Outer cook islands

Hi,
I'm going to the cook islands in may for about 3 weeks, thinking of staying on rarotonga for 1.5 weeks and spending 1.5 weeks doing the other islands.
Does anyone have advice on which islands should be included or could be missed? Also, is accommodation OK to find upon arrival or best done before (I have previously travelled by finding accommodation as I go but don't know if this works in the cook islands).

From a bit research, what I'm finding is also that interisland travel is done by plane mainly, is there another/cheaper way?

Thanks in advance!

Try this site:
http://www.ck/
and for flights: http://www.airraro.com/

It is possible to visit other islands by ship, but not often. In my knowledge you have to book your accomodation in advance.

I dont know the outer islands, only Raro and Aitutaki.

Islands to be included on your short list, should start with Aitutaki and Atiu. These two can be reached without returning to Rarotonga via a special fare at Air Rarotonga. Other southern group islands could include Mangaia, Mauke, Mitiaro, these would require a return to Rarotonga on Air Rarotonga. Outer island lodging is usually not a problem and does not need to be booked in advance, but I would reccomend you check specific lodgings, as they are all small outside of Aitutaki. Inter island shipping is spotty at best, with dates of departure being adjusted at the last minute. Ships are currently old and not really passenger friendly. Unless you have a very flexible schedule, they should not even be considered. Air Rarotonga is really the only option for tourists. Flights are expensive, but sometimes last minute weekend specials can be accessed if you are here in Rarotonga. That being said, the outer islands are a blast, most have less than 500 inhabitants and you are treated well and become part of an extended family. With a total of three weeks my reccomendation would be to see Atiu and Aitutaki for a week and then spend a week prior and post in Rarotonga.

Papa Mike

I enquired Air Raro about flights to the Northern group..

They said they don't do them anymore, and if one would want to fly there, you should charter the whole plane, which was mighty expensive, 15000 NZD...

With a group of people that would be OK, but for a single traveller...

Hope this helps you with the planning! Your only choice to get to the Northern group is by boat and as Papa Mike said... Be very, very, very, very, very flexible.

-J

Depending on the time of year you visit, you may want to book accommodation in advance on Raro and Aitutaki. On Aitutaki, I would at least book your first night. There's no public transportation and it's no fun spending your first day wandering around in the heat, trying to find a place to stay. Also, you're likely to find the best/most popular places booked up.

Here's a good website for Aitutaki accommodation, tours and businesses: www.aitutaki-accommodations.com</a>

Forget the Northern Group, unless you can affod very expensive flights, even when they are scheduled.

I'd do RAR for a few days, then Aitutaki, and then Atiu on the way back. Book at least the first night on each island.

From your other post it looks like you're on your honeymoon.

I'd reccommend a week in Raro, 4 days in Aitutaki, 3 days on Aitu and 5-7 days on Mauke.

Raro for the night life for a week. By then you'll be ready for the slower pace of Aitutaki, then a few days with Marshal Humphreys on Aitu to learn anfd explore. Then, for romance, a week on Mauke with Tateata and Pa at Okiva Point. It's a special place and Teatea and Pa are very considerate and accomodating hosts.

Feel free to contact me for more information if you like.

I found an interesting information here: http://www.cookislands.org.uk/accessnorth.html
Direct flights from Samoa to Pukapuka, Penrhyn and Manihiki linked to flights from/to Auckland. The price for the round trip from Auckland should be about 2400 NZ$ what seems quite reasonable. The problem is, the flights will be only during the first week of December, 2009 and the first week of January, 2010...
I've sent an inquiry to Air Rarotonga and I'm waiting impatiently for their answer...
Artur

Hello everyone,
i foolishly thought that if someone had replied to this post lonely planet would send me a message to my email (kind of like facebook) and this obviously is not the case so I thougth no one had replied to me. Very delayed thanks, and actually excellent advice from everyone.

