two weeks in the Cook Islands on my own

everybody who's been there in this town is saying i am going to be bored out of my mind over there on my own. No problem sitting doing not much, reading a book by the sea, for a few days. Not sure if i could do nothing for 14 days, though. But i guess they are exaggerating and even on your own 2 weeks should be fine? they are recommending spending a week and the other in nz or tahiti.

any ideas? are they right?

You could get bored just on RAR for two weeks, all depends on what you like to do, etc.
I'd plan on spending four or five days on Aitutaki, and a couple or three on Atiu. That will be a pretty interesting two weeks.

Raro knows what he's talking about! If you're talking 2 weeks in the Cook Islands as a whole then you can definitely see a few places and not be bored. Of course, it totally dependds on what you envisage doing for 2 weeks. If you can run on 'island-time', relax, enjoy beautiful surroundings, do some sightseeing, snorkelling and chatting to anyone and everyone then you'll have a great 2 weeks.

There is some beautiful hiking in Rarotonga! There are also tones of cultural experienes! You can also go scuba diving! ALso make sure you go to a church when you're there, the singing is amazing. There is definitely no reason to get bored! Aitutaki is really beautiful too! It's really not worth going to New Zealand for a week! You need at least a month to really experience the country!

Maybe my experience will be helpful:
I was on the Cook Islands in May this year - on my own, two weeks: 8 days on Rarotonga, 4 days on Atiu and 3 days on Aitutaki. I was also afraid I would get bored, so I took four thick books with me and... haven't read any single page of them! Before leaving I planned my stay very thorough (the 2006 edition of Lonely Planet book-guide for the Cook Islands was very helpful, as well as the Internet) and realized not a half of my plans. For me these two weeks were absolutely too short. More - I plan to visit the Cooks again (I hope in 2009) and this time to stay there for 4 or 5 weeks (I'd love to visit one of the Northern Cook Islands as well, but for now it's only a wishful thinking...).
In conclusion - I wouldn't worry about getting bored in 2 weeks, though it could be the time limit, if you'd like to stay only on Rarotonga. So follow Raro's (and mine) advice and visit Aitutaki and/or Atiu as well!
I think dizzydi and bksrocks are absolutely right and it's actually nothing to add.
If you'd like to get detailed information about my journey, some tips etc., please let me know and you'll get it.

that is all really helpful, thanks a lot. I am staying 3 nights in Raro and 8 at Aitutaki. I will be taking some thick books with me just in case although it looks like i might not read them after all

cant wait to go there. i've got a trip london-tokyo-australia-nz-cook-San francisco-vegas and the Cook Islands are definitely becoming the most promising leg of the trip

thanks again!

Not sure if you realize it, but there is no flight from the Cooks right to San Francisco. You'll have to fly back to NZ (4 hours), and then wait around and connect with the flight to SF.

There was a direct flight RAR-LAX (operated by United, once a week, if I remember). Maybe it could be a better option: RAR-LAX-SFO, if this connection still exists?

Hiya, We are flying Raro to SFO via LA in July, all booked and paid for so the flight does exist-we have quite a good connection as well, we only wait around an hour in LA.

Yes, it's now non-stop RAR to LAX on air NZ, once or twice a week, depending on the month. [none are non-stop from RAR to SFO]

BUT---you will probably NOT be able to transfer over in just one hour. You have to go through US Customs and Immigration at LAX, and then take your domestic flight. This on the ground stuff will take about two hours at the least.

Raro...this site wouldn't survive without your continued input! All the best for 2008, Elliot!

I was in the Cooks for 4 weeks and I really wanted to stay for longer. I took a 10 day trip to Aitutaki too. I arrived on my own but made strong friendships within hours and didnt spend a minute without the company of fellow backpackers the whole time in Raro anyway - Aitutaki was a bit more quite but exceedingly stunning.

Get used to lazing round a pool, reading a book and enjoying the simpler lifestyle and you'll have it nailed.

I love the Cook Islands.