Must-see attractions in The Cook Islands

  • Aitutaki Lagoon

    Aitutaki Lagoon

    Aitutaki

    Aitutaki’s stunning lagoon, brimming with marine life and ringed by 15 palm-covered motu (islets), is a South Pacific tearsure. Maina (Little Girl) offers…

  • Muri Beach on Rarotonga in the Cook Islands

    Muri

    Rarotonga

    With its four motu (islets), Muri is the most beautiful section of Rarotonga’s encircling lagoon. The blue water is packed with tropical fish, especially…

  • Anatakitaki Cave.

    Anatakitaki

    The Cook Islands

    Eerie Anatakitaki is ‘Atiu’s most spectacular cave, a multichambered cavern surrounded by banyan roots and thick jungle. It’s also home to the rare kopeka…

  • Vai Nauri

    The Cook Islands

    A real highlight in this region is the deep sparkling-blue Vai Nauri, Mitiaro’s natural swimming pool. Local women used to hold gatherings known as…

  • Motuanga

    The Cook Islands

    Motuanga (the Cave of 100 Rooms) is a complex of tunnels and caverns in the island’s southeast that’s said to extend all the way under the reef and out to…

  • Vai Tango

    The Cook Islands

    Vai Tango is the best cave for swimming, a short walk from Ngatiarua village. Schoolkids often head there at weekends and after school, and they can show…

  • Te Ana O Rakanui

    The Cook Islands

    Te Ana O Rakanui is a burial cave packed with musty old skulls and skeletal remains. It’s a tight squeeze inside – claustrophobics be warned.

  • Rangimotia

    The Cook Islands

    At 169m, Rangimotia is the highest point on the island, with stunning coastal views. From the Oneroa side, a dirt road leads to the top.

  • Circle-Island Road

    The Cook Islands

    An 18km-long circular road negotiates Ma’uke’s secluded coves and beaches, which are among the island’s main attractions. One of the nicest is One’unga,…

  • Arutanga

    Aitutaki

    After you’ve been to Rarotonga, Arutanga, Aitutaki’s only town, seems astonishingly quiet, with few signs of life even on weekdays when the shops are open…

  • Highland Paradise Cultural Centre

    Rarotonga

    High above ‘Arorangi, Highland Paradise stands on the site of the old Tinomana village with panoramic views over the west and south coasts. Members of the…

  • Te Pare Fort

    The Cook Islands

    The remains of Te Pare Fort, set deep in the makatea, are Mitiaro’s most impressive ancient ruins. The fort was built as a defence against ‘Atiuan raiders…

  • Te Vara Nui Cultural Village

    Rarotonga

    Te Vara Nui combines a purpose-built village showcasing local culture including traditional medicine, carving, tapa making and legends, with one of…

  • Wigmore’s Waterfall

    Rarotonga

    On the eastern edge of the abandoned Sheraton resort site, a road leads inland to Wigmore’s Waterfall, a lovely cascade dropping into a fresh, cool…

  • Arai-Te-Tonga Marae

    Rarotonga

    A small sign points off the road to the island’s most important marae site, Arai-Te-Tonga. Situated just off the Ara Metua, there’s a stone-marked koutu …

  • Cook Islands Whale & Wildlife Centre

    Rarotonga

    Visit this centre to learn about whales and other wildlife frequenting the Cook Islands. It’s an essential stop if you’re planning on going whale watching…

  • Te Rotonui & Te Rotoiti

    The Cook Islands

    Mitiaro is unique in the Cooks for its twin lakes, Te Rotonui (Big Lake) and Te Rotoiti (Small Lake). A rough track leads to the edge of Te Rotonui, where…

  • Avarua Landing

    The Cook Islands

    Fishermen return from their morning’s exploits around 8am or 9am in tiny outrigger canoes with several huge wahoo and tuna. Hang around for the cleaning…

  • Black Rock

    Rarotonga

    On the northwest coast is Black Rock (Turou), traditionally believed to be where the spirits of the dead commenced their voyage to ‘Avaiki (the afterworld…

  • Matutu Brewery

    Rarotonga

    Pop in to meet the guys behind Raro's very own craft brewery. Regular beers – also sold around the island – are Mai Lager and Kiva Pale Ale. Seasonal…

  • Vai Marere

    The Cook Islands

    The Cook Islands’ only sulphur pool is Vai Marere, a 10-minute walk from Mangarei village on the Takaue road. From the main road it’s barely visible and…

  • Taunganui Harbour & Oravaru Beach

    The Cook Islands

    ‘Atiu’s barrier reef is close to shore. The surrounding lagoon is rarely more than 50m wide and its waters quite shallow. Taunganui Harbour, on the west…

  • Koteka Winery

    Rarotonga

    Discover the unique flavours of banana wine at Muri’s Koteka Winery or visit the winery’s stall at Avarua’s weekly market. The wine is mixed with whatever…

  • Takauroa Beach

    The Cook Islands

    You can swim in the three lovely sinkholes west of Takauroa Beach only at low tide. Between Takauroa Beach and Matai Landing, the falling tide empties…

  • Maungapu

    Aitutaki

    The 30-minute hike to the top of Maungapu (124m), Aitutaki’s highest peak, provides splendid views over the entire atoll and the sapphire-blue lagoon. The…

  • Marae Orongo

    The Cook Islands

    Near Oravaru Beach, this was once ‘Atiu’s most sacred marae, and it’s still a powerfully atmospheric place – many locals are reluctant to go near it. You…

  • Marae Takero

    The Cook Islands

    The marae of Mitiaro are largely consumed by jungle, but you are still able to see the stone seat of the ariki and several graves at Marae Takero, located…

  • ‘Arorangi

    Rarotonga

    On Rarotonga’s west coast, ‘Arorangi was the first missionary-built village, conceived as a model for other villages on the island. The missionary Papeiha…

  • Marae Puarakura

    The Cook Islands

    Marae Puarakura is a modern marae, still used for ceremonial functions, complete with stone seats for the ariki, mataiapo and rangatira (subchief).

  • Cook Islands Christian Church

    The Cook Islands

    The white-painted CICC is a fine sight, with its blue trim, stained-glass windows and parquet ceiling decorated with black-and-white stars. The Sunday…

  • Lake Te Roto

    The Cook Islands

    Lake Te Roto is noted for its itiki (eels), a popular island delicacy. On the western side of the lake, a cave leads right through the makatea to the sea.

  • Marae Te Apiripiri

    The Cook Islands

    This marae is where the Tahitian preacher Papeiha first spoke the words of the Gospel in 1823. There’s not much left to see, but a stone commemorates the…

  • Marae Vairakai

    The Cook Islands

    Along a walking track north of Kopeka Lodge, Marae Vairakai is surrounded by 47 large limestone slabs, six of which have curious projections cut into…

  • Marae Rangimanuka

    The Cook Islands

    Marae Rangimanuka, the marae of Uke, is one of Ma’uke’s many marae that are now overgrown, but you can still find it with a guide.

  • Rima Rau

    The Cook Islands

    Another of ‘Atiu’s burial caves, Rima Rau is reached by a vertical pothole and still contains skeletal remains. Many will find it claustrophobic.

  • Taungaroro & Tumai

    The Cook Islands

    South of Oravaru Beach, Taungaroro and Tumai are two of the most popular swimming beaches.

  • Maumaukura Lookout

    The Cook Islands

    Has a glorious view inland from the top of the makatea cliff.

  • Matavera CICC

    Rarotonga

    The old CICC is lovely at night when the outside is lit up.

  • Arutanga CICC

    Aitutaki

    Lovely whitewashed church originally built in 1828.

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