5 Surprising Things to Do in the Cook Islands According to a Local

Mountains roll down to blue lagoons, palm trees line the roads and life is blissfully slow in the Cook Islands. Rather than stay resort-bound when visiting, you’ll get so much more out of your trip by heading out and mixing with locals by exploring the numerous restaurants, bars and cafes – Cook Islanders are known for being the most sociable in the South Pacific. 

Everything magic about Polynesia can be found across this 15-island strong archipelago: snorkelling with turtles, swimming with whales, off-road buggy tours and kayaking adventures to name a few. Rarotonga – the largest island – takes barely 40 minutes to drive around and nothing is more than 20 minutes away by car, while a quick scooter or e-bike ride in almost any direction will yield incredible views.

Here, no building is taller than the island’s loftiest coconut tree (it’s the law) so you won’t see any high-rise hotels. Instead, you’ll find a range of accommodation options spanning resorts, to holiday homes and villas. 

We asked former local and regular returnee Craig Tansley to share his top five tips for exploring the Cook Islands.

Enjoy sunset cocktails and sensational views

Rarotonga is well known for its beach bars and restaurants. Locals and tourists alike enjoy heading out to watch the sunset while keeping an eye out for the “green flash” – a verdant explosion of light that spills across the horizon right as the sun dips. 

Head west to Arorangi to find a collection of rustic barefoot bars metres from Aroa beach, offering live music, fresh fish caught just off Rarotonga and sweet Pina Coladas made from fresh coconut – the ideal accompaniment for watching the sun set over the lagoon, reef and open ocean. 

Some of the best places to set up camp for the sunset evening show are Shipwreck Hut, Wilson’s Beach Bar & Restaurant or the Waterline Restaurant & Beach Bar.

Hike mountainous hinterland

While it’s Rarotonga’s lagoons which attract most of the attention, don’t overlook the stunning green mountains in the hinterland. 

As well as providing a backdrop to every bar, café and restaurant on the island, it’s easy to access the wild interior. There’s well-worn hiking trails right across the island’s centre – join a group guided hike with Maunga Tours for just NZD$80, or find your own way down the clearly-marked paths.

Walk to Raro’s tallest mountain, Te Manga, for panoramic views across most of the island, or find your very own piece of wilderness by riding or taking a scooter up dirt roads connected to Rarotonga’s ancient inland road, Ara Metua (the South Pacific’s oldest road).

Cruise around Aitutaki’s gigantic lagoon

It’s one of the South Pacific’s most iconic – and pristine – lagoons. Aitutaki Lagoon, on Aitutaki, a 50-minute flight from Rarotonga, is four times larger than the island itself at 74 square kilometres, and is home to 15 islets (motu) – 14 of which are entirely uninhabited. 

Charter your own boat tour or join a group tour with the Vaka cruise, where your journey will be accompanied by Cook Islanders playing ukulele and singing while a buffet lunch of fresh-caught tuna and wahoo is served.

The water is calm and as blue as you’ll find anywhere in the Pacific, thanks to the huge reef. The lagoon is also one of the world’s top kite-surfing locations, with local experts such as Wet & Wild Aitutaki offering kiteboarding to suit all levels of experience from bases set up out on the islets.

Dance along to an island show 

No trip is complete without an authentic Polynesian island night in the Cook Islands. Dance troupes appear every night of the week at many resorts and bars across Rarotonga and Aitutaki, including The Islander Hotel, and Aitutaki’s Tamanu Beach Resort, who offer shows right on the lagoon. There’s also performances at cultural centres like Highland Paradise and Te Vara Nui Village on Rarotonga. 

Sit down to a buffet-style feast of meat and seafood cooked in a traditional umu (earth oven) and watch locals dance to to’ere (drums) made from local wood. You might even get pulled on stage to participate. 

Fly to islands where few ever go

While the Northern Group of islands in the Cook Islands is harder to access, most of the Southern Group is just a short flight away with local operator, Air Rarotonga.

Better-known Aitutaki is only 50 minutes’ flying time away from the main island of Rarotonga, but travelling the same distance will also take you to secret islands such as Atiu, Mangaia and Mitiaro.

On Mangaia, stay with a local family and live as they do. There’s caves to explore deep below the island, such as Tuatini and Te Rua Rere Cave, or search for tiny sea creatures on the reef with the island’s residents. Rent a scooter and ride around the island (it doesn’t take long).

SEE ALSO: 12 Reasons Why the Cook Islands Should be Your Next Tropical Escape