Lonely Planet™ · Thorn Tree Forum · 2020 |

# Tour bookings September Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea / Cook Islands
cez 21:26 UTC 14 Apr 2007 | Hi All, We're all set to visit Rarotonga and Aitutaki in September this year on our honeymoon. We've read about some tours we'd like to do (4WD tour, lagoon cruises etc.) and I was just wondering how busy the islands are in September? Would we be needing to book this kind of thing in advance, or would we be fine to just book it once we arrive? Thanks for your help, Cez |
newfie43 03:58 UTC 15 Apr 2007 | We were on Aitutaki last September and had no problem booking when we arrived. I would recommend booking lagoon cruises as soon as you arrive and as early in your visit as possible just in case there are postponements; that way you have time to reschedule. We had unseasonably cool and wet weather when we were there but the lagoon trip was still a highlight for us. I would recommend Kimi with Kia Orana Cruises. | 1
shully 03:01 UTC 16 Apr 2007 | You should book your excursions upon arrival. It is easy to do so and most people find it better to book when they are there, thus having a better idea of weather etc... September is the end of the winter in the Cooks. Still alittle cool at night sometimes, but the weather should be warm and lovely, especially in Aitutaki where it's usually a bit warmer. September is fine :) Historical weather is at: www.weatherbase.com<BR><BR>sunny regards, shull | 2
sanduni 17:13 UTC 26 Apr 2007 | 4WD tours in Aitutaki? I am not sure excactly where one would go on a such tour. Aitutaki has a tarmac road going around the island and few more roads going in land and a few muddy-ish roads on the SE side of the island. I wouldn't personally call a being on a battered Land Rover and going to the highest point 124 metres on fairly good roads, on a tiny Island an adventure, but thats my point of view! If you can ride a scooter you can go around the island in no time. However, I would highly recommend the boat tirp with Cathy and her sister. it is fun, if a bit rough and ready, they will take you to all the places minus other tourists. ps I thought that the Australian outback is the place for 4WD adventures!! Regards S | 3
perthgirl 22:11 UTC 08 May 2007 | For Aitutaki just book when you get there as other posters have said. I second the Kia Orana cruise as being an excellent lagoon tour. On Rarotonga we didn't have much luck booking tours - not helped by the fact that we were there mainly over two weekends either side of our visit to Aitutaki. A lot of the tours on Raro didn't operate at all on Sunday, and one we found that did (the 4WD adventure) was sadly already booked out. We were there in May last year which would be similar weather to September I'd think and it was great temp wise. Warm enough to swim, not too humid and yes, could be a bit chilly at night. | 4
silvanocat 19:35 UTC 10 May 2007 | I have never heard of any cruise company taking you to one island only. However, different companies go to different islands. The best web sites for Cook Islands information are www.ck</a> and the Official Cook Islands Tourism site. | 5
skylinedrifter 21:10 UTC 12 Jun 2007 | Skip the 4WD tour on Aitutaki, Sanduni's right - not much to see by doing it. Hire a scooter, or even better a mountain bike - much nicer way to see the island and meet its people. Maybe giving away a trade secret but...a proportion of the Cook islanders are Seventh Day Adventists, so their sabbath is Saturday whilst everyone else's is Sunday. One or two lagoon cruises therefore run on Sunday when the other lagoon tours don't - it makes for an even more tranquil day | 6
raro 05:16 UTC 13 Jun 2007 | If you want the best snorkeling in the Cooks, take one of the "fast boat" lagoon trips (6-8 pax) to Maina in the Aitutaki lagoon. It also goes to One-foot. | 7