Cook Islands
The Cook Islands are a group of 15 small islands in the South Pacific Ocean, covering a huge area of 2.2 million square kilometers between New Zealand and Hawaii.
Rarotonga is the main population center. This is also where the international airport is located so you will most likely fly into there.
Accommodation Options
Being such a popular tourist destination, there are no shortage of choices when it comes to lodging. There really is something for all tastes and budgets, upmarket hotels and resorts, independent self catering holiday homes, luxury B&B’s, and budget backpackers and hostels. Everyone is welcome and no one is excluded in the Cook Islands, it doesn’t matter what your budget is.
Muri Beach at Rarotonga
Photo credit: Gemma Longman – flickr
The 15 islands and two reefs are:
- Southern Cook Islands:
This region is mostly volcanic and hilly islands with a few atolls. It is the main population base and includes the two main destination islands of Rarotonga and Aitutaki.- Nga-pu-Toru (“Three Roots”, the group name for the easternmost islands of Southern Group)
- Remaining islands of the South:
- Aitutaki (Araura Enua)
- Mangaia (Auau Enua)
- Rarotonga (Tumutevarovaro) and also with the capital, Avarua.
- Palmerston Island (Pamati) (sometimes grouped with the Northern Group)
- Manuae
- Takutea
- Winslow Reef (submerged)
- Northern Cook Islands:
These islands consist of low coral atolls that are closer to the equator.
Naturally, the Cook Islands has a tropical climate. Temperatures are beautiful year round – maximum of around 25C in the winter and summers are not too hot – average temps of around 29C throughout the summer months. As with tropical climates, most of the rain falls in afternoon summer storms.
One of the many gorgeous flowers you’ll find on Aitutaki in the Cook Islands
Photo credit: Tim Parkinson – flickr
