Did you think of rustling palm trees, chalk-white sand and brilliantly blue water? Welcome to the Cook Islands, one of the South Pacific's most idyllic destinations. Fulfil your wildest tropical island dreams as you relax in turquoise lagoons, snack on local fruit and snorkel with tropical fish and giant clams. Or discover the rich culture beneath the postcard-perfect scenes by meeting a Cook Islands warrior, learning about ancient cooking, healing and dancing traditions, or getting to know the locals at the markets. Relax, you're on Cook Island time now.
| Departing | Trip name | Days | From EUR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
14 Oct 2022Cook Islands Getaway |
Rarotonga to Aitutaki |
6 |
|
Spend six days soaking up the sun and sand with Intrepid on an unforgettable tropical...
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Visit Arorangi village to meet Ngametua – a tumutoa, or Cook Islands warrior – who will introduce you to the community culture. Learn about centuries-old traditions passed down the generations such as umu (ground oven cooking), weaving and herbal plant medicines. You'll also listen to family stories and legends on a guided walk around the village.
Aitutaki lagoon is the stuff of dreams – a 'pinch me' kind of place that has to be seen to be believed. Spend your days relaxing in the turquoise water, soaking up the sun's warm rays with a cocktail in hand. Or jump in to snorkel with giant fish and clams. Wrap up a day in paradise with a delicious beachside barbeque off Maina Island.
With an abundance of fresh fruit and produce, market stalls and food vendors whipping up delicious local fare, the Rarotonga market is the place to be on a Saturday morning. Grab a coffee or fresh coconut, maybe pick up a handcrafted souvenir or two, and head over to the stage to tap your toes to some live music.
Surrounded by pristine waters, the Cook Islands is a fantastic place to explore the vivid underwater world. Marvel at huge schools of tropical fish and sea cucumbers swimming around giant clams and colourful coral bommies. If you're lucky, you may encounter a ray or sea turtle.
If you're in Rarotonga on a Sunday, definitely consider attending a spirited church service in one of Rarotonga's beautiful white coral and limestone churches. You'll be welcomed with soaring songs of worship and parishioners ready to greet you with open arms. The pastor usually invites visitors to enjoy island fruits and light refreshments with the congregation afterwards.
Everyone travelling on an Intrepid trip must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of carriage.
All travellers are required to produce:
In all cases, you must be fully inoculated. This means you must receive the full dosage of the COVID-19 vaccine and allow enough time for immunity to take effect. Each COVID-19 vaccine has different dosages and timeframes for inoculation, so please check the relevant medical advice associated with your vaccine.
Learn more about Intrepid's COVID-19 proof of vaccination policy
Absolutely. All people travelling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their trip. Your travel insurance details will be recorded by your leader on the first day of the trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of healthcare around the world, travel insurance is very much an essential and necessary part of every journey.
For more information on insurance, please visit our Travel Insurance hub.
The Cook Islands boast warm, tropical weather all year round. Add that to the fact you'll probably spend most of your time on dreamy beaches and lagoons, swimming and snorkelling, you don't really need to pack much. Light, summery clothing, swimwear, sun protective gear and thongs are essential. You might also need a pair of runners or hiking boots if you want to explore the islands' walking trails. Here are the essential items to pack:
Located in the middle of the South Pacific, the remoteness of the Cook Islands means travel options are pretty limited. But hey, we like to think that's one of the things that makes travelling to an isolated tropical paradise even more exciting. The only way to get there is to fly to Rarotonga (the largest island). Currently, the only destination with direct flights to Ratoronga is Auckland in New Zealand. Flights to Rarotonga from Sydney, Los Angeles and Tahiti are set to resume this year following a hiatus due to COVID-19.
There isn’t really a ‘bad time’ to visit the Cook Islands as the temperatures are balmy all year round. But if great weather is what you're looking for, we recommend planning your trip in the dry season between April and November when humidity and rainfall are low. July and August boast the best weather, but they're also the busiest months so expect higher prices for accommodation, sold-out tourist activities, and busy restaurants.
The off-season coincides with the wet season when the weather is hotter, stickier and wetter. If you don't mind the rain, you can usually find cheaper prices and empty beaches, making it the perfect time to enjoy the islands in their most idyllic state.
The shoulder seasons are April to May and September to October, and you can generally expect drier weather with lots of sunshine and warm temperatures, except you won’t have to compete with throngs of tourists for the best spots on the beach.
The Cook Islands' currency is the New Zealand Dollar (NZD). The prices below are shown in USD for ease of comparison:
Tipping isn't expected in the Cook Islands, but if you're particularly happy with a service and you'd like to show your gratitude, a tip will be well received.
Visa requirements vary depending on where you’re from. If you’re a national from the UK, USA, Canada, Australia and several other countries in Europe and South America, you can enter the Cook Islands without a visa for tourism purposes for up to 31 days. New Zealand nationals can enter visa-free for up to 90 days. If you're travelling for business purposes, or you intend on staying longer or want to extend your trip, you may need a visa or entry-on-arrival permit. Extensions are usually granted on a monthly basis for up to five months, and you'll need to apply at least 2 weeks before your current visa or permit expires.
If you’re travelling from a county not mentioned above, you will need to contact your local embassy or high commission to confirm your visa requirements.
Intrepid is committed to making travel widely accessible, regardless of ability or disability. That’s why we do our best to help as many people see the world as possible, regardless of any physical or mental limitations they might have. We’re always happy to talk to travellers with disabilities and see if we can help guide them towards the most suitable itinerary for their needs and where possible, make reasonable adjustments to our itineraries.
