Planning first time going to Cook Islands

Planning on going with my wife and daughter (7 year old) to Cook Islands. Would prefer an island with a hut on the beach, clean water in front (no rocks), and preferably a lagoon where water depth isn't too deep for a far way out.

Do they have breakfast included or breakfast and dinner? Or would you recommend eating out? Is it expensive?

Are there mosquitos on the island?

Would prefer a resort/room with internet - do most have this option?

Also, what is the weather like in August?

What other costs are there involved in a stay at the Cook Islands? (we are flying from Melbourne)

Any help would be appreciated.

Thank you

Would prefer an island with a hut on the beach, clean water in front (no rocks), and preferably a lagoon where water depth isn't too deep for a far way out.

Your options are Muri Beach and the lagoon at Aitutaki. Both have stonefish, so rock-free sand or not, you'll be wearing dive shoes if you want to avoid very painful venom. The need for internet access means that you will need to stay at a pricey resort.

Children will be an issue on Aitutaki. The Pacific Resort Aitutaki allows for kids, but that stretch of beach isn't very nice. The Aitutaki Lagoon Resort has a much nicer beach, but I don't think it allows for kids.

On the south side of Raro, there are more child-friendly resorts--Edgewater was particularly popular with families.

Do they have breakfast included or breakfast and dinner? Or would you recommend eating out? Is it expensive?

I don't know if the resorts include breakfast. Food is very expensive, because almost everything is imported from New Zealand. Unless you stay somewhere with a kitchen (not likely in a resort with internet), you'll be shelling out around $10-$15 for breakfast, $15-20 for lunch, and $25 and up for a nice dinner in Raro. Food is even pricier in Aitutaki. Bring as much food with you as you can--we brought bags of nuts, salami, olives, peanut butter, and packaged soup. Be prepared to pay high amounts for imported soda--there is a sugary drink tax on sodas.

Are there mosquitos on the island?

Yes, many mozzies. There are fewer by the beach at Muri because of the strong wind, but that same wind can make the beach less enjoyable.

Thanks for the reply.

So where are the stone-fish located? On the shoreline where people walk in the water? Can they kill or injure severely?

Internet access in the resort isn't a must but at least somewhere where i can access for about 30 mins per day - does every main tourist island have this option?

Does customs in Cook Islands allow you to bring any of your own food? Not interested in sodas - I assume the tap water there is safe to drink?

Are the mozzies there all year round?

thanks

I know there are stonefish at muri beach and in the Aitutaki lagoon (where I had my mishap). They hide in the sand in shallow water. If you step on one, it causes immense pain and very rarely, death. A simple sting in the foot is highly unlikely to kill you (contrary to what many websites say), but it will hurt a lot, and there can be problems that last many months after the sting. Water shoes such as dive booties are the best protection. I have no idea how often travelers get stung--I may have been unlucky.

Internet access: What most visitors do is (1) pay $25 for a SIM card and buy data for our phones or (2) purchase wifi hotspot data, which lets you connect to wifi. Note--I don't know if free wifi exists anywhere in the Cooks. Lots of places on Raro are wireless hotspots, and connectivity around the island is good by cell phone. But internet access overall is quite slow, because you are using a satellite connection. On Aitutaki, we had a hard time getting data by cell phone anywhere on the island (even in town), but could pay for (somewhat pricey) access at a nearby cafe.

You can bring packaged food into the Cook Islands. No fresh fruit or veggies. We tried to declare some of our food to be on the safe side, but they just waived us through after asking a few questions (mainly: are you carrying any fresh food?).

Water is not always drinkable. Most places use rainwater, as groundwater is very limited. You need to check with your hotel to make sure they filter it. Note that many places do have filters, and the (filtered) rainwater tastes really good. Don't waste your money on bottled water--just book a place with a filtration system.

I think the mozzies are year-round, but I'm not certain. I was there in June and there were plenty of them. Maybe it gets better further into the dry season?

Hi zolli, I will be responding primarily for Aitutaki. Firstly there are stone fish but it's not like they cover the bottom of the lagoon. If you shuffle your feet when you walk and kick one it will just swim away. They don't attack you, the sting is a defense from being stepped. It is their dorsal spines that flare up when you put your hand or foot on them.

The weather in August is in the low to mid 20s getting down into the teens occasionally at night so a light jacket is recommended.

If you want full service I would take a look at Samade on the Beach. Breakfast is included and it has a great swimming beach with a spectacular view of the Aitutaki lagoon. There are also 2 very nice kid friendly places within walking distance to eat as well. As guests you have access to their kayaks and SUP boards.

If you want self catering take a look at the Ootu Beach House which is right next to Samade. This is a very popular place for families.

On the west side where you will get the sunset take a look at Paparei Bungalows. They are walking distance to stores.

Here is a web site for almost all of the accommodations on Aitutaki:
http://aitutaki-accommodations.com/Aitutaki_Accommodation.html

As mentioned, Internet is very slow on Aitutaki and somewhat expensive. Try to purchase service by volume rather than by connect time as you could use up all of your time waiting for something to happen.

As for mosquitoes, it's the tropics and they were here first. Bring something with a fair amount of deet - I would recommend Bushmans. Bring a tube of general purpose antibiotic cream for cuts and scratches and some anti-itch cream as well.

There is no public transportation on Aitutaki so if you want to get around you will need to rent a motor bike or car. There are no nearby stores by Samade or Ootu Beach House but it's a small island and nothing is more than 10 minutes away by vehicle.

August is in the middle of our high season and it may already be too late to find what you are looking for. If you decide to come to Aitutaki, you can book your flight all the way to Aitutaki as Air Rarotonga is code shared with Air New Zealand. You will save on the Rarotonga - Aitutaki leg.

Good luck with your planning.

Cheers

Many guests I talked to enjoyed staying at Samade. But check to see if they offer filtered water--when we ate at their restaurant, it was not possible to get drinkable tap water along with the beverage that I ordered. When I asked why, they said that they didn't have filtered rain water (which made me wonder, what are they cooking with?). I found that to be odd, given all the water was filtered at neighboring Raganui's where we stayed, and given that other restaurants like the Boat Shed offered tap water. The only reason I mention this is because bottled water costs add up, and because I don't think Aitutaki recycles plastic bottles.

Hi Zolli,

If you are still planning a holiday for August and haven't decided where to stay, either Muri area which is largely clear of coral in the water, but with deeper water or look at both Aroa area which has the marine reserve in its lagoon or Nikao beach area which is shallow with a large clear area towards the airport - very safe for family swimming.

Most areas around Rarotonga have WIFI hotspots, and our internet connection to O3b is vastly improved over what it was up to February 2014. For Aroa area, have a look at Lagoon Breeze Villas (resort) and Vaikoi villas.

For Muri, there are family units with small kitchenette at Pacific Resort, as well as the stand alone villas. Also see if the Shell Bungalows and Manea Beach have vacancies. In Nikao, both Nikao Beach Bungalows and Nikao Cottages are s/c properties. So too is Marino villa on the same stretch of beach.

Pacific Resort provides its own inhouse treated water for drinking. Most visitor accommodation on Rarotonga supply commercially treated drinking water that is replenished regularly.

Breakfasts may be included in the nightly rate if staying at a resort. Some rental houses provide breakfast trays for the first day. There are plenty of small stores around Rarotonga, and bigger grocery shops in the main villages. You'll find a good range of products at the supermarkets in Avarua, the main township of Rarotonga.