Cook Islands -- two or three weeks?

Hi Everyone,

I am planning to travel from NYC to Rarotonga in June 2014. I can go for two or three weeks.
I know many will say the longer the better or whatever I can afford.

Any suggestions what islands to visit and how many days (including Rarotonga)?

My question is...is there enough activities or things to see and do that I can enjoy for three weeks or is 2 weeks enough (actually 12 days)....I don't want to get bored...and for me just sitting around the accommodation at the beach from morning to night can get stale after a little while.

I thought 3 weeks in French Polynesia was great and enough things to do...but don't know Cook Islands that well.

Any opinions?

Thanks.

It depends....

If you want touristy stuff with lots of activities just for tourists then stick to Aitutaki and Raro and you'll have lagoon tours, diving excursions, the yellow submarine, snorkel trips, fishing, local dancing shows just for tourists, tourist shops, guided hikes, ATV tours, etc.

If you're a little more adventurous then add Atiu or Mangaia to your itinerary and take in a couple of cave tours, a coffee plantation/shop, fishing with the locals and individualized guided tours.

If you're into learning about local culture, few fellow tourists and mingling with the CI people then try Mauke or Mitiaro and find out what life is really like on a small SP island of 200 or so people.

As a general rule... the fewer the tourists the more genuine the hospitality.

There are 1-5 star lodgings on Raro and Aitutaki. If you want to be pampered and shielded try Pacific Resort on Aitutaki. For a nice mid-range Etu Moana is a good choice. Paradise Cove for budget beachfront and Matrika's for budget. There is an endless choice of everything on Raro but I don't spend much time there.

Anything on the other islands is humble but clean, warm and friendly.

It's all there.. You pays your money and you takes your choice!

Thanks for your reply H200h...no I'm not really that interested in 100% touristy stuff...just pick the best or must do's of the touristy stuff and then be more adventurous (as that is more of what I am like in my travels). So, yes Atiu and Mauke or Mitiaro would be ideal.

My question to you is how many days would you recommend in each location -- Rarotonga, Aitutaki, Atiu and Mauke or Mitiaro? I know it's a personal thing, so I will take your advice and adjust accordingly if needed. I like culture, great things to photograph, great cuisine and fun.

Thanks so much.

Hi Kaironen,

I suggest three weeks -- you are traveling such a long way and there really is a lot of non-touristy things to see. I spend three weeks in the Cooks, spread among Rarotonga, Aitutaki and 'Atiu. Here's a previous post:

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/thread.jspa?threadID=2192060&messageID=20577570#20577570

Happy to answer any other questions you may have. Enjoy!

Here's my suggestion for a 3 week stay:-

1. Rarotonga - 4/5 nights to settle into Island Time, explore, and plan ahead for the outer islands. You may also want to shop for a few groceries and other items while on Rarotonga to take if you are self-catering.

2. Aitutaki - 5 nights. Do at least 2 lagoon cruises, explore the island and culture, and relax lagoonside.

3. Atiu - 3/4 nights with there being lots more to this island to explore in terms of history, ecotourism, scenery, caves and birds, very pretty bays and coves.

4. Mauke or Mitiaro - 2/3 nights if the inter-island flights allow. Otherwise it's back to Raro to one of these outer islands, or to Mangaia for 3/4 nights.

5. Rarotonga return - 2/3 nights to revisit places you especially enjoyed or experience new adventures and last minute lagoon activities.

All the best.

If you are into cultural experiences, there is a new cultural tour that has recently started on Aitutaki. Initial reports are that it's well worth it. It is run by an local amateur archeologist who has been restoring one of the historic Maraes (holy place). H2ooh and Lagoon's recommendations are both good ones.