I'm just adding a bit now from my wisdom gained from the trip itself in case someone else reading this thread wants info. I ended up going to Aitutaki and Mauke - it was just the way that I could manage the flights.

mauke was UNREAL, very special place, and it was quite a novelty being the only tourist on the island. I did end up staying at Teata's place (daughter of Tateata and Pa) but not okiva (there's other locations) and highly recommended. the 'eis are more beautiful and if you're lucky you can get special maire ones. Highly recommended if you want to just get away and go somewhere very peaceful. I was 23 and met the locals who were very friendly and drove me around the island a couple of times.
Aitutaki is a must do, particularly a reef tour which goes outside the lagoon. pity it rained 4 out of the 7 days I was there.
Atiu is also meant to be great - from other tourists who had gone there.
The northern islands seem to near impossible to get to, even the locals complain about how expensive it is.
Excellent tip though is to book through islandhoppervacations.com (something like that) - I met a couple of aussies who booked through them before arriving in the cooks and got return flights from raro to aitutaki and about 3-4 night accomm in a nice place for about the cost of only my return flight from raro to aitutaki.

And yes the cook islands seems to be the honeymoon/couple centre of the world, i seemed to be the only exception hehe.

Hi All,

Any thoughts on whether Mauke is worth the extra airfare? Going to the Cooks for two weeks at the end of March. Trying to decide between Aitu and Mauke (Aitutaki and Raro are in there for sure). I have about 3-5 nights to play with. I'd also be flying back to Raro from Mauke on a Fri night, with a Saturday night flight to Canada 27 or so hours later.

I'm a solo 23 year old Canadian traveler. Money is not the mission critical item (saved up a bit) but certainly I don't want to spend needlessly for fun :).

I've been to all the islands of the southern group and Mauke is my favorite but I travel as a couple with my wife.

Aitu has more to do and see in the short time you'll be there. It has more tourist activity than Mauke and so more folks are set up to entertain you. There are cave tours by Marshall Humphreys, a culture tour by Birdman George, a neat bakery, local (not imported junk) crafts, coffee growing and roasting and nice secluded beaches. You have a good chance of having other tourists on the tours with you. At Marshal's Homestay you'll learn a lot about Aitu's color and history but Roger's Aitu Lodge is a better location for socializing with fellow tourists.

Mauke offers a more relaxed and serene experience. Ta and Teata at the Okiva lodge have a very nice setup and I recommend them. Ta will give you an island tour and show you the largest Banyan tree in the world. As in Aitu, there are many small secluded beaches all around the island. It's a good place to see whales from July through October. Everyone, even the teenagers, will wave and say Hi to you on Mauke.

They are both great places to visit.

Thank you! Any other tips on Mauke?

Any danger of the Cooks right now given South Pacific tectonic activity?

sportsfan2011
...
I don't think they are as susceptible to tsunamis as larger land masses that have shallow seas, especially bays and harbors open to the direction of the approaching tsunami. As I understand it, and I'm certainly not an expert, the shallow seabed causes the wave to increase in height and slow in speed.

All of the islands in the southern group are surrounded by very deep water. It is kind of like a large swell passing a piling compared to the same one breaking on a shallow reef or shore.

In the Southern Group, Aitutaki would probably be at most risk from a tsunami coming from any direction but the north. It has a large shallow lagoon that would give a tidal wave some room to build if it breached the barrier reef.

I once spent a sleepless night at the Etu Moana when Fiji had an earthquake and I couldn't get any info on it. It turned out that there was no tsunami.

But if you're near an earth quake, all bets are off. But that possibility won't keep me from the Cooks or any SP or Pacific Rim destination.

Thanks again. Do you have any idea on what I should be paying to stay with Ta and Teata (Rupe unit or O Kiva?)

I've booked Mauke! :) Very excited

O Kiva was about $175 NZ and the garden units less than $100 NZ.

Be sure and have Ta show you the place where Pai Kea died of a broken heart and the divided church.

Better late than never...went to Mauke in April and stayed with Ta and Teata...unbelievable island!!! MADE MY TRIP!

THANK YOU for the tips!

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