Lonely Planet™ · Thorn Tree Forum · 2020 |

# where should I go in cook islands Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea / Cook Islands
emok 15:10 UTC 03 Sep 2007 | hi planning a honey moon in January and I have no idea where to go int he cooks islands. I would like jaw-dropping beaches and non touristy tackiness. As it's a honey moon the bugdet is better than normal so a bit of luxury might be good but if I could find a seclude hut on a beach I would be equally happy. Also wee decided on Cook islands rther than Bora Bora - are we making the right choice? thanks |
silvanocat 11:01 UTC 04 Sep 2007 | One Foot Island off Aitutaki is jaw dropping beautiful (the most beautiful place in the Cooks?). If you are on Aitutaki it is a must see. And it does have a hut for rent. Problem is that all the tour boats stop there so you will have company during the day. There is also another hut where they serve the tour boat lunches and sell T-shirts and they call it the One Foot Post Office (and it's tourist tacky with their silly gimmick of stamping your passport). (I personally would not choose this as my honeymoon accomodation but since you asked about a hut on the beach. Read the tripadvisor reviews.) There is another motu, Akaiami that I have not seen but it has two places to stay. Tour boats visit there also but it's not as popular as One Foot Island. The beach looks stunning in the photos and according to all I've read. There is nothing else there except for the two lodges. On the main island I love Muri Beach, especially the southern part of it. There were times when no one was on the beach there. You have georgeous views. Not much sand but it's the water and the motu (little islands) in the background and the trees that make it special. It's a long beach, ideal for strolling. Very low key. Tripadvisor has an excellent Cook Islands forum, I suggest that you read up there. Lord Balfour, who is one of their "local experts" has great photos of the islands and many of the accomodations available. The Cooks rival French Polynesia for beauty. You can't go wrong choosing either. | 1
emok 19:11 UTC 04 Sep 2007 | many thanks for that much appreciated | 2
spider_13:36 UTC 06 Sep 2007 | I thought Raro beaches where nice, but nothing special. Then I went to Aitutaki and their beaches were stunning to say the least! | 3
lordbalfor 07:11 UTC 11 Sep 2007 | Yes indeed, One Foot is stunning. Having been to both Bora Bora and the Cooks (a couple of times now) I have to say that I consider Bora Bora to be the most beautiful place I have ever seen - but, I consider One Foot Island to be the most beautiful single spot. Now, having made that statement I have to add that Akaiami is NEARLY as beautiful as One Foot - and as mentioned, much less busy. A visit to either of those two islands (let alone a stay there) is an experience of a lifetime. These are the types of locations you only read about in books or see on an occasion travel program. They are so beautiful you simply cannot beleive they are real. But the truly wonderful thing is - they ARE. Ken | 4
bksrocks 07:24 UTC 23 Nov 2007 | YOu may want to check out the Pacific Resort! It's a very nice area, and it's got great snorkling! (It's not overly touristy either, you can still get to know some of the locals there!) | 5