The Cook Islands Uncovered

The Cook Islands are fifteen small islands of just 240 square kilometres located in the South Pacific Ocean. It is a self-governing country but also exists as a type of freely associated ‘province’ of New Zealand, with Cook Islanders having all the rights of citizens of New Zealand. The Cook Islanders consider themselves mainly Polynesian since these Maori seafarers, with their legendary courage and navigational abilities, made their home on these magnificent islands around 1500 BC.

Because the Cook Islands are the very definition of the term, ‘island paradise’, tourism is the main industry. Over 100,000 visitors explored these tropical shores last year alone. After tourism, the Cook Islands are also well known for offshore banking, pearls, fishing and fruit production. The main island of the Cook Island is Rarotonga, which has an international airport.

These magnificent islands, which are a mixture of coral atolls and volcanic islands, are just waiting to be explored and enjoyed during your Cook Islands holidays. The island of Aitutaki, for example, is widely regarded as one of the most breathtakingly beautiful spots on earth. Approximately an hour’s flight from the capital, Rarotonga, Aitutaki is every inch the tropical paradise complete with white sand and a vast, clear lagoon. The locals on this island believe they are descended from a famous warrior named Ru, who was so captivated by the island’s beauty that he settled there with his four wives.

The Cook Islands are obviously well suited to long, languorous days and evenings on the many white beaches but they also offer much more than that. Your Cook Islands holidays can be as simple or as varied as you choose. The islands offer all sorts of water sports with year round yachting, boating, snorkeling and diving. With a warm, tropical climate and temperatures that range from 22 degrees to 30 degrees, these islands have almost perfect weather. Because there are so many things to see and do in these paradisal islands, it can be a good idea to get help planning your Cook Island holiday. An agency like ANZCRO, which specialises in holidays to the Cook Islands and across the South Pacific region can help you get the most from your visit to this magnificent place.

The culture of these islands is rich and varied. Particularly famous for their music and drumming, the Cook Islanders explore history, myth, legend and adventures through music and dance. These performances provide a spectacle that is both entertaining and enriching for even the most casual tourist. A vibrant hub for all sorts of arts and crafts, these islands are particularly famous for wood carving, painting, cloth printing and weaving. The famous Maori tattoo – now widely considered an art form – is a thriving industry on the islands.

A passport and a return ticket will allow you to stay on the islands for up to 31 days. Extensions for longer stays are freely available but must be applied for in advance. The New Zealand dollar is the legal tender in these islands but there are also local coins and notes used for everyday transactions. While not transferable outside the islands they are greatly sought after as a souvenir of this magical place.

Overall there is no doubt that the Cook Islands are definitely one for the bucket list…