Lonely Planet™ · Thorn Tree Forum · 2020 |

# Northern Islands - getting there + away Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea / Cook Islands
kennyomg 12:47 UTC 11 Oct 2009 | Hey, So I have like 3.5 weeks to burn on the Cooks and it included a trip to the north. Now, to my disappointment, Air Raro says they aren't flying north anymore, only on a charter basis (about 20k nzd). Obviously this is a nono, so anyone know any shipping company that sails there more or less reliably? Seems alot in the latest lp is outdatyed. Any help is appreciated! |
papamike 17:35 UTC 14 Oct 2009 | Sorry Kenny, no real way to get up there and back. There is a freighter that makes the trip, but no real scheduled service and trips are added, subtracted and delayed depending on weather and freight requirements. Tiao Shipping in Avarua is the shipper, but you will need to have a six week window to try and make the return passage. My voyage included a cyclone and took nearly a month. I survived, lost thirty pounds, pounded my head senseless on the light fixture at the top of the stairs and made new friends with a million cockroaches. The good news is they scuttled that ship off Rarotonga. If you choose this form of transportation, have lots of time and don't expect a Disney cruise ship. Good Luck Papa Mike | 1
letterdude 15:02 UTC 07 Jan 2010 | I've given this quite a bit of thought, as I've found it to be a "romantic" kind of adventure travel trip. Thanks - Papa Mike - for first planting that seed! Given that Air Rarotonga has no regularly scheduled flights, you might want to consider contacting the Cook Islands government, in order to find out if there is the possibility of "piggy-backing" on any flights to the North that they might have scheduled. Still, you'd be at the mercy of their timeframes, but it might be the only way to get there. Good luck! Mark | 2
waytogo2011 09:35 UTC 26 Dec 2011 | I am so hoping to take in the northern islands.Have 2 weeks to do it and a budget of !500 NZ. any ideas.!! | 3
h2ooh 21:07 UTC 26 Dec 2011 | 1500NZD is almost enough to put a Southern Group Raro-Aitutaki-Atiu-Raro trip together ....if you don't have to eat ... :-) | 4