There is simply nothing you can complain about at the Cook Islands. The Cook Islands are just the definition of a perfection. What not to love? The crystal blue water? The friendliest people under the sun? White sandy beaches surrounded by coconut trees? One of the best snorkelling spots in the world?
There is a lot of things to do and experience on the Cook Islands, while still being budget friendly location. So what are you waiting for? Get an alert for the cheap flights on the Cook Islands and start planning your perfect holidays. Meanwhile, here are our TOP 10 reasons to visit the Cook Islands.
Beaches
The Cook Islands have one of the clearest and most pristine water in the world. We had never seen so many shades of blue before we visited the Cook Islands. White sandy beaches and swaying coconut trees make it feel like you are in the paradise on the earth. The lagoons are perfect for snorkelling because most of the beaches are protected by outer reefs, that catch the waves. It is hard to decide whether to visit the most beautiful beaches on Rarotonga or snorkel in the clearest water on Aitutaki. So it is better to do it both. If you still get bored on a beach, rent a kayak and explore the further waters of the most amazing lagoons.
The most amazing beaches on Rarotonga, that you should not miss are Muri beach and Titikaveka. When strolling around Aitutaki, visit the beautiful lagoon and O´otu beach. And of course the mesmerising One Foot Island.
Food
Not only there are coconut palms everywhere, so you can eat as many coconuts as you like, but the local food is just amazing. When you visit the Cook Islands you should not miss the food markets which are held regularly. Trust us, you will not know what to eat first. If you don´t mind raw fish, try the local Ika. It is a raw fish marinated in the lemon juice served with coconut milk and onions. Delicious! Or Rori, the sea cucumber which can be eaten either raw or cooked. And it is usually served with butter, garlic and spices. And if you are thirsty, try one of the Bush beers, which are brewed from oranges, bananas and pawpaws. Or one of the local Rarotonga beers – Cooks Premium Lager, Cooks Original Blonde and Cooks Cheeky Darkie.
Easy to get around
In comparison to other Pacific islands, renting a scooter on Cook islands is easy, fun and cheap. There is just one main road, Ara Tapu, that circles the island, so it is super easy to get around and explore the island. There are a lot of renting offices around the island but ask at your accommodation first. Almost every backpacker accommodation have scooters for rent for their guests.
You need a drivers licence to be allowed to drive a scooter on the Cook Islands. If you are from Australia, USA, New Zealand, UK or EU, you can drive a scooter using your own home licence. Otherwise, you need to apply for a local drives licence. But don´t worry, it just takes a few papers to fill, one driving lesson and you are good to go. Plus a local drivers licence is a cool souvenir.
Adventure
The Cook Islands are perfect for those who like adventure as well. Driving a squad through the jungle, visiting waterfalls, trekking the cross-island trek, snorkel, dive… you name it, the Cook island has it all.
Snorkelling
The Cook Islands are a perfect destination for those who love to snorkel. The lagoon water is very calm, crystal clear and warm. Almost all lagoons are protected by the outer reef, so you don´t have to worry about waves. Also, the outer reefs around the Islands are full of fish and other sea life, so there is a lot to observe. If you really want to experience an exquisite place to snorkel, visit One Foot Island on Aitutaki.
Friendly locals
Talking with locals is one of the best things we love while travelling. The Cook Islanders are very friendly and warm people. The atmosphere of the Cook Islands is very laid back so people always find a time to chat with you about their culture and traditions. They are always very helpful and they will make sure that you have the best time while visiting their Islands.
Learn to dance
Who does not love to watch wild and sensuous movements accompanied by rhythmic drumming? Hawaiian and Tahiti dances are probably better known, because of the wider publicity. But the Cooks Islands have their own and unique version which is as good as the other ones. Apart from festivals, the easiest way to see a performance is to visit one of the Island Nights held by hotels. There the local dancers perform their sacred dances for guests usually a few times a week.
One of the popular traditional dances of the Cook Islands is the Ura. A sacred ritual usually performed by a female who moves her body to tell a story, usually accompanied by intense drumming.
Budget-friendly destination
One of the best things about the Cook Islands is, that it is a budget-friendly destination. It is a perfect place for all budget backpackers seeking to see a Pacific paradise on a dime. It makes it a perfect destination for those who want to experience a Pacific paradise without spending all of the life savings.
Sister of Bora Bora
Of course, we are talking about One Foot Island in Aitutaki, the secret of the Cook Island. And while everyone in the world heard about Bora Bora, not many people know about Aitutaki. Which makes it even more perfect destination. It is definitely less crowded than Tahitian Bora Bora and much, much cheaper. The nickname of a sister of Bora Bora is not a coincidence.
When you visit One Foot Island, you feel like you discovered the true heaven on earth. From the air, Aitutaki is probably one of the most beautiful sights in the world. From the ground, it is just as stunning. The water is so clear and so blue, that you just can not take the eyes off. Lagoon full of fish makes it a great spot for snorkelling as well.
Peace
Are you looking for a peaceful, quiet, yet exciting and pleasant destination? The place where you can just find your lost energy? The destination, where time stops and you can just freely enjoy yourself? From all the places we have ever visited, the Cook Islands were the one where we felt like the time and the world around us just stopped. The atmosphere of the island will get you. It does not matter how hectic your normal life is, here you will find the peace you have been looking for.
We hope you guys enjoyed our post about 10 reasons to visit the Cook Islands. If you like it, please share it and if you visited the Cook Islands let us know in the comment section down below.
