how touristy is The Cook islands now?

Hi all,
i have found you tube videos of The Cooks islands and there wasnt alot of people on the beaches but the clips were from 2009, having trouble seeing videos from this year or last year, so wondering has the tourist numbers changed much these days, would love to hear from people who have been in the last year or two, esp if they have pics or vids, that would be awesome to see.

Also they say winter is the dry season and is still warm, so its the most popular time to visit, can anyone confirm if it gets more tourists august or march/april?

also does August feel a bit chilly for swimming? to me 24 degrees in and out of the water for a 5 year old who hates being cold is borderline, but Augusts our 10th Wed aniversary, so would like to go then :)

thanks in advance
kim

I'll reply to this enquiry- and try to cover your other thread as well.

August is the more popular time to visit Rarotonga, being winter-time in NZ and Australia, as well as it being vacation season for northern hemisphere folk. So you will encounter more visitors during August, compared to your earlier time-frame.

The 2009 video clips will still be relevant. Although visitor numbers are up for 2012, the trend doesnt show an enormous rise in popularity. More likely it reflects the fact that the Sydney - Raro flight is receiving more people from this region. Muri beach on a fine sunny Saturday is likely to have people out and about enjoying the warmth and sunshine. As well with there being lagoon cruises, sailing comps and people out snorkelling and swimming you may encounter more than 50+ people at the same time. Yet if you shift 100m down Muri beachfront, there could be nobody else around, save a ffew beach strollers.

Lagoon temps range from 23C - 30C. August is likely to be in the lower 20's, depending on wind factor. However, if one side of the island is receiving a breeze simply move to the opposite side of the island for shelter and warmer swims. When my 2 sons were your girls age ( I recognise your girls are twins), my mother and I spent every day on the beach after our house chores were complete. We alternated between Muri and Black Rock beach. Both are lovely with very different aspects and appeal. If Muri was breezy we headed for Black Rock and vice-versa.

Are you still looking for accommodation around the AUD$125 ballpark? Muri Shell Bungalows meet this mark, with a little cash to spare towards meals. Since you plan to dine out, Muri is an excellent location with its mix of restaurants, cafes, takeaways, deli, vilage store for fresh bread, dairy foods, fresh fruits and spreads. Plus the cultural village for a splurge (meal and floorshow) is close by. The Pcific Village cafe which does pizzas and bistro meals is approx 50 metres away from these bungalows. Muri beach is directly in front of the bungalows down a private right-of-way. Muri Heights Villas (inland) might also interest your family? Same too with Kuras Kabanas (lagoon front) in Muri.

I suggest that you get searching suitable accommodation sooner rather than later for an August visit!

Thanks lagoon, Im thinking you either live in The cook lslands or did live there? looks soooo amazing i envy people living in places like this its so wonderful taking our girls to the beach.
Im thinking August might not be the best time for us, i would like to go in the warmer times, Hubby is Scottish and LOVES it hot, the hotter the better and better for my girls, well Keira anyway, Faith swims no matter how cold.
so im now looking at May 2013 (early aniversary) my sister my be inviting her hubby and 2 daughters to come along now anyway LOL, she saw how awesome it is :)

Really going to have to do some research on these places, the info has been great, thank you so very much, absolutely cant wait, the fish look amazing, the water looks even more amazing and if i add my princesses to that picture, it will be beyond what i ever thought possible for my life :)

will start organising soon regardless of month :) but if we cant get our dates we can move them, we are very flexible, but the sooner the better :)

p.s do you have twin boys?

Thanks for the feedback meitaki, will check out your you tube for sure thanks :)
Thinking May as cant see a reason to not go May, its not as long a wait, its still quite warm, less rain, less touristy apparently, and we can call it an early 10th wedding anniversary :)
Thanks for the help