Boat travel in the Cook Islands

tomellyatt18:06 UTC09 May 2007

Hi everyone!

I am planning to travel to Cook Islands as part of the round the world trip.... I would be arriving in Rarotonga probably around january or feb time. I haven't booked my flights yet and so haven't decided how long to spend in the Cook Islands.

I would quite like to visit the other islands, even those accesible only by boat and I was wondering if anyone has any information on travelling to some of the islands by boat, any reccomendations on which islands to visit and how long to spend in the cook islands! I know it is proabably easier to travel by plane however I would quite like to by boat/ yacht maybe even as crew or cargo ship, just to do something completely different!

Any advice much appreciated!

papamike07:28 UTC10 May 2007

Hi Tom,

Travel by boat within the Cook Islands is hard to accomplish. The inter island freighter runs on a as needed basis and there are no scheduled ferry service to and from the outer islands. I would suggest you take advantage of the two island fare available at Air Rarotonga, which allows you to visit Aitutaki and Atiu without returning to Rarotonga between flights.

If you have a very flexible schedule and are willing to put up with rather poor on board berhts and toilet facilities, you can sign on for a roundtrip to the northern group islands. Cost is just over NZ$600.00. Talk to the lady at Tiao (sp?) Shipping at the harbor for the tentative schedule.

You may want to pick up a copy of my guidebook or visit the book online at iUniverse.com where the entire book is viewable online. I put a rather extensive list of items to take along on the freighter if you intend to go that route. This ain't no Carnival Cruise trip.

I am planning on being in the Cooks from mid-January to mid-March to update the book, maybe catch up with you at Trader Jack's for happy hour.

Papa Mike
Papa Mike's Cook Islands Handbook

tomellyatt20:05 UTC10 May 2007

Thanks for the advice, very useful!

nmhinde15:36 UTC24 Apr 2009

Just wondering if any body knows if it's possible to get from oz or cook islands to south America on a working boat?

kikibe17:38 UTC13 Feb 2010

Tomellyatt, pls contact me. I have some questions for you, pls

Boat travel in the Cook Islands Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea
tomellyatt18:06 UTC09 May 2007	Hi everyone! I am planning to travel to Cook Islands as part of the round the world trip.... I would be arriving in Rarotonga probably around january or feb time. I haven't booked my flights yet and so haven't decided how long to spend in the Cook Islands. I would quite like to visit the other islands, even those accesible only by boat and I was wondering if anyone has any information on travelling to some of the islands by boat, any reccomendations on which islands to visit and how long to spend in the cook islands! I know it is proabably easier to travel by plane however I would quite like to by boat/ yacht maybe even as crew or cargo ship, just to do something completely different! Any advice much appreciated!
papamike07:28 UTC10 May 2007	Hi Tom, Travel by boat within the Cook Islands is hard to accomplish. The inter island freighter runs on a as needed basis and there are no scheduled ferry service to and from the outer islands. I would suggest you take advantage of the two island fare available at Air Rarotonga, which allows you to visit Aitutaki and Atiu without returning to Rarotonga between flights. If you have a very flexible schedule and are willing to put up with rather poor on board berhts and toilet facilities, you can sign on for a roundtrip to the northern group islands. Cost is just over NZ$600.00. Talk to the lady at Tiao (sp?) Shipping at the harbor for the tentative schedule. You may want to pick up a copy of my guidebook or visit the book online at iUniverse.com where the entire book is viewable online. I put a rather extensive list of items to take along on the freighter if you intend to go that route. This ain't no Carnival Cruise trip. I am planning on being in the Cooks from mid-January to mid-March to update the book, maybe catch up with you at Trader Jack's for happy hour. Papa Mike Papa Mike's Cook Islands Handbook	1
tomellyatt20:05 UTC10 May 2007	Thanks for the advice, very useful!	2
nmhinde15:36 UTC24 Apr 2009	Just wondering if any body knows if it's possible to get from oz or cook islands to south America on a working boat?	3
kikibe17:38 UTC13 Feb 2010	Tomellyatt, pls contact me. I have some questions for you, pls	4