Cook Islands Travel Guide

Warm, safe, and enchanting, the Cook Islands is a place unique in the world, where unspoiled beaches and waters combined with friendly smiles care your constant companion.

The Cook Islands were first inhabited following the Great Migration of the Polynesians in around 800AD, when the original inhabitants arrived by double-hulled ocean going canoes. The Spanish were the first of the Europeans to ariive at theCook Islandsthe late 16th century, but it was Captain James Cook's arrival in thelate 19th century that gave the islands their current name.

The people of the Cook Islands have a complex and fascinating tapestry of cultural traditions which have endured the centuries since original settlement. Some of the history of the islands can be seen at Puaikura village the settlement of the Tinomana Tribe. The islands have a scattering of art galleries dotted around the islands which exhibit works by local craftsmen and artists, and Cook Islanders always take the opportunity to perform music and dance, which includes many cultural festivals throughout the year. The early Europeans brought Christianity to the Cook Islands and this has proved a lasting legacy with the church and important component of modern Cokk Island life for many locals - keep an ear out for the local choirs practicing.

Rarotonga is the largest island in the group and the main centre for commerce and government. Although it has the largest land area of the island it is still compact with central volcanic peaks surrounded by beautiful lagoons. You can drive around the whole island in less than an hour and it is covered in wonderful resorts, hotels and bungalows catering for a range of tastes and budgets. The days slip by easily on Rarotonga with relaxing, swimming, snorkelling and water-sports all at the top of the list for most people, the locals show the way with a traditional afternoon nap the perfect way to recharge before enjoying the warm evenings.

Aitutaki is probably the next most well known island. It's a place to go to truly escape, and can be visited for day trips or longer stays. Aitutaki has one of the most stunning lagoons anywhere on the planet. Some of the other popular visitor spots include One Foot Island where the "Survivor" TV show was filmed, and Atiu Island, which has the remarkable Anatakitaki Cave home to the unusual Kopeka bird. Many of the other islands are also well worth a visit but keep in mind they are spread over nearly 2 million square kilometres of the pacific so getting there either takes some time or is by plane.

The islands are home to diverse and unique wildlife, there are bird species unique to the Cook Islands and the plant life is resplendant with dazzling tropical species. Marine life is one of the main attractions with the waters having many coral reefs filled with fish and other species. Humpback whales are also an annual visitor to the islands during their migration.

For pleasures that are a little more "man-made" the shopping on the Cooks has a great array of hand made crafts of jewellery and clothing but there is also plenty of good art as well. Be sure to take a wander through the Punanga Nui Markets on Rarotonga where you can chat with the locals and sample some great local fare as well. Saturdays are the busiest and best days to visit when when local muso's add to the atmosphere while you check out some nice carvings and locally made rito hats or perhaps a Cook Islands black pearl.

As the day ends, listen for the sound of the conch shell being blown, which signifies that it is time for dinner. It is said that the locals live to eat so you won't be going home hungry. Food lovers will revel in traditions of a earth oven feast, an umukai, where meats, local fruits are wrapped in leaves and cooked for hours. These feasts usually end with traditional Polynesian song and dance performances. Let you hair down and join in, as they say, when in the Cook Islands....