory experience with Thalgo’s marine based rituals, including: full body and scalp massages, invigorating aromatherapy and soothing body treatments.
Following your treatment, you are invited to use the private bathroom, featuring a rain shower and a range of luxurious toiletries. And to help you transition back, you’ll have the chance to reflect and relax with a soothing herbal refreshment.
You can even make this an all-day experience by grabbing lunch and sunbathing poolside at Nautilus Resort Rarotonga’s incredible restaurant and infinity pool.
7 - Cycle Tours: If you’re looking for an authentic, unique, small group adventure experience in Rarotonga and if you enjoy learning about history, culture, food, contemporary life and more, or perhaps you fancy trying your hand at husking a coconut or trying fresh tropical fruit, then Storytellers Eco Cycle and Walking Tours is for you.
Offering bicycle, walking and ‘on-the-truck’ tours, Eco Cycle and Walking Tours will take you to places that are less frequented by visitors, including along the ancient coral road
or ‘Ara Metua’ (Back Road). You will enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Island’s interior, as well as some of the spectacular coastal locations.
The tours are set at a leisurely pace where you will have plenty of time to take photos, ask questions and basically just enjoy your surroundings. They are family friendly and have something for all ages, fitness levels and budgets (hotel transfers are included).
8 - Ariki Adventures: If it's adventure you're after, look no further than Ariki Adventures’ range of thrilling sea scooter snorkelling safaris in Rarotonga.
As the recipient of the 2020 Air New Zealand Cook Islands ‘Adventures & Eco-tourism Award’, Ariki Adventures not only provides fun and actionpacked tours, but they also set the standard for sustainable tourism in the Cook Islands. Ariki's unique point of difference is not only the use of motorised sea scooters that pull you through the water at three, five and seven kilometres per hour, but also how the business looks after the marine environment and educates visitors on how they too can make a positive contribution while on holiday.
Ariki Adventures offers three unique experiences, including: A Lagoon Discovery Sea Scooter Safari, perfect for groups or families wanting a lagoon swimming experience promising up close encounters with huge Bluefin & Back Trevally.
The Shipwreck Sea Scooter Safari, launching you into the deep blue of the Pacific Ocean where you'll visit the Puffer caves, coral gardens, the marine desert as well as a 100 year old shipwreck.
And the very popular Turtle Sea Scooter Safari, an educationally focused turtle experience where you get to swim nose-to-nose with Sea Turtles in their marine habitat.
Eco-friendly, educational and thrilling, you can't beat a snorkelling experience with Ariki Adventures when on holiday in Rarotonga!